Ghostwrite Personal Profiles
How to Profit from Writing MySpace (and other network) Profiles
May 13, 2007
One unique opportunity for making money as a writer is to ghostwrite personal profiles for business professionals. Business people use LinkedIn, MySpace, Ryze, Squidoo, Hi5, Friendster, and other social networking sites regularly. Most aren't writers and could use a little help putting their thoughts into an interesting paragraph. This provides you with a great opportunity to assist where their skills may be lacking, by ghostwriting profiles for them.
How can you get started ghostwriting personal profiles?
1. Write a few examples
Hit up your friends and colleagues for content and write 5-10 sample profiles. Practice designing profiles that are meant to be fun and personal, and profiles that are strictly business. Offer a few free rewrites in exchange for testimonials. This will help you build a portfolio to show prospective clients, and give you some experience with different styles of writing. Try a mix of career types to show off your versatility.
2. Decide what you will charge
Will you write a profile for a flat rate or charge per hour? Also, will you allow your client to use the profile in multiple places, or make changes when they need them? Your rate should be low enough that it is believable, and high enough to create the image of quality. Many writers shortchange themselves when setting rates. Look to local copywriters and magazine editors for rate ideas.
3. Set up shop
Create your own profile page or website describing your services. This is your gallery, and opportunity to show off your work. Make sure it shines. If you aren't HTML savvy, don't worry. You job is to write words, not code. Hire a graphic and web developer you trust to create an attractive profile page or website and learn how to maintain it. Don't scrimp here. General web users are no longer used to seeing hand-crafted "country-style" websites. They expect a certain level of quality, and it makes them feel secure in choosing you for their writing needs.
As the Internet has become mega-popular for business and personal use, services have sprung up all over to teach people how to do everything themselves, from setting up email to publishing websites, to blogging and web conferencing and uploading video clips. Since many people have become self-reliant for their Internet and web-based needs, you may find it challenging initially to get started with clients. Be consistent with your message and promote yourself in business-service circles. Once you create a short list of dedicated clients, you will have no problem getting testimonials and exposure for your service.
