At some point on your journey as a ghostwriter, someone is going to challenge you on the “morality” of writing not for, but as someone else.

I want you to be prepared to face this “ethical dilemma” head on. The truth is, there is no dilemma. But not everyone sees it that way.

“Do clients pay you to lie?”

This was a legit question a reporter asked me during an interview on the ethics of ghostwriting.

It was more of an interrogation than an interview. And the angle was clear — skeptical (and judgmental) of the craft responsible for changing my life.

The unfortunate reality is this is how most people perceive “ghostwriting.”

I’m going to tell you the same thing I told that reporter:

“You’ve got it all wrong.”

Let’s dive in!

Myth #1: “Ghostwriting is deceptive.”

No, it’s not.

• Every chart-topping song you hear on the radio
• Every mouthwatering recipe you find in a renowned chef’s cookbook
• Every speech the President of the United States gives to the country

They are all written, edited, re-written, and edited some more by an entire team of writers.

Which is just another word for “ghostwriters.”

Is this deceptive? Of course not. It would be ridiculous to assume that the highest-leverage contribution for each of these high performers is to sit there and debate adjectives and verbs

Myth #2: “Ghostwriting is inauthentic.”

If a client reads the words you wrote and says, “Yes! That’s exactly what I’m trying to say,” then it’s authentic.

Why?

Because it’s authentic to THEM.

It’s no different than a pop star working with a team of songwriters, collaborating and refining the message until the song is something they feel confident standing behind. The client decides whether or not the words they publish under their name are authentic.

Not the average, everyday reader.

Myth #3: “Ghostwriting is cheating.”

Walk with me for a minute.

Let’s say an enterprise software company wants to film a 60-second commercial.

Who do they need?

• An editor
• A videographer
• A casting director
• A project manager
• A lighting designer
• Seven interns and probably a hundred other skills

The ad might have been the CEOs idea, but it takes a village to bring it to life.

Ghostwriting is no different. The “writing” is still the client’s ideas. The art isn’t really in the writing, it’s in the shaping, sculpting, and refining of those ideas. And now, more than ever before, people need a ghostwriter (and this is why this service is not saturated).

The reader is just consuming them in their most polished form.

Here is what you need to remember: You are taking your clients ideas, your clients stories, your clients insights and perspectives and channeling them through your pen. And in exchange, you get paid a premium. There’s nothing unethical about it.

Working with clients who have industry-defining ideas is one of the many reasons you (and every other writer) should become a ghostwriter.

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