How many times has a client asked you if you could take on a project that requires skills you have been picking up only in the course of work? I’ve had clients ask me to ghostwrite executive blogs, outline points for an investor pitch, write short speeches, and write video scripts. Did I know what I was doing? I do now.
I took the work based on my knowledge of the content, the client, and the audience, but it would have been great to have had specific training for the various formats that clients increasingly request. That’s the philosophy driving a new series of workshops designed by the ASJA Educational Foundation.
Two regional writer’s conferences at the Columbia College campus in Chicago, on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18, offer complementary avenues to success in today’s changing freelance landscape. Held on Friday, “Spotlight on Ghostwriting” is the first in a planned series of master-level workshops for accomplished freelancers who want to sharpen specific skills. If you’ve authored a nonfiction book under your byline or as a ghostwriter or co-author and you’d like to build a ghostwriting practice, this unique, focused workshop is for you.
Increasingly, potential ghostwriting clients look first for ghostwriters to help them develop a proposal and to guide them through the maze of publishing options. Few know how to find, nevermind vet, all the professionals and services they need to convert their concept to a book. But they do know that they need a creative collaborator, so they search for writers first. This channels power and opportunity to us, the professional writers. “Spotlight on Ghostwriting” is designed to help make the most of these opportunities. You’ll learn from seasoned ASJA ghostwriters how to build a ghostwriting practice and how to effectively and profitably design and manage projects. Our sponsors, including The Jenkins Group and Richter Publishing, will outline how to match the right project with the right publishing platform. We’re also offering a client track and are marketing intensively to professional groups and associations whose members need to know how to navigate the publishing maze.
Less experienced writers—those without nonfiction book credits but who would like to break into ghostwriting—will find the information they are looking for at “Boost Your Content IQ” on Saturday, also presented by The Jenkins Group and Richter Publishing. Open to writers of all levels, both new and seasoned freelancers can choose from a bounty of skill-building sessions and networking opportunities. Additionally, the terrific Chicago committee has lined up a powerful array for Client Connections, an enticing reception, and passes to the new Writers’ Museum in Chicago.
We’re working on materials to frame additional in-depth topics. Minda Zetlin, ASJA Educational Foundation chair and I are gathering information for upcoming master-level workshop topics, grant writing (for yourself and for nonprofits); memoir (for yourself and for clients); and speech and script writing. Please email your comments on topics and tactics that can help cultivate deep expertise that drives sustainable practice growth.
Hope to see you in Chicago Nov. 17 and/or 18! Spread the word and bring friends! Sign up for either or both.
Joanne Cleaver has been a full-time freelance business writer since 1981 and an ASJA member since 1994. She has authored seven books, including three on entrepreneurship; her most recent book, The Career Lattice (McGraw Professional, 2012), is about the power of lateral career moves. She met her literary agent at an ASJA conference, in an elevator, and won her with an elevator pitch that took only four floors. She is the ASJA Educational Foundation development chair and chair of the ASJA Content Connections conference.