Ghostwriters, Assemble! 7 Key Tips for Capturing Your Client’s Voice
January 23, 2025
If you’re a writer, you probably have an opinion about ghostwriting. Some swear by their ghostwriters; others prefer to pretend they don’t exist (and some fall into both categories). But in today’s content-driven world, there’s no doubt that ghostwriters are having a moment.
When I was younger, being a ghostwriter carried a certain stigma—you might stoop to it if you had to, but you certainly wouldn’t brag about it. Now, there are ghostwriting agencies, organizations, helplines, courses, and how-to guides galore.
(Fun fact: Did you know that none other than Mark Twain and H.P. Lovecraft worked as ghostwriters for Ulysses S. Grant and Harry Houdini, respectively? If it’s good enough for them, can we agree it’s good enough for the rest of us?)
Whether you’re an author in the market for a ghostwriter or a ghostwriter seeking clients, there are key factors critical to developing and delivering a top-notch finished product. First and foremost is the ability to replicate voice.
What is Voice?
Let’s take a quick trip back to English 101.
Voice, according to a MasterClass article, refers to the “rhetorical mixture of vocabulary, tone, point of view, and syntax that makes phrases, sentences, and paragraphs flow in a particular manner.”
We all understand this concept instinctively. It’s why we can tell the difference between Dr. Seuss and Charles Dickens—or even Dr. Seuss and Robert Frost.
Who could possibly mistake “I do not like them, Sam I Am! I do not like green eggs and ham!” for anyone but good ol’ Ted Geisel?
For a deeper understanding of voice, consider these examples:
- From To the Lighthouse (Virginia Woolf): “Also the sea tosses itself and breaks itself, and should any sleeper fancying that he might find on the beach an answer to his doubts, a sharer of his solitude, throw off his bedclothes and go down by himself to walk on the sand, no image with semblance of serving and divine promptitude comes readily to hand bringing the night to order and making the world reflect the compass of the soul.”
- From Good Wives (Louisa May Alcott): “Meg looked with maternal pride at the little jelly glasses, full of fruit beautifully preserved.”
- From The Sun Also Rises (Ernest Hemingway): “It was a fine morning. The horse-chestnut trees in the Luxembourg gardens were in bloom. There was the pleasant early-morning feel of a hot day.”
- From Born Confused (Tanuja Desai Hidier): “Life viewed from nine different camera angles; life played at nine tempos. Mixed, montaged; multiple.”
These passages demonstrate the immense variety in voice. Woolf’s clause-filled sentence, Alcott’s polished descriptions, Hemingway’s short, punchy phrases, and Hidier’s rhythmic fragments each show distinct, unmistakable styles.
Your client’s voice is the same—perhaps not as refined, but no less unique. And it’s critical to emulate those qualities when ghostwriting.
Why Does It Matter?
Your ability to replicate your client’s voice is vital for a simple reason: officially, it’s not your book. As a ghostwriter, your value lies in your expertise and experience—qualities that allow you to enhance your client’s work while making it sound authentically theirs.
Barbara Adams, a writer with The Writers For Hire, recalls her first ghostwriting experience: “The client told great anecdotes, and when I started to write the book, I wrote as if I were telling the story instead of her telling it.”
This is a ghostwriting no-no. Adams eventually received some helpful editing, fixed her writing, and delivered a quality product.
She also learned a valuable lesson: unlike other writing jobs, where your unique voice is an asset, ghostwriting clients pay you not to sound like yourself.
(As you might imagine, being a successful ghostwriter requires a certain level of humility—it’s not easy to resist tooting your own horn when you’ve written something amazing!)
I’m a Ghostwriter—How Do I Nail Voice?
Ghostwriting Life describes ghostwriting as “being a writing chameleon, seamlessly blending into another’s narrative style.” That’s a vivid way to frame your objective. But how can you get to that “chameleon phase”?
Here are a few tips:
- Listen actively.
Adams advises paying close attention to how your client communicates: “The client will often signal how they want to be portrayed.” Is their tone casual and friendly? Corporate and formal? Somewhere in between? If the client doesn’t specify, ask. This question is critical. - Involve your client early.
Share drafts with your client early on. Ask them to review both the factual accuracy and how well you’ve captured their voice. Adams notes this approach serves two purposes: it allows for course corrections and gets the client invested in the process. - Understand the target audience.
Different audiences require different tones. Corporate Baby Boomers, tech-industry Millennials, and creative artists all expect distinct communication styles. Knowing who you’re writing for will help you hit the right note. - Study your client’s existing work.
Review any prior publications, emails, or social media posts your client has written. Even emojis can offer clues. (For example, I know someone who exclusively uses green hearts in her texts—an easy identifier!) - Take notes during meetings.
Hannah Sandoval, founder of Purple Ink Pen, recommends jotting down phrases or ideas that stand out during conversations with your client. Patterns in their speech or frequently repeated phrases can be invaluable for capturing their voice. - Slow down and review your work.
Regularly reread what you’ve written. Analyze it for consistency with your client’s tone. - Be open to rewrites.
Rewrites aren’t a failure; they’re part of the process. Sandoval suggests encouraging clients to highlight areas they want adjusted. Treating revisions as routine keeps the process collaborative and stress-free.
Let’s Recap
Ghostwriting is a unique craft that demands incredible attention to detail and the ability to fade into the background. It’s not something most people master on the first try.
But with active listening, consistent collaboration, and a keen eye for detail, you can refine your skills and become an in-demand ghostwriter.
By prioritizing your client’s voice, you’ll not only create exceptional work—you’ll also build lasting, grateful relationships with your clients.
