A New Professional Development Program from the Experts at Gotham Ghostwriters
Opportunities to make a healthy living are rapidly expanding and the old stigmas around ghostwriting are fast disappearing. But as much as our field is coming out of the shadows, there are still a lot of questions about how to capitalize on this moment.That’s why we decided to develop GHOSTMASTERS, a tailored professional development program that will leverage the insights we have gained from brokering nearly 1,000 collaborations over the past decade to help writers from all backgrounds make the most of ghosting as a career path.
GHOSTMASTERS is designed to help writers:
Launch and nurture a successful ghostwriting practice with confidence
Diversify and grow their income streams
Professional development opportunities taught by industry experts:
Online Courses & Webinars
Conferences & Events
Coaching
Ghostmasters 101: How to Break Into the Business of Ghostwriting
September 30-October 4, 2024
and
October 7-11, 2024
1-2:15 p.m. ET Monday-Thursday
1-2:30 p.m. ET Friday
Learn everything you need to know to launch your ghostwriting business in this two-week class.
In a ten-session live online course, Ghostmasters 101: How to Break Into the Business of Ghostwriting, you’ll get step-by-step guidance on how to find clients, practical advice on how to close a deal, and useful tools like contract templates. In addition, you’ll hear personal stories from our master instructors who’ve made significant income from ghostwriting and even penned best sellers.
Cost: $1,095
Super Early Pricing (June 25-July 9, 2024): $795 (space is limited)
What's included
Ten classes on the business side of ghostwriting. Each class will be 75-90 minutes and will include a Q&A session.
Why it’s valuable
Adopting a business mindset is necessary if you want to adapt your existing writing skills in new, practical, incoming-generating ways.
Who the course is for
Writers, journalists, authors, and communications professionals who want to accelerate their earning curve—by making income on the side or starting a small business.
How it Works
Over two weeks, Toni Robino will host a series of engaging, conversational lessons taught by master instructors working professionally in the field of ghostwriting.
The curriculum includes 10 classes, each one followed by a Q+A session. Classes will include candid conversations that comprehensively cover business fundamentals such as contracts, payment structures, and negotiations as well as more nuanced ghostwriting strategies on how to listen deeply, submerge your ego, and capture the author’s voice. Together, the ghosts will share best-in-class insights on how to get a successful ghostwriting practice off the ground.
By the end of the course, you’ll understand how to get started and what it takes to succeed.
Ghostmasters 101 is conducted via Zoom webinar. Before each session, we’ll email simple directions to join the webinar.
Can’t make a session? After each session, we’ll email a link to the webinar recording.
Curriculum
WEEK 1 - SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 4, 2024
Make Your Business Plan
Monday, September 30, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Determine your value proposition and comparative advantage, identify your target markets, and make the mind shift from employee or freelancer to business owner.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Dan Gerstein
Build Your Infrastructure
Tuesday, October 1, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Figure out fees and fee structures and create processes and systems to streamline your business operations.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Marcia Layton Turner
Be a Visible Ghost
Wednesday, October 2, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Shape your online presence, spread the word about your practice, and generate leads.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Pauleanna Reid
Cultivate Clients
Thursday, October 3, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Identify where to find clients and how to engage them.
WEEK 2 - OCTOBER 7-11, 2024
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Salwa Emerson
Close the Deal
Friday, October 4, 1 - 2:30 p.m. ET
A basic primer on negotiating terms and protecting your interests (includes a sample contract). Explore the psychology of closing.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Dan Gerstein
WEEK 2 - OCTOBER 7-11, 2024
Win the Confidence Game
Monday, October 7, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Earn and keep a client’s trust, from the first interview through the final chapter.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Alice Sullivan
Know Thy Client
Tuesday, October 8, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Learn the fine art of submerging your ego and capturing the author’s voice.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Jordan Michael Smith
Design a Smooth Process
Wednesday, October 9, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Develop an effective, repeatable approach that you can customize for your clients.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Erika Winston
Publishing 101
Thursday, October 10, 1 - 2:15 p.m. ET
Gain an understanding of the publishing industry and the marketplace so you can help your clients choose the best publishing path for their books.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Emily Heckman
Write a Proposal They Can't Refuse
Friday, October 11, 1 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Acquire tips and tricks for developing book proposals that sell.
Instructor
Toni Robino
Co-Instructor
Catherine Whitney
Scholarships
In keeping with our commitment to promoting greater diversity within the ghostwriting profession, scholarships for aspiring ghosts of color and/or LGBTQIA+ writers will be available in partnership with the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of Ghostwriters, and Speechwriters of Color.
The Fine Print
Cancellation Policy for Ghostmasters 101
We understand that plans may change. If you wish to cancel your registration for the course, you must notify us via email at ghostmasters@gothamghostwriters.com (please use CANCELLATION REQUEST as the subject of the email). For cancellations made on or before 9/1/24, 75% of the course fee will be refund; refunds may take up to 60 days to process. No refunds will be given for cancellations made after 9/1/24.
Gotham Writer Network
Participation in Ghostmasters 101 does not confer admission.
Don’t be spooked by the ghostwriting biz.
Find out what it takes to succeed.
For more information about Gotham Ghostmasters and Ghostmasters 101: How to Break into the Business of Ghostwriting,email us at ghostmasters@gothamghostwriters.com