While I’m known as a journalist, writer and editor, I’ve also done a lot of corporate ghostwriting behind the scenes. It’s a potentially lucrative market for writers who don’t mind skipping the by-line. Here’s how to track down your clients.

Defining Corporate Ghostwriting

“Corporate ghostwriting” can include website content (blog posts or static pages), press releases, articles for print, advertorials and even inter-office letters. You are hired to turn source material – gathered through interviews, researched or sent by your client – into a shining end-product.

Finding Clients through Referrals

The key is contacts. Most of my corporate jobs were referrals – from previous clients, referrals or people I’d previously interviewed who needed something written. Build a library of writing clips and get to know your editors; sometimes sources will also pass on a good lead – but you have to ask, or nobody will know you’re looking.

Job Boards

When not referrals, clients are often hiding on job boards, message boards, forums, and newsletters. MediaBistro, All Indie Writers, ProBlogger, Freelance Writing, Writers’ Job Board, Craigslist, Indeed and Journalism Jobs are some up-to-date ones that I’ve met clients on. Other times, cold pitch a company by contacting them with some writing clips and, “Hi! I’ve noticed your site could use some content,” or “Hi! I write the same material you seem to use in your publications and websites. Would love to chat.”

Corporate Language

Publications have style guidelines, and every company has their own style and tone. Research your company and interviewee (especially when you have to copy their voice as the by-line) by looking over the company website, reading past interviews, and going through material like press releases. The client will tell you what the piece aims to get across, and it’s your job to find the words to do it.

Draft to Publication

Always send a draft for approval to your client once you are done writing it. Be prepared to edit and discuss changes. Then, make sure they sign off happily on the final draft before anything goes off for publication – say, a press release to a media house. Corporate ghostwriting sometimes needs to happen quickly.

Corporate Schedules

Corporate clients are often extremely busy. Learn to keep interviews and appointments short. Always schedule ahead of time and never miss an appointment – but also be willing to reschedule if they have a last-minute schedule change.

Your Own Image

Yes, people care about your image even when you are ghostwriting – clients will check out your website and other works. If you write erotic elf-fiction, keep it separate from the “corporate” side of your site. Don’t slam clients – or anyone who might be their shareholders – on social media. (Yes, this means sometimes you have to Google it.) Reputation is everything.

Confidentiality as a Ghost

Ghostwriting occasionally involves sensitive information – things not yet available to the public, or information from the caverns of the corporate offices. Keep it confidential and remember that you’re the ghost in ghostwriting. Ask clients for referrals, but keep secrets secret and don’t tell everyone, “I wrote that!”

BIO: Alex J. Coyne is an internationally known author, freelance journalist and language practitioner who has written for publications including People Magazine, The Dollar Stretcher, Great Bridge Links and CollegeHumor.