Category: ghostwriting

Do you ever find you’re cruising right along, doing your thing, feeling like you have a handle on life, and then bam! The universe says, “No, it’s time to grow”? That’s me right now. I’ve worked as a journalist since 2006 but most of my stories have been simple — interview a few people, do some googling, and then done. I’m not someone who has ever written an exposé. I don’t piss off politicians or reveal the dark underbelly of anything. In other words, I wouldn’t call myself an investigative journalist and neither would anyone else.

Buuuuut, now I’m doing investigative journalism work.

It’s not for the Washington Post or anything but I’m holding some people’s feet to the fire in order to change things. They’ve created dangerous living conditions for tenants and as far as I can tell, the city isn’t doing anything about it. Instead of writing one story and dropping it, I’m pursuing the subject and writing follow-ups. I letting these corrupt bigwigs know I’m not going anywhere, which is something I’ve never done before.

As a ghostwriter for therapists, most of my clients haven’t worked with someone like me before. Oftentimes, they have questions about what a ghostwriter does and are scared to put themselves out there. I completely understand! I feel the same way whenever I try something new. However, as Goethe reminds us, “Whatever you dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

The magic in my life is that a veteran reporter showed up out of the woodwork to coach me. He’s giving me lots of tips about calling this person, researching that, filing a FOIA request, and more. When you step outside your comfort zone, people materialize to help you. These angels in disguise act as cheerleaders telling you, “You can do it! Go ahead and try!”

It reminds me of Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist when he writes, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” I’ve seen that over and over again for the things that are meant to be. When I started this business as a ghostwriter for therapists, I thought I would fail. I thought no one would want to work with me, that clients would be nonexistent, and that I’d have to work for someone else. But that isn’t what happened.

Instead, within a week, I had my first content writing client (because I do that too!) and in about six weeks, I started ghostwriting for my first therapist. She and I have been working together for literally years now and not only has she been published in some big-time publications, but we’re working on THREE ebooks.

Renee was scared when we started working together. She was nervous about sharing herself with the world. Would she be judged? What would people think? But now the dam has burst and she realizes she wants to get her message out in the world. There’s so much inside she can’t not share it. Renee stepped outside her comfort zone and I was the angel in disguise who showed up to help her.

Am I that angel for you as well? Are you ready to grow your comfort zone? If so, reach out to me. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Normally when I tell people I’m a ghostwriter for therapists, they either don’t know what a ghostwriter is, or they wonder how that works specifically for therapists. (If that’s you, read my post about ghostwriting and check out my FAQs.) However, one time someone asked me in jest, “Do you write about ghosts?”

This person didn’t really think I  wrote about ghosts but it’s an interesting question. I don’t mind some paranormal entertainment every now and again. I enjoy friendly ghosts a la Casper or The Dead Romantics but not the scary ghosts such as those in The Amityville Horror. So no, when I ghostwrite for therapists I don’t create ghost stories, at least not in the way this person meant.

The word “ghost” has denotations of a person who has died but is still here in a non-corporeal way. It’s a being that can walk through walls or make lights flicker. However, there are different kinds of ghosts. There are metaphorical ghosts from the past that continue to haunt us in the present.

One of the reasons I love ghostwriting for therapists is I recognize we all have ghosts. There are circumstances, events, or images that still hold a charge for us long after they occurred. There are things we wish had gone differently or still have questions about. Therapy is one mechanism to help process those metaphorical ghosts. After working with a trained professional, we’re able to move on and no longer be haunted.

I’ve gone to therapy for years and I love it because it’s changed my life tremendously. It gave me the courage to start my own business, to set and maintain healthy boundaries, and to feel more at peace. I am fortunate enough to work with someone but not everyone has that privilege.

The U.S. is currently experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals. Currently, more than 150 million people live in federally designated mental health professional shortage areas. Within a few years, the country will be short between 14,280 and 31,109 psychiatrists. Psychologists, social workers, and others will be overextended as well, according to the report.  “People can’t get care,” Dr. Saul Levin, CEO and medical director of the American Psychiatric Association said in an article.  “It affects their lives, their ability to work, to socialize, or even to get out of bed.”

Mental health professionals cannot work one-on-one with everyone who needs help. What that means is more people are relying on books, podcasts, blogs, and social media to fill the mental health gap. But how can therapists and other mental health professionals write those books and blogs if they’re already strapped for time?

Enter a ghostwriter. I haven’t trained as a therapist but I research mental health topics for fun in my spare time and also have my own experience with therapy. That means I know more than the average person about these sorts of topics and I’m able to use my writing chops to help you (if you’re a therapist) and ultimately those who need you. Together, we can reach so many more people than you could otherwise.

Are you ready to share your wisdom with the world? Contact me about working together.

In the fast-paced world of writing, carving out time to craft engaging and impactful content can be a challenge, especially for those with demanding professions. If you’re a busy professional seeking to stand out in your field, partnering with a freelance ghostwriter and editor can be your secret weapon. Someone like Rebekah Moan, with her mastery of content creation and editing, can help you craft articles that reflect your expertise and connect deeply with your audience.

Why Choose a Freelance Ghostwriter and Editor?

In today’s dynamic landscape, whether you’re a therapist, entrepreneur, or thought leader, your schedule is often overflowing with responsibilities. Amid client meetings, strategic planning, and continuous learning, crafting compelling content might not be your top priority. This is where the value of collaborating with a freelance ghostwriter and editor becomes evident.

I recognize the hurdles professionals like you face. Combining my background in your industry and my writing proficiency, I excel at turning your ideas into eloquent, reader-engaging content. When you team up with a freelance expert, you’re freeing up time to focus on your core strengths while entrusting the creation of your online presence to capable hands.

Enhance Your Digital Footprint

In a world driven by digital interactions, establishing a robust online presence is essential for professionals aiming to broaden their reach and impact. Well-written blog posts serve as windows into your expertise, allowing you to establish authority within your domain. My services extend beyond mere content creation; I become a partner dedicated to shaping your online persona.

Tailored Content, Amplified Voice

My approach revolves around personalization. Regardless of your specialization—be it therapy, entrepreneurship, or any other field—I invest time to comprehend your unique voice, principles, and intended audience. This meticulous attention to detail results in content that resonates deeply with your readers, fostering a genuine connection that encourages engagement and trust.

Optimization for Online Discoverability

Creating captivating content is one side of the coin; ensuring it reaches those in search of your insights is equally important. My expertise in SEO guarantees that each piece I craft is optimized for online searches. This strategic approach propels your valuable content into the spotlight, making sure your expertise doesn’t go unnoticed.

A True Partnership

Collaborating with a freelance ghostwriter and editor isn’t a one-sided transaction; it’s a partnership built on communication and shared goals. I prioritize collaboration, working hand-in-hand with you to translate your vision and ideas into polished prose. Your feedback shapes the narrative, turning the process into a true reflection of your expertise.

In Conclusion

For professionals like you, the power to connect, inform, and inspire lies in your ability to communicate effectively. By aligning with a freelance ghostwriter and editor like me, Rebekah Moan, you’re transcending the confines of your profession, expanding your influence far beyond your immediate reach. With my support, your content will engage, educate, and captivate, establishing your online presence as a beacon of knowledge and authority.

Are you ready to elevate your impact? Reach out to me today and discover how my writing and editing services can be the catalyst that propels your influence to new heights.

I’ve worked as a ghostwriter for therapists and other mental health providers for a while now and I’ve noticed there are a few fears that come up regularly. If you’re considering hiring a ghostwriter, but you’re a little nervous about it, keep reading.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I wrote it myself?”

Sometimes people think they are the only ones who can express what’s on their minds and hearts. They think they are the best people to convey ideas to the world, but that’s not true. I’ve worked as a journalist since 2006 and in that time have honed my interview skills. I know how to draw information from a person they may not think is relevant or interesting, which I also apply to ghostwriting.

There’s also the fact not everyone is a writer. Some people struggle to present their ideas in clear and cohesive ways, especially if they’re neurodivergent. By working with me, I can zero in on what matters and expand upon that information. Not only that, even people who are good writers struggle to find time to write! If you’re a therapist or mental health provider, you’re spending most of your day seeing patients so making time for writing can be stressful. That’s where I come in. I have the time to do what you cannot.

“If I didn’t write it, how can I claim the credit?”

I hear this one a lot. People are worried that if they aren’t the ones putting pen to paper (or fingers to the keyboard), the content isn’t really theirs. They think they can’t claim ownership, or that it’s unethical to do so. I hear you. I’m an enneagram one so integrity is high on my list of values. The way I think about it is ideas are intellectual property.

The thoughts I’m writing about aren’t mine, they’re yours. I know a smidge about a variety of topics like attachment theory, internal family systems, and trauma, but you are the expert. I’m writing a skeleton blog or book that you fill in with lived experience. I’m the instrument for the idea, but the content didn’t come from me.

This is why I emphasize over and over again the importance of the ghostwriting relationship. I want to make sure I’m capturing your voice and that I understand what it is you want to convey. By doing so, I’m writing something as close to how you would phrase it as I can. That means when the blog or the book goes live, you can feel comfortable saying it’s yours. However, if that still makes you nervous, keep reading for point three.

“Will anyone know I didn’t write it?”

When I ghostwrite for busy professionals or therapists, I let them take the lead in how confidential they want our relationship to be. Some folks feel fine declaring they work with me as a ghostwriter whereas others want that to be kept between us. Whatever you, the client, decide is what goes. I won’t publicly declare I ghostwrote a piece unless I have express permission from you (and even then I will probably keep my lips sealed.)

If you’re worried about anyone finding out you hired a ghostwriter, let me put that fear to rest: They won’t. Unless you tell them. That’s also why I don’t rely on using ghostwriting samples when I pitch to potential clients. It doesn’t matter what I wrote for one of my most successful clients, Renee (not her real name), because I may not write in a way that works for you. In addition to emphasizing the ghostwriting relationship, this is also why I conduct a paid writing sample before working with anyone. If you don’t like what I wrote for you, then who cares what I’ve ghostwritten for someone else and how well it performed?

If I’ve assuaged your fears (and even if I haven’t), why not reach out to me about working together? What do you have to lose? And what do you have to gain?

Recently, someone asked me how I keep content such as articles, case studies, and blogs interesting, particularly if I’ve written on the topic a bajillion times. My response was, “The human element.” People want to read about themselves. We are endlessly fascinated by the behaviors of others, either because they mimic our own or are drastically different. It’s that human quirkiness that perpetually snags our attention.

A literary agent expressed this during a writer’s conference I went to in October when he said, “Specificity is the gateway to universality.” It may seem counterintuitive, but the more specific you are, the more relatable whatever it is you’re writing.  Instead of trying to make your character like everyone else, instead of being as general as possible, do the opposite. It turns out when you write about someone whose eye twitches when they’re stressed, or leaves dirty dishes in the sink for days, you’re broadening the appeal of your character. There’s a universality because while your eye may not twitch when you’re stressed, maybe your mouth does, or your finger.

Conversely, with the detail about the dishes, maybe you wash your dishes as soon as you’re finished and you’re repulsed by people who let them sit a while. That emotional reaction is a hook that keeps you engaged because you’re either nodding your head in agreement or exclaiming, “How could you do that?!?”

The literary agent said, “Specificity is the gateway to universality,” in reference to characters in a novel, but the principle also applies to case studies, blogs, and articles. If I’m writing about something as mundane as a pencil, which we’ve all used at some point in our lives, you don’t care that much the pencil sparkles. Glitter is fun and all, the sparkles may tip you over the edge in terms of buying the pencil, but you’re not going to read an entire blog about it. However, if I said there are 50 ways to use a pencil that don’t involve writing, and then interviewed people who used pencils as hair accessories, art pieces, to conduct electricity, and more, that’s interesting.

In my work as a ghostwriter for therapists, I use this principle of specificity frequently and ask my clients for examples. Out of the 50 million articles on trauma, what makes theirs stand out? Unless they’re presenting cutting-edge research, it will be the anecdotes. It will be the story of how Jane Doe was scared to leave her house because the world felt too threatening and now she travels by herself to far-flung lands. That’s a story.

Because I have training as a journalist, and still work as a freelance journalist in Oakland, CA, I’m well aware of what makes content interesting. I think about this all the time. In journalism, there’s a word for it: newsworthiness. And just because I’m not writing for the New York Times and instead writing for someone’s blog, doesn’t mean those same rules don’t apply. They do. Specificity is the gateway to universality no matter whether it’s ghostwriting for a therapist or content writing for a small business.

How has XYZ affected you or someone you know? How is life different for you because of XYZ? It’s those details that make all the difference.

If you’d like help drawing out those details, reach out to me. I’ve been focusing on details since the 2nd grade when I told my teacher, Mrs. Briggs, that her shoes sounded like they said “apple” every time she took a step. Even if that doesn’t make sense to you, it sure caught your attention, didn’t it?

 

When I first met Renee (name changed to protect her identity), she told me her therapy business was in a good place so she wasn’t interested in attracting new patients. Instead, what she really wanted was to express herself. To get her voice out there. She wanted to reach more people than she otherwise could doing exclusively one-on-one sessions.

Renee knew she had an interesting perspective to share with the world and she enjoyed writing, had some experience with it, but her issue was time. What with seeing patients, doing paperwork, and generally living her life, making time for writing was a struggle. Furthermore, it wasn’t something she could easily crank out in a short period of time. In other words, she wasn’t a fast writer. Realizing she could use some help, she reached out to me.

As a writer for therapists (as well as a content writer for small businesses), it’s easy for me to sit down and write something swiftly. I’ve spent the last 15 years working as a journalist with hard deadlines, and sometimes covered breaking news. That means I can write quickly. Gone are the days of laboring over each word and spending countless hours on one article. I told Renee I would be happy to take the stress out of writing for her and free up her time so she could focus on what she does best: being a therapist. I also told her I would support her in getting her voice heard by a broader audience.

I’m happy to report that’s exactly what’s happened. Articles I ghostwrote for Renee have been placed on prominent websites that reach an estimated 7 million people per month through a variety of partner and advertising networks. Not just one article either — several. On top of that, I’ve ghostwritten not one but TWO chapters for her that will be published in anthologies next year. In fact, based on an article I ghostwrote, one publication reached out to Renee specifically and asked her to contribute a piece to their upcoming anthology. We didn’t even pitch to them! They came to us!

The magic comes from the alchemy of our relationship of course. I’m doing the writing, but the ideas are all Renee’s and she’s the one making sure the information is accurate as well as reflective of her writing style. But still. I’m so proud of her and our work together. It shows that as a ghostwriter for therapists, I get results. There’s no guarantee that something I ghostwrite will be accepted for submission at various publications, but given my track record with Renee, I’d say the odds are in your favor.

If you’d like to risk those odds, if you’re looking to be heard, to become prominent in your field, reach out to me today. I’d love to support you. Together, who knows what we could accomplish?