??~\ From Gap to Glory /~??

Ways I've found to transform some of those freelance-book-work-related challenges ~ and be resourceful with what I have!

Pic Credit: https://pixabay.com/users/sasint-3639875/

?? Every so often, in my ongoing pursuit of book-ghostwriting work, I become aware I haven't had as many clients, and ghostwritten books, as some others here on LinkedIn.

And I may not be able to show the work anyway, if done under NDA (a non-disclosure agreement).

Some of what I've done to get around that:

1) ?? If the potential client has written/published one or more books ~ or mentions books in the vein of the one they'd like to do ~ I'll immediately order the library e-book or Kindle versions, and read all or some of them. As a pre-internet writer in biz, I learned to read fast and absorb prodigious amounts of material.

And I'm keen to get to know this potential client, and show them I'm interested, and serious!

The client may appreciate the fact I'm focusing on the books they have done, and/or are inspired by. It's the first step to understanding that person, and shows willingness, enthusiasm and preparation to take on a job.

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2) ?? As a freelance journalist over a few decades, I did many articles for major newspapers, and business, lifestyle and arts magazines. Some of these articles were loooong (we often were contracted to do 4,000 words!).

I've begun grouping these articles online together, so that they make a semi-book...of great business, or health, or creative stories, often from very interesting humans!

Presenting this past wealth of publication pieces as a kind of book helps notch me closer to that particular 'domain.' And often the message/content of the articles, even from the 1980s, is fresh, relevant and timeless!

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3) ?? If I've done some long, strong writing samples/chapters for a potential book job, I'll present those too.

In fact, I have two excellent examples: a long sales-related chapter in four parts, and a sample intro/chapter for a shocking, controversial event and whistleblowing of a major airplane crash (true story).

Both of these done-in-a-few-days examples (and the latter esp. was challenging, draining, to do) show how quickly I absorb new material, can write a strong, readable, turn-the-page part-of-a-book.

The client may also figure "If she put that much work into a possible job, imagine what she'll do if I'm paying her!"

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4) ?? For some potential book jobs, I also offer to show (for a sense of history, memoir, longevity etc.) some of the 150 posts I've researched/written in my LI series on the WWII worlds of my parents, a Polish II Corps 2nd-Lieutenant soldier and a Bletchley Park codebreaker.

Nearly a book there, and I also suggest to some new authors that the blog-post or letter approach can be an easy, wonderful way to start a long story.

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5) ?? While I may not have ghostwritten scads of books, I have worked on, with, around, many books. Maybe I edited them, provided consultation, gave them lots of guidance on publishing options, helped promote them.

Doing a colourful, exciting montage of such books creates a strong, diverse visual impression, and indicates "This person works in the world of books" (and appears to love them!).

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6) ?? If the big book job I've worked day and night to apply for, doesn't pan out, I really thank the client for considering me, and ask to be considered for other book jobs they may know of.

The key is to have presented yourself as someone who's adaptable, resourceful...and who has already shown some qualities of both hard work and human niceness.

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7) ?? A book job is also about (to be hoped) book sales and renown. I can show some of what I've done as a publicist promoting her own book (to a 65% media-response-and-coverage rate, in an industry where the average is 1-10%).

And I can talk about other instances in which what I wrote, achieved excellent, amazing results, whatever they were.

I have a good background in being part of and understanding media...and in persuading people and companies to part with money because of the words I wrote (many examples).

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8) ?? And yes...occasionally, I can get around that client-book matter of the NDA I signed. How so?

One major client of a few years ago said I could show the book (I'd done for him) to other potential clients...as long as I put them under an NDA too. Done! I put together a brief but complete little doc for that, and have used it to my benefit.

So...I hope you can find some wisdom in these examples, and even see something you can adapt for your own profession. Here are a few more tips:

? Even though this issue has relaxed somewhat, there's still a fear of the dreaded time-gaps in CVs and resumes. Significant volunteer work counts for something.

And perhaps it makes more sense to create a CV that's classified not as "when," but as "what." I.e., rather than doing it by dates, do it by the kinds of work, just as I've done with both my CV and LinkedIn profile.

? And if you really start digging around in your own life/history, you may reconnect with experiences that show you're a qualified, resourceful individual.

Maybe you worked on a political campaign. Or ran an animal-rescue organization. Or rescued a tumbledown building and turned it into a charming B-and-B. The qualities that helped you be successful, even achieve the impossible, may just be waiting to be turned towards a new endeavour.

? Other 'being resourceful' tacks might include: mentioning to clients you're happy to work/Zoom evenings and weekends (if that works for you). I often do this, and believe it was instrumental in my getting one particular book job.

However, the idea is not to burn yourself out, simply take your 'weekend' at other times, like Tues. and Thurs. afternoons. (Again, not for everyone, esp. those with families.)

? If you're an early bird and beholden to no others, meeting clients pre-breakfast might be an option. I did this with one book client, whose only time to 'talk the book' was 7:00 a.m.

So that's exactly when I was closeted with him in his downtown office, getting the job done. (And we might even share special local coffees.)

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There are many ways we can try to fill or simply leap over those awkward gaps or shortcomings in our professional lives, and do something a little extra to try to get a job.

Most of my experience is with freelancing/self-employment, so I'd welcome hearing how those in the salaried world do it!

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