Can Ghostwriters List Clients on Their Resume or LinkedIn?
Think about basketball for a second. You've got the star player who gets all the headlines, the one sinking the game-winning shots. But behind that star, there's a whole team making plays – setting screens, dishing out assists, playing tough defense.
They're crucial to the win, even if their name isn't the biggest one on the scoreboard. As a ghostwriter, you're often like that key player, doing vital work behind the scenes. The big question I hear a lot is: how do you show your skills and experience on places like resumes or LinkedIn when the whole point of your job is that someone else gets the credit?
It's a tricky situation. Let's break down how you can handle this, based on what I've seen work and the standard ways people navigate this.
Understanding the Confidentiality Thing
First things first: confidentiality is the bedrock of ghostwriting. It’s like the unwritten rule of the locker room. Most of the time, you'll sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, or NDA. In simple terms, this is a formal promise that you won't claim the work as yours or tell everyone who you wrote for.
Clients hire you because they want the content under their name or brand. That's the deal.
I know some folks get nervous about NDAs asking for addresses and details, but honestly, it's standard practice. It’s just paperwork to make sure everyone's protected – it stops the writer from claiming credit later, and it assures the client the work stays theirs. Simple as that.
How Pros Usually Build Resumes
So, how do you show you've been putting in the work without breaking those promises? Experienced writers I know tend to do a few things:
- Describe the Role, Not the Client: List "Ghostwriter" on your resume, mention how long you did it, but leave the client's name off. It shows you were doing the job without spilling the beans.
- Talk About Industries and Types of Work: Instead of saying "Wrote for Company X," you can say something like, "Ghostwrote articles for leaders in the tech industry" or "Developed blog content focused on financial planning." This shows your areas of expertise without naming names.
- Add a Confidentiality Note: Lots of pros put a simple line on their resume, something like: "Client list and work samples protected by NDA. Writing samples available upon request." This signals you understand confidentiality and are professional about it.
Other Ways to Show Your Skills
Sometimes the standard ways don't feel like enough. Here are other approaches I've seen people use effectively:
- Focus on Your Process: Talk about how you work. Describe your research techniques, how you structure content, your editing process, any special skills you bring to the table. This shows your capabilities without revealing the final, confidential product.
- Create a Business: Some writers set up their own company, like "XYZ Writing Services." Then, on their resume or LinkedIn, they list themselves as the Founder or Lead Writer. It shifts the focus to your business rather than individual, confidential clients.
- Make New Samples: If a potential client wants to see your work, create a fresh sample specifically for them. Write something in the style or niche they need. It demonstrates your skills directly without using work tied up in an NDA. This is often the most straightforward way.
What About Special Cases?
Now, confidentiality is usually strict, but there are occasional exceptions:
- Getting Permission: Sometimes, a past client might be okay with you mentioning the work privately to a specific potential employer. This usually involves more NDAs and being very careful about what you share. Don't count on this, but it can happen.
- Anonymous Case Studies: You could potentially describe a project vaguely, focusing on results. For instance, "Increased website traffic by 30% for a client in the healthcare sector through ghostwritten blog posts." You're highlighting the outcome without naming the client. Be careful here to keep it truly anonymous.
- Publicly Available Stuff: This one's debated. Some writers think if it's published online, it's okay to put in a portfolio. Others (and many contracts) say even if it's public, the agreement was you wouldn't claim authorship. My advice? Always check your contract or even consult a legal expert before including anything you ghostwrote. Better safe than sorry.
Putting Together Your Professional Profiles
So, how does this all come together for your resume and LinkedIn?
- Resume Wording: Use phrases like, "Proven ability to develop, write, and edit compelling copy for [mention types of content like blogs, articles, speeches]" or "Ghostwrote materials for clients published in major industry journals [mention general types of publications]."
- LinkedIn Strategy: Use your profile to show your expertise generally. Post about writing tips, industry insights, or describe your services carefully. Some writers I know keep a private folder (like Google Drive or Dropbox) with anonymized samples they can share selectively with serious potential clients.
- Getting Clients: Instead of relying on a public portfolio of ghostwritten work, focus on personalized outreach. Send potential clients proposals explaining how you can specifically help them. Include maybe 2-3 relevant samples (either anonymized or created specifically) that show you can do the kind of work they need.
Wrapping It Up
Look, being a ghostwriter means walking that line between showing your value and respecting the confidential nature of the job. It’s like being that essential basketball player who makes the team better without needing their name in lights.
You can't usually list your clients directly because of NDAs and just how the industry works. But that doesn't mean you can't build a strong resume or profile.
From my experience, the best approach is to be smart about it. Focus on describing your skills, your process, the types of industries you've worked in, and use anonymized or custom-made samples. Show what you can share, rather than worrying about what you can't.
By doing that, you can build a solid professional reputation, attract good clients, and keep honoring the agreements you've made. It takes a bit more thought, but it's definitely doable.