How do we start?
How do you ghostwrite my financial article?
What’s your background?
Who has published the work you’ve edited, ghostwritten or written under your own name?
Are we a good fit?

How do we start?

We’ll start with a discussion of your goals and ideas for your project. Typically the next step is for me to give you a proposal outlining

• Project overview
• Time frame
• Deliverables
• Client expectations
• Fees
• Other relevant considerations

Sign our agreement and send your deposit, then we’re ready to start!

back to top

How do you ghostwrite my financial article?

My ghostwriting process typically includes these steps:

1. Topic identification
2. Interview of expert(s)
3. Outline
4. First draft
5. Revision, if necessary
6. Completion

1. Topic identification

You and I will discuss your topic over the phone. It’s helpful if you can answer these questions:

• Why do you want to write an article and what do you want it to accomplish?
• What is your topic?
• Who is your audience and what do you want them to do after they read your article?
• Why will your readers care about your article topic?
• What problem will your article solve for your readers?
• What are the three main points you’d like to make?
• Where will the information for the article come from? For example, interviews with your subject-matter experts, materials provided by you, or something else?
• Where will the article appear?
• What word count are you targeting? For example, a ghostwritten newspaper article often runs 600-1,000 words and a double-spaced, typed page runs about 200-250 words.
• By when do you need the article completed?
• What is your review and approval process?

Following this interview, I typically send you a letter of agreement that describes the scope of the work we will do together.

2. Interview of expert(s)

Most of the articles that I ghostwrite are based on an interview with a single expert. Sometimes multiple experts and outside research are involved.

Prior to the interview, I will send you a list of questions to think about. If that makes you think of useful exhibits or other data, it’s helpful for you to send them to me prior to our interview.

The interview will be conducted by phone and tape recorded, so I can refer back to it.

3. Outline

Following our interview, I will typically send you a robust outline, so you can agree to the direction of the article before I send you a complete draft. The outline will incorporate my questions and requests for additional information needed to flesh out the article.

4. First draft

After you respond to my questions and approve the outline, I will send you an article following the outline.

5. Revisions

My clients are often satisfied with my initial draft. However, sometimes changes are needed. Our letter of agreement will specify the scope of revisions included in your project fee.

6. Completion

When the process is complete, you’ve got an article you can publish under your name. It’s ready to go!

back to top

What’s your background?

I help financial professionals increase the impact of their writing on clients and prospects. I write and edit investment commentary, white papers, articles, and other communications for leading investment and wealth management firms.

Prior to my current career as a freelancer, I was director of investment communications at Columbia Management Group, a trustee at Batterymarch Financial Management, and a staff reporter for a weekly mutual fund publication. So I understand communications from the perspective of an investment adviser and a journalist.

back to top

Who has published the work you’ve edited, ghostwritten or written under your own name?

• Advisor Perspectives
• AIMSE Advisor
• American Banker
• Boston Business Journal
• Boston Security Analysts Society News
• Bottom Line/Personal
• The Boston Globe
• Cambio Press
• CFA Magazine
• Financial Advisor
• Financial Planning
• Journal of Financial Planning
• Louis Rukeyser’s Mutual Funds
• Mass High Tech
• Mutual Fund Market News
• Providence Journal
• Registered Investment Advisor
• Trusts & Estates
• The Washington Post
• Wealth Manager
• Women’s Business

back to top

Are we a good fit?

You’re a potential client if your investment or wealth management professionals have interesting ideas that appeal to your clients, prospects, and referral sources. Your only problem: You, your staff, and the financial professionals just don’t have the time—or maybe the skill—to put them into writing persuasively.

This is where I come in. I can interview your subject matter experts, review research materials, and write a piece your company can publish under its name. If you prefer, I can edit your draft. Or even teach to you to do it yourself.

You may benefit from my writing, editing, or training services if you are a marketer or communicator for

• Financial planners or financial advisors
• Investment managers
• Wealth managers
• Vendors to any of the above

I tend to work mostly with larger firms that need white papers or have ongoing needs.