Ghostwriting as a craft combines both art and commerce. Even if you aren’t exactly writing in your own “voice” per se, you are still stretching your creative muscles and adopting different styles and techniques to suit your client’s needs. Using that muscular extension,, you keep the business side of your practice alive and thriving. To do so successfuly, you will need to have a few tools by your side, to help you stay organized and focused on important strategic goals. Here is a list of the top five tools any ghostwriter worth their salt should be keeping in their arsenal.

1.   Planner

Life as a ghostwriter can get super busy, especially if you’re good at it. As you work hard to build a platform for yourself and cultivate a long clientele list, you should definitely invest in a planner. You can buy one that’s already dated if it helps, or a planner you date yourself if you prefer to keep the main focus on goals as opposed to only deadlines. Productivity planners may work best for your life as a ghostwriter, but again, it really depends on finding what works for you, and will help you stay accountable.

2.   Transcription Software

If you are ghostwriting someone’s memoir, or co-writing a book with another author, you may want to invest in transcription software. You will be sending and receiving voice notes a great deal – possibly in addition to, or in lieu of written work – and you won’t have the time to transcribe everything yourself. Investing in transcription software will help take care of a big chunk of the work.

3.   Contract Template

One of the most important pieces of paper that will float by your desk – hopefully regularly as your business becomes more successful – is a contract for each client you produce work for. You will have quite a few coming your way, and so establishing a template to help you track the paper trail is vitally important. Draft a simple template which includes a few clear lines regarding the deliverables, how much is to be paid and when, and a few basic terms both parties have agreed to.

4.   Management System

Like the contracts, you will have other documents and correspondence you’ll need to keep track of. There will be transcripts and multiple drafts for each project, and so on. The kind of management system you need will largely depend on how exactly you prefer to keep things organized. Some need digital backups in addition to hard copies filed away safely in file folders in your office. Whether you are comfortable with the Cloud, Google Drive, or only physical documents, just make sure that your filing system is organized by project, orderly and easy to find.

5.   Grammar Software

Of course, you’re a great writer. You wouldn’t be entertaining notions of becoming a ghostwriter otherwise. However, since you’ll be charged with writing a variety of pieces for different clients, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed at times, or lose the plot. Get ahead of the game and don’t be shy about using grammar software to help spot those easy to miss errors and maintain your credibility.

Ghostwriting can be a fulfilling career with many benefits. To be able to fully reap the fruits of your labors though, maintaining an organized and streamlined practice will be crucial. It not only helps you net and retain clients and grow your business, but will also help you be your best creative self.