About This Side Hustle
Ghostwriting involves writing articles, books, social media posts, speeches, and other content that is published under someone else's name. It is one of the highest-paying forms of writing because clients pay a premium for quality content and your willingness to forgo a byline. CEOs, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers all need ghostwriters to maintain their content output while focusing on their core business.
Earning Potential
Ghostwriters charge $0.15-1.00/word for articles and blog posts. LinkedIn ghostwriting retainers run $1,000-5,000/month for 3-5 posts per week. Book ghostwriting pays $15,000-100,000+ per project. Experienced ghostwriters with executive clients earn $5,000-15,000/month.
Pros
- Premium rates compared to bylined writing
- Steady demand from executives and thought leaders
- Work with interesting and successful people
- Develop expertise across many industries
- Recurring retainer opportunities
Cons
- No public credit for your work
- Must adapt to different voices and styles
- Client revisions can be extensive
- Building a reputation without a public portfolio is challenging
30-Day Launch Plan
Position Yourself
Define your ghostwriting services and target clients
- Decide on your specialty (LinkedIn posts, articles, books, speeches)
- Create writing samples in different voices and styles
- Build a confidential portfolio with anonymized examples
- Set your rates based on market research ($0.15-1.00/word)
Find Your First Clients
Start outreach to potential ghostwriting clients
- Search LinkedIn for executives and founders who post frequently
- Pitch your services to content agencies that serve executives
- Join freelance platforms and bid on ghostwriting projects
- Network in entrepreneur communities and mastermind groups
Deliver Outstanding Work
Nail your first projects and build trust
- Conduct detailed voice interviews with your first client
- Create a style guide for each client's unique voice
- Deliver drafts ahead of schedule with minimal errors
- Incorporate feedback quickly and professionally
Build Retainer Relationships
Convert one-time projects into ongoing contracts
- Propose monthly retainer packages for ongoing content needs
- Offer bundled services (LinkedIn + blog posts + newsletter)
- Ask clients for confidential referrals to their network
- Create templates and processes to increase your efficiency
Tips for Success
- Master the art of matching someone else's voice and personality
- Record client interviews to capture their natural speaking patterns
- Specialize in a lucrative niche like tech, finance, or healthcare
- Build trust through NDAs and professional confidentiality
- Offer a trial piece at a reduced rate to prove your value
Skills Required
Tools Needed
- Google Docs or Word
- Grammarly or ProWritingAid
- Recording software for client interviews
- Project management tool (Notion, Asana)