How To Become a Ghostwriter: Ultimate 2024 Guide

Ghostwriting is a bit of an enigmatic writing profession. While there are many ghostwriters out there, it is often challenging to figure out how to start.

After all, ghostwriters are anonymous, so following them on social media or finding their websites is challenging. Below, we’ll look at how to get started, including a detailed, step-by-step guide. 

Ghostwriting Definition

Ghostwriting is writing on behalf of another person without receiving public credit for the work produced. It’s a collaboration where a ghostwriter channels the thoughts and voice of their client to make it appear as if the client themselves wrote the content.

Ghostwriting is a common practice in book writing, blog writing, email writing, speeches, and web copies. It has been around way before the Internet.

What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is hired to create content that is credited to another person. Typically, they sign a contract with their client that requires them to keep their part confidential and get paid (hopefully) a handsome sum for the same.

Today, it has become common practice for tech companies to hire freelance writers to ghostwrite for their CEOs on their blogs. Or even on social media.

But celebrities, top executives, politicians, musicians, and even writers have been using ghostwriters for centuries. Have you ever heard of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? He was hired to ghostwrite music for wealthy patrons.

Why Should You Become a Ghostwriter?

If you don’t get public credit for your work, why would anyone ever want to become a ghostwriter? 

The most enticing reason is the possibility of a substantial and dependable income. Often, ghostwriters are paid extra because they stay anonymous. Furthermore, some clients may even need ghostwriters to continue writing content for an extended period, which can lead to a steady income. 

You can also get the opportunity to apprentice under a professional writer. Sometimes, ghostwriting clients are writers themselves (with more work than they can handle). If you land a gig with experienced freelance writers, you can perfect your craft while making money.

Do Ghostwriters Get Credit?

Occasionally the author may admit they relied on a “research assistant”, but generally, ghostwriters are not credited.

This means that you cannot share the ghostwritten work anywhere in your writing portfolio unless your client gives you permission to do so. You can’t kiss and tell.

How Much Do Ghostwriters Make?

The main pull of ghostwriting is money. Therefore, it’s important to understand how much you can expect to make. Of course, the income of a ghostwriter will vary based on many factors, including the type of writing and your experience. Those that narrow down very far (such as only writing in the medical field) tend to charge more. 

Nonfiction vs. fiction writing prices may not vary that much. For instance, Byron Laursen (a successful ghostwriter) charges $85,000 to $125,000 for full-length novels. He charges $65,000 to $125,000 for a miscellaneous non-fiction book.

As another example, Gotham Ghostwriters is a ghostwriting agency. They have many writers working for them. According to their website, they charge $30,000 to $60,000 for a “basic” book, which includes a memoir or business book. They charge anywhere from $150,000 to $300,000 for an “elite” book, usually written by a bestselling author. 

Although outliers — at the top end of the ghostwriting spectrum — you can make lots of money. For instance, if JK Rowling were to hire fiction writers as ghosts, they would be paid millions.

J.R. Moehringer was allegedly paid $1 million for Prince Harry’s book, ‘Spare.

Therefore, you can make a lot of money off of one book. However, these prices include all services, including interview times, full editing, and proofing.

Is Ghostwriting a Viable Career?

In the United States, the average ghostwriter’s salary typically falls between $44,406 and $56,825 (as of September 2023).

In certain geographies like India, celebrity memoirs are on the rise. And the high-profile folks who publish these hire ghostwriters.

The global ghostwriting market, as per one study, is primed to grow at a CAGR of 4.5 percent from 2023 to 2030.

So overall, it seems like offering ghost writing services is an AI-proof career opportunity — especially for creative professionals with polished writing skills.

Who Shouldn’t Pursue Ghostwriting?

While ghostwriting can be alluring, it isn’t all butterflies and roses. 

A ghostwriter — as I mentioned — doesn’t often get to see their own name in their writing. It can be problematic if you’re someone who deeply attaches yourself to your projects. Ghostwriters operate in the background, their contributions are hidden, and the satisfaction comes from creating compelling writing while sacrificing personal recognition.

You’ll also have to adapt your writing to your client’s voice, tone, and style. Some people are much better at adjusting their writing style than others. But you’ll effectively stop developing your own unique voice — unless you pursue other projects (which is highly recommended).

Ghostwriting is also an ethical gray area. While it’s widely accepted in many fields, there are pockets of controversy, particularly in academic circles, where it can be perceived as plagiarism. 

Furthermore, some individuals have personal issues with ghostwriting, even if it is technically accepted in many niches. If you’re one of these people, you probably shouldn’t ghostwrite.

It’s essential to note that ghostwriting is completely legal. Often, well-constructed contracts and agreements are in place (which we’ll discuss more below). 

Okay, with all the basic questions out of the way, here’s a step-by-step guide on building your ghostwriting business.

How to Start Ghostwriting: 8 Simple Steps

If you’re still interested in ghostwriting, it’s time to start! In many cases, you just have to take the first step. 

Step 1: Freelance and Specialize in a Writing Niche

Before you dive into ghostwriting, you need to make a name for yourself while doing other sorts of writing. (After all, you won’t be able to use ghostwritten work in your portfolio.) Therefore, you should start by taking other freelance writing jobs where your name will be credited. 

Specialization is very helpful during this step. By focusing on a specific niche, you can position yourself as an expert in that field, making attracting clients seeking writers with subject matter knowledge easier.

Your first step should be to identify your niche. Then, seek out work in the niche you’re interested in. Articles, blog posts, and other content pieces all count. If you want to specialize in something that isn’t a common niche outside of ghostwriting (like memoirs), consider writing a few “dummy” pieces for your portfolio. 

As you start ghostwriting, continue adding to your portfolio (if allowed by your contract). Some ghostwriters do not name any specific books they’ve worked on, while others, like Jeffery Mangus, do.

Some authors even share credit with ghostwriters, so lucky you if you find such nice folks.

Step 2: Build Relationships

You can do this while building your portfolio in step one. Relationships are everything in the world of ghostwriting. Strong connections with clients and industry professionals will likely land you your first ghostwriting project. 

If you’ve been freelancing in your chosen niche, your existing clients can be a valuable source of referrals. Happy clients are often willing to recommend your services to others or may have colleagues needing a skilled ghostwriter. I’ve personally landed several jobs just from recommendations through old clients. 

You can also join forums, groups, and other communities where you’re likely to meet potential clients. Sharing your expertise in these areas helps establish you as an authority. 

If you work with a freelance editor or content manager right now, go the extra mile in your work with them. They may put in a good word and provide a big break for you, so keep nurturing your relationships with them.

Step 3: Formalize Your Ghostwriting Service Details

To succeed as a ghostwriter, you must establish a clear process and lay down how you work with clients. Also, mention your rates transparently, along with the payment terms.

If you’ve already broken into freelance writing and have a decent reputation, you can simply request about a 20% higher amount for ghostwriting. It’s a standard practice for a freelance writer to do so.

But if you’re pursuing nonfiction ghostwriting (or other forms of book ghostwriting), you can consider getting paid for the whole project upfront. Or even 50% upfront payment and request royalties from book sales for a 1-2 year period.

The exact rates for ghostwriting work depend on your experience and project type. For instance, you can find ghostwriting virtual assistants for as low as $170 for five 1k-word articles.

The standard rate B2B and SaaS freelance writers charge for ghostwriting can be around 50 cents a word or upwards. Kat Ambrose charges $700 for 1k to 1.5k-word articles, for instance, and 20% for ghostwriting projects.

However, books are often much more expensive, requiring more research, interviews, and a tedious writing process. Dara Silverman charges around $20,000 for a full-length fiction book or memoir.

Step 4: Get a Ghostwriting Contract in Place

If you want to succeed, you must establish a contract. This is a clear and legally binding agreement between you and your clients. A well-crafted ghostwriting contract protects both parties’ interests, defines project parameters, and ensures that expectations are met.

If you’re working with clients on a freelance marketplace, many have built-in contracts you can customize. You should always customize your contract for each client, as they may have different project details and payment terms. Stress the importance of maintaining client confidentiality. Specify that you will not claim authorship, and detail how you will handle sensitive information.

If you’re not confident in your contract writing abilities (and who is?), I recommend hiring a legal professional. They can review or draft contracts on your behalf to ensure legality and protection for both parties.

Ensure that both you and your client sign the contract before commencing work. Digital signatures are often accepted on freelance platforms, while on outside platforms, a scanned copy or a signed agreement via email can suffice.

For smaller projects, you may feel like you don’t need a contract. But remember, an oral agreement isn’t enough.

Here’s Laura Sherman, an experienced ghostwriter’s advice for smaller projects:

Some projects are so small that they don’t require a full-blown contract. In those cases, I would suggest you summarize the oral agreement in an email and send it to the client. That would give them the chance to confirm that you are both on the same page.

– Laura Sherman

Step 5: Advertise Your Ghostwriting Services

Now that you’ve written enough to get a portfolio and have a contract ready, it’s time to start getting your first client. 

Your first step should be to design an informative website. This should include an overview of your services, rates, and a portfolio. Your potential clients should also be able to contact you from your website. 

On your website and in your marketing materials, emphasize your niche expertise. Explain why you’re uniquely qualified to write in that field, showcasing your knowledge and experience. This should be pretty straightforward if you’ve been following along so far. 

Be sure to include your portfolio on your website, including “dummy” samples and any freelance writing content you produced in your niche. 

If you have client testimonials, now is the chance to put them on. If you don’t, just add them when you do.

You should consider optimizing your website for search engines and guest post on relevant publications in your niche to promote your website. But this can be a long process.

That said, you can still do some basic keyword research to find phrases that don’t have a lot of competition but can lend you some of your ideal prospects.

Social media, on the other hand, is a great spot to land some clients — especially if you stay active and interact with other professionals in your niche, anyway.

For instance, Anthony Garone has put it front and center on his X profile that he’s a ghostwriter for B2B SaaS and tech executives.

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Many ghostwriters also invest in paid ads, including Bryon Laursen. Here’s one of their PPC ads I saw:

Step 6: Reply to Ghostwriting Job Ads

To kickstart your ghostwriting career, you should also actively search for job ads for ghostwriters. Often, this is like finding a needle in a haystack. After all, finding a post for your exact niche can be challenging, especially since most job boards have writing jobs of all sorts. 

However, some websites have more ghostwriting jobs than others. For instance, Reedsy is an extremely popular website for ghostwriters. They only accept the best writers, though, so this is a step you’ll need to take after you have a few samples!

You can also try websites like ProBlogger and LinkedIn. However, these are not quite as popular for ghostwriters. 

Anytime you apply for a job, tailor your pitch and response. Include a link to your website, which can make you seem much more professional. Emphasize your experience in their niche and explain how your skills fit what they need. 

Be concise and personable. 

Step 7: Cold Pitch Your Niche’s Thought Leaders

As another way to get clients, consider cold pitching to the thought leaders in your niche. Start by identifying prolific people in your niche who may benefit from your ghostwriting services. Consider who may want to produce content regularly but doesn’t have the time to do so consistently. 

CEOs and even content directors of businesses are often short on time but can benefit from content to establish themselves as thought leaders. They tend to benefit from having a ghostwriter the most. 

Your pitch should be concise, personalized, and tailored to the potential client’s unique personality. Emphasize your expertise and experience, whatever that may be. Don’t forget to include a link to your website and portfolio.

After sending your initial pitch, follow up if you don’t receive a response within a reasonable timeframe (typically 1-2 weeks). Often, people who meant to respond may forget to do so. By emailing them again, you can potentially rekindle their interest. 

You can also try outreach on LinkedIn, but you do have to have connections in your field. Send personalized connection requests and engage with their content when you have something to add. 

Cold pitching is really a numbers game. You’ll email many people, but you will get very few responses. However, if you keep at it, this method can land you some serious clients. 

Step 8: Keep Doing Other Freelance Writing Jobs

There is no reason to throw out other writing jobs when you become a ghostwriter. You can do both. Having multiple income sources increases your income stability, especially since ghostwriting projects can come and go. 

Plus, you’ll keep developing your own writing voice and building your portfolio. You’ll also keep building those relationships that can land you new ghostwriting project leads.

Ready to Become a Successful Ghostwriter?

Yes, some ghostwriters charge six figures for a single book. However, it takes a while to reach this amount of income. It will feel like you’re just spinning your wheels for the first little bit. As you develop your relationships and work on a portfolio, you won’t be doing any ghostwriting. 

Still, these steps are vital to becoming a successful ghostwriter. With a solid foundation, you’ll get that first ghostwriting gig. Then the next one. And the other.

It’s really just about putting one foot in front of the other and doing the work in those first few ghostwriting gigs.