Finding and working with a great ghostwriter is the difference between your project succeeding or falling on its face. Whether you’re planning to write a book, create engaging content for your website, or develop compelling marketing materials, a ghostwriter can be the best possible tool for ensuring the perfect execution of your vision, using their expert words.

But, knowing who to hire is not a simple task. Ghostwriters by definition work under discretion, meaning their clients and works are not public information. You cannot simply hire a ghostwriter by looking at their portfolio of published work.

Instead, it’s important to know exactly what to look for when hiring a ghostwriter, as well as where to find them.

What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is a professional writer hired to work on a project on behalf of someone else, meaning they typically wave credits on their writing. They are commonly employed for various projects such as books, articles, speeches, or social media posts when the client wishes to use their own vision and ideas, but does not have the time or skills to fully execute the words.

Ghostwriters work closely with clients to understand their ideas, tone, and objectives, translating them into polished, well-crafted pieces of writing.

The key feature of ghostwriting is that they remain anonymous with the client’s name being credited on the final project.

Why You Need a Ghostwriter

Great stories start from an idea. Hiring a ghostwriter allows you to tell that concept, without compromising on quality, voice, or integrity.

A ghostwriter offers invaluable support for those seeking to bring their ideas to life but may lack the time, expertise, or confidence to do so alone. With their skill and experience, a ghostwriter can transform your vision into a polished, professional manuscript, ensuring your story reaches its fullest potential.

Before starting the search for a ghostwriter, it’s imperative to know exactly what project you want to hire them for. Spend some time clarifying your brief by researching the type of content you need a ghostwriter to complete for you and write down the guidelines such as envisioned word count, timeline, and your budget.

Most ghostwriters specialise in a particular niche e.g. memoirs, tech, or website landing pages. Before researching the right ghostwriter for you, know exactly who and what type of ghostwriter you need.

Where to Find Ghostwriting Services

Ghostwriter services can be found in several different places, depending on your needs.

Four Ways to Find a Ghostwriter

1. LinkedIn: Professional Ghostwriters will typically have an active LinkedIn presence to share their work, writing, and achievements. Clients can endorse their skills to help you feel more confident in hiring them, and ghostwriters will also often share their personal writing to LinkedIn to give a sense of their tone, voice, and capabilities.
2. Online Freelancer Platforms: Many freelance ghostwriters advertise their services through sites such as Fiverr.com or Upwork.com. You can explore their profiles, read client reviews, and see their standard rates upfront. These are perfect for smaller or short-term ghostwriting projects and you can typically services more suited for a lower budget with these sites.
3. Ghostwriting Agencies: For larger projects like books or full-scale campaigns that require a guaranteed level of professionalism and skills, you may wish to reach out to established ghostwriting agencies. Like ghostwriting individuals, they tend to be specialised within a niche. Instead of hand-picking your own ghostwriter, the agency will match you to a writer already on their rostrum. Using an agency will involve paying an additional fee and a higher overall cost, however, for many the ability to have a pre-vetted ghostwriter is well worth the cost.
4. Search Engines: The majority of ghostwriters work as independent freelancers, meaning they advertise their services through their own business websites and blogs. Google is a great way to look for a ghostwriter for your specific needs, comparing various websites and individuals in order to find the perfect writer for you. Ghostwriter websites may contain client testimonies, FAQs, and even a portfolio of their work to help you make your hiring decision.

How to Choose a Ghostwriter

As you start your search for a ghostwriter using the methods above, you’ll quickly realise how many individuals offering their services are on the market. To choose the perfect ghostwriter, there are several key elements to consider.

First, is the ghostwriter’s experience and expertise. You want to ensure you are hiring someone who has the right skills to complete your project to a high standard within the agreed-upon deadline. Start by reviewing their portfolio of work and client testimonials, if you cannot find these on their website or profile, it is normal to reach out and ask for them ahead of starting the hiring conversation.

Next, consider their writing style and whether it aligns with your vision for the project. A ghostwriter who specialises in novels but has mostly worked in the horror/crime genre may not be the right choice for a romance story. Similarly, make sure to consider your own writing tone and voice; when reading over the ghostwriter’s portfolio, think about whether you feel they would be able to emulate that style.

Finally, communication and professionalism are also vital. As the client, you have put time and intentionality into your search, and you should expect the same courtesy from any potential ghostwriter. Be aware of how the ghostwriter communicates ahead of hiring whether that is through email, direct messages, or during consultation calls. Evaluate if they make you feel confident in their knowledge and at ease with the process. Entrusting someone with your ideas is a serious agreement, so you deserve to feel like you know exactly how the process will go.

Ultimately, a ghostwriter should demonstrate a clear understanding of your concept and brief, respond in a time-appropriate manner, and communicate their requirements before starting on the project.

What to Expect When Working with a Ghostwriter

A ghostwriter should prioritise the realisation of your vision, leveraging their writing expertise to bring it to life. They approach each project with a commercial viewpoint, collaborating with you to build a finalised vision of the story.

To make this happen, a ghostwriter should initially schedule a consultation course to learn about your project and give you a chance to ask any questions about them and their process. During this call, you can get information on the ghostwriter’s experience, as well as their rates and timelines. If their services and your needs are aligned, then you can move forward with the contract.

A ghostwriter will then send over a contract outlining the services and agreement, this will also typically include a confidentiality clause that confirms that the ghostwriter will not seek credit for the work and signs away all rights to the finished project.

Before diving into a first draft, a ghostwriter might suggest creating an outline document for the project to iron out any issues and make sure that their intentions for the project perfectly execute your vision.

Most ghostwriters will also agree to work on a certain number of revisions for the project, pre-decided before the contract is signed. This means that after the ghostwriter submits the first draft of the project, you may respond with feedback or amendment requests to get the piece exactly how you want it to be.

How Much do Ghostwriters Cost?

Ghostwriting is a high-skill profession and as a result, freelancers will charge appropriately for their individual experience and expertise. The costs will depend on the type of project, length of piece, and timeline given to complete it.

Average ghostwriting costs might be between $0.03 to $0.50 per word, or $40 to $100 per hour. Hiring through an agency may be higher, or alternatively, lower rates might be found on freelancer platforms.

To learn more about ghostwriting, you can check out my personal Ghostwriting Services or Reach Out To Me Directly. Whether I’m right for your project, or work under a completely different niche, I’m more than happy to answer your questions or refer you to a ghostwriter who can help you with your project.