How to Become a LinkedIn Ghostwriter
If you find this article helpful, buy me a coffee to show support đđŒ
It was rough at first. I had no experience in writing, starting a business, marketing, sales â nothing. So, it's not surprising that my first gig as a writer paid only $15 for a 1000-word blog post. With multiple short-term jobs like that, it made me doubt whether I could actually make a living from writing. Even three years in, the inconsistency of landing clients kept me uncertain.
But then, Google rolled out its AI-generated summaries. That forced me to rethink the value of SEO writing and pushed me to pivot into LinkedIn ghostwriting. That shift changed everything. And at first, $10k/mo felt unreal. But the more I leaned into it, it became clear why this worked.
What is LinkedIn Ghostwriting
LinkedIn ghostwriting is when a professional writer creates posts on behalf of someone else, usually a CEO or founder. The goal is to capture their voice so the content feels authentic, not like it came from a marketing department. Done well, it builds thought leadership, sparks conversations, and attracts opportunities.
Itâs not just writing. Itâs listening, shaping ideas, and turning scattered thoughts into stories that resonate. If you're advanced and look beyond transactional work, you're also a strategic partner. Managing, curating, and interviewing to create a holistic approach to growing your client's online presence.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Ghostwriter?
To be a successful ghostwriter, the foundation comes from copywriting: Strong grammar and punctuation, sharp storytelling skills, clarity, marketing psychology, and the ability to research, edit, and polish until the writing feels effortless. But thatâs only level one.
To move into level two (the kind of ghostwriter clients really rave about), you have to step outside of yourself and get into the head and heart of your client. That means asking questions that reveal their beliefs, background, strengths, relationships, and expertise so you can capture not just their words, but their worldview.
The top-tier ghostwriters go further still: They combine empathy with systems. They create content matrices so ideas never run dry, organize everything in shared hubs, and use tools like Notion or Trello to make the process seamless.
Are Ghostwriters in Demand?
With over a billion users on LinkedIn, many of whom are executives and decision-makers, LinkedIn is no longer viewed simply as a job board for hiring or landing interviews. Instead, it's become a powerful content marketing and personal branding platform â one where having a consistent and authentic presence can directly translate into business growth and visibility.
The challenge is that most leaders donât have the time, skill, or clarity to write, let alone maintain the kind of consistent system that a strong personal brand requires.
This is where ghostwriters step in. And as Dakota Robertson has pointed out, LinkedIn ghostwriting is a niche market that remains highly underserved. Lara Acosta has also mentioned that only about 3% of LinkedIn users actually post content.
This means the demand for compelling, consistent storytelling far outweighs the supply of those who can deliver it. And when you factor in how much of LinkedInâs audience is made up of CEOs, founders, and professionals who need to project authority, the opportunity becomes even bigger.
So, are ghostwriters in demand? Absolutely. As outdated tactics like overspending on ads, relying on SEO tricks, or leaning only on word-of-mouth fade into the background, executives are waking up to the reality that a personal brand is non-negotiable.
How Much Do Ghostwriters Get Paid?
Ghostwriting rates cover a broad spectrum, ranging anywhere from $0 to $1,500 an hour, depending on experience, reputation, and the type of client you work with. On the extreme high end, someone like Jasmin Alic charges $1,500 for a single one-on-one âpower hour,â though thatâs more the exception than the norm.
Most LinkedIn ghostwriters package their services. E.g., writing posts, engaging, and keeping tabs on metrics for somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 a month. Some charge as low as $500/mo, and others $5,000/mo or more per client.
Your rate depends heavily on background and positioning. Writers with marketing experience, strong testimonials, or a proven portfolio can command higher retainers, while beginners may start with unpaid work to build credibility.
Geography also plays a role (somewhat). Writers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia generally charge more than writers based in countries like India, Pakistan, or Africa, where market expectations tend to be lower. In short, ghostwriting can be anything from a side hustle that starts small to a lucrative career pulling in multiple thousands per client each month.
Writing Tools Every Ghostwriter Should Have
When it comes to ghostwriting, sitting in front of a blank page with only a blinking cursor is a recipe for burnout. Creativity alone wonât sustain you day after day, project after project. You need tools that sharpen your process, keep you organized, and help you consistently produce high-quality work.
Think of it like carpentry: yes, you need craftsmanship and skill, but even the most talented carpenter needs the right saws, hammers, and chisels to bring their vision to life. The list below isnât exhaustive, but these are the essentials I recommend.
Experiment, adapt, and ultimately find the stack that makes you most effective as a writer.
Grammarly
Grammarly is a good standard tool to have. It helps catch your spelling and offers some grammar and punctuation suggestions. Donât blindly accept every suggestion, though. Itâs best used as a second set of eyes, not as your editor-in-chief.
Trust your judgment and let Grammarly polish the edges.
ChatGPT
AI has changed how writers work, and ChatGPT is at the center of that shift. It can help brainstorm headlines, outline content, or rephrase ideas in fresh ways. That said, itâs a co-pilot, not the driver. You still need to provide creative direction and critical thought to make the writing feel human.
Speechify
Proofreading backward is one approach, but hearing your words read back automatically is a game-changer. Speechify lets you convert text into audio, making awkward sentences, clunky transitions, or missed words stand out. Plus, the app adds some fun with customizable voices like Mr. Beast and Snoop Dogg.
SEO Tools
Understanding search intent and visibility isnât just for blog writers â it matters for LinkedIn too. Tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Answer the Public can give you insight into what terms people are actually searching for. This helps you shape content that hits both relevance and reach.
Website (Optional)
While not mandatory, having a personal website helps establish authority. Think of it as your digital business card where clients can see your portfolio, testimonials, and packages. Itâs optional, but for higher-ticket clients, itâs often reassuring.
CMS (Notion, Trello, Asana)
Organization is half the battle in ghostwriting. A content management system keeps your workflow visible to clients and reduces chaos. Whether you prefer Notionâs flexibility, Trelloâs boards, or Asanaâs project tracking, the point is to show structure and professionalism.
Mind Map Tools
Big ideas need room to breathe, and mind mapping helps you visually connect them. Tools like iThoughtsX or Miro are perfect for building out content themes, brainstorming your offer, or breaking complex concepts.
Booking Page
You want to minimize back-and-forth scheduling with clients. A simple booking page using tools like Calendly or TidyCal streamlines that process. It makes you look professional and keeps your calendar under control.
AI Notetaker (Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai)
Interviews and client calls can be goldmines for content, but only if you capture the details. AI notetakers transcribe conversations automatically so you can focus on listening instead of typing. This also ensures you donât miss those offhand remarks that make content authentic.
In short, tools wonât replace skill, but they can dramatically amplify it. Use them to cut down on busywork, refine your writing, and create a better experience for your clients. A strong ghostwriter has both craft and a toolkit, and knows how to use each wisely.
We're about to get to the good stuff. But first, coffee?
10 Steps to Become a LinkedIn Ghostwriter
1. Learn Copywriting
As mentioned, the core of ghostwriting is copywriting, because everything you produce needs to persuade, inform, or inspire action. Learn the principles of messaging, positioning, and emotional triggers so you can write in a way that resonates with both your clientâs voice and their audience. Reading books like Everybody Writes by Ann Handley, The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert, Cashvertising by Eric Whitman, and Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller will sharpen your skills. Study them, but also practice daily â because writing is a skill honed through repetition, not just theory.
2. Define Your Value
Before you can pitch yourself as a ghostwriter, you need to know exactly what you bring to the table. Are you great at turning technical jargon into simple insights? Do you excel at storytelling that connects emotionally? Defining your value helps you stand out in a crowded market and gives potential clients clarity on why they should work with you. It also helps to lean toward certain niches. Love tech? Write about SaaS, IT, and Cybersecurity. Love personal development? Target coaches, mental health advocates, and fitness gurus.
3. Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Your own LinkedIn presence is your first piece of social proof. Clients want to see that you can do for yourself what you claim to do for them. Use a professional headshot, write a clear headline that showcases your role as a ghostwriter, and craft an About section that highlights results. The more optimized your profile, the more credibility you bring to the table. Also, don't forget to add a free resource in the featured section. Whether it's booking a call, an article, or a profile audit.
Pro tip: Your tagline should include three core elements.
1. What you do. 2. Who you help. 3. How you help them
4. Research Your Target Audience
You canât write effectively for someone if you donât know who theyâre speaking to. Take time to research the audience your client wants to reach. Their pain points, goals, and motivations should all be added to the ICP (Ideal Customer Profile) umbrella. From there, study what resonates on LinkedIn by analyzing comments and engagement patterns on similar content. The better you understand the audience, the more powerful and tailored your writing becomes.
5. Create a Content Matrix
One of the biggest roadblocks ghostwriters face is running out of ideas. A content matrix solves this by organizing posts into themes, formats, and recurring topics. Itâs a system that ensures you always have material to pull from, whether itâs thought leadership, storytelling, how-tos, or industry insights. By building this framework, you eliminate creative droughts and keep your creative workflow active.
đ It took me months and $600 of mentorship to refine this. Buy me a coffee, and message me âContent Matrix." And Iâll send you a personalized Loom video breaking down the process.
6. Develop Systems
Beyond writing, ghostwriting is about building smooth, repeatable processes. Systems like project management boards, shared folders, and editorial calendars keep everything organized. They also help reassure clients that youâre not just winging it. Youâre operating like a professional.
7. Engage and Comment
Ghostwriting isnât limited to posting. Itâs about being active on the platform. Commenting thoughtfully on relevant posts builds visibility for your client and strengthens their reputation as a thought leader. Engagement also helps you stay tuned into conversations happening in the industry. Over time, this creates a ripple effect where more people begin to recognize your clientâs name and authority.
Pro tip: "Great post" does not count as a thoughtful comment.
8. Nurture Warm Leads
Posting content alone doesnât guarantee clients will reach out. You need to nurture the relationships that develop from it. This means responding to comments, following up with people who engage, and building genuine connections. Treat LinkedIn as a place for conversation, not just broadcasting. When you consistently nurture leads, you turn interest into opportunities.
9. Get Good at Interviewing
The best ghostwriters know how to pull gold from their clients through smart questions. Your job is to uncover their stories, experiences, and expertise in a way they might not express on their own. Develop interviewing skills that go beyond surface-level questions, and learn how to dig deeper. This skill allows you to write content that's rooted in core values and thought processes.
10. Learn From the Best
Ghostwriting is a craft, and the fastest way to improve is by studying those whoâve mastered it. Follow top influencers like Justin Welsh, Matt Barker, and Nicolas Cole to see how they approach content and strategy. Pay attention not just to what they post, but how they structure ideas and build engagement. By modeling their best practices, you can accelerate your growth while still developing your own unique voice.
Pro tip: Using tools like Kleo or Taplio shows you which posts perform best.
Is Being a Ghostwriter Worth it?
I won't lie. It's a lot of work. Ghostwriting isnât just typing words on a page. Itâs discipline in disguise: showing up daily, keeping a clientâs voice consistent, and organizing ideas into stories that actually matter. And without that structure, the work can drain you fast and leave you dreading LinkedIn like an unpaid bill.
But when you get it right, youâre not only writing posts. Youâre helping people find their voice, their authority, and their audience. And if you're writing for a niche that excites you, that's deeply fulfilling. Plus, you get to work from anywhere in the world.
Final Thoughts
If youâre chasing an easy payday, LinkedIn ghostwriting isnât the answer. Itâs not a plug-and-play hustle, and AI wonât magically churn out the kind of content that builds trust with smart, discerning audiences.
This path asks for more. It asks for patience, for weekends spent refining your craft, for mastering both hard skills like copywriting and marketing psychology, and soft skills like communication, empathy, and self-awareness.
Frameworks like this one can guide you, but the work of carving out your own approach is what sets apart ghostwriters who last from those who burn out. So, in the end, the path is yours to pave.
Phew, that was a lot... Grab some coffee? It's on you, hehe.
FAQs
How to write engaging content on LinkedIn?
Focus on clarity, storytelling, and relatability and share insights in a way that feels personal and actionable. Use hooks in the first two lines to stop the scroll, then deliver value with a mix of stories, lessons, or frameworks. Always write like youâre talking to one person, not a crowd.
Can you make money as a freelance ghostwriter?
Yes, and often more than traditional freelance writing, since ghostwriting taps into a high-demand niche like LinkedIn personal branding. Rates vary, but skilled ghostwriters can charge anywhere from $1,000 a month per client to several thousand. The key is positioning yourself as more than a writer. Youâre helping build authority and visibility.
How can I get consistent with content creation?
Build systems, not just habits. A content matrix, idea bank, or weekly planning session helps you stay stocked with ideas so youâre never staring at a blank page. Consistency comes from process, not motivation.
What's the best content strategy for LinkedIn?
Balance authority with authenticity: mix educational posts, personal stories, and industry insights. Showcase expertise while staying approachable, and encourage conversation rather than broadcasting. A simple strategy is to cycle between value, story, and engagement-driven posts each week.
Do you have to be a skilled writer to become a ghostwriter?
You donât need to be a literary genius, but you do need solid fundamentals in copywriting, clarity, and storytelling. Ghostwriting is less about fancy prose and more about capturing your clientâs voice in a way that connects. The skill can be developed with practice, feedback, and study.
How can I book my first potential client?
Start by showing proof of work, even if itâs unpaid samples or writing your own content consistently. Engage with potential clients on LinkedIn through comments and DMs, then position yourself as someone who understands their challenges. That credibility and relationship often lead to your first booked call.
How do I decide what to include in my ghostwriting service?
Think about what clients struggle with most: writing, ideation, and consistency. A good package might include content creation, engagement, and strategy support. From there, refine based on your strengths and what your ideal clients value most.
