There isn’t much data on ghostwriting. It’s a quiet industry masked by NDAs.
If I had to estimate, I’d say that 60% to 80% of business and self-help nonfiction books published today are ghostwritten or authored with the help of a collaborator. Most entrepreneurs, executives, and celebrities simply don’t have the time to sit down and pen a full-length book.
The numbers might be slightly lower for op-eds and essays—but not much. When you see a busy politician writing for the Wall Street Journal or a famous founder writing for Forbes, most of the time they have help.
Now think of all the investor letters, social media posts, and business reports you see each day on the web. Most of those executives aren’t writing these thought leadership pieces on their own, either. What I’m saying is, the business of ghostwriting is a massive one. It’s also one of the most secretive industries in the world.
I want to give you an inside scoop. I’ve worked as a tech ghostwriter for over nine years, helping founders and executives publish everything from viral LinkedIn posts to important op-eds, and ebooks that garnered hundreds of thousands of downloads.
Here’s what it's like working with a ghostwriter.
How celebrities, politicians, and executives find (and vet) ghostwriters
Ghostwriting is a strange business to market. By design, my best work is invisible—I write under my clients’ names, not my own. That makes it tricky to prove my abilities. How do you judge a ghostwriter when their portfolio is hidden behind NDAs?
Occasionally a ghostwriting client will openly refer me or acknowledge publicly that we’ve worked together. But those cases are the exception.
The usual answer is that good writing speaks for itself. The best ghostwriters aren’t just service providers. Most of them—including me—are independent writers with hundreds of articles published under their name. Many journalists, content writers, and authors earn a side living as ghostwriters.
Hiring a ghostwriter means hiring a writer whose voice resonates with you.
This gives you a glimpse into my process. I seldom approach strangers to promote my ghostwriting services. Practically every time, it’s the other way around. A tech executive reads one of my articles, connects with the voice, and reaches out to learn about my availability.
I don’t have to tell clients that I’ve helped past clients appear in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Dallas Morning News, which is all true. Usually they already suspect something like that because they’ve read my work in Adweek and Foundr.
In summary: People simply hire their favorite writers.
How ghostwriters capture your voice and ideas
Okay, so you hired your favorite writer. What happens next? How does the ghostwriter step into your voice and ideas?
Ghostwriting is a partnership. I can write to publication standards on my own, but I can’t capture your unique voice, story, and ideas without your input.
That’s why every project starts with recorded conversations—usually Zoom interviews. I’ll pull the transcripts and use them as the foundation of your article or book, ensuring your voice comes through seamlessly in the final piece.
But calls aren’t just about capturing your voice—they’re about sharpening your ideas. The best thought leadership ghostwriting isn’t built on empty platitudes. It’s bold, unconventional, and challenges readers to see the world differently. That kind of thinking doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from wrestling with ideas.
That’s where I come in. On our calls, I push back, dig deeper, and refine your insights—so your writing reflects the full depth of your thinking. I tend to start my calls with the same softball question: Is there anything already top of mind that you’d like to begin with?
I once worked with a founder who always answered that question the same way: “I don’t have anything now. But you always seem to tease out some gems on these calls, so let’s get to it.”
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Ghostwriting: Half writing, half wrangling
One overlooked aspect of ghostwriting is that it’s not just writing. Ghostwriters often joke that we’re literary therapists, helping clients process tough stories and wrestle with personal meaning. (The mental clarity that comes from sorting your thoughts? No extra charge.)
The other big task of a ghostwriter is project management. Most of my clients are juggling a dozen high-stakes responsibilities—leading teams, making decisions, running companies. Writing a book or an op-ed isn’t their top priority. Sometimes, it’s not even in the top five.
That’s why a good ghostwriter doesn’t just write—they own the process. I coordinate with assistants to schedule meetings, set deadlines, and keep the project moving. Once I’m brought on, it’s my job to make sure this thing gets finished.
Of course, it takes two. I need my clients’ time and input. But the responsibility for making that collaboration happen? That’s on me.
What does ghostwriting cost?
Last year The Wall Street Journal reported on a ghostwriting conference in New York. At the event, about 25% of ghostwriters charged six figures for their last nonfiction book. Given the subject of the conference, we can infer that that’s slightly higher than the industry average.
So, what does it cost to hire a book ghostwriter? Let’s tackle this one in parts.
Book Ghostwriting
$10,000 – $25,000 → Entry-level ghostwriters, freelancers, or offshore services
$25,000 – $75,000 → Experienced ghostwriters with a track record in business, self-help, or memoir
$75,000 – $150,000+ → Top-tier ghostwriters, often repped by agents or working with major publishers
Essay & Op-Ed Ghostwriting
$250 – $750 → Budget writers, content mills, or junior freelancers
$750 – $2,500 → Mid-market, experienced ghostwriters with a strong portfolio
$2,500 – $10,000+ → High-profile ghostwriters working with executives, politicians, or celebrities
Social Media Ghostwriting (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)
$50 – $150 per post → Entry-level freelancers, ghostwriters on platforms like Fiverr
$150 – $500 per post → Mid-market, experienced writers working with professionals and startups
$500 – $1,500+ per post → High-end ghostwriters for well-known founders, VCs, and public figures
Why do people hire ghostwriters, anyway?
There are plenty of reasons to hire a ghostwriter, but most fall into three categories: legacy, career advancement, and marketing. Here are a few real motivations I’ve heard from leads and clients over the past year:
An entrepreneur saw a niche book opportunity and didn’t want to fumble it.
Two executives (in the same week) wanted major magazine bylines to establish authority.
A CEO needed LinkedIn content about their company culture to attract top talent.
Another CEO had been turning down book offers for years—because they never had time.
A senior manager wanted to get published in major journals to land a C-level role.
A retiring artist wanted to document their career for future generations.
A conference speaker wished they had a book to sell from the stage.
Some founders just wanted to participate in their industry’s biggest conversations.
The reasons are almost as distinct as the individuals. This is what I love about my work. Whether it’s a book, an op-ed, or a social media presence, ghostwriting helps people get their ideas into the world—without having to write every word themselves.
Have a book or essay in you? Let’s talk (here's my calendar). I’d love to help bring it to life.
