How To Be A Ghostwriter – Full 2026 Guide

Ghostwriting is where you, the ghostwriter, are hired to create (usually) written content like books, speeches, articles, that will be officially credited to another person. As the ghostwriter, your job is to convey the client’s vision while maintaining their desired voice, style, and persona.

While the concept is simple, there is a lot that goes into the process. For example, when you ghostwrite, you usually forfeit any public credit and all intellectual property rights to the “official author.”

In today’s article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about how to start ghostwriting. We’ll cover what ghostwriting is in more depth, how to start ghostwriting in 2026, tips and tricks to succeed, and more. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

What Is Ghostwriting?

At its core, ghostwriting is when you (the ghostwriter) write on behalf of another person. You write the words, and they receive the credit as the author. A wide range of projects, from full-length books and memoirs to articles, blog posts, speeches, and even social media posts, can be written by a ghostwriter.

The key is to capture the client’s style, tone, and ideas, and deliver a final product that sounds authentically theirs.

Here are the key characteristics of ghostwriting:

• No Public Credit: The ghostwriter is paid for their work but generally does not receive a byline, public acknowledgment, or author credit on the final published piece.
• Assuming the Client’s Voice: A critical part of the job is for the ghostwriter to closely replicate the tone, style, and voice of the person who will be credited as the author. For a memoir, for example, the writing must “sound” like the person who is the official author.
• Collaboration: While the ghostwriter does the actual writing, the process is usually highly collaborative. The credited author provides the ideas, stories, knowledge, and vision, often through interviews, notes, or outlines.
• Work for Hire: The ghostwriter typically signs a contract stating that the work they create is a “work for hire,” meaning all intellectual property and copyright for the content belong entirely to the client (the credited author).

Why Do People Hire Ghostwriters?

We should also touch on some of the most common motivations for those hiring ghostwriters, as it will help you understand your role as the writer. People hire a ghostwriter for a variety of reasons, most often stemming from a lack of time, skill, or objectivity to complete a project themselves.

Some of the most common reasons to hire a ghostwriter are:

• Time Constraints
• Avoiding Procrastination
• Lack of Writing Skill or Confidence
• Need for Professionalism and Speed
• Objectivity (Especially for Memoirs)
• Brand and Thought Leadership

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How To Be A Ghostwriter

To be a ghostwriter, you’ll need the time to find clients and complete the given work and the writing skills to take their vision and turn it into a finished product that they’re happy with.

Assuming you have existing writing skills, you already have the most critical foundation. So, the path to becoming a successful ghostwriter is less about getting a specific credential and more about finding clients whose niche you can work well within, communication, and dedication.

That said, if you don’t have existing writing skills, you can start building them with these guides:

• 12 Common Beginner Writing Mistakes You Must Avoid
• NonFiction Writing Tips – Common Pitfalls To Avoid
• Writing Your First Novel – 7 Key Tips To Know
• How To Write A Memoir 101 – Tell Your Life Story

Here is a general overview, followed by specific steps to help you break into the field.

Refine Your Niche & Voice-Matching Skill

Identify a specific type of content (e.g., business blogs, memoirs, non-fiction books) and industry (e.g., finance, health, tech). Crucially, develop the non-writing skill of voice-matching—the ability to write exactly as if the client wrote it.

Successful voice matching requires an initial “immersion phase” where you will talk extensively with the client to get a feel for the core elements of the how they speak and the desired outcome. For example, do they use any jargon or specific language patterns and the overall tone they want to convey.

Beyond the tone, if they already have published works, it may also be necessary to become familiar with more technical things like sentence length and their punctuation habits to maintain a consistent experience for readers.

To help with this, I recommend creating a checklist of notes (I call it a “style bible”) that documents the client’s linguistic dos and don’ts, and any recurring, specific key phrases that you can reference as you work. Lastly, I find it helpful to frequently read what you’ve written aloud to be sure the draft sounds authentically like the client’s spoken voice.

Build an “Invisible” Portfolio

Considering you don’t get credit as the author, you can’t exactly showcase your ghostwritten work directly. Instead, you must build a portfolio of credited work that demonstrates your range, quality, research ability, and professionalism. Of course, when you first start, it’s best to start with smaller, paid freelance gigs.

Here are some tips on building a background that you can show off to potential clients.

• Craft Diverse Samples: Don’t limit yourself. Create writing samples across various genres and formats relevant to ghostwriting opportunities. Think compelling blog posts, insightful how-to guides, engaging short stories demonstrating narrative skill, and professional non-fiction book chapters showcasing your ability to tackle longer-form projects.
• Lean into Non-Fiction: The lion’s share of ghostwriting work resides in the non-fiction realm. Memoirs brimming with personal stories, practical self-help guides, authoritative business books, and even mouth-watering cookbooks are in constant demand. Prioritize creating strong samples in these areas.
• Ethical Use of Past Work: If possible, with explicit permission and a clear agreement, you might be able to showcase original, unedited drafts from previous ghostwriting projects in your private portfolio. Always prioritize client confidentiality.

How To Find Ghostwriting Clients?

Ghostwriting relies heavily on trust. You will need to actively market yourself, focusing on platforms where high-value clients (executives, experts, thought leaders) seek talent, and leverage your network for referrals.

Start With Freelance Sites

Websites like Upwork (and to some degree, Fiverr) are by far your best bet for getting started with ghostwriting. On Upwork, there are no shortage of people looking for ghostwriting. While the opportunities are plentiful, most aren’t incredibly lucrative.

That said, it’s your best bet for getting your foot in the door, learning the ropes, and building Be selective in the projects you bid on, and cater to where your skills truly align but don’t be afraid to take what comes up, if it makes sense. And use these platforms to gain experience and, importantly, secure positive client feedback and testimonials.

Networking is Key

Once you start building a reputation for being dependable, communicative, and committed to delivering exceptional work on time, you can start to benefit from word-of-mouth referrals and doing outreach yourself. by sending cold emails/DMs to prospects you wanna work with.

Build a lead tracker on a google sheet of 400-500 prospects. Fill in their details like their website and social media links and start following them on platforms where they are most active. Have conversations via DM, warm them up a little and then ask them if they need help in their business with whatever you are offering. To stand out you can even send them voice notes or video messages.

It’s worth mentioning that this cold approach method naturally works best for non-fiction gig than fiction. However, if you have landed some fiction gigs, word of mouth and network building still works quite well.

Recognizing Your Worth And Pricing Your Services

As your portfolio expands and your client testimonials accumulate, you can confidently move beyond entry-level rates and charge fees that reflect the value you bring to the table. At some point, I would recommend you move away from solely basing your fees on a per-word rate.

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Instead, at some point, consider the entire scope of the project, including the time investment for research, in-depth interviews, meticulous organization, and multiple rounds of revisions.

Hourly vs. Project Rates

For initial consultations, brainstorming sessions, and intensive interview phases, consider charging an hourly rate. For the core writing of the project, a project-based fee provides more predictability for both you and the client. Remember, you’re not just selling words; you’re offering your expertise, your organizational skills, and the delivery of a polished, finished product that meets their specific needs.

Conclusions

Ghostwriting is a unique career, even within the wild world of writing. It’s an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the literary landscape, help others share their stories and expertise, and build a sustainable income from your passion for writing.

By focusing on building a strong foundation, mastering the art of client collaboration, and strategically showcasing your expertise, you can thrive as a successful ghostwriter in 2026. So, take the first step step behind the scenes of the page, hone your craft, and let your words bring light to the visions of others.