How to Market Yourself as a Ghostwriter (Even If You’re New)
You love writing, you’ve got the skills, and you’re ready to help clients bring their stories to life. But there’s one little problem, how do you actually market yourself and land those first clients?
The good news? You don’t need decades of experience or a bestselling book under your belt to start getting paid as a ghostwriter. What you do need is a solid strategy, confidence in your skills, and a willingness to put yourself out there. Let’s break it down step by step.
- Define Your Niche (Yes, You Need One)
Here’s the truth: Clients don’t want a ghostwriter who can write anything and everything. They want someone who understands their industry, voice, and goals. That’s where niching down comes in.
Ask yourself:
Do you love writing business books?
Are you passionate about personal development?
Are you skilled at capturing memoirs?
Picking a niche doesn’t mean you can never write outside of it just means you’ll have an easier time marketing yourself to the right clients.
2. Build a Portfolio (Even If You Have No Clients Yet)
Potential clients need to see what you can do before they hire you. But what if you’ve never ghostwritten anything before? Easy create sample work!
Here’s how:
Write a sample chapter of a business book.
Draft a blog post in your ideal client’s voice.
Offer to write for a friend or a nonprofit to build credibility.
Even one or two strong samples can be enough to showcase your skills.
3. Optimize Your Online Presence
In today’s digital world, your online presence is your resume. Here’s where you should focus:
LinkedIn: Optimize your profile to position yourself as a ghostwriter. Include a compelling bio and testimonials.
Personal Website: If possible, create a simple website with an About page, writing samples, and contact info.
Upwork/Freelance Platforms: Create a profile that highlights your skills and past experience (even if it’s not ghostwriting-specific).
4. Leverage Social Media to Your Advantage
You don’t need to be on every platform, but being visible helps. Share tips, client wins, and insights about the writing process on:
Twitter/X (great for networking with authors and publishers)
Instagram (share behind-the-scenes of your writing journey)
Facebook groups (engage in author and entrepreneur communities)
5. Network Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)
Ghostwriting is a word-of-mouth business. The more people know what you do, the more opportunities come your way.
Ways to network effectively:
Join writing communities (both online and in-person)
Engage with potential clients on LinkedIn
Attend industry events or webinars
A simple “Hey, I’m a ghostwriter specializing in [your niche]. Let me know if you need help!” can open doors.
6. Offer a No-Pressure Consultation
Some clients are hesitant to hire a ghostwriter because they don’t know how the process works. Offering a free 15-minute consultation can help:
Educate them on how ghostwriting works
Build rapport and trust
Subtly pitch your services
At the end, you can say something like, “I’d love to help bring your book to life! Let me know if you’d like to move forward.”
7. Ask for Testimonials and Referrals
Even one happy client can lead to more work. Ask satisfied clients for a short testimonial and display it on your LinkedIn or website.
You can also say: “If you know anyone who needs a ghostwriter, I’d really appreciate a referral!”
Final Thoughts: Take Action Today
Marketing yourself as a ghostwriter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Pick one or two strategies from this list and start applying them today. The sooner you put yourself out there, the sooner the right clients will find you.
Now tell me, which step are you going to take first? Drop a comment and let’s make your ghostwriting career happen!
