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- Your First $10K as a Ghostwriter
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Ghostwriting pays very well.
80% of my income comes from Ghostwriting.
But it takes strategy, hustle, and, frankly, a bit more effort than you might be putting in right now.
Below is a detailed roadmap to hit that $10K mark. Follow it, or keep wondering why you’re still broke.
1. Sharpen Your Writing Skills (You’re Not a Pro Yet).
Clients pay for polished, professional work, not your sloppy first drafts.
Get serious and level up.
Write every day, no excuses: Commit to 500-1,000 words daily, even if it’s just a journal entry or a practice article nobody reads or even on the wall. Use Google Docs or Notion to track your progress. Consistency separates amateurs from pros.
Pick a high-paying niche: Focus on lucrative fields like business, self-help, tech, health, or finance. Read top books like Atomic Habits for self-help or Zero to One for business to master their tone and structure (Those books are game changers).
Learn storytelling basics: Clients want content that hooks readers and drives sales. Take a $20 Udemy course on copywriting or watch free YouTube videos by experts like Russell Brunson or Joanna Wiebe. Skip this, and you’ll be the one clients ignore (You need to be coachable).
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2. Build a Portfolio That Doesn’t Embarrass You
No client will hire you without proof you can deliver.
Your report card covered in A’s?
Useless. Create something that actually impresses.
Craft 3-5 strong samples: Write two 800-word blog posts and a 1,500-word eBook chapter in your chosen niche. For example, if you’re targeting business clients, try “7 Ways to Skyrocket Your Startup’s Growth.” Use Grammarly to catch typos, because one careless error kills your credibility.
Guest post for exposure: Pitch niche blogs to publish your work for free. Search Google for “tech blogs accepting guest posts” or “health blogs write for us.” Send short, professional pitches that don’t sound desperate. Aim for 2-3 published pieces to prove you’re legit.
Get a proper online presence: Posting samples on Medium or LinkedIn is fine, but X or Squarespace looks more professional. Include your samples, a concise bio, and a contact form. Can’t afford $10/month for a domain? Then don’t expect clients to trust you with their $1,000 project.
3. Find Clients (They Won’t Just Show Up).
Sitting around hoping clients find you is a rookie mistake.
You need to go after them, and it’s not as impossible as you’re probably making it out to be.
Stop stalling and start pitching.
Hint: Even with 50k followers on Social media. 95% of my clients come from me reaching out. Followers DO NOT matter.
Start with your network: Reach out to local business owners, life coaches, or consultants you know. Offer a blog post or LinkedIn content for $100-$200 to get started. No network? Join free virtual networking events on Eventbrite or Meetup and build one.
Join freelance platforms: Sign up on Upwork or fiverr. But don’t rely super heavily on these on the start. Create a profile with a professional headshot (not a grainy selfie) and a bio that highlights your niche expertise. Bid on small gigs ($50-$200) to build reviews. It’s competitive, so write better proposals instead of whining about it.
Cold pitch like a boss: Use LinkedIn or X. To find emails of CEOs, authors, or marketers. Send 10-15 personalized emails daily. Try this: “Hi [Name], I saw your website’s blog hasn’t been updated in months. I specialize in [niche] content that drives engagement. Can I share a sample?” Keep it short, professional, and confident. Track your pitches in a spreadsheet to stay on top of it.
Reach out 15x a day, and that’s 450x emails a month, at 1% you close 4 clients for $1,000. Quantity IS QUALITY
4. Price Like You Value Your Time
Charging too little burns you out, but demanding top rates with no experience is laughable.
Start smart and scale up fast.
Begin with entry-level rates: Charge $0.05-$0.10 per word for early gigs. A 1,000-word blog at $0.10/word is $100. Do 10 of those, and you’re at $1,000. It’s simple math, not a miracle.
Offer project bundles: Clients love packages. Pitch 4 blog posts for $500 or a 10,000-word eBook for $1,500. It’s easier to land one big project than dozens of small ones.
Raise rates when you’ve earned it: After 5-10 gigs and some solid testimonials, charge $0.15-$0.25/word. A 2,000-word whitepaper at $0.20/word is $400. Five of those gets you $2,000. Don’t stay stuck at beginner rates when you’re delivering value.
5. Hit $10K Without Losing It (Price points).
Reaching $10K is achievable if you stop overthinking and start working. Break it down and execute.
Mix and match projects: You could write 5 eBooks at $2,000 each, 40 blog posts at $250 each, or a combo like 2 eBooks ($3,000) + 20 blogs ($5,000) + 10 social media sequences ($2,000). Choose what fits your speed and niche.
Streamline your workflow: Use Grammarly for editing, Notion for project management, and Google Docs for client collaboration. Set clear deadlines and stick to them, because clients drop flakes fast.
Upsell your clients: If a client loves your blog post, pitch them a newsletter series or LinkedIn posts. Repeat clients are your shortcut to $10K. Don’t be too shy to ask for more work.
6. Work Like a Pro (Lurking Isn’t Enough)
X is a goldmine for finding clients, but you can’t just scroll passively.
Engage like you’re actually serious about this.
Follow industry players: Search for entrepreneurs, coaches, or marketers in your niche. Comment thoughtfully on their posts to get noticed. Generic “nice post!” comments are a waste of everyone’s time.
Share useful content: Post tips about writing or your niche, like “3 ways to make your blog convert readers.” It builds your credibility and attracts attention.
DM strategically: Message potential clients with a tailored pitch, like: “Loved your post on growing start-ups. I write content that helps entrepreneurs like you attract leads. Want to see a sample?” Personalize every DM and don’t spam.
