In this blog post, you’ll learn how much it costs to hire a ghostwriter in 2024.

Whether it’s writing a book, content for your website, or any other writing project, hiring a ghostwriter is always a welcome prospect, especially if you don’t have the time or expertise to do it yourself.

How Much Does A Ghostwriter Cost?

The cost to hire a ghostwriter is between $30,000 and $80,000

(We know it’s a wide range. We’ll narrow it down in a moment.)

The rate also varies between fiction and nonfiction, as does the project’s topic or subject.

It’s a lot of money but usually, a book ghostwriter will put between 300 and 500 hours into your project.

So when you look at it that way, it’s really not that much money!

When hiring a ghostwriter, here’s a general breakdown of how to think about cost:

Experience and Expertise: More experienced ghostwriters, especially those with a proven track record of bestsellers or high-profile projects, will typically charge more. Rates can range from a few thousand dollars for less experienced writers to tens of thousands or even more for highly sought-after ghostwriters.

Project Scope and Complexity: The type of content being written also affects the cost. For example, a simple series of blog posts or a short ebook will cost less than a comprehensive, research-intensive non-fiction book or an intricately plotted novel.

Manuscript Length: The length of the work is a major determinant of cost. Ghostwriters might charge per word, per page, or per project. Per-word rates can range from $0.10 to $1 or more, while per-page rates might be anywhere from $50 to $500.

Timeline: If a project needs to be completed in a shorter timeframe, ghostwriters might charge a higher rate for the expedited service.

Additional Services: Some ghostwriters offer additional services like editing, formatting, publishing assistance, or marketing strategy, which will be priced separately or might increase the overall cost of the project.

What is a Ghostwriter?

A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is hired to create content on behalf of another person or organization, without receiving public credit for their work.

The content produced by a ghostwriter is typically published under the client’s name or the name of the organization they represent.

At the core of ghostwriting is the ability to understand and emulate another’s perspective, making each piece of writing appear as though it was penned by the named author themselves.

Ghostwriters delve deep into the psyche and style of their clients, ensuring that every word resonates with authenticity.

This skill involves a sophisticated synthesis of the client’s ideas, experiences, and voice into a coherent and captivating narrative.

Ghostwriters can be found in various industries, working on diverse projects that span different genres and topics.

Who Uses Ghostwriters?

You’d be surprised how many people hire ghostwriters for various projects, from CEOs to small business owners.

And yes, even authors choose to work with them for one reason or another.

The cost of ghostwriting services is determined by a slew of factors.

This can including the length and complexity of your project, the writing you need done, the writer’s experience level and reputation, deadlines, research requirements, and turnaround time.

Like most services and commodities, ghostwriting fees have seen a notable increase.

This is a response to the broader economic pressures that affect all sectors, including the literary and content creation industries.

Inflation has driven up the cost of living and operational expenses for ghostwriters, necessitating an adjustment in their rates to sustain their livelihood and business.

This change is reflective of a broader trend where professionals across various fields are compelled to reevaluate their pricing structures in the face of economic changes.

Unfortunately, for clients seeking ghostwriting services, this means budgeting more for projects that previously might have cost less.

However, the value brought by skilled ghostwriters, capable of turning ideas into compelling narratives, remains an indispensable asset, making their services continually sought after despite the increased costs.

Common Types of Ghostwriting Projects

Books: Ghostwriters often help create autobiographies, memoirs, and self-help books. They work closely with the client to capture their voice, experiences, and ideas, translating them into a compelling narrative.

Articles: Businesses and individuals may hire ghostwriters to write articles for magazines, newspapers, or online publications on their behalf. These articles can cover a wide range of topics, such as industry trends, opinion pieces, or informative guides.

Speeches: Politicians, executives, and public figures often use ghostwriters to craft their speeches, ensuring their message is communicated effectively and engagingly.

Blog Posts: Companies and individuals looking to maintain a strong online presence often turn to ghostwriters to produce blog content. Ghostwriters can write on various subjects, ensuring the client’s voice and brand identity remain consistent.

Social Media: Maintaining a consistent and engaging social media presence can be time-consuming. Ghostwriters can help create content for platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, allowing their clients to focus on other aspects of their business or personal brand.

Why Hire A Ghostwriter For Your Next Project?

The written word has never been more critical in today’s fast-paced digital world.

As a business owner, entrepreneur, or content creator, you need to communicate your ideas effectively and consistently.

However, not everyone has the time, skill, or inclination to write their own content.

This is where ghostwriters come in – they are the invisible force behind some of the most successful books, articles, and blogs in the world.

A Ghostwriter Will Save You Time

One of the main reasons people turn to ghostwriters is to save time, oh yes, the most valuable of commodity!

Writing is a time-consuming process that requires focus, research, and dedication.

By hiring a professional ghostwriter, you can free up your valuable time to focus on other aspects of your business, while they take care of crafting engaging and well-researched content on your behalf.

Expertise and skill

Ghostwriters are experienced professionals who have honed their writing skills over the years.

They know how to write in a way that grabs the reader’s attention, conveys your message effectively, and keeps them engaged.

By hiring a ghostwriter, you can tap into their expertise, ensuring that your content is of the highest quality and tailored to your target audience.

Consistency and reliability

Maintaining a consistent publishing schedule is crucial to building an online presence and establishing yourself as an authority in your field.

However, it can be challenging to keep up with the demands of producing regular, high-quality content.

A ghostwriter can help you maintain that consistency, delivering reliable content on a regular basis and ensuring your online presence remains strong.

Confidentiality

Ghostwriters work behind the scenes, and their services are completely confidential.

This means you can take full credit for the content they produce, without having to worry about revealing the fact that you’ve enlisted the help of a professional writer.

This can be particularly beneficial for those who want to maintain the perception of being an expert in their field, without revealing that they’ve had assistance with their writing.

Fresh perspective

Sometimes, being too close to your own work can make it difficult to see the bigger picture or identify areas for improvement.

A ghostwriter can bring a fresh perspective to your content, offering new ideas and insights that can help take your project to the next level.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Ghostwriting for Fiction

Average Cost: $20,000- $40,000

Fiction writing requires a great deal of creativity.

Ghostwriters typically charge per word or page, ranging from $0.20 to $1.50 per word.

They may also request an upfront fee between $15,500 and $15,000 depending on the length of your book, its complexity and the writer’s experience.

Other things can also factor in the cost, such as the number of drafts required, research and outline preparation, and novel formatting and editorial services.

The number of required drafts – The more drafts required, the higher the fee.

The first draft is always the most expensive as it covers all research and outlining. Any other drafts will cost less but add to the overall cost of your project.

Research and outline preparation – A ghostwriter may need to do a lot of research to portray certain scenes or situations in your fiction book accurately. They may also need to create a detailed outline for the entire book.

If so, these costs will add up quickly.

Novel formatting and editorial services – Formatting is likewise a crucial part of any successful book, which ghostwriters can help you with.

The cost of this service is determined by the level of complexity in the book. Professional editors may also be necessary, adding to the overall cost of your project.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Ghostwriter for Nonfiction

Average Cost: $30,000- $80,000

Yes, we know that’s a lot of money!

The cost of nonfiction ghostwriting may not be far from fiction ghostwriting, but the project’s intricacy and subject matter also determine it.

Unlike fiction, nonfiction requires extensive research to be accurate, which raises the fee.

There’s no room for inaccuracy here.

Ghostwriters catering to nonfiction, i.e., books about business, psychology and personal development, usually have slightly higher rates due to the expertise needed.

For example, a nonfiction book with psychological insights will require the ghostwriter to thoroughly understand the subject, reflected in how much they’ll ask for their services.

These writers may charge per hour or have an upfront fee ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.

Autobiographies are a whole new ball game.

They require a unique writing style, intense research, and utmost discretion.

Autobiographies also tend to be longer than other types of nonfiction books.

In most cases, authors will look for an experienced ghostwriter who can work confidently with sensitive material; that’s why the fee isn’t cheap.

These ghostwriters expect to work with renowned figures like celebrities and politicians, so getting paid upwards of $50,000 for their services wouldn’t be surprising.

Can You Hire A Ghostwriter For Shorter Works?

Average Cost: $5,00- $10,000

Yes, ghostwriters can also take on shorter projects, i.e., essays, blog posts and articles.

These works often have a lower fee than books – usually between $0.10 and $1 per word – because the research process is simpler.

The cost of an essay or article will depend on the length, subject, and deadline.

The main difference between book and article ghostwriting is the time investment.

A typical novel may take months to write, while a blog post or article can be completed within days.

This, however, doesn’t mean that shorter works require less expertise. On the contrary, they may involve tight deadlines and strict guidelines to which the writer must adhere.

Can You Hire A Ghostwriter For Academic and Business Writing

Average Cost: $5,000- $15,000

Academic writing is a relatively new avenue for ghostwriters, but it exists.

Ghostwriters are engaged to help students with complex assignments such as dissertations and theses, research papers and essays.

The fee greatly depends on the difficulty of the paper; ghostwriters don’t charge per word here.

Instead, they usually work with a flat rate per project or an hourly rate. The reason is obvious: a single project may require more effort than dozens of blog posts.

Business writing is another emerging sector in the ghostwriting industry.

Businesses hire ghostwriters to create promotional materials, speeches and other documents to help them reach their target market.

Business correspondence becomes more convenient when you have someone to compose emails and other documents.

Business writing is a bit more expensive than blog posts, with fees ranging from $50 to $200 per hour.

CEOs and high-level executives often need ghostwriters to help create books, newsletters and press releases. Essentially, being a ghostwriter for business is more of a long-term gig than fiction and nonfiction.

Here, the ghostwriter works closely with the executive to help shape their ideas into something tangible.

Cost Of Hiring A Ghostwriter For Content Marketing

Average Cost: $1,000- $5,000

Content creation it’s all about scaling output while also maintaining quality.

A competent ghostwriter will help you with this by providing thought-provoking articles that will engage your target audience and drive traffic to your website.

Businesses may leverage the abilities and strengths of ghostwriters to carry out a highly efficient content marketing campaign.

The fee for content creation projects depends on the client’s budget but usually ranges from $0.10 to $1 per word.

The role of a ghostwriter in content marketing varies from one niche to another.

The content could take several forms, notably website copy, business or instruction manuals, whitepapers, and blog posts. In any case, the goal is to engage audiences with content that stands out from the rest.

The job may also include writing various campaigns’ landing pages and CTAs (calls-to-action).

This would involve understanding SEO (search engine optimization) and how to use keywords effectively in the content.

The fee here is higher since the ghostwriter needs to be an expert in this area.

How Do Ghostwriters Charge?

Understanding the various payment structures, methods, and schedules used by ghostwriters is crucial for clients seeking their services.

By familiarizing yourself with these aspects, you can confidently negotiate a payment arrangement that suits both parties, leading to a successful and mutually beneficial collaboration.

The key to a smooth working relationship is clear communication and a well-defined agreement that outlines the project’s scope, deadlines, and payment terms.

Different Payment Structures:

Ghostwriters typically work under a variety of payment structures.

Understanding these structures can help you determine which one suits your project’s needs and budget.

Per Word:

In this model, ghostwriters charge a predetermined rate for each word they write.

This payment structure is popular for shorter projects, such as blog posts or articles, and provides a transparent pricing system.

Per Project:

Charging per project is common for larger, more complex assignments, like books or extensive research papers.

The ghostwriter and client agree on a fixed price for the entire project, which usually factors in research, writing, and revisions.

Hourly:

Some ghostwriters prefer to charge an hourly rate, billing clients based on the time spent working on the project.

This method can be ideal for ongoing projects where the scope may evolve or when the client is unsure of the exact requirements.

Retainer Agreement:

A retainer agreement involves the client paying the ghostwriter a regular fee (monthly or quarterly) for a specified amount of work.

This arrangement is useful for long-term collaborations or when the client requires ongoing content creation.

Payment Methods:

Ghostwriters accept various payment methods, depending on their preferences and the platforms they use. Common payment options include:

Bank Transfers:

Many ghostwriters accept direct bank transfers, which offer a secure and straightforward way to send and receive payments.

PayPal and Other Online Payment Platforms:

Online payment platforms like PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle provide a convenient and relatively secure method for handling payments. These platforms often charge a small fee for their services.

Payment Schedules For A Ghostwriter

When working with a ghostwriter, it’s essential to establish a clear payment schedule.

This can vary depending on the project and the agreement between both parties. Common payment schedules include:

Upfront Payments:

Some ghostwriters may require a percentage (or even the full amount) of the project fee before beginning work.

This ensures the writer’s commitment to the project and offers a degree of financial security.

Milestone-Based Payments

Milestone-based payments involve dividing the project into stages or milestones, with the client making payments upon completion of each milestone. This method can help manage cash flow and ensure consistent progress on the project.

Split Payments

Split payments involve dividing the project fee into two or more installments.

The client typically pays an initial deposit before work begins and the remaining balance upon completion.

Traditional Publishing vs Self-Publishing: Who Pays the Ghostwriter?

Suppose you plan on having your book ghostwritten (fiction or nonfiction), the arrangement between you and the ghostwriter, particularly who pays who depends on your chosen publication route.

Traditional publishing involves an editor, whereas self-publishing does not.

Self-publishing may or may not involve a ghostwriter, depending on the author’s preference.

In traditional publishing, the publisher pays the ghostwriter upfront and then pays royalties when the book is sold.

The amount paid to the ghostwriter often appears in a separate line item on royalty statements.

If you choose to go with self-publishing, you are responsible for paying the ghostwriter upfront and in full.

The way the industry works is if you’ve signed a publishing deal for a ghostwritten book, the publisher is responsible for paying the ghost.

This often happens, especially when authors tap a ghost’s services to write the proposal.

However, should there be no publishing deal in place, but you intend to hire a ghost, you’re likely paying for their services.

A contract is highly recommended so everyone can be clear about the roles and responsibilities, including who pays whom.

Regardless of who pays the ghostwriter, authors must remember that they are collaborating with another professional.

This means both parties should agree on what to expect from each other in terms of deliverables and payment.

The Contract for A Ghostwriter

A written contract is a “must-have” when you hire a ghostwriter.

Remember, it’s not merely an option; the absence of a contract can make the agreement invalid in a court of law. To draw up the contract, both parties should weigh several factors, i.e., deadlines and payment schedules.

To guarantee that you are getting your money’s worth, specify in the contract how many assignments will be given and what will be expected.

When drafting a ghostwriting contract, see that you include the following information:

Names and contact details of both parties (author and ghostwriter)
Description of services to be rendered
Fee structure with a payment schedule
Copyright ownership (who owns the rights to what is produced)
Deadlines

Having all the details in writing creates a sense of security.

This carefully outlines what both parties should expect from each other and helps avoid future misunderstandings.

When NOT to Hire a Ghostwriter

Ghostwriting isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

It’s a process that requires patience, understanding, and consistently meeting deadlines. Therefore, it is best to avoid ghostwriting when you:

Do not have an idea or plan for your content
Have no time to work with a ghostwriter on revisions
Are looking for someone who can do the work for free
Need content very quickly and are not willing to pay a premium
Are just starting out in business and need help with branding

But that doesn’t mean you can’t succeed in writing projects.

If you are a self-starter and have the confidence to carry out all stages of content creation, then by all means, do it yourself.

Writing a book or an article requires attention to detail and commitment. It’s best to start small with a blog post and eventually work your way up to larger projects.

What Makes Hiring a Ghostwriter Worth It?

Hiring a ghostwriter comes with it several advantages that would otherwise be difficult to attain. For authors, it means:

Being able to break out of writer’s block
Gaining access to experienced professionals in their niche
Reducing the time taken to complete a writing project
Increasing the chance of success for a book launch
Having a professional create consistent and interesting content
The ability to get valuable feedback on the project

For business executives and organizations, it means:

Having an experienced writer to create content or speeches
Getting a better understanding of their target audience
Being able to focus on other aspects of the business while the ghostwriter works on a project
Getting help with campaigns, social media posts and other copywriting tasks

For content marketers, it means:

Getting help creating high-quality content that is optimized for search engines
Being able to keep up with the demands of content marketing
Having a professional who can write stories and articles while staying on brand
Getting the needed assistance in content promotion and distribution

The Value of a Ghost Vis-a-Vis the Cost of Paying One

There’s no doubt hiring a ghostwriter is an investment.

Before you put your money into it, you must understand the value of their services.

Ghostwriters are often worth every penny and then some more because they transform an idea into a product you couldn’t have produced all by yourself.

However, don’t take it as a showcase of your weakness as a writer. Instead, use this as an opportunity to collaborate with someone who can help bring your ideas to life.

Just make sure you have a clear-cut agreement on a fair rate for the services rendered.

This is where a good contract comes in handy and will save you from any unpleasant – and costly -surprises later.

All the same, there always will be scenarios in which ghostwriting may not be the best option.

It can be expensive; some people may prefer to do their work themselves if they have the time and resources.

How To Negotiate With a Ghostwriter

Finding the right ghostwriter and striking a fair deal can be challenging.

In this section, we’ll explore how to negotiate effectively with a ghostwriter, ensuring a smooth and productive collaboration.

Do Your Research:

Before diving into negotiations, take the time to research ghostwriters in your niche or industry.

Familiarize yourself with their writing styles, experience levels, and average rates.

Knowing the market will empower you to make informed decisions and negotiate from a position of strength.

Be Clear About Your Expectations:

When approaching a potential ghostwriter, clearly articulate your project’s scope, goals, and expectations.

Provide as much information as possible, including word count, deadlines, and any specific requirements.

Having a well-defined project will make negotiations smoother and help you find a writer who is a good fit for your needs.

Determine Your Budget:

Before entering negotiations, establish a budget for your project.

Keep in mind that experienced ghostwriters will charge more for their services.

However, investing in a skilled writer can save you time and effort in the long run, ultimately resulting in a higher-quality final product.

Be prepared to negotiate within your budget but be realistic about the quality you can expect for your investment.

Consider Various Payment Structures:

Ghostwriters can be compensated in several ways, including per word, per project, hourly, or through a retainer agreement.

Each payment structure has its pros and cons, so consider which option best aligns with your needs and budget.

During negotiations, be open to discussing different payment structures and finding a solution that works for both parties.

Be Willing to Compromise:

Negotiation is about finding a balance between your needs and the ghostwriter’s requirements.

Be prepared to make concessions in some areas while standing firm on critical points. Remember that a successful negotiation is one where both parties feel satisfied with the outcome.

Establish Clear Terms in a Contract:

Once you’ve reached an agreement, put the terms of your collaboration in writing.

A contract should outline the project’s scope, payment terms, deadlines, and any other relevant details.

This will help prevent misunderstandings and protect both parties in case of disputes.

Foster Open Communication:

A strong working relationship with your ghostwriter is crucial for project success.

Encourage open and honest communication throughout the collaboration, and provide constructive feedback on their work.

By fostering a positive working environment, you’ll increase the likelihood of a successful partnership and a high-quality finished product.

Final Thoughts On The Cost of Hiring A Ghostwriter

The bottom line is that ghostwriting gets you what you need to complete whatever writing project you’re working on.

It guarantees that your content is effective from your and your audience’s perspective.

That said, the only true obstacle is your willingness to collaborate with someone who you literally don’t know.

But once you’re comfortable with the prospect of working with an expert, you’ll be ready to work with a ghostwriter and make the most of it.

How Much Does A Ghostwriter Cost? (2024 Rates and Fees)

In this blog post, you’ll learn how much it costs to hire a ghostwriter in 2024.