How much does a ghostwriter cost? (2023)

You are certainly capable of writing expert content for your website. But is that an efficient use of your time?

It often makes sensehire a ghostwriter.

What is a ghostwriter? Someone to write on your behalf, giving you the credit to increase your credibility and show you are an expert in your field.

Someone who not only has writing experience, but also has the copywriting skills to get your message across in a compelling way to drive action and engagement.

Interested in hiring a ghostwriter?

hire ghostwriters

Our rating – 4.9/5

Get 80% off the first week

Panda Copy writers are trained to deliver high-end content with YOUR voice. They match your style and tone to deliver content you're proud to share with your audience.

  • Good for ongoing content needs
  • Flat rate monthly plans
  • Ideal for agencies and small businesses
(Video) What Does it Cost To Hire a GREAT Ghostwriter

Would likehire a blog writer? Hire onebusiness writer? Or hire a professional to write oneWhite paper, manuscript or book? Ghostwriting services are a possible option.

One of the first questions at this point is usually:

How much does a ghostwriter cost?

Let's get into a few details...

Table of contents

  • Interested in hiring a ghostwriter?
  • Ghostwriting Awards
  • How do ghostwriters calculate?
    • through the word
    • In the hour
    • through the project
  • Do ghostwriters need contracts?
  • Do ghostwriters get credit for their work?
  • Who owns ghostwritten content?
  • What are the typical payment terms?
  • Are revisions billed separately?
  • How does writing experience affect price?
  • Does the quality affect the price?
  • How does participation level affect price?
  • How does the schedule affect the price?
  • Does the price differ depending on the content type?
  • Diploma

Ghostwriting Awards

content typeTypical word countTypical costsHow ghostwriters usually bill
blog entry500-2.000$0.05-0.20 per wordPer Wort
White paper5.000-20.000$0.05-0.20 per wordPer Wort
Buch50.000-100.000$0.50-4.00 per wordPer Wort

How much does a ghostwriter cost? (2)

How do ghostwriters calculate?

Ghostwriters often calculate one of a few different options.

through the word

In construction, estimates and bids are often prepared based on the square footage of the project. This allows the contractor to quickly make and get a fairly accurate estimate. It's similar to ghostwriting, making a quote or offer based on word count. Some ghostwriters give an estimated range for the work based on the word count. It is understood up front that the cost may change if the word count is above or below.

But it depends on the agreement. Sometimes a hard limit can be set at the top end of the word count, requiring the ghostwriter to ask permission before continuing the project past a certain word count.

(Video) What Ghost Writers Fees Do Famous Ghostwriters Charge?

In the hour

Many professionals, such as lawyers, often bill by the hour. Some ghostwriters render their services this way. This can accommodate differences in projects, including aspects beyond the ghostwriter's control. For example, a client might want to pay for additional phone calls to their ghostwriter, while another client might want to avoid that hassle and expense.

through the project

Some ghostwriters, usually after years of experience, have enough understanding and comfort in their craft to pay for the project. They determine the basis of the requirement for the project and create their offer. The basis can be a word count range, a page range, a certain number of views, a certain number of revisions, etc.

How much does a ghostwriter cost? (3)

Do ghostwriters need contracts?

The more extensive a writing project is, the more typically a contract between the client and the ghostwriter is required. A contract helps set the expectations of each party. A contract can also provide a schedule that will keep the project on schedule.

For smaller projects, like hiring a ghostwriter for a blog post or article, a contract may not be required. Or a verbal contract may suffice. More recently, a ghostwriter's website may have policies that require the customer to agree to certain terms and conditions when purchasing the product or service, e.g. B. who gets credit and how the piece will be delivered and what is included.

Do ghostwriters get credit for their work?

As a rule, ghostwriters do not receive public recognition for their work. In some cases they will receive a partial credit. This important notion is usually spelled out before the project begins and is almost always included in a contract, if one exists.

Who owns ghostwritten content?

Typically, the client owns the content they paid the author to create.

How much does a ghostwriter cost? (4)

What are the typical payment terms?

As in many other industries, payment terms depend on the two parties involved. Some ghostwriters charge 100% of their fee upfront. Some charge 50% upfront and 50% upon completion of the project. Some may not require payment until the project is complete.

There are a number of variables. Typically, the larger and more complex the project, the more likely it is that at least some of the required payment will be made up front. It can also be based on the experience and skill of the author. It may also depend on the reputation of the author and/or the client.

Are revisions billed separately?

Depending on the nature of the work, a number of revisions are usually built into the fee. Beyond this agreed number, additional revision rounds are usually priced up front.

(Video) How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Ghostwriter | Help With Writing

Experienced ghostwriters usually know what to expect for number of revisions on specific projects. You know that some clients only need a few revisions, while others need more. They build safeguards for themselves when revision requests reach a certain number.

When hiring a freelance ghostwriter, it's important to ask for revisions. What number is included in the price and/or how much do additional revisions cost? It's also good to ask for examples of how past revisions have worked for the ghostwriter with their other clients.

How much does a ghostwriter cost? (5)

How does writing experience affect price?

Of course, experience and skill play a major role in the price. As in any industry, the better you are, the more you can usually charge for your services. This is especially true when the provider, in this case a ghostwriter, is in high demand. For many ghostwriters, their time is limited. They can mainly increase their income by maximizing the amount they receive for that time.

For clients looking for lower cost but still quality writing, it may be possible to find a relatively new writer. One who wants to make a name for himself in the industry. Perhaps this author is in little demand at the moment, but still very capable if given a chance. This is possible, but can lead to fights. For example, if an author has little history, it can be difficult to predict quality as well as timeliness and other factors.

Does the quality affect the price?

Depending on the type of content, a lower quality author may be required. And there are usually competent ghostwriters who specialize in content that is "good" but might not involve as much research as a quality article. You're more likely to find this with blog writers who are hired than with larger projects like writing books.

For example, a client can hire an author to do primary research and publish their findings. This project is usually of high quality and has a relatively high price.

Another client can hire a blogger to interview them and turn that knowledge into short blog posts that answer common audience questions about the industry. There is usually less work involved in this process. The resulting content is valuable, but may not be considered as valuable as a primary research piece.

How does participation level affect price?

A greater involvement of a customer can affect the price in both directions. It depends on the nuances of the project. Somefreelance blog writersmay prefer to write the entire piece themselves, with little involvement from the client. The author may find this more efficient and may charge higher fees if the client wants to be involved. Other writers may prefer the opposite, where it is more efficient for the client to provide information than for the writer to do extensive research.

How does the schedule affect the price?

The bigger the project, the more it costs... in most cases. A ghostwriter usually charges more for a project if the time frame is expected to be longer.

However, there are cases where the price may increase if the timeframe needs to be shortened. For example, an item may be needed at short notice. In this case the fee may be higher.

(Video) How Much Does a Ghostwriter Cost?

Does the price differ depending on the content type?

The cost usually differs depending on the content type. There may be similarities. Especially if the author calculates by words. But the content type can also play a role. It depends on the work to be done. Research may be required for one type and not another. Interviews may be required for one guy and not another.

Diploma

Ghostwriters typically charge by the word, project, or hour. The larger the scope of the project, the more likely it is that a contract will detail pricing for the base project and additional items like number of revisions.

A lot of professional content today is written by ghostwriters. Some estimates say that 50% and even almost 90% of non-fiction books on various bestseller lists are ghost-written. It has proven to be an effective way for people and businesses to collaborate with writers to create work that is valuable to an audience.

Use the information here to find the right ghostwriter for your situation and estimate the likely cost.

hire ghostwriters

Our rating – 4.9/5

Get 80% off the first week

Panda Copy writers are trained to deliver high-end content with YOUR voice. They match your style and tone to deliver content you're proud to share with your audience.

  • Good for ongoing content needs
  • Flat rate monthly plans
  • Ideal for agencies and small businesses
(Video) Ghostwriters: Should I Hire One? Is a Ghostwriter Worth it? How Much Do They Cost?

FAQs

How much should I pay a ghostwriter? ›

You can find good ghostwriters from $25,000 to $40,000, but expect them to either be desperate for a gig or relatively inexperienced. The sweet spot for good ones with credentials is usually within $40,000 to $75,000. The pricing here varies based on 3 factors: The writer's level of expertise.

How much does a ghostwriter cost? ›

A good ghostwriter costs between $40,000 to $70,000. Pricing per project depends on the ghostwriter's experience level and the genre of your book. Based on 2021 data from Reedsy, ghostwriters charge upwards of 30 cents a word to write memoirs, while manuscripts for children's fiction can see a rate of 24 cents a word.

How much is a cheap ghostwriter? ›

LOW. Inexperienced ghostwriters or “discount” ghostwriting companies might charge anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000. I recommend taking a hard look at their qualifications, training, experience, and industry expertise.

What percentage does a ghostwriter get? ›

Getting credit as a ghostwriter

Ghosts can get from 8% to 50% of royalties, depending on how negotiations with the author go.

Is hiring a ghostwriter a good idea? ›

The main reason I'd consider engaging a ghost writer is if you're in the position where you've been wanting to write a book for years and just aren't getting it done. If you've realized that it's just not going to happen if you're on your own, then a ghost writer can turn your idea into a publishable draft.

Is it OK to hire a ghostwriter? ›

Ghostwriters help companies and personalities build brand awareness faster. It's simple. Rather than an executive allocating time to publish quality stories once a quarter – or month, if they're lucky – hiring a reputable ghostwriter can speed up the process of getting your brand's story out there.

Are ghostwriters worth it? ›

Ghostwriting tends to pay better than regular freelancing. After all, having your name attached to your words is valuable for you as a writer. When you have a byline, you can use that piece of work to showcase your talent, build your reputation, and potentially attract new clients.

Where can I get a cheap ghostwriter? ›

You can find cheap ghostwriters by logging on to ghostwriting bidding sites or outsourcing overseas. Ghostwriters at bidding sites often take on such jobs on a part-time or occasional basis. Their fees may be lower than those of other professional ghostwriters, but their experience is likely limited.

How do I find a reputable ghostwriter? ›

Where to Find Ghostwriters for a Book Project
  1. Individual Search: Platforms like LinkedIn and Google where you search for individuals and their portfolio websites.
  2. Freelance Writer Marketplaces: Platforms like Reedsy and Mediabistro that connect professional writers with people seeking ghostwriting services.

How much should I charge for a 1000 word article? ›

The low end for a 1000-word research article is around $75, while an experienced writer may charge closer to $250 or more. Blog article. Less technical articles are often quicker to write, so you may want to charge less. A 1000-word blog article averages around $50 at the lower end and $175 at the higher end.

What percentage of royalties do ghostwriters get? ›

A book ghostwriter with revenue share receives a percentage of profits or royalties, which can range anywhere from 5 percent to 20 percent. In such cases, the upfront fee is typically lower, by as much as 20 percent.

How much should I price my writing? ›

The most common freelance writing rate for a 1,500-word blog is $250 to $400. The most common freelance writing rate for white papers is $500 to $1000. Most freelance writers charge zero amount for ghostwriting, and for those who do, most of them charge a premium amount, i.e., between 15% to 20%.

Videos

1. How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter?
(Friendly Ghostwriter)
2. How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter?
(Friendly Ghostwriter)
3. How Much Should a Ghostwriter Charge?
(Derek Lewis Books)
4. What does it cost to work with a ghostwriter? $$$
(Write Your Book with Naomi Nakashima)
5. How to Make Money as a Ghostwriter | Ghostwriting for Beginners
(Alexandra Fasulo)
6. How Much Should You Pay a Ghostwriter?
(GhostwriterMatt)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lidia Grady

Last Updated: 02/24/2023

Views: 6545

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lidia Grady

Birthday: 1992-01-22

Address: Suite 493 356 Dale Fall, New Wanda, RI 52485

Phone: +29914464387516

Job: Customer Engineer

Hobby: Cryptography, Writing, Dowsing, Stand-up comedy, Calligraphy, Web surfing, Ghost hunting

Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.