How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter

Last Updated on 3 years by Christopher Jan Benitez

Here’s how I can ease off your load:

I can be your ghostwriter!

I provide professional ghostwriting services. And I can elevate your brand and help grow your online business.

If you’re wondering how much you need to pay me, that’s what we’ll discuss here.

In this article, let’s explore all the costs involved in hiring a ghostwriter. This way, you can justify the cost of hiring ghostwriters and start hiring one right away.

Let’s begin.

So, how much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?

Hiring a ghostwriter comes with a price. And you’ll realize this price is reasonable once you consider the resources that ghostwriters need to invest to complete a project.

Plus, not all ghostwriters charge the same price for their services. The sooner you come to terms with this, the faster you’ll get the answer you need.

For instance, ghostwriters that work through New York charge about $200,000. However, it is entirely possible to bump into a ghostwriter that might charge less-way less-for the same work.

You can get articles ghostwritten for you for $5, for example.

This is because each ghostwriter is unique. The price for their services also depends on the quality of the work they’re willing to put in.

Here are the different categories of ghostwriters:

• Cheap writers – They have little experience and still need your help in writing. You can find them on Upwork, Fiverr, and other freelancing websites.
• Mid-range ghostwriting professionals – They’re great writers — excellent even. Gaining enjoyment and experience from a project is what they’re all about.
• High-end superstar writers – They’re well-established writers. Politicians, actors, musicians, and TV personalities are their clients.

Related: Do Ghostwriters Get Any Credit?

Want a ghostwriter to charge less? 

The good news is, they can — at least, I can. However, for that to happen, you need to do your end of the bargain.

For one, a ghostwriter might charge less if you reduce your word count. Considering the fact that they charge you on a per-word rate, you can lower your original proposal’s word count.

Say, you can reduce a blog post containing 1,000 words to a 500-word post. So if you want the ghostwriter to reduce their fees by 50%, this is one workaround. 

Here are more tips on how to help convince ghostwriters to lower their fees:

• Offer a flexible deadline – You can give them a week’s worth of allowance, for example. Ghostwriters have other priorities other than your project so you need to show them you respect their time 
• Communicate well – Chat, call, or e-mail them. The easier they find you to work with, the higher the chances of them lowering the price.
• Pitch a relatable topic – Ask them to incorporate something meaningful and relatable for your project. It could be about a personal passion.

Another way to get around this? Approach them and ask them what you can do for them to lower their price.

Ghostwriter contract and fees

As you negotiate with a ghostwriter regarding the cost of their services, be direct about conveying your project. A common reason why disputes occur between ghostwriters and their clients is a misunderstanding.

Want to avoid a misunderstanding? Then, draft a ghostwriting contract and let it spell out the essential details of your project.

Here are other factors that you need to take into account:

• Rights – Are original ideas written for your project solely yours even after the project is completed? In any case, inform your ghostwriter.
• Out clause – Don’t like a ghostwriter’s work along the way? You should specify that you can end the project when you see fit.
• Duration of project – Six months or 1 year? You should also specify how long you want the project to last.

Related: What Exactly Does a Ghostwriter Do?

How to hire a ghostwriter

True, asking “How much does it cost to hire a ghostwriter?” can shed light on the costs of hiring a ghostwriter. It can help you understand why ghostwriters set the prices for their services the way they do.

So, if you want to jump into the hiring stage, go ahead. Keep these things in mind, though:

1. Pick out a deserving and qualified ghostwriter

Millions of ghostwriters exist. This means, there’s plenty of fish out there. However, hiring the first ghostwriter you come across is not a good idea-it’s a terrible one!

Why exactly, you ask?

• Bad personality – You don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t respond to constructive criticism and is unreliable, do you? 
• Lack of enthusiasm – Ghostwriters that are lazy and unwilling to get the job done would only give you a headache and slow you down.
• Incompetence – Hiring a ghostwriter who can’t write well defeats the purpose of having someone else handle your work.

If you rush into the process of getting a ghostwriter, you’ll probably end up wasting resources – time, money, and energy. Instead, go through all your options first. And once you allocated a budget, decide which category of ghostwriters you want to access.

Then, select a professional ghostwriter based on his unique qualifications and winning credentials. If the ghostwriter you choose makes you feel confident that they can deliver the work you require, hire them.

2. Discuss your project thoroughly

Before a ghostwriter works, it’s important to iron out all the details of the work. The purpose of this is to eliminate any wrong impressions. Otherwise, minor confusions could arise along the way – and could be too difficult to correct later on.

So, tell them what kind of work you expect. In turn, encourage them to tell you what they expect from you.

To get into the specifics, here’s what you should do during this phase:

• Answer questions – Leave no room for doubts and address even the simplest concerns about your project.
• Offer suggestions – Provide actionable tips on how they can work on your project better.
• Provide communication channels – Inform them of your phone and messenger accounts, for example. Assure them that they can get in touch with you anytime.

3. Provide your contract or an NDA

Fact: An NDA (or a Non-Disclosure Agreement) goes by different names. This includes Proprietary Information Agreement, Confidential Disclosure Agreement, and Secrecy Agreement.

Whatever you decide to call an NDA, the idea remains the same. Providing an NDA for another party to sign is standard business practice. And it’s useful in cases involving a ghostwriter because it addresses confidentiality. 

After walking your ghostwriter through your project, they should be good to go. However, it’s advisable to play it safe.

Don’t forget, ghostwriters work behind the scenes. If you want them to keep your business relationship confidential, let them sign an NDA.

Here are the benefits of letting ghostwriters sign an NDA:

• Clear understanding of rules – Stating all your rules in an NDA makes it easy for the other party to follow them.
• Show of respect – If a ghostwriter is more than willing to sign an NDA, it shows they want to start a professional relationship with you on the right foot.
• Legal protection – Ghostwriters can claim you used their intellectual property. However, if an NDA states you’re free to use their property, you can avoid a lawsuit.

Conclusion

So, that’s it! Regarding the costs of a ghostwriter’s services, I hope I’ve addressed your concerns. 

If you still have questions, you are always welcome to contact me. Also, feel free to discuss your project with me if you like me to provide professional ghostwriting services for you.

Let’s get one thing straight, though. I can only be your online content ghostwriter. 

Looking for ghostwriters to help you write a book, polish musical scores, or anything else? I’m afraid that’s not my department. 

However, if you need help with blog posts, SEO-friendly articles, case studies, and any online content, I’m your guy!