What Dream Clients Look for in a Ghostwriter
Every ghostwriter dreams of the perfect client: clear vision, decent budget, mutual respect, zero micromanaging.
Last time, we talked about how to handle condescending clients, and this post is the flip side—what it’s like when you finally meet one who gets it.
To understand this, we need to understand their inner dialogue, assuming they have one! (Many people don't have a running inner dialogue, did you know that? Weird, right? And yes, I often go off on tangents.) Refocusing now! So, what do these potential clients dream about when they’re looking for a ghostwriter?
If you’ve ever wondered why a promising lead ghosted you or how to stand out in a sea of freelancers, this post is for you. Here’s what’s actually going on inside the mind of a dream client—and how to become the one they hire (and rave about).
1. “Can they capture my voice—or will this sound like a press release?”
The number-one fear clients have isn’t about grammar. It’s sounding wrong.
Whether you’re writing for a CEO, a wellness guru, or a stay-at-home dad with a memoir, your ability to replicate their voice matters more than your ability to impress them with yours.
What they want: Someone who listens deeply, asks smart questions, and can mimic tone, rhythm, and phrasing.
What to show: A few ghostwritten samples in distinct voices (even anonymized) and a note on how you extracted and replicated each one.
2. “Will this be more work for me, or less?”
Most clients aren’t hiring a ghostwriter because they can’t write at all. They’re hiring because they don’t have time, clarity, or bandwidth.
That means they don’t want to manage you too.
What they want: A self-starter who can run with an idea, hit deadlines, and steer the project without constant babysitting.
What to show: A clear process. Let them know how you handle onboarding, drafts, revisions, and delivery, with minimal lift on their part.
3. “Do they understand my goals, or are they just checking boxes to speed run through the work?”
Clients can smell it when a ghostwriter is just trying to get the assignment done and move on. Sure, the grammar’s clean and the structure makes sense, but the why is missing.
What they’re really looking for isn’t someone to crank out copy. It’s someone who cares about the bigger picture. Someone who sees their book, blog, or thought leadership content as more than just a deliverable. They want a partner, not a pass-through.
What they want: A collaborative thought partner who’s invested in their mission, message, and momentum—not someone racing to check the “writing done” box.
What to show: Ask about their vision, not just their topic. Reflect their goals back to them. Make it clear that your process isn’t just efficient; it’s also aligned with what they’re trying to achieve long-term.
4. “Can I trust them with my story, my secrets, my name?”
Whether it’s a founder’s backstory or a deeply personal memoir, ghostwriting is intimate work.
Clients aren’t just buying writing, they’re handing over their reputation.
What they want: Professionalism. Discretion. Emotional intelligence.
What to show: Clear boundaries, a respectful tone, and an NDA without being asked. Bonus points if you explain how you handle tough interviews or vulnerable content.
5. “Will this be a one-off or a long-term win?”
Clients hate starting over. If they find someone good, they want to keep them.
The dream scenario? You help them with a blog, then a book, then a TED talk pitch.
What they want: A collaborator who grows with them, not someone looking to finish a gig and disappear.
What to show: Curiosity. A bigger vision for what their content could become. And a genuine interest in the relationship, not just the invoice.
Become the Writer They Brag About
The best ghostwriters don’t just write well. They listen hard, think sharp, and make their clients feel like the smartest person in the room.
Want to learn how to attract (and keep) high-quality ghostwriting clients?
Join us in New Orleans this October for the Ghostwriting Retreat, or check out one of our classes designed to help you build the business behind the scenes.
Explore the retreat here: https://www.ghostwritinglife.com/retreat
Take the Ghostwriting 101 course: https://www.ghostwritinglife.com/ghostwriting-101
