Move From Side Hustle to Full-Time Ghostwriter

Most people don’t grow up saying, “I want to be a ghostwriter.”

It starts quietly—maybe with a friend who says, “You’re good with words. Can you help me write this?” Then someone offers to pay. Then someone else offers to pay more. That's simplifying things, but you get the gist.

Before you know it, your nights and weekends are filled with writing that isn’t yours… and you're wondering: Could I make a career out of this?

The answer is yes, but it won't happen organically. Turning ghostwriting from a side hustle into a sustainable business takes more than talent. It takes systems, boundaries, and a deep understanding of what clients really need, especially when they don't even know what they need!

Here’s how to make the leap—and stay in business for the long haul.

🎯 1. Define What “Full-Time” Means to You

Before you quit your day job or scale up, get specific:

• Do you want 1–2 high-paying clients per month, or 5–10 smaller ones?

• Are you writing books, blogs, speeches, or all of the above? There's a huge variety of options.

• Do you want to stay behind the scenes, or eventually consult or co-create?

There’s no one “full-time” path. The wrong one will burn you out. The right one will make you excited to sit down at your desk each morning.

💼 2. Package Your Services Like a Pro

Ghostwriting isn’t just writing—it’s thought partnership, editing, interviewing, strategy, and sometimes therapy. If you’re pricing by the word or hour, you’re setting yourself up for burnout. Instead:

• Offer tiered packages (e.g., blog bundles, book coaching + ghostwriting, VIP day rates)

• Charge for access, not just output. This is a more advanced option, but your recurring clients will jump at it.

• Get clear on timelines, deliverables, and revision limits. I have a post coming about this tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Professional packaging = professional pay.

📣 3. Learn to Talk About What You Do

The irony of ghostwriting is that it’s often invisible. So if you want referrals, you need to make your work feel real and relatable, without breaking NDAs.

Say this: “I help founders and subject matter experts sound brilliant—without lifting a finger.”

Not this: “I’m a ghostwriter, but I can’t really talk about my projects.”

You’re selling outcomes, not authorship.

🤝 4. Build Relationships, Not Just a Roster

Most successful ghostwriters aren’t chasing new leads every week. They’re building deep relationships with a few clients who trust them with high-stakes content. That means:

• Treating each draft like a collaboration

• Offering insights, not just words

• Listening for what’s not being said

Trust builds long-term contracts—and long-term income.

🧠 5. Protect Your Energy (and Your Voice)

Ghostwriting is mentally and emotionally taxing. You're constantly stepping into someone else's brain. To sustain it:

• Schedule your own writing projects, even if no one’s paying for them yet

• Take breaks between intense projects

• Don’t say yes just because you can—reserve your time for the work that lights you up or pays you well

Your energy is your edge. Guard it.

🚀 You Don’t Need to “Get Lucky.” You Need a Plan.

Ghostwriting isn't a lottery—it’s a skill-based, relationship-driven business. And it absolutely can be your full-time career, but not if you treat it like a side hustle forever.

Want help turning your natural strengths into a lasting business?

🎓 Ghostwriting 101 will show you how to package your talent, land high-paying clients, and build systems that scale.

🌙 Ready to go deeper? Join us in New Orleans for the Ghostwriting Retreat—a transformative weekend of voice work, client strategy, and creative breakthrough.