How Much to Hire a Ghostwriter: 3 Pricing Models & Which Is Best
The Reason you Hire a ghostwrite = The Price You Pay
A ghostwriter gives your ideas a life. They write for you on your behalf. They bring your vision to life through words in YOUR voice, tone, and personality.
Business owners, entrepreneurs, or solopreneurs who have more important tasks than to sit and write hire a ghostwriter.
This is one of the foremost factors that dictates the price of a ghostwriter—the bigger the purpose or objective, the higher the cost of hiring a ghostwriter. You don’t pay someone to type some words; you pay for their skills, expertise, and the value they bring to your life and vision.
A ghostwriter charges between $100 and $10,000+ for a single project. I know that's a broad range. But in this blog, you will know exactly how much your project will cost to hire a ghostwriter.
Let’s get in.
3 Pricing Models That Ghostwriters Offer
Every ghostwriter has their pricing model. Their prices vary depending on their experience, specialty, or subject knowledge. But in any case, you can negotiate your rates with a ghostwriter by choosing one of the following three pricing models.
Per Project or Fix Price
Some ghostwriters work at a flat fee for a project. For instance, you are a nutritionist and want someone to write an e-book. You know the length and what kind of content you want to include. You will give all these details to a ghostwriter, and they will quote a fixed price.
This model is best if you know your project's basics (e.g., word count/length, deadline, and type of content).
Breakdown of Average Per-project Ghostwriting prices;
A ghostwriter charges $3,000 to $5,000 for an e-book of around 20,000 – 25,000 words. A 50,000-word book will cost you around $12,000 to $16,000.
For a blog post or an article of 800-1200 words, a native ghostwriter typically charges $200 - $300. And that’s the bottom price.
For a social media post copy, one single post will cost you $30 - $100.
If a ghostwriter agrees to work at a fixed price, you can sign a contract agreeing on one of the following terms;
100% Upfront Payment. Some ghostwriters take 100% upfront. If you know and trust the ghostwriter, paying 100% upfront is ok.
50% Upfront, 50% When the Work is Complete. This is the best middle ground. You pay 50% as a down payment and 50% paid in arrears.
100% paid in arrears. This is the best way to work with someone for the first time.
You can also split the payments in installments. For instance, 30% payment when the outlines are done, 30% when the ghostwriter is half done, and 40% when the ghostwriter sends you the final document.
Per Word or Per Page
This is the most dramatic pricing model. Ghostwriters charge $0.01 to $1 per word.
As I said, you don’t pay a ghostwriter to type words; you pay them for their work to write the right words. AI writing tools can churn word for you…you don’t need just word, you need the right ones.
If you are into simple and easy niches like lifestyle or wellness, where the ghostwriter does not have to perform much research and can share their life experience, the price per word or page will be low.
But the rate per word or page will be significantly high if you are into complex niches like tech, legal, law, or cybersecurity, where the ghostwriter needs to perform in-depth research.
Breakdown of Average Per Word or Per Page Ghostwriting Prices
To help you understand this pricing model, I’ve broken it down in a table.
Type of Content | Average Cost Per Word | Average Cost Per Page (250 Words/page) | Notes |
Blog Posts/Articles | $0.10 - $0.50 | $25 - $125 | Varies based on niche and depth of research required. |
Books (Non-Fiction) | $0.20 - $1.00 | $50 - $250 | The higher end for well-known authors or detailed research. |
Books (Fiction) | $0.15 - $0.75 | $37.50 - $187.50 | Depends on the genre and the author's reputation. |
Business White Papers | $0.50 - $2.00 | $125 - $500 | Requires in-depth research and a professional tone. |
Website Content | $0.10 - $0.75 | $25 - $187.50 | SEO-optimized content may cost more. |
E-books | $0.15 - $0.75 | $37.50 - $187.50 | Varies based on length and complexity. |
Speeches | $0.50 - $1.50 | $125 - $375 | Pricing depends on speech length and formality. |
Marketing Copy | $0.25 - $1.00 | $62.50 - $250 | High-impact or conversion copy tends to be pricier. |
Per Hour
When you’re unsure about the length and depth of your project, you can hire a ghostwriter on an hourly basis and pay for the time they spend working on it. You can sign a contract with the ghostwriter for a fixed number of hours per day or week. You can also negotiate with the ghostwriter to estimate how much time they will need to complete the project before starting.
Here is the average hourly price breakdown:
Blog Posts/Articles: $30 - $100 per hour
Non-Fiction Books: $50 - $150 per hour
Fiction Books: $40 - $120 per hour
Business White Papers: $75 - $200 per hour
Website Content: $30 - $100 per hour
Speeches/Presentations: $60 - $150 per hour
Factors That Influence How Much a Ghostwriter Charges
Expertise of a Ghostwriter
The more skilled and experienced the ghostwriter, the higher the cost. If a ghostwriter has a proven track record and a strong portfolio, they dictate their prices.
A ghostwriter with years in the industry knows the ins and outs, and the conventions of writing industry. They charge more because they’ve honed their craft over time.
Education and Credentials
Degrees, diplomas, and specialized courses add value. If your ghostwriter has formal education or certifications or is a subject matter expert (SME), expect to pay a premium for their qualified knowledge.
Specialization in a Niche
You'll pay more if your project requires specialized knowledge, such as legal, technical, medical writing. Niche expertise comes at a higher price.
Project Length and Depth
The longer and more complex the project, the more it costs. Extensive research, deep content, and thorough analysis drive the price.
Location and Lifestyle
A ghostwriter’s cost of living can influence their rates. Writers in higher-cost regions (such as the USA, UK, etc.) or with a more luxurious lifestyle may charge more to meet their financial needs.
Which Pricing Model is the Best?
It 100% depends on your needs and requirements. Not all pricing models are best in all scenarios.
The infographic below will give you a clear idea of what pricing model you should choose.
Do Market Research Before Hiring a Ghostwriter
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to ghostwriting prices. As of now, you have a clear idea of this. So, what should you do before hiring a ghostwriter?
Market research.
Go to marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork, search for your service, and see how much ghostwriters charge on average for that service.
Another method to estimate the average price is to search for online agencies or websites that provide ghostwriting services on Google. Then, go to their pricing page and check their packages.
But always remember that your project is unique, so you need a custom quote.
Want premium ghostwriting services? Check out brilliantmedia.
Comments