Writing is a skill you love, but turning it into income seems impossible. Every day, coaches, pastors, and business owners post brilliant content on LinkedIn and their blogs, yet many of them don’t write a single word themselves. Ghostwriters handle the work while staying invisible, which makes this career path grow fast in Nigeria. This article breaks down seven practical steps to help you become a professional ghostwriter in Nigeria and start earning from your writing skills.
What is ghostwriting?
Ghostwriting refers to writing content for someone else, who then takes the credit. You create the words, but the client owns the work, and their name appears as the author while your name stays hidden.
In Nigeria, this career option is becoming serious. Business leaders need books to build authority, entrepreneurs need LinkedIn posts to attract clients, pastors need sermons to inspire their congregations, and coaches need blog articles to educate their audience. These people have brilliant ideas but lack the time or skill to write them down properly, which creates demand for ghostwriters who take on the work and get paid for their expertise.
Many young writers think ghostwriting is only for celebrities or famous authors, but this is wrong. Small business owners, professionals, and thought leaders all need ghostwriters to put their ideas into writing.
So how do you go from “I write well” to “I earn as a ghostwriter”?
Step 1: Build your writing skills
Writing well is the first requirement before you write for money. Ghostwriting is about clarity and making ideas easy to read, not fancy words or complex sentences. Your job is to take what’s in your client’s head and put it on paper in a way people understand.
Start by practising different tones and styles. Write a formal email to a business executive, then write a casual blog post for an entrepreneur, and finally write an inspiring speech for a coach. Each project needs a different voice, and you need to switch between them smoothly. This flexibility makes you valuable to clients who need different types of content.
Also, read books, blogs, and articles from different writers. Pay attention to how they structure their sentences, how they introduce ideas, and how they keep readers interested. Then rewrite what you read in your own words to sharpen your style and train your brain to think like a professional writer.
Victor Winners, a Nigerian ghostwriter, in his article How to Become a Ghostwriter & Earn from Scratch on Victor Winners blog, says beginners should build their writing skills first before chasing clients. He explains how ghostwriting success starts with strong writing foundations, which include good grammar, clear sentences, and smooth flow.
One simple way to build these skills is to write every day, even if it’s just 200 words. The more you write, the better you get at expressing ideas clearly.
Step 2: Pick a niche
Ghostwriting covers many areas like books, blogs, speeches, LinkedIn posts, and business emails. You don’t need to do everything at once because trying to serve everyone makes you invisible. Pick one area and focus on it until you become known for that specific type of writing.
When you pick a niche, clients see you as an expert instead of a general writer. A writer who focuses on business books gets hired faster than someone who writes “anything” because the client trusts specialised knowledge.
Think about what you enjoy and what you understand. Do you love personal development and self-improvement? Focus on motivational books or self-help content for coaches. Do you understand business and entrepreneurship? Write LinkedIn posts or thought leadership articles for CEOs and founders. Your niche should match your interests and skills so writing feels natural instead of forced.
On the Reedsy Blog, Linnea Gradin in her article 21 Ghostwriting Tips from Bestselling Ghostwriters, shares tips from bestselling ghostwriters who say adapting to different voices starts with choosing the right projects. Pick clients whose work you understand and whose message you believe in, which makes writing easier and faster.
Niche positioning builds trust with potential clients over time. When a client sees you’ve written 10 LinkedIn posts for entrepreneurs, they trust you to write theirs because you have proof of expertise.
Step 3: Learn the business side
Ghostwriting is a service business where you sell your time and skill to clients who need content. Writing is only half the job because you also need to handle contracts, pricing, and payments like any business owner.
Start by setting your rates based on research and value. Beginners charge per word or per project depending on what makes sense for the work. A 1,000-word blog post might cost ₦15,000 to ₦30,000, while a full book might cost ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 depending on length and complexity.
Moreso, contracts protect both you and your client from misunderstandings. Write down what you’ll deliver, when you’ll deliver it, and how much you’ll get paid. Include a confidentiality clause that prevents you from revealing who you wrote for because clients pay for trust, not just talent.
Also, payment terms matter because they protect your income and time. Ask for 50% upfront before you start writing and get the remaining 50% when you finish and deliver the work. Use bank transfers, mobile money, or freelance platforms to receive payments securely.
Professionalism sets you apart from amateur writers who miss deadlines and ignore emails. Reply to messages quickly, meet deadlines consistently, and communicate clearly about progress or delays.
Step 4: Build a portfolio without your name
Ghostwriters don’t get public credit for their work, which makes building a portfolio challenging. You need samples to show your skill, but you don’t have published work with your name on it because clients take all the credit.
Start by creating mock samples that show what you do. Write three blog posts in your niche, write a book chapter, or write LinkedIn posts that look like real client work. Make them look professional and polished so potential clients see your quality.
Take on small projects, even at low rates, to build real experience with actual clients. Write for a local entrepreneur, write a speech for a friend, or write blog posts for a small business owner. Ask permission to use the work as a portfolio sample without mentioning the client’s name if they prefer privacy.
Don’t forget to also collect testimonials after every project because feedback is proof of your credibility. A short testimonial like “She wrote my LinkedIn posts and my engagement doubled in two weeks” shows results and builds trust with new clients.
Store your samples in a Google Drive folder or a simple website where clients can access them easily. When potential clients ask for examples, send them the link immediately.
Step 5: Market yourself where clients are
Clients don’t search for ghostwriters on Google like they search for restaurants or hotels. They find ghostwriters through LinkedIn, WhatsApp groups, Twitter, and referrals from people they trust.
Start with LinkedIn by posting useful writing tips and lessons that show your expertise. Share before-and-after examples of content you’ve improved, write about common writing mistakes Nigerian entrepreneurs make, and offer advice that demonstrates your knowledge. When people see you know your expertise, they reach out with paid opportunities.
Join freelance platforms by creating a profile, listing your services, and applying to ghostwriting jobs daily. For example, platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Reedsy connect ghostwriters with global clients who need content. In Nigeria, agencies like ASKWords.ng, Reedsy, and Contently offer professional ghostwriting services for books, blogs, and LinkedIn content. ASKWords.ng focuses on thought leadership content and long-form storytelling, which helps writers build deeper portfolios while earning a steady income. This is why writers who partner with agencies gain access to higher-paying clients and learn how professional ghostwriting works, from writing contracts to managing deadlines to handling revisions properly.
You can also use WhatsApp and Telegram communities for writers, entrepreneurs, and content creators to expand your network. Offer free advice when people ask questions, and when someone needs writing help, send them a private message with your services.
Here are the main places to find ghostwriting clients in Nigeria:
- LinkedIn: Post writing tips and engage with entrepreneurs who need content
- Upwork: Create a profile and apply to ghostwriting jobs daily
- Fiverr: List your services and wait for client inquiries from global buyers
- WhatsApp groups: Join writer and entrepreneur communities to network
- Twitter: Share writing insights and connect with business owners actively
- Referrals: Ask happy clients to recommend you to others in their network
Step 6: Gain experience and grow
Your first projects will be small and low-paying. A blog post here, a LinkedIn post there, or a short article for a local business owner might not seem like much. Take them anyway because every project teaches you something new about client communication, deadlines, and writing under pressure.
From there, ask for referrals after every successful project because a happy client will recommend you to others in their network. Referrals bring in better clients and higher pay because people trust recommendations more than advertisements or cold pitches.
As you gain more clients, move from one-off jobs to retainers, which means a client pays you monthly for ongoing work. You write their blog posts every week or their LinkedIn content daily, giving you a steady income instead of constantly hunting for new clients.
To keep growing, keep improving your skills by learning editing, research, and how to interview clients to capture their voice accurately. The better you get at understanding what clients want and delivering it quickly, the more you earn per project.
This steady growth mindset is something other ghostwriters have talked about too. Ugo Akukwu, writing on Medium in The Power of Ghostwriting for Middle-Class Nigerians, explains that Nigerian ghostwriters succeed through networking and building strong portfolios consistently. He notes how middle-class writers grow their careers by taking small steps and staying persistent even when progress feels slow.
Step 7: Position yourself as a professional
After a year of writing, you’re no longer a beginner with no proof of skill. You have a portfolio, you have clients, and you have testimonials that prove your ability to deliver results. Now you position yourself as a professional ghostwriter in Nigeria who delivers outcomes, not just words.
Start charging based on value instead of effort or time spent. A LinkedIn post takes two hours to write, but it might bring your client ₦5 million in business through new leads and partnerships. Price your work based on what it’s worth to the client, not just how long it took you to write.
Consider expanding your services beyond basic ghostwriting to increase your value. Offer book ghostwriting for thought leaders who want to publish, offer content strategy for entrepreneurs who need direction, or offer ghostwriting training for other writers who want to learn from your experience.
According to The Complete Guide to Ghostwriting: How to Become a Ghostwriter by Writing Mastery Academy, ghostwriters succeed when they know who hires them and how to position themselves in the market. The guide notes that professionals earn premium rates because they deliver results, not just words.
The table below shows how ghostwriting rates grow as you gain experience and proof:
| Experience Level | Project Type | Typical Rate | What Changes |
| Beginner (0-6 months) | Blog posts, social media | ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 per post | You’re building a portfolio and learning client management skills |
| Intermediate (6-12 months) | Articles, speeches, LinkedIn content | ₦50,000 – ₦100,000 per project | You have testimonials and repeat clients who trust your work |
| Experienced (1-2 years) | Books, thought leadership, retainers | ₦200,000 – ₦500,000+ per project | You charge based on value and have a strong reputation in your niche |
Long-term growth comes from reputation, referrals, and reliability over months and years. Deliver great work consistently, meet deadlines without excuses, and treat clients with respect and professionalism.
Conclusion
Becoming a professional ghostwriter in Nigeria is about taking clear steps that build on each other. You build your skill through daily practice, pick a niche to stand out, learn the business side to protect your income, create a portfolio to prove your abilities, market yourself where clients spend time, gain experience through small projects, and position yourself as a professional who delivers results.
Start small with one blog post or one LinkedIn article for a local business owner. Take the first step today because your first client is waiting for someone with your skills.
Key takeaways
- Ghostwriting means writing content for someone else who takes the credit while you get paid for the work.
- You need strong writing skills and the ability to switch tones before you chase clients or expect high rates.
- Pick a niche to stand out and build trust faster with potential clients who need specialised expertise.
- Learn contracts, pricing, and payment terms to run your business professionally and protect your income.
- Build a portfolio with mock samples and small projects that show your skills and prove your abilities.
- Market yourself on LinkedIn, Upwork, and WhatsApp communities where clients hang out looking for writers.
- Gain experience, ask for referrals, and move to retainers for a steady income that provides financial stability.
- Position yourself as a professional by charging based on value, not just effort or time spent writing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is ghostwriting legal in Nigeria?
Yes, absolutely. Ghostwriting is a legal service where you and your client agree on terms, sign a contract, and deliver the work as agreed. Nigerian writers have been doing this for years without problems.
How much do ghostwriters earn in Nigeria?
Beginners earn ₦20,000 to ₦50,000 per project when starting out. Experienced ghostwriters earn ₦100,000 to ₦500,000 for books and thought leadership content after building their reputation.
Do ghostwriters get credited for their work?
No, in most cases ghostwriters stay behind the scenes while the client takes all the credit publicly. Some contracts allow you to be listed as a co-author or editor, but this is rare.
Where do ghostwriters in Nigeria find clients?
LinkedIn, Upwork, Fiverr, and WhatsApp communities are the main places where clients search for writers. Referrals also work well once you complete your first few projects successfully.
How do I start ghostwriting if I have no experience?
Create mock samples by writing blog posts, LinkedIn content, or book chapters in your niche that look professional. Offer low-cost services to your first clients to build testimonials and proof of your work.
What skills do I need to become a professional ghostwriter in Nigeria?
You need strong writing skills, good grammar, and the ability to switch tones for different clients and projects. You also need research skills, time management, and basic business knowledge about contracts and pricing.
How does ASKWords.ng help ghostwriters in Nigeria?
ASKWords.ng is a storytelling agency that offers ghostwriting services for books, blogs, and LinkedIn content for clients. Writers who partner with ASKWords.ng work on structured projects with steady income and professional support.
How long does it take to become a professional ghostwriter in Nigeria?
Six months to a year if you practise daily and take on small projects consistently. Some writers take longer, while others move faster depending on their dedication and time investment.
