Why Most Ghostwriters Undervalue Themselves (And How to Fix It)
Most ghostwriters undercharge for their work. Here’s why — and how to fix it fast.
Ghostwriters often struggle to confidently price their work, leaving money on the table.
Most use outdated pricing strategies, like charging hourly or offering low project fees, which not only undervalue their expertise but also fail to reflect the results they deliver.
This approach limits income potential and attracts clients who focus on cost over quality.
In this post, I’ll break down the top three reasons why ghostwriters struggle with pricing and share actionable steps to help you charge what you’re worth.
1. Hourly Rates Are Limiting Your Success
- Why it’s a problem: Hourly rates punish efficiency. If you’re great at what you do and can deliver faster, you earn less per project. Clients also tend to compare your rates to other hourly workers, undervaluing your expertise.
- Solution: Switch to value-based pricing, which focuses on the results you deliver, not the time you spend. For example, instead of charging $50/hour for a project, consider the value your work brings to the client — whether it’s revenue, visibility, or time saved — and charge accordingly.
2. Clients Care About Results, Not Effort
- Why it’s a problem: Many ghostwriters focus on the effort they put in rather than the outcomes they produce. But clients care about how your work impacts their business, not how many hours you spent writing.
- Solution: Start tracking and communicating the ROI of your work. For example, if a sales email you write generates $20,000 in revenue, position that value when discussing your rates.
3. Lack of Confidence Is Holding You Back
- Why it’s a problem: Fear of rejection leads ghostwriters to keep rates low, assuming clients won’t pay higher fees. This often attracts clients who undervalue your work and leads to burnout.
- Solution: Test raising your rates with new clients. Start small by bundling services into packages to show added value. For instance, instead of offering a single blog post, package it with SEO research and a social media caption for a higher fee.
Conclusion
Ghostwriting is about delivering impact, not trading hours for dollars. By shifting your mindset and adopting these three strategies, you can earn more, attract better clients, and work less.
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