Skill Arbitrage Blog

This blog sheds light on the lucrative profession of a LinkedIn ghostwriter for international industry leaders. It provides in-depth knowledge about how to pitch, what to write, and how much to charge. It can be very useful for Indian content writers looking to build an international career as a LinkedIn ghostwriter.

Introduction: The shock, the horror, the path

It was a SOS phone call from a fellow content writer that brought the entire situation into focus. It was a hot and mundane Thursday afternoon when my phone started vibrating every five minutes. Nisha, a content writer I had worked with briefly some time ago, seemed to want to get in touch pretty badly. When I picked up the call, I could understand why. 

Nisha was afraid she was going to lose her job; the content writing agency she worked for was asking her to relocate, and she couldn’t oblige. I promised her to keep a lookout for agencies hiring. 

Luckily, I got to know about a vacancy in an agency in her town within a week. But when I called her to let her know, she had already started on something. I was very, very curious. In a market like content writing, where the threat of AI was cutting away the very ground from under our feet, the speed with which she landed something was very unusual.

It turned out that she had started ghostwriting for the CEO of an organization based in the US on LinkedIn. 

That last bit floored me. Was it even possible to sustain only by writing on LinkedIn? 

Seemed like it was. 

Ghostwriting for CEOs, specifically on LinkedIn, seemed to be where the money is these days. You could charge anything from $50 to $200 per post. And this was a conservative estimate. When converted to Indian money, that much for less than two thousand characters was a very lucrative deal.

The best part was that most of it was work from anywhere with flexible timing. This was too interesting not to go further into. 

I asked Nisha if she would elaborate further on how to start, how to write, how much to charge etc. It was a super long phone conversation, even for two chatterboxes like us. So after I talked to her over the phone and later coffee, I came up with a feasible strategy on this majorly overlooked, untapped goldmine of a career! 

The first thing I asked her was how and when did writing on LinkedIn became a feasible career choice for a writer??? 

Nisha said with a smirk, “Well, it’s been a while!”

Apparently, this was a fast-catching trend as LinkedIn grew in popularity. All the world, their CEOs and managers, were on it. CEO’s were now posting regularly, and they needed writers to help them and were willing to pay handsomely to the right candidate!

Why is ghostwriting for CEOs and thought leaders fast becoming a trend?: jaago India jaago

LinkedIn is at the moment, the go-to platform for professionals, CEOs, and thought leaders to build their personal brands, attract business opportunities, and establish authority in their industries. 

With over 1 billion users worldwide as of 2025 (LinkedIn, 2025), the platform is huge.  For Indian content writers, this presents a golden opportunity, not only to write for high-profile clients but also to earn significantly higher than other traditional content writing gigs in India. 

According to a 2024 Medium article by Minolta Walker, an Atlanta-based ghostwriter, she earns over $3,000 monthly writing for CEOs on LinkedIn (Walker, 2024). 

In India, top-tier ghostwriters charge $400–$1000 per month per client for 4–8 posts, with experienced writers juggling multiple clients to earn $8,500 monthly (The Ken, 2022).

Ghostwriting—crafting content credited to someone else—has long been a lucrative field, but this specific niche, writing on LinkedIn for leaders, was a new trend that was quickly catching on. 

In markets like the US and UK, personal branding is essential for executives. According to a 2022 study by Edelman, a high number of business decision-makers trust thought leadership content from individuals over corporate brands (Edelman, 2022). 

CEOs who post regularly on LinkedIn report a 39% increase in followers after regular posting (DSMN8, 2024).

This was happening all over the world, according to Nisha, even UK and the USA.

Thought leaders, especially in markets like the US, UK, and Europe, are increasingly outsourcing their LinkedIn presence to skilled writers who can put into words their visions, experiences, insights, and expertise.  

Indian writers, with their strong command of English, cultural adaptability, and competitive pricing, are uniquely positioned to tap into this market.

If you want to know why and are also keen on acquiring some skills, tools, and templates to start a career as a LinkedIn ghostwriter for CEOs and Industry experts, you are at the right place. 

Why should you consider it? Because, as an Indian content writer, you are already at an advantage.

Nisha broke down three advantages for me and all aspiring ghostwriters out there..

Why Indian writers have a unique edge in the ghostwriting industry on LinkedIn: The three winning advantages

Here are the three advantages she mentioned:

Language advantage: India has over 125 million native English speakers (Statista, 2024) and has ranked second globally among countries with the most English-speaking populations. The proficiency in the language is the first winning advantage here.

Cost advantage: Indian freelancers typically charge much less than freelancers in advanced economies. They charge only about $20–$50 per hour compared to $75–$150 per hour for US-based writers (Upwork, 2025). This makes Indian talent very attractive to budget and quality-conscious clients.

Work ethic and adaptability: Indian writers are famous for really working hard and delivering the good stuff on time.  Their ability to adapt to diverse industries, from tech to healthcare, is a critical skill for ghostwriting.

These are the reasons why you should start doing it now if you are not doing it already. 

But I had another question (of course I did!)

I asked her next, “But what is driving the CEO’s, leaders, and experts? Why are they looking for efficient writers to ghostwrite for them on LinkedIn? If you think about it, it does not really make sense. The CEOs and thought leaders are the ones with the vision, the expertise, and the insights that you are writing about, they also know the language pretty well. So why do they need you?”

Nisha said, “Because to them, time is literally money!” Then she went on to explain further. According to her, among the myriads of reasons, three really stand out.

Why CEOs and thought leaders need Ghostwriters: Three reasons why what you are seeking is seeking you

Time constraints: A CEO’s day is jam-packed with meetings, brainstorming, and strategy sessions, as well as decision-making. They really can’t spare the 2-3 hours needed to churn out a 500-word piece for social media on a regular basis.

Brand building: A consistent flow of value-laden posts establishes them as industry experts, attracting talent, investors, and clients. So they can’t ignore it either.

Engagement goals: LinkedIn’s algorithm favors content that sparks comments and shares. Ghostwriters craft posts with hooks, questions, and calls to action to maximize reach. They have the commercial writing expertise that visionary CEOs might lack.

Here’s a snapshot for you to take a quick glance

In India, LinkedIn ghostwriting is still an emerging field. Agencies like SCRIBERS[HUB] and freelancers on platforms like Upwork report a 50% year-on-year increase in demand from Indian startups and mid-tier executives (SCRIBERS[HUB], 2023). 

However, the real opportunity lies in foreign markets, where clients are willing to pay premium rates for quality.

“A skilled content writer with a reasonable fee can easily make it here by delivering short but good content on time for these industry Alphas,” Nisha said with a smug look on her face.

But then, how does one start? One can’t randomly message CEOs asking for work. Turns out you don’t really have to; there is a failsafe strategy for this. 

How do you start ghostwriting for CEOs on LinkedIn? Follow the yellow brick road

Not literally, though! Follow these simple steps to start your career as a LinkedIn ghostwriting specialist. 

Step 1: Build a portfolio

A strong portfolio is your ticket to landing foreign clients. Start by:

Creating sample posts: First things first. Take a couple of days to sit down and build your arsenal. Write 5–10 LinkedIn-style posts (200–500 words) in different voices (e.g., a tech CEO, a healthcare thought leader). Focus on storytelling, insights, and engagement hooks.

Offering pro bono work: Initiative never goes wrong. Reach out to local entrepreneurs or friends in leadership roles and offer to ghostwrite a few posts for free. Use their feedback and results (e.g., engagement metrics) as social proof of your skills.

Showcase on LinkedIn: Use LinkedIn itself. Start posting your samples on your profile with a disclaimer: “Sample ghostwriting content—crafted to demonstrate my skills.”

Here are some samples, written for industry experts in various fields, that can really do a lot to help your portfolio stand out. 

Samples like this can initially build your portfolio.

Example 1: LinkedIn post for a UK-based Fintech CEO

Post title: “I Bet My Last £10K on a Hunch—Here’s What I Learned About Risk”

Character count: 1,500

“In 2018, I was down to my last £ 10 K. The business was bleeding cash, and I had a choice: play it safe or double down on a gut feeling. I chose the latter—invested every penny in a new payment platform no one believed in. Today, that hunch is a £50M company.

The lesson? Risk isn’t reckless if it’s calculated. I spent sleepless nights researching user pain points, talking to early adopters, and tweaking the product. Data showed 70% of SMEs struggled with cross-border payments—our solution cut their costs by 15%. That’s what turned a gamble into a win.

But here’s the catch: you can’t bet big without a safety net. I had a six-month runway and a clear exit plan if it failed. Risk isn’t about bravado; it’s about knowing your numbers and trusting your instincts when they align.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career? Did it pay off—or teach you something more valuable?”

Why it works: It starts with a personal hook, shares a specific win backed by data, and ends with a question to spark comments—key to LinkedIn’s algorithm.

Example 2:  LinkedIn post for a US-based SaaS CEO

Post title: “I Failed 3 Times Before Building a $10M Company—Here’s the One Lesson That Changed Everything”

Character count: 1,600

“Failure isn’t the opposite of success—it’s the foundation. I launched three startups that crashed hard: one ran out of cash in six months, another lost to a bigger competitor, and the third? I just didn’t listen to the customers. By 2019, I was ready to quit. Then I tried again, and today, that company’s worth $ 10 M.

The difference? I stopped guessing what people wanted and started asking. Our first SaaS tool flopped because I built what I thought was cool. For the fourth, I interviewed 50 founders—turns out, they needed simpler onboarding, not more features. We cut development time by 30%, and churn dropped 20% in year one.

The lesson: Ego kills businesses; listening builds them. Now, every product decision starts with a customer call, not a boardroom debate. It’s not sexy, but it works. Gartner says 80% of B2B sales will be digital by 2025—those who solve real problems will win.

What’s one failure that taught you more than success ever could? I’d love to hear your story.”

Why it works: Opens with a bold, relatable story, uses data to establish credibility, and invites engagement with a personal question.

Example 3:  LinkedIn post for a Healthcare Thought Leader

Post title: “My First Client Fired Me—It Was the Best Lesson of My Career”

Character count: 1,400

“Early in my consulting days, I landed a big healthcare client—a hospital chain CEO. I was cocky, thought I knew it all. Three months in, they fired me. Why? I delivered a 50-page report they couldn’t use—too much jargon, no actionable steps. I was crushed, but it flipped a switch.

I spent the next year shadowing clinicians, studying workflows, and learning what keeps healthcare leaders up at night. My next client? A $5M turnaround project. We cut patient wait times by 25% with a simple triage tweak—something I’d have missed before.

The takeaway: Expertise isn’t enough; impact is. Clients don’t care about your credentials—they want results. Today, I start every engagement with one question: ‘What’s your biggest bottleneck?’ It’s led to over $20M in cost savings for my clients.

Ever had a wake-up call that changed how you work? Drop it in the comments—I’m all ears.”

Why it works: It uses a humbling anecdote, ties it to a concrete outcome, and encourages dialogue with a relatable prompt.

Example 4:  LinkedIn post for a Marketing Director (US-Based)

Post title: “3 Sales Hacks That Boosted Our SMB Clients’ Revenue by 20%”

Character count: 1,700

“I used to think sales was all about the pitch. Then I watched our SMB clients struggle—great products, terrible conversions. So, we tested three hacks that turned things around, boosting their revenue by 20% in six months.

1. Micro-Commitments: Instead of asking for a sale upfront, we got prospects to say ‘yes’ to a free audit. Conversion rates jumped 15%.
2. Story-Based Follow-Ups: Ditched generic emails for ones like, ‘Last week, a client like you saved $10K with this tweak.’ Replies doubled.
3. One-Click Upsells: Added a ‘bundle’ button at checkout—upsell revenue spiked 30% without extra effort.

The data backs this up: HubSpot says 72% of buyers want personalized solutions, not pushy sales. These hacks work because they meet people where they are. Now, our clients—mostly SaaS and retail SMBs—rave about the simplicity.

What’s your go-to sales trick? Share it below—I might steal it for our next campaign!”

Why it works: It offers actionable value with numbers, cites a credible source (HubSpot), and ends with a playful engagement hook.

While these are simply examples, you can, with their help, easily build a bank of at least 7-8 posts targeting it for different industries, audiences and playing with the structure a bit.

Step 2: Master LinkedIn’s algorithm

To deliver value, you need to understand what makes content perform:

• Engagement is queen: Posts with 3+ comments within the first hour get 2x more reach (LinkedIn, 2024).
• Optimal length: Posts between 1,200–1,900 characters (about 200–300 words) perform best (Buffer, 2023).
• Timing: Posting at 9 AM PST (targeting US audiences) or 8 AM GMT (UK audiences) aligns with peak activity (Sprout Social, 2024).

Step 3: Find foreign clients

• Freelance platforms: Spend some time on Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour. These are gold mines. Search for “LinkedIn ghostwriter” or “thought leadership writer” gigs. Filter for clients in the US, UK, or Europe.
• Cold outreach: Use LinkedIn to identify CEOs and thought leaders in booming sectors like tech, finance, or healthcare. Send personalized messages like, “I noticed you’re a leader in [industry]. I specialize in crafting LinkedIn content that amplifies your expertise—can I share a sample?”
• Agencies: Partner with firms that often subcontract to freelancers. 

A nagging query was pestering me at this point. The samples I gathered were written according to job titles. When I researched CEOs on LinkedIn, it seemed their posts had a distinct connection with their online image. 

Mainly, there were four major types of leaders out there in the big, bad world of LinkedIn.

Understanding the client: What are CEOs made of, made of?

Before you do a single outreach message, understand the different types of leaders you might have to write for on LinkedIn. Nisha was very particular about this issue. “If you go wrong with your branding strategy, even if you do get hired, you will lose out on the job”, she added. 

Different types of CEO branding strategies

Here are the four most common styles for CEOs that you need to know about.  

When you break them into character patterns, it becomes easier to understand the difference between the styles.

1. The Visionary: This is somebody who has controversy as his or her middle name and consistently shares bold industry predictions and disruptive ideas. (Example: Elon Musk’s LinkedIn posts about AI and future tech.)
2. The Mentor: This is a person with great insights who provides leadership lessons and professional advice. (Example: Simon Sinek’s people-first approach.)
3. The Educator: This is a person who primarily teaches through their posts and breaks down complex topics into digestible insights. (Example: Neil Patel’s marketing breakdowns.)
4. The Storyteller: This is a person who shares personal anecdotes to engage and inspire. (Example: Indra Nooyi discussing her leadership journey, Ankur Warikoo’s posts.)

It is not that a “Visionary” can’t have an educational post or the “ Storyteller” can never share insights, but maximum posts by a certain leader should follow a definite pattern for maximum impact. 

The next question I had for Nisha was slightly technical: “But how do you shadow someone else’s style?”

It seemed that there were strategies for that as well, some definite steps an aspiring ghostwriter can take.

How to shadow a CEO’s writing style: Mirror, mirror on the wall

While mimicking someone’s tone is not exactly easy. It is not impossible either.  

You need to conduct a 30–60-minute interview to:

• Understand their personality (formal, casual, witty?).
• Gather anecdotes and insights unique to their experience.
• Align with their goals (e.g., lead generation, thought leadership)

 When you ask them questions, consider these key factors: 

• Formal vs. conversational: Does the client prefer professional, academic language or a relaxed, relatable tone?
• Short vs. long-form: Do they prefer concise posts or detailed thought pieces rich in data?
• Humor & personality: Should the content include humor, storytelling, or personal elements?

By now, I was furiously scribbling notes while Nisha explained every bit of the profession to me. Next I asked her, “ But what about the most difficult part, how does one actually write these posts?”

She broke down several viral posts for me from industry leaders and experts.

How to actually write posts for CEOs on LinkedIn as a ghostwriter: Welcome to the sweat shop

The ideal LinkedIn post structure

Generally, a LinkedIn post follows this format:

• Hook (first two lines): Grab attention immediately (e.g., “90% of startups fail. Here’s why mine didn’t.”)
• Story/insight: Share personal experience, valuable information, insights, or trends. Basically, build upon the hook here and tell the story.
• Takeaway: Provide conclusive takeaways in the form of actionable steps.
• Call-to-action (CTA): Encourage engagement (e.g., “What are your thoughts on this?” “ Do you have a similar story?”).

Here’s a visibility chart of the segments we are talking about

This is the basic format, but what can you do to make your posts stand out? 

Take a look at the following types of LinkedIn posts that rake in a huge number of likes, shares and engagements.  

Types of high-engagement LinkedIn posts

1. Personal stories:

           Example: “I got fired at 25. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Benefit: Personal stories perform 22x better than generic advice. They build trust and credibility while engaging audiences.

2. Industry insights:

            Example: “Why AI will replace 30% of jobs by 2030, and how to stay ahead.”

Benefit: The use of correct data not only makes the post authentic but also builds long-term authority.

3. Contrarian takes:

Example: “College degrees are overrated. Here’s what really matters.”

           Benefit: These kinds of posts stir up controversy and can bring a lot of engagement. 

4. How-to guides:

Example: “How I grew my startup from $0 to $1M in revenue.”

Benefit: These posts are value-intensive and go a long way in building a faithful follower base and garner plenty of shares as well as saves.

5. Data-backed thought leadership:

Example: “LinkedIn posts with visuals get 2x more engagement than text-only posts.” 

Impact: Posts of this type build authenticity and authority together.

No matter what kind of posts you decide to write for your client, you need to follow a couple of rules of thumb to dial up the quality quotient and build authority.

But what about the cherry on top? What could you do extra?

Two things you can do to consistently deliver high-quality posts while ghostwriting for CEOs on LinkedIn

1: Use data and case studies

Foreign clients love evidence-backed content. Incorporate:

• Industry stats (e.g., “Gartner predicts 80% of B2B sales will be digital by 2025”).
• Client-specific wins (e.g., “Our team cut churn by 15% using this tactic”).

2: Leverage the art of storytelling

A 2023 Stanford study found that stories are 22x more memorable than facts alone (Stanford, 2023). Start posts with a hook:

• “I nearly lost my company in 2020. Here’s how I turned it around…”
• “My first client fired me. It was the best lesson of my career.”

By now, Nisha had explained at length about the types of posts that perform well and what you can do to ensure that you write a good post every time. 

Let’s make this even easier. Take a look at the templates we found for you. These are hand-picked to work well for CEOs, experts, and industry leaders across borders.

5 templates to make your LinkedIn posts break the internet: follow to lead

Here are the five winning templates to help you make any expert’s profile into an engagement honeypot,

Template 1: The failure-to-success story

Structure: Hook with a personal failure + Pivot moment + Result + Takeaway + Engagement Question

Character count: 1,500

“[Year], I hit rock bottom. [Describe failure: e.g., ‘My first startup tanked in 6 months—$50K gone.’] I was ready to quit. Then I [pivot: e.g., ‘talked to 20 customers and realized I’d built the wrong product’]. That shift led to [result: e.g., ‘a $5M company in 3 years’].

The takeaway? [Lesson: e.g., ‘Failure isn’t final—it’s feedback.’] Now, I [apply lesson: e.g., ‘start every project with customer input’], and it’s why [benefit: e.g., ‘we’ve cut churn by 15%’].

What’s a failure that reshaped your path? Share below—I’d love to hear.”

Takeaway: Failure is a stepping stone to success when you learn from it.

Benefit: Positions the CEO as resilient and insightful, attracting talent or investors who value grit.

Template 2: The data-driven insight

Structure: Surprising stat + Personal tie-in + Solution + Takeaway + Call-to-Action

Character count: 1,600

“[Stat: e.g., ‘Gartner says 80% of B2B sales will be digital by 2025.’] That hit me hard—I’d been [context: e.g., ‘pushing in-person pitches for years’]. So, I [solution: e.g., ‘moved our sales online with a 3-step funnel’]. Result? [Outcome: e.g., ‘Revenue up 25% in 6 months.’]

Takeaway: [Lesson: e.g., ‘Adapt or get left behind.’] Data doesn’t lie—[benefit: e.g., ‘our clients now close deals 30% faster’].

What trends are you betting on in your industry? Drop your thoughts!”

Takeaway: Adapting to data-driven trends is key to staying competitive.

Benefit: Establishes the CEO as a forward-thinking leader, appealing to tech-savvy audiences.

Template 3: The actionable tip list

Structure: Problem statement + 3 numbered tips + Results + Takeaway + Engagement Prompt

Character count: 1,700

“[Problem: e.g., ‘Too many teams waste hours on bad meetings.’] I’ve been there. Here’s what worked for us:

1. [Tip 1: e.g., ‘Cap meetings at 15 minutes.’]
2. [Tip 2: e.g., ‘No agenda, no meeting.’]
3. [Tip 3: e.g., ‘End with one clear action.’]
   Outcome? [Result: e.g., ‘Productivity up 20% in Q1.’]

Takeaway: [Lesson: e.g., ‘Simplicity scales.’] It’s why [benefit: e.g., ‘we’ve launched 3 products ahead of schedule’].

What’s your best productivity hack? Let’s swap ideas!”

Takeaway: Small, practical changes drive big wins.

Benefit: Offers value to followers, positioning the CEO as a helpful thought leader and boosting shares.

Template 4: The bold bet payoff

Structure: Risky move + Why it worked + Result + Takeaway + Question

Character count: ~1,450

“In [year], I took a gamble: [Risk: e.g., ‘I sank $100K into a product no one asked for.’] Crazy? Maybe. But [reason: e.g., ‘I saw a gap—80% of users hated clunky UX’]. It paid off—[result: e.g., ‘$2M in sales year one’].

Takeaway: [Lesson: e.g., ‘Bold moves win when you solve real pain.’] That’s how [benefit: e.g., ‘we’ve grown 40% YoY’].

What’s the boldest bet you’ve made? Did it work—or crash? Tell me!”

Takeaway: Calculated risks can lead to outsized rewards.

Benefit: Highlights the CEO’s vision and success, drawing attention from peers and prospects.

Template 5: The wake-up call

Structure: Early mistake + Turning point + New approach + Takeaway + Engagement Hook

Character count: 1,550

“[Mistake: e.g., ‘My first year as CEO, I lost a top client.’] Why? [Reason: e.g., ‘I ignored their feedback.’] That stung—but it woke me up. I [new approach: e.g., ‘built a system to act on every client call’]. Now? [Result: e.g., ‘Retention’s up 30%.’]

Takeaway: [Lesson: e.g., ‘Listening isn’t optional—it’s everything.’] It’s why [benefit: e.g., ‘we’ve doubled our referrals’].

What’s a mistake that flipped your perspective? Share your story—I’m listening.”

Takeaway: Listening and adapting are critical to growth.

Benefit: Builds the CEO’s credibility as a responsive leader, fostering trust with followers.

N.B.: You would find some of these templates in the examples we shared with you earlier as well.

Now that you know what to pitch, how to pitch, and how to deliver, it’s time you also knew about the challenges and how to solve them. 

Wow! When broken down, the formats and templates seemed really easy, but I also wanted to know about the hard parts.

I asked Nisha “ If anyone was starting on this what are the challenges they should be expecting?”. Luckily, she was very forthcoming with that as well. She talked about not only the challenges but how to navigate around them.

Challenges that you will face while ghostwriting on LinkedIn for CEOs and solutions

Starting on anything new can be scary, but knowing about the common roadblocks and the ways around them can turn a horror show into a lazy walk in the park. Here are some common challenges you can expect, complete with solutions. 

Challenge 1: Cultural nuances

Foreign clients expect content that resonates with their audience. A US CEO might want bold, direct posts, while a UK client might prefer subtlety.

Solution: Study cultural norms via platforms like X and blogs like HubSpot. Ask clients for sample content they admire.

Challenge 2: Time zone differences

Working with US clients (IST -9.5 hours) or UK clients (IST -4.5 hours) can disrupt schedules.

Solution: Use tools like Calendly for scheduling meetings and deliver drafts a minimum of 24–48 hours ahead of deadlines. The best way is to deliver the entire month’s post in the beginning of the month,

Challenge 3: Client expectations

Some clients expect instant virality or to constantly micromanage, every content writer’s worst nightmare! 

Solution: Set clear deliverables (e.g., “4 posts/month, 2 revisions each”) and educate them on realistic outcomes (e.g., “Engagement builds over 3–6 months”).

As you can see, while there are challenges, they are not insurmountable.

And now, after the hard part, it was time to talk about the sweet part, the honey, the money, the moolah, the stuff that keeps the hearth lit!

How much do you charge? Hark, the cash registers sing

With Nisha’s help, I drew up a reasonable price chart for you to follow initially.  Later, with experience, you would know how much to go over or below the line.

Insight: Start at $50/post to build a client base, then raise rates to $100+ as you gain testimonials.

Suppose you do make it, and honestly, there are no reasons why you should not. What lies ahead? How do you scale it?

Start with 3–5 clients at $500/month each, this will take your earnings to roughly  $1,500–$2,500 monthly or ₹1.25–2 lakhs a month. As demand grows, hire junior writers at $20/hour and charge clients $50/hour, pocketing the difference and building a solid profit base.

Now let’s talk tools you need apart from your formidable skills to become a ghostwriting legend on LinkedIn.

The tools you need if you want to write on LinkedIn and monitor performance: you get by with a little help 

Here are some of the free tools that can make this job super easy for you:

Grammarly: Ensures flawless English.

Hemingway: Simplifies complex sentences for readability.

LinkedIn Analytics: Tracks post performance (views, engagement).

ChatGPT and Grok: Help ideate post ideas

Conclusion: Make millions, mate

As you can see, like I did with a conversation with Nisha, LinkedIn ghostwriting for CEOs and thought leaders is a high-value, low-competition niche for Indian writers. With global demand soaring, competitive pricing, and a knack for storytelling, you can turn this into a six-figure career. Start small—build a portfolio, master the platform, and pitch foreign clients. The potential? Millions of rupees annually, all while working from home.

(And the second important takeaway: Never ignore SOS calls; who knows, someone seeking your help might help you a great deal!)

So, ready to take the leap? Share your first sample post on LinkedIn today and tag a potential client. The world’s thought leaders are waiting for your words.

FAQs

Q.1. How do I find CEOs who are willing to pay for LinkedIn ghostwriting services?

Most CEOs are too busy to create consistent LinkedIn content, but they value personal branding. You can:

• Tap into your existing network – Ask startup founders, agency owners, or senior professionals you know.
• Use LinkedIn itself – Engage with their posts, offer insights, and build relationships.
• Cold pitch smartly – Instead of generic DMs, show them a sample post tailored to their industry.
• Leverage referrals – Once you have one client, ask for referrals within their network.
• Look at freelancing platforms – Leverage platforms like Upwork to find work.

Q.2. Do I need to be an expert in my client’s industry to ghostwrite for them?

No, but you need to understand their industry well enough to craft insightful content. Here’s how:

• Deep dive into industry trends – Follow niche-specific newsletters and reports.
• Interview your client – Extract their experiences, perspectives, and insights through structured conversations.
• Read what top industry leaders post – This helps you align with their tone and expertise.

Q.3. What should I charge as a beginner LinkedIn ghostwriter in India?

• If you’re just starting, ₹30,000-₹50,000 per client per month for 8-12 posts is a reasonable rate.
• Experienced ghostwriters charge ₹1L+ per month per client, especially for CEOs of funded startups or MNCs.
• Consider charging per post initially (₹2,000-₹5,000) before moving to retainers.

Q.4. What if my CEO client doesn’t give me enough time or insights for content?

This is a common challenge. Try:

• Structuring short interviews – Ask for 15-minute voice notes instead of long calls.
• Using their past content – Analyze their interviews, blogs, or tweets for ideas.
• Leveraging AI smartly – Use AI tools to summarize articles or structure content ideas.
  
• Providing content prompts – Give them 2-3 short questions weekly that they can answer quickly.

Q.5. How do I make my client’s content sound like them and not like generic LinkedIn fluff?

• Study their speaking style from podcasts, interviews, or their previous posts.
• Use their common phrases and storytelling style in your drafts.
• Ask them for real-life anecdotes and turn them into engaging posts.
• Keep content personal, insightful, and avoid sounding like a “guru” post.

Q.6. Do I need to show a portfolio if I’m ghostwriting (since I can’t reveal my client’s work)?

Yes, but you can work around NDAs:

• Create a “Spec Portfolio” – Write 4-5 posts as if you were ghostwriting for a known CEO.
• Build your own LinkedIn presence – Showcase your writing skills through your own posts.
• Use case studies – Show how your writing led to engagement, leads, or virality (without naming the CEO).

Q.7. How do I scale beyond 1-2 clients and turn this into a ₹5L+ per month business?

• Hire junior writers to handle research and drafts while you focus on strategy.
• Offer content repurposing services (turn LinkedIn posts into Twitter threads, newsletters, or blogs).
• Work with high-ticket clients (VC-backed founders, consultants, or global CXOs).
• Build a small agency model where you manage multiple clients with a team.

Q.8. Should I focus only on Indian CEOs, or can I work with international clients?

• Indian CEOs pay well, but international clients (US, UK, Canada, Australia) pay 2-5x more.
• Network in international founder communities (like Indie Hackers, Slack groups, or Twitter).
• Cold pitch startup founders and executives in the US/Europe with tailored samples.
• Charge in USD ($1,500-$3,000/month per client) for LinkedIn ghostwriting services.

Q.9. What tools can help me streamline LinkedIn ghostwriting work?

• Notion / Trello – To manage content calendars.
• Grammarly / Hemingway – For error-free writing.
• ChatGPT / Claude AI – For idea generation (but don’t rely entirely on AI!).
• LinkedIn Analytics – To track post performance.
• Descript / Otter.ai – To transcribe voice notes into text.

Q.10. How long does it take to establish myself as a high-paying LinkedIn ghostwriter?

If you consistently post on LinkedIn, network, and cold pitch:

• 3-6 months to land your first 1-2 high-paying clients.
• 6-12 months to reach ₹1L+ per month.
• 1-2 years to build a ₹5L/month business if you scale with a team.