No music, no intro, this is the Morgan Snyder Show.
Hey, have you noticed that ghostwriters and copywriters keep getting bashed on LinkedIn?
I read no less than 5 posts every day of the week about how AI is coming for my job.
(said in a spooky voice) “You don’t have much time…soon the bots will be doing all of the writing…there will be nothing left for you…”
The AI stuff is too long of topic to address this episode. My point in bringing it up is there are a few misconceptions about what ghostwriters and copywriters can do for an executive or a leadership team.
I don’t know if the haters and doubters understand what the real value is.
Not saying you’re one of them, but just for everyone’s learning.
I thought I could spend a few minutes to clear the air and talk about what my clients have mentioned being the best parts of having a writer.
This may be simplifying it too much, but leaders work with writers like me because they need a creative partner who:
•does research
•brainstorms ideas
•aligns goals
•develops their brand
•writes posts
Most importantly, building and maintaining a strong social media presence requires significant time, something that my clients don’t exactly have in spades.
I like to think that I take that burden off their plate so they can focus elsewhere.
Writers can handle the crucial communication tasks, allowing the leader to focus on activities with the highest possible return for the business—tasks only they can do.
Now, are there a lot of hucksters promising monster results in short time frames? Sure.
Does it hurt the craft? Yes. Does it make me mad? Of course.
But can't do much about it, except rant and rave in my mini podcast episodes. :)
Okay, let's move beyond these basic points and focus on very specific reasons why a ghostwriter or copywriter can be truly invaluable, providing value that's hard or impossible for the client to replicate alone.
Expertise Translation & Amplification
An expert (whether that’s an engineer, scientist, a lawyer, or an entrepreneur) possesses deep knowledge on a subject. However, they may struggle to articulate it clearly and engagingly for a broader audience (investors, customers, the public).
It surprises me when a successful person will tell me, “Oh, I just don’t know what to talk about...”
And then they’ll go on an hour-long monologue about all the amazing things they’ve done or the cool people they’ve met and my reaction is always:
THAT! WRITE ABOUT THAT!
I’ve come to find out that most people need a translator.
A good writing partner can convert complex, technical, or niche ideas into accessible narratives.
These stories and breakdowns significantly amplify the reach and impact of the expert's insights on social media.
They bridge the communication gap the expert can't cross alone.
Strategic Bandwidth Liberation (Not Just Time Saving)
A high-level executive or founder's time is incredibly valuable and limited.
Writing articles, speeches, or even key social posts takes hours they could spend on core strategy, leadership, or high-stakes negotiations.
I can’t tell you how many times I have heard from c-suiters that they were staring at a doc for an hour, hoping and praying that something would come out.
“I just wasted all that time! How do you think I’m feeling?”
A great writer can liberate a leader so they can focus on their area of genius, and just get a move on the 100 other tasks they have to do.
I like to think about it this way: The ghostwriter doesn't just save time; they liberate strategic bandwidth.
They handle the communication piece, allowing the leader to focus on activities with the highest possible return for the business.
The opportunity cost of the executive making content themselves is often immense.
Consistent output is vital for staying relevant, especially on social media where algorithms favor regular activity.
Inspiration and time fluctuate for busy individuals so the writer performs regular momentum maintenance.
Objective Perspective & Clarity Injection
Individuals and organizations are often too close to their own stories, products, or services.
They get lost in jargon, internal perspectives, or emotional attachments.
When you’re 1 mm from a blade of grass, you can’t see the yard, the forest, or anything else.
It’s easy for founders to have a case of content myopia, where they think they have the best things to say or share, because everyone on their team just nods along.
A ghostwriter brings crucial objectivity to conversations.
They can look at the subject matter from the audience's perspective, cut through the clutter, identify the core message, and articulate it with clarity that insiders often struggle to achieve.
Persona Sculpting & Narrative Control
Building a specific public image or thought leadership position requires carefully crafted communication.
The brand, style, voice—all of these things take a lot of planning, experimentation, and consistency.
Leaders come to writers for persona sculpting, the process of developing an image. (online or offline)
What do I talk about? How do I say it? Where should I go to share my message? Ghostwriters are there to help guide and direct leaders with the answers to these questions.
They capture and project the desired voice, tone, and key messages across all content. This is what I call narrative control.
My job is to accelerate the process of building a specific reputation or brand identity.
Overcoming the "Blank Page" Bottleneck
Many brilliant people freeze up when faced with writing demands or simply dislike the process with a burning intensely.
That is a very bad thing. Because it prevents their valuable ideas from ever being formed, and then shared.
If there’s an activity that you have to do, and you know it’s important, but you HATE IT, are you going to perform? No, obviously not.
I could say the same thing about shopping but I won’t go there…but Julie listens to this.
Tons of leaders I’ve met over the years would rather be doing anything else but write, so I step in and help unblock the ideas and make it easier (translation: more fun) for them.
I give them structure, and prompts, and through interviewing, we completely destroy the blank page bottleneck.
And it feels WONDERFUL. :)
Platform-Specific Optimization
Writing effectively for a LinkedIn article, versus a keynote speech, versus a website's About page, all requires different skills and formats.
Good writers often possess specialized expertise in optimizing content for specific platforms and goals, ensuring the message isn't just well-written but also strategically deployed for maximum impact and visibility within that specific context—a nuance the leader may lack.
Here’s the truth:
We live on our keyboards. We’re exposed to so much content variety and writing.
One morning, I’m cranking out 10 posts for an executive and in the afternoon I’m writing taglines or website copy or a product description.
Just as much as your area of expertise is your happy place, these different writing environments are second nature to us.
We nerd out on optimization.
Final Thoughts
This final question is probably lingering in your mind:
Could I use a ghostwriter or copywriter to enhance my digital presence and overall marketing?
Yes, but it depends on what stage you’re in and the business you’re running.
Getting a free consultation from someone you know would probably be A GREAT idea. (wink, wink)
But, if you’d rather just read what costs are associated with certain projects. I’ve left those details in my Substack article for those listening to the podcast.
..
If you enjoyed the show today, give it five stars and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. It shows people that this is worth listening to.
Want to talk shop on all things writing online? You can find time with me at morgansnydercopywriter.com or send me a DM on LinkedIn.
My friends: keep writing, keep publishing, and I’ll see you next time.
👇
(numbers from 2024 / 2025 - obviously you can find cheaper options on Fiverr, or go full-AI mode. Don’t recommend that, but the choice is yours.)
Scope and Type of Project:
Book: This is usually the most significant investment. A full-length book (e.g., 40,000-80,000 words) involves extensive interviews, research, outlining, writing, and revisions.
Articles/Blog Posts: Thought leadership pieces for platforms like LinkedIn, Forbes Tech Council, company blogs, or industry publications.
Keynote Speeches/Presentations: Crafting compelling narratives and structuring talks.
White Papers/Case Studies: In-depth technical or market analysis.
Social Media Content: Crafting posts (especially for LinkedIn) to build personal brand.
Internal Communications: Memos, all-hands meeting scripts, etc.
Writer's Experience and Expertise:
Industry Knowledge: Writers specializing in tech, particularly specific niches (AI, SaaS, cybersecurity, fintech, etc.), command higher rates. They understand the jargon, trends, and audience.
Track Record: Proven success ghostwriting for other executives, especially high-profile ones, increases rates.
Experience Level: A seasoned professional with decades of experience will charge more than someone newer to the field.
Project Complexity & Research:
How much research is required?
How many interviews are needed with the leader and other stakeholders?
Is the topic highly technical or require simplifying complex concepts?
Timeline: Urgent projects often incur rush fees.
Deliverables: Does the fee include revisions, proofreading, or collaboration with designers/publishers?
Estimated Cost Ranges (as of early 2025):
Full-Length Books: This varies the most.
Lower End (Less experienced/generalist writers): $20,000 - $40,000
Mid-Range (Experienced, some tech knowledge): $45,000 - $75,000
High End (Top-tier, tech-specialized, proven results): $80,000 - $150,000+ (Some elite ghostwriters for major CEOs can charge significantly more).
Articles/Blog Posts (e.g., 800-1500 words):
Per Project: $750 - $5,000+ per article. The higher end reflects deep research, multiple interviews, and high-level strategic insight required for top-tier publications or complex topics.
Per Word: $0.75 - $2.00+ per word. Experienced tech ghostwriters are often at $1.00/word or higher.
Hourly: $100 - $250+ per hour.
Keynote Speeches: $3,000 - $15,000+, depending on length, importance, research, and writer's caliber.
White Papers: $5,000 - $15,000+, depending on length, technical depth, and research.
Retainers (for ongoing work like blogs/social media): $2,000 - $10,000+ per month, depending heavily on the volume and type of content.
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