10 Lessons from 10 Years Ghostwriting ft. Celebrity Ghostwriter and Writing Coach Joshua Lisec

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For a decade, Joshua Lisec has built a reputation as one of the most trusted names in professional writing — transforming ideas into bestsellers, helping entrepreneurs become authors, and showing professionals how to sell their stories as persuasively as they live them. In his latest video, “10 Lessons from 10 Years Ghostwriting ft. Celebrity Ghostwriter and Writing Coach Joshua Lisec,” he reflects on a decade of insight, struggle, and mastery inside the world of ghostwriting services and what it really takes to thrive in the ghostwriting business.

From charging $0.0167 an hour for his very first project to commanding premium rates for ghost writing services today, Lisec’s story is one of relentless learning and reinvention. Over ten years, he has written and published more than sixty books — from award-winning nonfiction titles to ghostwriting examples that have topped bestseller charts. These experiences form the backbone of the ten lessons he shares in this milestone episode — lessons every aspiring or active ghostwriter, author, or creative entrepreneur can learn from.

The first of these lessons challenges one of the industry’s most common misconceptions: people will pay you more when you do more for them. Lisec learned early in his ghost writing business that clients don’t just want a finished manuscript — they want a published, market-ready book that builds their brand and drives results. That realization inspired him to go beyond writing, launching what he calls “ghost publishing,” a service designed to guide clients from idea to launch. For anyone wondering how to start a ghostwriting business, this shift from service provider to full-scale partner is one of the most profitable transitions a writer can make.

Lisec’s next revelation centers on sales — not of books, but of oneself. He reminds viewers that “selling writing is greater than writing,” meaning that mastering persuasive writing isn’t just about crafting sentences; it’s about positioning and selling your value. Many writers know how to write, but far fewer know how to sell ghostwriting services effectively. Those who do, Lisec argues, become indispensable. For anyone who has ever asked how much should I charge for ghostwriting, the answer depends less on word count and more on how confidently you communicate the transformation you provide.

The third insight reinforces that selling writing and writing well are two sides of the same coin. According to Lisec, the better a writer understands how their work helps clients look credible and generate revenue, the stronger their writing becomes. This principle applies to every professional in the ghostwriting business: your skill as a writer grows in proportion to your understanding of client success.

Behind every bestseller, though, lies a mastery of the mundane — and that’s Lisec’s fourth lesson. The least glamorous skills are the most essential. Using project management tools and systems like ClickUp, Lisec has built the infrastructure that allows him to manage multiple high-value clients at once — often producing six or more books per year. To find a ghostwriter who can deliver consistently at that level, clients need someone who treats writing like a business, not a hobby. This insight reveals one of Lisec’s enduring ghostwriting secrets: productivity, not passion alone, drives long-term success.

Lesson five dives into marketing — and the courage to go where competitors won’t. Most ghostwriters are introverts, content to let their work speak for itself. Lisec, however, has taken the opposite approach. Through speaking engagements, TEDx talks, YouTube videos, and platforms like Joshua Lisec Gumroad, he has turned visibility into viability. Promoting yourself in spaces your peers avoid, he says, is one of the smartest ways to attract clients who want to hire a ghostwriter with both credibility and charisma.

His sixth lesson reinforces consistency: always market yourself, especially when fully booked. Many writers stop promoting when their calendars fill up — a mistake that can cause gaps later. Lisec explains that true business security comes from being booked six to twelve months ahead, a state few freelancers achieve. Maintaining that pipeline is one of the clearest markers of a thriving ghost writing business.

When it comes to pricing, Lisec’s seventh lesson is blunt: raise your rates when you don’t need to. Waiting until you’re desperate to adjust your prices rarely works. His advice resonates with anyone unsure how much it costs to hire a ghostwriter or how much to charge as one — price from strength, not scarcity. Clients pay for perceived authority, and authority grows when a writer confidently charges what their expertise deserves.

Lesson eight, however, takes an unexpected turn: don’t take the course if you can hire the instructor. In other words, skip months of generic online training and go directly to the source. Hiring an expert for a focused session often saves time, money, and frustration. This principle applies as much to clients who find a ghostwriter as it does to writers seeking mentorship: investing in mastery yields faster, higher-quality results.

The ninth lesson focuses on teaching. Lisec believes that when creating courses — like his own on Joshua Lisec Gumroad — one should design them as if training employees, not just students. Every process, every module should function like an operating manual for success. His own writing and persuasion courses follow this formula, offering step-by-step instruction in persuasive writing, ghostwriting, and content strategy. Many students eventually reach out to hire a ghostwriter after realizing they’d rather partner with the expert himself.

The final and perhaps most insightful lesson in Lisec’s ten-year reflection is this: public figures will pay a lot to look good. Over the years, Lisec has ghostwritten for influencers, entrepreneurs, executives, and entertainers who understand the power of perception. A well-crafted book amplifies authority, credibility, and visibility — three pillars every successful personal brand needs. This explains why demand for ghost writing services continues to rise among high-profile clients. As Lisec notes, showcasing previous client successes is one of the most effective ways to attract new ones. When potential clients see the results others achieved — bestseller lists, awards, measurable revenue — they want in.

Across these ten lessons, Lisec’s experience underscores what every aspiring writer and business owner eventually learns: success in ghostwriting jobs isn’t just about writing words — it’s about writing outcomes. A professional ghostwriter doesn’t merely deliver manuscripts; they create assets that sell, influence, and endure.

By the end of “10 Lessons from 10 Years Ghostwriting ft. Celebrity Ghostwriter and Writing Coach Joshua Lisec,” viewers walk away with a roadmap for mastering both craft and commerce. They learn how to start a ghostwriting business, find a ghostwriter, or hire a ghostwriter with confidence — and, just as importantly, how to elevate their own writing careers through structure, visibility, and value.

Lisec’s decade in the industry reveals the inner workings of professional authorship: from pricing strategies and project management to the art of selling your story before you ever write a word. It’s a masterclass in treating creativity like an enterprise — and proof that success in ghostwriting services comes not from chasing trends, but from mastering timeless skills.

For anyone navigating the world of ghostwriting business, wondering what a ghostwriter does, or questioning how much they should charge for ghostwriting, this episode offers clear, actionable wisdom rooted in experience. Whether you’re a writer seeking to grow your career or an entrepreneur ready to tell your story, Joshua Lisec’s decade of lessons provides both the map and the motivation to do it right.