Proposal templates Ghostwriting

Ghostwriting proposal template

Ghostwriting clients are buying two things at once: writing in their own voice, and your silence about it. This template spells out the process for the first and the terms for the second.

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The PDF is free and needs no account. Sending it as a link instead adds read tracking and a verified e-signature — free plan, no credit card.

Written by Shaish Guni, Founder, ApeiroCraft.Last reviewed Kathmandu, Nepal

What's in the template.

Every section below exists to answer a question your client is silently asking. Use the example copy as a starting point and replace the specifics.

  1. 1

    The project

    What you're writing, for whom, and what it should achieve for the client.

    “Twelve LinkedIn posts a month for the founder of a logistics software company, aimed at operations directors, building the founder's reputation ahead of a Series A.”
  2. 2

    Capturing your voice

    Explain how you'll learn to sound like them. This is the part clients worry about most.

    “A 90-minute onboarding interview, a review of your past posts and talks, and a one-page voice guide you approve before the first draft. Then a 30-minute monthly interview for new material.”
  3. 3

    Drafts and revisions

    Draft schedule and revision rounds per piece.

    “Drafts for the month delivered by the 25th of the previous month. One round of revisions per post; we can rework any post completely once per month.”
  4. 4

    Confidentiality and credit

    State who owns the work, that you won't claim authorship, and any portfolio rights.

    “All work is published under your name and you own it on payment. We won't disclose the engagement or show the work in a portfolio without your written permission.”
  5. 5

    Investment

    Monthly package with a minimum term, since voice takes a few weeks to settle.

    “Ghostwriting retainer: $2,800 per month for 12 posts, 3-month minimum.”
  6. 6

    Start

    Sign, then book the onboarding interview.

    “Sign below and we'll send a link to book the onboarding interview.”

Example pricing section

Ghostwriting retainer (12 posts/month)

$2,800

Minimum term

3 months

Onboarding interview and voice guide

Included

In ApeiroCraft these line items flow straight into the invoice after signing — nothing gets retyped.

Tips that win ghostwriting work

  • Sell the process for capturing voice, not your writing samples.
  • Confidentiality is part of the product; put it in the proposal, not just the contract.
  • Ask for a minimum term. Voice takes a few rounds to land.
  • A reopened proposal at night often means the client is showing it to a co-founder.

Ghostwriting proposals, answered.

What should a ghostwriting proposal include?

The scope (what and how much you'll write), how you'll capture the client's voice, the draft and revision schedule, confidentiality and credit terms, ownership on payment, pricing with any minimum term, and the first step.

How do ghostwriters price their work?

Per piece, per project (common for books) or as a monthly retainer (common for social and newsletters). A retainer with a short minimum term suits ongoing content, because the first few weeks go into learning the client's voice.

How do I use this template in ApeiroCraft?

Click 'Use this template free', adapt the sections in the editor, and send it as a private link. You'll see when the client opens it, and they can sign on the same page.

Send it where you can watch it get signed.

This template as a tracked, e-signable link — with the invoice one click away once your client says yes.

Use this template free

Still deciding? Talk to the founder

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