I’ve effectively been the voice of several impactful CEOs in the SaaS space – including a CEO whose net worth is over a billion dollars this year.
As a ghostwriter, I’ve had autonomy over topics, tone of voice, and content for CEOs.
Often, my work would appear on Forbes, Fast Company, Business.com, Entrepreneur.com, and dozens of major publications under their names.
As you can imagine, you need several key skills to write for an executive leader. They aren’t going to waste their time picking over a blog headline, researching case studies, or coming up with a perfect blog post structure.
That’s my job as a CEO ghostwriter. However, just writing skills aren’t enough.
Want to know what makes me a trusted writer, voice, and planner? And what it takes to get Forbes, Inc.com, and other media houses to publish a CEO’s writings? Learn in this post!
1. Read. Learn. Repeat.
How do you speak for a multi-millionaire CEO when you aren’t one yourself?
The answer is – you read a crap-ton of leadership, self-help, motivation, and personal development books. You build your knowledge of a leader’s mindset.
You also read, study, and learn about a specific niche or industry. For example, if you’re writing for a CEO of a SaaS business, you want to read up on content like: Zero to One, The Lean Startup, and other books.
You should also read tech magazines, follow tech leaders on socials, and join newsletters.
And do online courses and webinars if possible. You have to be knowledgeable and up to date on all things related to your CEO client.
2. Make strong statements.
Leaders must express themselves confidently.
When writing for them, you need to convey expertise, authority, and power. This means using strong and even commanding statements like “Content marketing is dead and marketers need to accept it,” as opposed to “It appears that content marketing is on the downturn today. It would be wise for marketers to start looking for alternatives today.”
Make a strong statement. And justify it after.
The goal is to make eye-catching hooks, headlines, and arguments. You want to get readers emotionally invested and trigger them to react via shares, comments, and likes.
After all, thought leadership isn’t about playing it safe — it’s about sparking strong reactions with bold, memorable statements.
3. Back your statements with research.
Statistics, case studies, and well-sourced data add weight to bold claims, making them more credible and difficult to dismiss.
If you declare that “AI will replace 30% of current marketing jobs by 2030,” you need to support it with research from reputable sources. This not only strengthens your argument but also builds trust with your audience.
And it also allows you to back up your outrageous commanding statements and win over followers and supporters.
Data-driven insights separate genuine thought leaders from mere opinion sharers. They show that a leader isn’t just making noise — they’re speaking from a position of knowledge and foresight.
So, make sure you do your research to create well-supported statements that influence and persuade.
4. Master the CEO’s voice and tone.
Every CEO has a unique way of communicating.
Some are blunt and provocative. Others are thoughtful and measured. Some love humor; others stick to seriousness.
As a ghostwriter, your job is to capture their personality in words — and that requires deep listening, observation, and adaptability.
I did this by studying their existing content. Your CEO will also have interviews, past articles, social media posts, and podcasts to listen to.
Look for patterns in their speech — do they use certain phrases often? Do they favor short, punchy sentences or long, thoughtful ones? Do they lean into metaphors or prefer simple, direct language?
Once you pick up on these habits, you’ll be able to “speak” as them — and not just in their articles, but also in emails, LinkedIn posts, and keynote speeches. This ability to “channel” their voice is one of the most valuable skills a ghostwriter can offer.
5. Create content that serves a bigger mission.
The best CEO ghostwriters know that a leader’s content isn’t just random thoughts slapped on a page — it’s part of a larger strategy.
Every blog post, LinkedIn update, or Forbes article should ladder up to a higher goal.
Is your CEO client trying to position themselves as a visionary in AI? Then the content should be futuristic, forward-thinking, and a little provocative.
Are they trying to attract investors? Then the messaging should focus on growth, market trends, and potential opportunities.
Are they trying to recruit top-tier talent? Then you need to highlight their company’s mission, culture, and values.
Your role is to align the content with this bigger picture. You’re not just a writer — you’re a strategist. This is how CEOs end up with articles that feel purposeful, intentional, and laser-focused.
6. Be invisible but indispensable.
The ultimate mark of a great ghostwriter? No one knows you exist.
Your name doesn’t appear on the byline. Your voice is theirs. Your words are their words. And that’s the point.
But while you stay invisible to the public, you should be indispensable to the CEO. They should view you as a trusted partner who “gets it” — someone who can take a loose voice note or a vague idea and turn it into polished, publish-ready gold.
How do you achieve this? By being consistent, reliable, and proactive. Don’t wait for them to send ideas. Come up with fresh content angles, pitch ideas regularly, and always be ready with research, drafts, and headlines.
When you can consistently deliver value like this, you don’t just become “the writer” — you become a key part of their inner circle.
7. Stay humble, but own your impact.
Yes, you’re the behind-the-scenes voice. But don’t forget the role you’re playing. You’re shaping public perception. You’re driving conversations. You’re helping CEOs become icons in their industry.
It’s easy to downplay this work, but it’s not “just content.” Your writing drives press coverage, builds influence, and wins trust from investors, employees, and customers.
So while humility is essential as a ghostwriter (because, technically, you’re a “ghost”), don’t lose sight of the fact that your work matters.
Every viral LinkedIn post, every published Forbes article, every shared thought-leadership piece — that’s you, shaping narratives for your entire industry.
I strongly advise that you track all your successes even if you can’t openly acknowledge them. What you can track and report on:
- Getting special features or mentions. For example, Forbes splashes your “CEO’s post” on the front page.
- Your content goes viral on social media.
- Your post gets comments from other experts and influencers.
And so on. You can report to your clients on the impact of your work. And you’ll have a solid background to use to win over new clients.
Be an impactful thought leadership ghostwriter
Ghostwriting for CEOs isn’t just about putting words on a page — it’s about shaping narratives, driving influence, and amplifying a leader’s voice in the industry.
The best ghostwriters are strategists, researchers, and brand builders rolled into one.
If you’re a CEO, founder, or executive looking to become a true thought leader in your space — with a voice that cuts through the noise — I can help you make it happen.
Let’s craft content that sparks conversations, builds authority, and leaves a lasting impression. Message me to discuss how I can be your ghostwriter and strategic partner.
