The Art & Business of Writing Podcast with Nicolas Cole

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=ColexKatrinaPD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

How To Interview Founders & CEOs (Ghostwriting Secrets)

In this video, I share essential ghostwriting strategies for interviewing founders and CEOs, drawing from my experience at Digital Press and insights from a live discussion with fellow expert and former first employee, Katrina Kirsch. We explore how to build authentic client relationships, from vetting potential clients and identifying red flags to asking insightful questions that prompt unique perspectives—even from reserved clients in complex industries. Learn techniques for managing client content, setting clear expectations, handling challenging personalities, and navigating tough topics. These expert tips are gained from years of experience, given to help ghostwriters and content creators in the online writing niche build trust, streamline communication, and produce impactful content for high-level executives, founders, and CEOs.

✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=YT&htrafficsource=youtube_organic

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=6StepChecklistPD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

6 Step Checklist To Build A $100,000+ Paid Newsletter On Substack

In this episode, I share my proven 6-step framework for building a $100,000+ paid newsletter on Substack, the same approach I used to grow Category Pirates and Write With AI into 6-figure newsletters. This walkthrough covers key strategies like harnessing a traffic engine, making your newsletter topics tangible, and leveraging Substack's unique free-to-paid model to maximize reader engagement and conversions. And at the end, I confront the most common questions and faulty beliefs I hear about starting a paid newsletters. If you're a writer, business owner, or complete beginner aiming to generate substantial recurring revenue and build a long-term audience, this checklist will help you structure, scale, and monetize your newsletter effectively on Substack and beyond.

(00:00)  Step 1: Pick a topic attached to a traffic engine
(01:34)  Step 2: Make your newsletter tangible.
(06:29)  Step 3: The “One Free, One Paid” Strategy
(09:10)  Step 4: Send paid snippets to your entire free list.
(11:12)  Step 5: Put the paywall preview at a cliffhanger.
(12:27)  Step 6: Leverage Substack notes.
(13:35)  Q: How long should a newsletter be? Do you start charging immediately? Does anyone use email anymore?
(15:07)  Q: Subscribers, Open Rate, and CTR - how do you improve these metrics?
(16:33)  Q: How do you continuously provide high-value content to maintain a long-term audience?
(18:12)  Q: What if I’m too young/old and have no prior experience?

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=FaultyBeliefsPD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

These Writers broke their faulty beliefs & got RICH

In this episode, I share the key mindset shifts that helped our top ghostwriters in our Premium Ghostwriting Academy go from zero to earning tens of thousands per month. Drawing from their success stories, I break down eight faulty beliefs that keep writers stuck, such as thinking no one can afford their services or needing more clients to scale. I explain why charging more, niching down, and rethinking client volume can transform a writing career. If you're struggling with pricing, scaling your ghostwriting business, or getting unstuck, this episode will help you break limiting beliefs and get on the path to real financial success as a writer.

(00:00)  Intro
(00:27)  #1: “Nobody can afford my services.”
(01:41)  #2: “I need more clients.”
(03:11)  #3: “I’ll charge more when I’m more experienced.”
(05:33)  #4: “My niche got saturated. I think it’s time to pivot.”
(06:51)  #5: “I need to hire someone.”
(08:40)  #6: “If I share too much with the client on the sales call, they won’t need me anymore.”
(10:33)  #7: “I need to build an audience.”
(12:21)  #8: “I can just figure this out on my own.”
(15:44)  How Matthew Scaled His Ghostwriting to $40k/month

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#28PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

Millionaire Writing Advice (10 Rules to write your way to wealth)

I earned my first million as a writer in 10 years. I earned my second in 10 months. In this video, I share the ten rules that transformed my writing career so you can earn your first million in 10 months, not 10 years.

Discover practical concepts from how to master self-promotion to the importance of discipline over inspiration. If you're looking to thrive in ghostwriting, email marketing, newsletters, or online writing, these insights will help you break out of your pricing prison and write your way to wealth.

(00:00) Intro

(00:22) Rule #1: Content is king, but execution is the emperor. 02:22 Rule #2: If you want to be a great writer, tell a great story. But if you want to be a Millionaire Writer, do a great job promoting your story. 05:09 Rule #3: New writers should write what they know. Proficient writers should write what they don’t know how to write… yet.

(08:20) Rule #4: Inspiration comes and goes. Discipline builds a career.

(11:47) Rule #5: The writing is free. The value gets you paid.

(14:05) Rule #6: Success comes from consistency. Mastery comes from iteration.

(16:53) Rule #7: Perfection is unattainable. Progress is inevitable.

(18:31) Rule #8: Write for the reader. Edit for yourself.

(20:29) Rule #9: It’s easy to write for everyone. It’s hard to write for someone specific.

(22:21) Rule #10: Reward yourself for starting. Punish yourself for stopping.

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#27PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

Answering the Biggest Questions about Ghostwriting (How to Start)

In this episode, I dive deep into the world of ghostwriting and answer eight key questions aspiring ghostwriters often have, such as how to find your niche and the importance of having an information advantage in your writing. I discuss the unique challenges of ghostwriting for busy executives, emphasizing the necessity of effective client management and communication. Plus, I offer practical tips for new writers, highlighting how to extract valuable content from clients while honing your own skills. Whether you’re interested in ghostwriting for newsletters, emails, or social media, this episode equips you with the foundational knowledge to kickstart your career in the online writing space.  This episode unlocks the secrets of becoming a successful ghostwriter.

(00:00) Intro
(00:29) At the start, should you target a specific industry or play the field and pick a niche later?
(06:37) What’s the most challenging part of ghostwriting for such high profile clients?
(11:11) How do you get into the mind of a CEO whose skill sets are obviously deep and broad to produce meaningful copy?
(16:10) Should I start ghostwriting if I’m a new writer and haven’t published anything online before?
(20:34) How do you measure success for your ghostwriting?
(26:16) What types of businesses should I steer away from, if any?
(31:12) How do I come up with different topics for clients?
(33:48) How does the business model shift as the business scales? Is there a ceiling for solo ghostwriters?

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://yt.premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#27YT&htrafficsource=youtube_organic

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://yt.startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://yt.startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#25PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

What I Learned Building A 7-Figure Digital Writing Course

In this episode, I answer your most pressing questions about how we built Ship 30 for 30, our beginner writing program, into a seven-figure business in just 12 months. I dive into the strategies we used to scale, the power of daily writing habits, and how we've helped over 10,000 writers unlock their potential. Whether you're interested in ghostwriting, newsletters, or building an email list, you'll find actionable insights on growing a digital writing business, understanding your audience, and creating a traffic engine for success. Join me as I share key lessons from Ship 30 for 30’s incredible journey!

(00:00)  Intro
(01:04)  “Did you ever consider an even longer program?”
(03:54)  “If someone were to create something similar starting live and converting to async, what milestones should they look for when making the decision to go async?”
(09:55)  “What considerations did you review when digitising S30 and CLV to focus on PGA?”
(15:58)  “What was the most surprising challenge you faced?”
(20:02)  “What is the most important thing in your funnel now compared to the funnel when you started?”
(24:40)  “What’s the process of structuring and outlining the entire paid course? How have you built and updated?”
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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#26PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

My weekly schedules from age 24 to 34

In this episode, I break down how my weekly schedules evolved from age 24 to 34 as I transitioned from full-time work to becoming a successful ghostwriter. I share the valuable lessons I learned about balancing work, life, and personal growth while building my ghostwriting agency. You'll hear about my early struggles, the sacrifices I made to prioritize writing, and how I discovered that success isn't just about working hard—it's about focusing on the right things. If you're a writer or business owner, I hope my journey inspires you to reflect on your own routines and make the necessary changes to unlock your potential.

(00:00)  Intro
(01:15)  Crystalize This Meta-Concept On Routines
(03:42)  Age 24
(14:45)  Age 26
(23:58)  Age 27
(29:04)  Age 28 & 29
(30:25)  Age 30
(32:30)  Age 31
(36:49)  Age 33
(40:54)  Age 34
(47:20)  My Routine Now
(50:01)  The 3 Big Takeaways
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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#23PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

How To Outline A 60,000 Word Book In 24 Minutes

In today’s Coffee with Cole, I outline a simple yet powerful method for structuring a 60,000-word book in just 24 minutes. I walk you through the "Four A" approach—Actionable, Analytical, Aspirational, and Anthropological—along with the "10 Magical Ways to Expand Anything" framework, and ultimately how to combine both to create a simple yet effective structure for writing your book. By the end, you'll have a clear path to outlining your book and writing projects with ease, boosting your productivity and writing clarity.

(00:00)  Intro
(00:38)  “What type of book am I trying to write?”
(01:15)  “Which of these paths am I going to take in my book?”
(03:09)  “How do I want to structure this book?”
(04:53)  How To Outline Your Book
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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#24PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

Why So Many Talented Writers Stay Broke

For today’s episode, I let out a quick rant on the reasons why so many talented writers struggle to make money and stay broke. I discuss the harmful romanticism many writers hold about the craft and the cognitive dissonance between writing for passion versus profit. You'll learn why understanding the business side of writing, building an audience, and producing high-volume, high-quality content are essential for success in the digital age. If you're serious about turning your writing into a profitable career, this episode will challenge your mindset and show you what changes you need to make in your thinking to thrive in the world of writing.

(00:00)  Intro
(01:00)  The Root of Your Cognitive Dissonance
(03:13)  You Have To Stop Romanticizing Your Writing
(05:26)  Broke Writers Don’t Learn the Rules of the Game

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com

👻 Become a Premium Ghostwriter: https://premiumghostwritingblueprint.com/?el=CWC#22PD&htrafficsource=podcast_organic

Q&A on how to self-publish your first book

In this episode, I dive deep into the world of self-publishing, sharing why I believe it's a better path for 99% of writers compared to traditional publishing. With ten self-published books generating $10,000 a month on autopilot, I provide a clear argument against the allure of book deals, exposing the pitfalls of chasing traditional publishing for status, New York Times bestseller recognition, and bookstore placements. I also answer common questions on how to successfully self-publish, offering practical advice for leveraging, formatting, and publishing your work. This episode is packed with practical advice on leveraging your content, staying consistent, and understanding your market to succeed as a self-published author.

(00:00)  Intro
(00:31)  The Problem with Book Deals
(01:19)  “A Publisher Will Help You Win The NYT Best-Seller Game”
(02:47)  “A Publisher Will Help You Get Into Bookstores”
(01:19)  “A Publisher Will Help You Win The NYT Best-Seller Game”
(02:47)  “A Publisher Will Help You Get Into Bookstores”
(08:14)  “Where is the bets place to find an editor?”
(11:49)  “How do you balance writing what you love versus writing what sells?”
(16:38)  “Is it worth trying to self-publish even if you haven’t established an audience and tested on social?”
(17:26)  “Distribution: should you do a soft launch to your list or just post on all platforms and let it ride?”
(21:54)  “How many books in a series should you do before doing another series or pivoting?”
(26:07)  “What are the best practices for writers of literary and upmarket fiction? Any success stories?”
(32:50)  “How do you handle the design side?”

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✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://startwritingonline.com

🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: https://www.ship30for30.com

👻 Want me to be your ghostwriting mentor? Apply to join our Premium Ghostwriting Academy: https://join.premiumghostwritingacademy.com/

🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Check out our favorite ChatGPT prompts for writers: https://startwritingwithai.com

💻 Want an endless supply of proven, viral-worthy digital writing templates? Check out our software platform, Typeshare: https://typeshare.co

🧙‍♂️Are you a fiction writer? Here's a crash course on how to turn timeless storytelling frameworks into game-changing ChatGPT prompts: https://startfictionwritingwithai.com/

📚 For more information on my books, businesses, and other writings, visit my website: https://www.nicolascole.com