What My First 3 Clients Taught Me About Ghostwriting in Cybersecurity
From Cybersecurity Journals To LinkedIn .. The Audience Has Changed
A few weeks back I published an article about writing for Cybersecurity thought leaders and how it is a great side-hustle
I have been doing ghostwriting for CISOs for several years now and it has been eye opening to see each customer’s unique challenges and goals
I want to go over my own experiences with three CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers)and how they have shaped my approach
Hopefully this motivates you to start your own side-hustle and make some extra money !
CISO 1 : A Reluctant Thought Leader
My first client was a CISO with over 15 years of experience in securing enterprise networks.
Despite his deep expertise, he struggled to translate his technical achievements into content that resonated with business leaders.
In our first meeting, he said, “I don’t know how to sound human on LinkedIn.”
His posts were getting lost in a sea of ChatGPT generated garbage
The problem ? Overuse of jargon that no-one is impressed by
Together, we crafted a series of LinkedIn posts that framed his technical insights in terms of business outcomes.
For example, instead of discussing “zero trust architecture” in purely technical terms, we positioned it as “a proactive strategy to build resilience against insider threats.”
Within a month, his posts began gaining traction, leading to invitations to industry panels.
CISO 2: The Overworked Leader
Another client, a CISO for a global fintech company, was eager to share his knowledge but had no time to write.
He wanted to address key topics like cloud security and regulatory compliance but often defaulted to generic posts due to his hectic schedule.
I stepped in to streamline the process and showed him how it is entirely possible to offload this process to a ghostwriter AND maintain his unique voice
After a weekly 30-minute interview, I would draft detailed LinkedIn posts and articles that reflected his voice and expertise.
These posts are now building his brand and helping him solidify his reputation as a thought leader in the industry
CISO 3: The Quiet Achiever
My third client was a CISO who felt uncomfortable with self-promotion.
LinkedIn can be a cesspool of people eager to show off just how amazing everyone thinks they are
She told me, “I’m not here to brag; I just want to share insights that help others.”
Recognizing her authenticity, I proposed a series of posts that focused on lessons learned from real-world incidents, such as ransomware attacks and supply chain risks.
These posts showcased her expertise while offering actionable advice to other security leaders.
The feedback she received encouraged her to embrace LinkedIn as a platform for professional growth.
Lessons Learnt From Ghostwriting for CISOs
A few key lessons I learn from working with each of these leaders
1 — The Power Of LinkedIn
A few years back publications were used to establish your industry credentials.
Now LinkedIn is dominating the conversation and has become the stage for CISOs to share insights, network with peers, and build personal brands.
It makes sense as this is where CISOs can speak directly to their target audience without the noise of other platforms.
As the cybersecurity landscape becomes more complex, there’s a hunger for credible voices offering clarity and solutions.
2. Nobody Likes Excessive Jargon
The Cybersecurity industry already has a jargon / buzzword problem so do not add to it
CISOs are deeply technical, but their audience often are not
When addressing your audience simplifying cybersecurity concepts without losing their essence is crucial.
Practice crafting messages that resonate with different levels of expertise while maintaining credibility.
3. Authenticity Beats Perfection
No one will write the perfect article or LinkedIn post
Audiences value authenticity over polished but impersonal content.
One client’s reluctance to self-promote taught me that sharing lessons from failures or challenges can often be more impactful than highlighting only successes.
Help clients share their authentic voice by focusing on their unique experiences and perspectives, even if they’re not always perfect.
4. The Power of a Consistency
One-off posts rarely create a lasting impact.
My clients’ successes on LinkedIn came from consistently sharing valuable content over time.
Whether it was weekly posts or quarterly articles, staying visible reinforced their authority and kept them top of mind.
Encourage CISOs to commit to a regular posting schedule and help them plan topics in advance to maintain momentum.