Justin Oberman Launches Writeversity to Elevate Ghostwriting Beyond AI and Low-Paying Gigs

In a recent LinkedIn post, Justin Oberman discusses the evolving landscape of ghostwriting and introduces a new initiative, Writeversity, designed to help writers escape the commoditized, low-paying market driven by AI. Oberman, co-building Writeversity with Tasleem Ahmad Fateh, asserts that the current ghostwriting model, often characterized by serving numerous clients for low fees and enduring long hours, is unsustainable.

Oberman highlights the challenges faced by many ghostwriters:

“The one Tasleem Ahmad Fateh and I are building is for the writers tired of serving 18 clients, $500 each, and 60-hour weeks cutting and pasting and editing AI slop (without a single way out, you could see).”

Writeversity aims to provide a comprehensive solution, offering training in several key areas designed to elevate writers’ skills and market value. As Oberman details, the curriculum includes:

• The Art of Editing: Focusing on refining word choice, hooks, and cliffhangers to make client writing distinctive and impactful.
• The Hybrid Medium Technique: Encouraging writers to integrate paid promotion and other LinkedIn services into their client acquisition and service delivery strategies, moving beyond solely organic outreach.
• Platform Expansion: Teaching how to effectively run long-form content on platforms like Substack concurrently with LinkedIn, enabling content to reach broader audiences and compound its impact.
• Personal Publicity: Guiding writers on how to create compelling personal narratives and activities that are “worth writing about,” thereby attracting better clients.

The Rise of the ‘Handmade’ Writer in the Age of AI

Oberman argues that the proliferation of AI tools has fundamentally altered the value proposition of writing. He posits that while AI can generate words, it cannot replicate human creativity, strategic thinking, or unique personal style. This shift, according to Oberman, creates a unique opportunity for skilled writers.

As Justin Oberman notes:

“There’s never been a better time to become a copywriter. The moment a skill becomes automated, the handmade version becomes the luxury. Everyone can generate words now. Nobody can generate you.”

This perspective frames AI not as a replacement for writers, but as a catalyst for a new era where the value of human-crafted content, particularly personalized and strategic writing, increases. Oberman emphasizes that in a landscape where AI tools are ubiquitous, differentiation comes from how writers *think* about and utilize these tools, rather than the tools themselves.

Personal Brand and Client Attraction

Furthermore, Oberman stresses the importance of a writer’s unique style as their personal brand. He explains that this brand is not only inimitable but also serves as a magnet for compatible clients.

According to Oberman:

“Your writing style is your personal brand. And not just because it’s the one asset nobody can copy. But because it will attract the clients who like your style and will thus be easier to work with.”

This approach suggests that by developing and showcasing a distinct writing voice, ghostwriters can move away from competing solely on price and instead attract clients who value their specific expertise and working style, leading to more fulfilling and profitable engagements.

Oberman concludes his post with a call to action, urging writers to embrace these changes. He suggests that the easiest way to start is by committing to discussing one topic per week and confronting any associated fears. He asserts that while writers have always had the potential to earn more, AI has made it imperative to act. For those who don’t adapt, Oberman suggests, the alternative may be seeking different employment.

Oberman and Fateh plan to discuss the future of ghostwriting, including systems, strategies, and new service offerings, in an upcoming session. They promise insights that can help writers increase their earnings significantly within a short timeframe.