Unusual traits that help me build my 8-figure revenue business
This is not a "how", this is a "what" helps me
Hey Friends,
I just returned from giving myself a pep-talk because I am scared. I have close cousins and close friends reading this email.
What would they think of me?
But then I realised no one thinks of anyone a lot. They may love you, but rarely think a lot. So my fears are liars. It gave the imposter within a much-needed reality check :)
In 2025, my one-person book ghostwriting business is hitting eight-figure revenue, for the first time ever. I want to share some of the traits that helped me get this scale of business.
Before we start: Here is what I do for a living:
I ghostwrite books for CXOs. Apart from this, I have written some of my paperback books as well as ebooks. All of this constitutes a major part of the business, with some other writing things here and there.
Let’s go!
Genuineness: I cannot be two different people—one for the show and other myself. I am just the same person. Of course, being real doesn’t mean being rude. You can be straightforward and kind at the same time. You have no idea how much people love working with real people.
I want my clients to win: This is important. Are you doing your work just for money, or are you invested in your clients’ results?
Having clarity on success metrics: I know exactly what defines success for me (notice none of these is the usual success metrics the world thinks about):
Did I meditate in the morning and evening?
Did I study spiritual text?
Did I go for a long nature walk in the evening?
Did I exercise at least 5x a week (6x in an ideal scenario)?
Was I grateful to God and doing karma yoga (working while being mentally connected with God) all the time?
If there is a tick on all of these items, that is when I am successful. Worldly success follows.
Absolute commitment to work: In the picture below, I am sitting outside a store in Delhi Book Fair, doing some client work. While drawing a lot of attention from passers-by. The best part is that the work wasn’t urgent, but if I had postponed it to the next day, it wouldn’t have had the same impact. So I put the books aside, sat down, ate an orange, and worked for 15-20 minutes.
And asked someone from the staring committee to click a picture of me, too :)
The point I am trying to make is this: Are you self-driven, or do you need someone to tell you to work? In a world where we are heading towards self-driven cars, humans who are not self-driven would have a difficult world to live in.
No comparison: Prajakta Koli is two years younger than me. She for sure must be making 9 figures a year. I won’t be surprised if it is even more. I could compare myself to her and criticise myself handsomely. Or I could play my own game. That doesn’t mean I am resigned or have given up. Just that there is acute awareness of the game I am playing.
Asking questions: Since I ghostwrite for CXOs, one of the things that has helped me a lot is asking questions when they share something about themselves. And listen. Technically, this is all our job description, no matter what we do. But, I also suggest you take an inventory of everyone around you to see how many people actually do that. That, right there, is your answer, my friend.
Always write for myself: I write a blog, 1-2 LinkedIn post and 1-2 tweets every day. Am working on three of my own books. All of these provide me with the fuel to serve others. Because I also serve myself. Fill your own cup so your cup runneth over.
Always be reading: Kindle and paperback both. It may seem like leisure/doing something in free time. But the subconscious impact it has on my output could never be quantified.
Reading and writing alone can make anyone a significantly better thinker.
Don’t be greedy: The other day, I was in a call with the Country Head of one of the top 10 companies of the world. He showed me his top books in a presentation, and asked me if I had read them. As I went through each one of them, I said “Poor Charlie’s Almanack” is not available in India as yet. He responded: “It recently became available. If you want I can send it over to you.”
That was such a kind gesture on his behalf. The book in question is 10x the usual price of a book. I could so easily grab the “opportunity” and ask for the book to be home delivered. However, I politely turned the conversation to asking them which store they got it from, and decided to get it myself. This is a fine line. There are no ground rules. However, it just did not feel right to ask for something from someone just because they are super rich.
Finally, be a giver: I charge a bomb for ghostwriting a book. I am grateful to my clients who pay me that. However, I also make sure I am the giver in the book writing process. At the end of the project, I ensure that I’ve given so much value that raising my prices for the next one becomes inevitable. But it is something I must earn. Not be entitled to.
Reminds me of this quote from Chris Voss (you are missing out a lot in life if you have not read his book):
That is it, my friend. I am sure there are a ton of things I am missing out on because they are obvious to me. However, if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section or as the email response.
I purposefully do not share the numbers or income sources because it puts us in a box. And we, my friend, are limitless. It is time you start believing that too.
I hope you found value in this.
If you pick just one favourite from the list above and act on it, your work and life will become more beautiful. I promise.
Have a great weekend.
I’ll see you all next week.
Stay raw, stay real, and never stop reading.
Nishtha Gehija
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Instant access ebooks for your reading, and spend some time with yourself:
The Corporate Life Handbook: The book everyone working a corporate job needs :)
The Career Changing Guide: My bestseller so far :)
How to Deal with Heartbreak: Because, life happens :(
Every Writer Needs to Read this: I wish I had this one, when I was starting out as a writer
This is What You are Looking for (Paperback): Small Life Lessons for a Happier Life
This week newsletter is very well written & nicely articulated ,I thoroughly enjoyed the entire newsletter especially about not being too greedy part.