In today’s digital world, businesses of all sizes need an online presence. For many founders, CEOs, and influencers, managing that presence takes too much time. Enter Marcos, the introverted entrepreneur who turned ghostwriting into a million-dollar business within two years. In a detailed interview, Marcos shares how he built Birdhouse, a ghostwriting agency that helps businesses monetize their Twitter accounts by crafting viral content. Let’s take a closer look at how Marcos transformed his introverted nature into a successful business and how aspiring entrepreneurs can do the same.
Website: https://www.thebirdhouse.co/
Marcos Ruiz X (social): https://x.com/itsmarcosruiz
Marcos Ruiz Instagram (social): @itsmarcosruiz
TheBirdHouse X (social): https://x.com/TheBirdhous
The Origins: From Day Trading to Ghostwriting
At the age of 19, Marcos was in basic training for the Army when a friend introduced him to the concept of internet money. Over the next few years, Marcos dabbled in various online business models, from drop shipping to affiliate marketing and day trading. But none of these ventures clicked for him. As an introvert who preferred staying behind the scenes, Marcos found himself drawn to ghostwriting—a business model where he could leverage his writing skills without the need to be in the spotlight.
“I’m an introvert, I’ve played video games, I’ve had a blog,” Marcos explains in the interview. This background gave him the foundation for his success. He also shared that he’s been active on Twitter since 2011, and that copywriting naturally fit his skills. After struggling to make any real money in other ventures, Marcos took a leap of faith. He invested his last $2,000 in a ghostwriting course, and from there, his journey began.
The Framework for Success: From $0 to $65,000 a Month
When Marcos first began exploring ghostwriting, he discovered that many people in the field were focused on helping clients grow their social media following. But he quickly realized that there was a better way. Instead of just gaining followers, Marcos decided to help his clients monetize their Twitter presence. His approach was simple: create content that drives engagement and ultimately leads to sales.
“The growth is more of a byproduct. I’m actually going to help you monetize,” Marcos says, explaining the unique twist that set him apart from competitors. This business model allowed him to retain clients long-term because they were seeing a tangible return on investment.
After a year of hard work, Marcos had scaled his business to $65,000 a month in revenue, with plans to hit $1 million annually. This success came from applying what he calls “The Framework,” a system for finding, closing, and retaining clients.
The Power of Cold DMs and Building Case Studies
Marcos’ first clients came from Upwork, but he didn’t stop there. He realized that in order to grow his business, he needed social proof. So, after delivering results for his initial clients, he used their testimonials to build credibility on Twitter.
“I was sending out 100-200 DMs a day,” Marcos recalls. He used a simple formula to pitch his services to potential clients. After landing his first $1,000 client, he was able to sign another one, reinvesting all of his earnings into improving his business.
Once he had enough testimonials, Marcos shifted his strategy to focus more on cold, warm, and hot DMs. Here’s how he broke it down:
- Cold DMs: Reach out to potential clients who have no prior relationship with you.
- Warm DMs: Target people who already follow or engage with your content.
- Hot DMs: Respond to leads who have reached out to you first.
This system allowed Marcos to generate consistent leads and grow his business quickly. His advice to others? “Make content, send cold and warm DMs, and get inbound leads.”
Scaling Beyond 10K: Implementing Instead of Tactic Hunting
After reaching $10,000 a month, Marcos had to make a choice: should he remain a solopreneur, or should he build a team? He chose the latter, hiring writers and support staff to help scale his business.
Marcos attributes much of his success to a mindset shift:
“You have to stop tactic hunting and start implementing,” he explains. Many entrepreneurs get stuck trying to find the perfect strategy, but the real key to growth is consistency. By committing to sending DMs, creating content, and delivering value to clients over a long period, Marcos was able to grow his business exponentially.
As his business scaled to $50,000 a month, Marcos made sure to focus on two things: delivering results for his clients and hiring the right team.
Building a Team: Culture Over Skills
Marcos’ approach to hiring is simple but effective. Instead of focusing solely on skills, he looks for team members who vibe with the company culture. He believes that talent can be developed, but a good cultural fit is essential for long-term success.
When hiring his first writer, Marcos put out a tweet and gave several candidates a prompt to complete. He selected the person whose writing stood out, but he also considered how well they would fit into the team dynamic.
“I think of them as partners, not employees,” Marcos emphasizes, explaining that this mindset helps create a more collaborative work environment.
Tools of the Trade: Running a Ghostwriting Business
To run his business, Marcos relies on a few essential tools that streamline operations:
- Google Docs and Sheets: For content creation and organization.
- Canva: For designing visuals.
- Hypefury: A Twitter scheduling tool that allows him to manage client accounts without needing direct access.
- Hemingway App: For editing content and ensuring that the writing is simple and clear.
- Notion: The ultimate tool for organizing dashboards, CRMs, and client hubs.
These tools not only help him manage his time but also allow his team to collaborate efficiently, ensuring that clients receive high-quality content on time.
Overcoming Shiny Object Syndrome: The Importance of Focus
For Marcos, one of the biggest challenges he faced was shiny object syndrome—the constant temptation to try new business models or strategies when things weren’t going perfectly. It’s easy to feel inadequate when you see other entrepreneurs flaunting their success, but Marcos advises against getting distracted.
“Once you can finally shut that out and stick to one thing, you can actually find success,” Marcos says. His ability to focus on ghostwriting allowed him to push through the tough times and build a sustainable business.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Play to Your Strengths
When asked what advice he would give to his younger self, Marcos didn’t hesitate:
“Play to your strengths,” he says. As an introvert, Marcos found that trying to succeed in sales or video streaming didn’t suit his personality. But when he leaned into his natural skills—writing and online communication—his business took off.
He also stresses the importance of discipline. “Stick to one thing and have the discipline to focus through the failures,” he advises. This approach will not only help you succeed but will also save you years of trial and error.
Conclusion: How You Can Start Your Own Ghostwriting Business
Marcos’ journey from day trading to running a $1 million ghostwriting business is a testament to the power of focus, consistency, and leveraging your strengths. If you’re interested in starting your own ghostwriting business, here’s a quick summary of his key steps:
- Start with Twitter: Build a presence by following successful accounts and studying their content.
- Send DMs: Reach out to potential clients using cold, warm, and hot DMs.
- Build Case Studies: Use your early work to build credibility and social proof.
- Hire the Right Team: Look for people who align with your company culture.
- Stay Focused: Avoid shiny object syndrome and stick to one business model.
- Invest in Yourself: Whether it’s through a course or self-study, continually improve your skills.
By following Marcos’ blueprint, you too could build a successful ghostwriting business—whether you’re an introvert or extrovert.
Leave a Reply