Tired of the WordPress Jungle?
Welcome to Ghost Mastery
Building Your Audience-Driven Business
Reclaim your content with Ghost
Time to unshackle yourself from plug-in madness and constant updates, and reclaim your freedom with Ghost – the platform that puts you and your content front and center.
I’ll show you how to build a content driven business, using the platform for the creator economy.
Taught by Dave Swift. I show the clicks and why they matter.
- 7 modules
- 58 videos
- 5+ hours
- $49 once
- 30-day refund
Purchase Ghost Mastery
$49.00one-time · lifetime
Buy this courseBuying multiple seats for a company or school?
- 7 modules to go from Ghost beginner to a confident content publisher
- 5+ hours of training and 50+ videos that are concise and searchable
- Lifetime access to the course
- 30-day money-back guarantee
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with Ghost Mastery, I’ll issue a prompt and full refund within 30 days. There’s only ONE condition: you have to tell me the main reason you weren’t happy with the product, so I have a chance to make it better.
Hi, I’m Dave Swift.
With over 16+ years of experience in online business, coaching, and helping businesses thrive online, I’ve seen it all and tried it all.
This course is not just about learning a new platform, it’s about reclaiming your creative freedom.
I’ve designed Ghost Mastery: Building Your Audience-Driven Business with one goal in mind – to help you learn the Ghost platform quickly and efficiently.
I want your site online and thriving, so you can focus on everything else required of you as a creator.
So, are you ready to turn your audience into a thriving business with Ghost? I can show you how.
Why Ghost? Why now?
On my YouTube channel, I’ve helped thousands of creators and entrepreneurs navigate the digital landscape, helping them establish their online presence.
I firmly believe in the power of Ghost as a platform designed specifically for creators.
Other platforms are becoming more closed. More expensive. More fragmented.
Ghost is user-friendly, powerful, and open-source.
You get control without sacrificing on features or flexibility.
Who can benefit from this course? Is Ghost for you?
Ghost is a platform to help you monetize content via recurring membership payments from your audience.
Ghost is not a shopping cart platform.
Ghost is not an online course platform.
Ghost is opinionated and purpose built for the creator economy.
Ghost could replace your WordPress membership site.
Ghost could replace your Patreon, Substack, or any other similar platform where you have monthly or annual recurring backers.
People who can benefit from this course
Bloggers and publishers
Ghost was designed with publishing in mind, so it’s a great tool for bloggers and other types of publishers who want a simple but powerful platform. Its editor allows for seamless writing, and pages render quickly for your audience.
Entrepreneurs and creators
For people who want a simple platform to handle their content and run their websites, Ghost can be an excellent choice. It is relatively easy to learn, has a clean interface, and offers SEO and social sharing features out of the box.
Professional journalists and writers
With built-in SEO, responsive design, and subscriptions, Ghost offers a platform for people who write for a living and want to monetize that work with memberships.
Nonprofits and education
Ghost’s simplicity and affordability can benefit nonprofits and educational institutions that need a straightforward way to manage and share content.
Developers
Ghost is built on Node.js and is API-first, so developers who already know JavaScript can extend it. Note that this course is focused on front-end features, and is not intended to be a developer guide.
Navigating the Ghost learning curve: a creator’s challenge
Maybe you’ve caught wind of Ghost and you’re itching to leave behind the WordPress frustration.
Or maybe you’re on Patreon and you’re sick of giving up 10%+ of your income every month.
Whatever the reason, if Ghost has caught your eye, I’m glad you’re here.
You fire up YouTube and the search results are 12 “ultimate” guides to Ghost. But most of them are old, and the instructor is using a microphone they got with their SoundBlaster card in 1996.
They’re waxing philosophical and barely ever get to the title of the video. You don’t need an hour-long lecture on the history of Markdown.
Ok, ok. I’ve made a few videos about Ghost, so they’re not ALL bad! But they’re far from complete.
Ghost ships updates constantly. You can’t rely on videos from 3 years ago.
You need to know what works, why it works, and how to apply it to YOUR content.
What you need is a concise, focused, up-to-date guide that takes you by the hand and leads you through the Ghost platform step-by-step.
You need a trusted guide who won’t talk down to you, but also won’t leave you in the dust with technical jargon.
Purchase Ghost Mastery
$49.00one-time · lifetime
Buy this courseBuying multiple seats for a company or school?
- 7 modules to go from Ghost beginner to a confident content publisher
- 5+ hours of training and 50+ videos that are concise and searchable
- Lifetime access to the course
- 30-day money-back guarantee
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with Ghost Mastery, I’ll issue a prompt and full refund within 30 days. There’s only ONE condition: you have to tell me the main reason you weren’t happy with the product, so I have a chance to make it better.
Introducing Ghost Mastery
Ghost Mastery is an online course tailored for ambitious creators like you, ready to use the Ghost platform and transform your audience into a thriving, profitable business.
Watch some samples from the course
What’s included with Ghost Mastery?
- 7 Modules to seamlessly take you from the basics to expert level.
- 58 Videos that are concise, on topic, and HD quality.
- 5+ hours of training. Watch from beginning to end, or browse as a resource when you need it.
- Fully transcribed and searchable so you don’t have to go hunting to remember how to do “that one thing”.
- Bullet point lesson summaries.
- Quizzes at the end of each module to check your retention.
- Action steps along the way, to guide you to build your site with me.
- The exact resources I use, like ChatGPT prompts, code snippets, and tool recommendations.
- Lifetime access to the course.
- I’ll keep the course current as Ghost evolves and updates.
Let’s build a site together.
I created Ghost Mastery to simplify the process of learning to use the Ghost platform — and there is no better way to learn than by doing.
Inside the course, we’ll build Nimble Sound, a fictitious site for a content creator in the music production space.
You’ll follow along, step-by-step, and build the site that’s right for your content.
This course is designed with creators in mind. I cut through the technical jargon.
I won’t speak over your head, but I won’t talk down to you.
I’ll show you not just how to do things, but explain WHY you might want to do them.
What’s in each module?
Module 1
Setting the Foundation
Dive into open-source, understanding how Ghost operates and why it’s a platform that’s built to last. Get hands-on as we set up a hosting account and launch Ghost for the first time. Round out the module with a tour of Ghost so you know every corner of the platform.
Module 2
Shaping Your Site
Learn Ghost’s design options. We’ll tour Casper, then Solo. No CSS knowledge? No problem. Learn how to add custom CSS and even use ChatGPT to write CSS for you. Make your site typographically beautiful with Google Fonts, then add navigation and an announcement bar.
Module 3
Configuring Your Site
Add a custom domain name to your Ghost Pro setup. Cover SEO and social options in general settings. Add staff and improve author pages.
Module 4
Content Creation Mastery
Master the Ghost editor: cards, Markdown, and built-in image editing. Pages vs posts, primary tags, tagging, a contact page and form.
Module 5
Ghost Membership Magic
Customize the portal, set default access, and add commenting. Create membership tiers, protect content (a Patreon replacement), and analyze performance. We’ll also build a custom sales page for a high-ticket offer.
Module 6
Email Newsletter Bliss
Launch your newsletter in the Ghost editor. Import existing subscribers from Substack or Mailchimp. Cover deliverability so you hit the inbox.
Module 7
Advanced Techniques
Tip jar, social icons, third-party integrations, import/export, migrate from WordPress, redirects, routes, and theme customization basics.
Everything you need for success
By the end of Ghost Mastery, you’ll not just be proficient in Ghost, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to create a Ghost site that turns your audience into a thriving business.
So, are you ready to leave the WordPress jungle and embrace the Ghost way of life? Enroll in Ghost Mastery: Building Your Audience-Driven Business today.
Purchase Ghost Mastery
$49.00one-time · lifetime
Buy this courseBuying multiple seats for a company or school?
- 7 modules to go from Ghost beginner to a confident content publisher
- 5+ hours of training and 50+ videos that are concise and searchable
- Lifetime access to the course
- 30-day money-back guarantee
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with Ghost Mastery, I’ll issue a prompt and full refund within 30 days. There’s only ONE condition: you have to tell me the main reason you weren’t happy with the product, so I have a chance to make it better.
About the instructor
Dave Swift
I’ve been navigating the digital marketing world for as long as I can remember, as both an entrepreneur starting my own businesses, as well as helping others grow online. In 2006, I sold my first website for $600 to a local musician, and since then, I’ve transformed my humble beginnings into commanding five-figure fees for web projects. I’ve built a YouTube channel with over 20K subscribers. More than a marketer or web designer, I’m a teacher at heart.
The “one-condition” guarantee
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with Ghost Mastery, I’ll issue a prompt and full refund within 30 days.
There’s only ONE condition: you have to tell me the main reason you weren’t happy with the product, so I have a chance to make it better.
Ghost vs WordPress
Like WordPress: Ghost is free and open source. You can download the code and run it on any server. You can fork it, modify it, and make it do anything you want.
Unlike WordPress: features for protecting content, creating newsletters, and accepting subscriptions are built in. Create a Ghost site, add membership tiers, and connect Stripe. No duct tape.
Like WordPress: Ghost is created around publishing. WordPress has been bent to do things it was never supposed to do. Ghost will not do all of those things, and it shouldn’t.
Unlike WordPress: Ghost does not have a plug-in system. That means no plug-in conflicts, no plug-in security tax, no annual license fees. Integrations instead.
WordPress is a Swiss Army knife. What if you need a drill?
Look, I get it. You started your website with WordPress because it’s the “Swiss Army Knife” of the internet. It seemed like the safe choice. Then you realized: WordPress can do anything, but doing everything is exhausting.
It’s like trying to drill a hole with a Swiss Army knife. Technically possible? Maybe. Practical? Not even close.
Suddenly you’re buried under 19 plugins, wrangling themes, and wrestling with constant updates. You wanted to be a creator, not MacGyver hacking a membership site together.
I still LOVE WordPress. I use it for ecommerce and courses. I also admit it’s a headache. People pay me to set up and manage those sites.
If you’re trying to monetize your audience, there is a better tool for the job. And it doesn’t involve surrendering your content to closed-platform giants like Patreon.
Enter Ghost: the power drill to WordPress’s Swiss Army knife. That’s why I made this course.
Why Ghost Mastery?
Marketing, usability, and the clicks
Most courses only teach the how-to: set up Ghost, publish a post, fiddle with settings. Knowing how to use Ghost is the beginning. What’s more important is using it to build a profitable, audience-driven business. I’ve fused technical know-how, marketing, and web usability into one step-by-step guide.
Hands-on
Ghost Mastery isn’t about abstract theories. Every lesson is designed with practicality in mind, so you can apply it to your business immediately.
Kept current
The online world is fast, and Ghost is no exception. I update the course when Ghost’s editor, memberships, or email change in a way that would strand you.
Don’t just take my word for it
“I’m a huge fan of Dave. As a boutique agency owner, his in-depth video training on the software and issues I need to know about gets me where I need to be without any fuss or fluff. His tutorial on Elastic Email for agencies is just one stellar example. Highly recommended.”
“I’ve been following Dave’s software reviews for years. Dave is by far one of the most talented software reviewers in his space. I come from a Shopify background, but I watched Dave’s WordPress for Beginners video a few years back and it was the perfect balance of information and step-by-step tutorials.”
“You’re gifted Dave. No one I know explains it better than you.”
Time to take control
Let’s get real. You’re tired of getting lost in the WordPress wilderness. It’s time to welcome the simplicity and power of Ghost.
No more wasting time juggling plugins or stressing over constant updates. Let’s focus on what’s really important: creating great content and turning your audience into a flourishing business.
This isn’t just a course. It’s a stepping stone to free yourself from a platform that’s stopped working in your favor.
Here’s to your success,
FAQ
- Is there a money-back guarantee?
- Yes. If Ghost Mastery is not useful for you, I will refund you in full within 30 days of purchase. There is one condition: tell me the main reason it did not work, so I can improve the lessons for the next person.
- Do I need to be a developer?
- No. This course is for creators using Ghost’s administration panel: the editor, design settings, memberships, and email. We do not rebuild Ghost from source, and you do not need to know Node.js.
- Ghost Pro or self-hosted?
- The information in this course applies to both Ghost Pro subscriptions and self-hosted Ghost. The lessons focus on the features you can reach from the Ghost administration panel, so the same editor, design, membership, and newsletter skills work on either setup. If you want a separate walkthrough of installing Ghost on your own server, that is the Self Host Ghost course.
- I already bought the Editor Reference Library. Still useful?
- Yes. The Editor Reference Library is a dip-in guide to individual cards and tools in the editor. Ghost Mastery is the full site: design, memberships, newsletters, and a build-along so you leave with a working Ghost site, not only editor tricks.
- How long is it?
- There are seven modules and 58 videos, a little over five hours in total. You can watch it through in order, or search the transcripts later when you need one job.
- Do you keep it current?
- When Ghost changes the editor, memberships, or email in a way that would strand you, I update those lessons. You keep lifetime access, including those updates.
Purchase Ghost Mastery
$49.00one-time · lifetime
Buy this courseBuying multiple seats for a company or school?
- 7 modules to go from Ghost beginner to a confident content publisher
- 5+ hours of training and 50+ videos that are concise and searchable
- Lifetime access to the course
- 30-day money-back guarantee
If for any reason you’re not satisfied with Ghost Mastery, I’ll issue a prompt and full refund within 30 days. There’s only ONE condition: you have to tell me the main reason you weren’t happy with the product, so I have a chance to make it better.
Ghost Mastery: Building Your Audience-Driven Business
$49.00 · lifetime