Special offer

Is Ghost Blogging Unethical or A Keen Choice By Prosperous Professionals?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Compass 0524642

Ghost Blogging refers to individuals or groups who enlist the help of someone else to blog "for them." The question I have for the readers of this blog is quite simple. Do you think it's ethical to post your picture, your contact information and of course your NAME then have somebody else author blogs on your behalf? Those that do this will probably argue that this is nothing more than a keen busniess choice. A choice of time management, taking advantage of resources and generally an excellent idea. Maybe they'll admit that "they don't know how to write!"

What about the folks who read these well written posts? What about the general public? Our Code of Ethics is not ambiguous when it speaks to painting a clear picture.

Article 12:

REALTORS® shall be honest and truthful in their real estate communications and shall present a true picture in their advertising, marketing, and other representations. REALTORS® shall ensure that their status as real estate professionals is readily apparent in their advertising, marketing, and other representations, and that the recipients of all real estate communications are, or have been, notified that those communications are from a real estate professional

Is Ghost Blogging unethical?

I don't necessarily think so. I do think that the ghost blogger however rides a fine line by using such words as -->I & We.<--

If the wife, friend, or college student is using such words than they should be implored to disclose that they in fact or writing on behalf of..

Posted by
Greg Nino
Realtor
RE/MAX Compass 
Direct & Text 7 days a wk: 832-298-8555 
 
 
Realtor since 2004
Mediator & Arbitrator for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Member of the Professional Standards Committee for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Arbitrator for the Comptroller's office for the State of TX for Arbitration of Property Tax Values

 Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Platinum Club

 

The information contained in this blog is believed to be reliable and while every effort is made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. All information is copywritten and the property of Greg Nino.  

Comments(31)

Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I am personally not keen on the idea for myself.  I get leads from my writing and I know how to convert those leads and answer those questions because I composed the messages and I know how I came to my conclusion.

I used to have a problem with a competitor who posted "other people's stuff" in her blog.  Her blog was about 90% plagiarized.  I think that is plain wrong.

If anyone wanted to hire someone to write for them, more power to them but if they pass it off as their own, be warned, they are going to be asked questions about the information and they could lose leads when they don't pass the lead BS test!

Jul 12, 2009 06:07 AM
Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

I think that the blogs should be in the own persons' words and thoughts.

That's how we learn about each other (as well as our clients) by letting each person have a voice.  Not a "ghost" voice shall we say.

In the least if someone is using a ghost writer I think it should be disclosed.

 

 

Jul 12, 2009 06:14 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Greg ~ I don't think it would be necessary to disclose authorship in most cases.  Ghostwriting is one thing, guest posts are another.  I don't think it has anything to do with the Code of Ethics.  That being said I would think you are responsible for the content so you better make sure the facts are straight. 

Paying for content is one thing - using other people's work is another thing entirely.  It shocks me how many people think it is ok to include other people's writing on their blog - and an attribution is not the equivalent of permission.

And I'm with Candice - if paying for content improves writing quality - great!

Liz

Jul 12, 2009 06:14 AM
Kristin Moran
Owner - RE/MAX Access - KristinMoran@Remax.net - San Antonio, TX
San Antonio,TX - Real Estate - 210-313-7397

G - is this really you?  Are you the author of this blog or have you handed it over to a paid writer?  I think I would be disappointed to find out someone I read & enjoy isn't really REAL!!  :D

Jul 12, 2009 06:55 AM
Brian Lee Burke
Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO
Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

I guess for me it would come down to what is written about. And don't even get me started on just plain old regular false advertising - I would really like to see few people stop their ridiculous false claims. ~Rita

Jul 12, 2009 06:59 AM
Brian Lee Burke
Kenna Real Estate - Lone Tree, CO
Broker & Advising Expert-Kenna Luxury Real Estate

I like your new Facebook photo by the way :) - is that really you ;) ~Rita

Jul 12, 2009 06:59 AM
Kari Battaglia
Veterans Realty Inc - Venice, FL
Who You Work With Matters!

I dont' think that we should be "ghost blogging" even if it is great content.  If you are going to hire someone to write for you announce them as your Guest Blogger.  This way you can get the great content and not be deceiving the public into thinking you wrote the post.

Jul 12, 2009 08:32 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Kari - Agreed!

Rita - aren't you schweet!

K - Very funny

Liz - thanks for sharing

Sheila - I wonder if the rules of this will change one day..

Renee - ha ha, that's funny & so true! I can so see a prospect asking a question and the Reatlor or whoever be like.... "ugh"

June - I hear what your saying, but print marketing is so much different than the blog content that we usually see online.

Jennifer - no, thank you

Valerie - it appears that most of us are "against" this concept.

Sea to Sky - aha! Good point - "disclose, disclose, disclose!"

Shirley - HA HA! I wish I could "hear" you sing that!

Susan - nice point!

Candice - very true. unfFOURchewnutlee I'm that guy once in a wile.

Jul 12, 2009 09:17 AM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!

There are alot of negatives about this subject.  I kind of agree...I am busy but can now see why it would not look good if someone else blogged for me.  I am glad I came across this befoe it came up.

Jul 12, 2009 09:28 AM
John Cannata
214-728-0449 http://TexasLoanGuy.com - Frisco, TX
Texas Home Mortgage - Purchase or Refinance

Greg - I think for the point of ActiveRain, I think you should do your only blogging. On the other hand, I think its not an issue for someone else to write some posts for you. If they told a story that was NOT the story of the Realtor, thats one thing. But if they are just writing a story about the Realtor which actually happened then I dont think its an issue.  Not everyone created their own Real Estate site, yet their picture and contact information is listed there. So, why not a blog site?

Jul 12, 2009 10:42 AM
Naoma Doriguzzi
Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach, VA
New Media Director

I have seen some people hire a ghost blogger and it is the same post that they used on someone else's site.  Defeats the purpose of original content

Jul 12, 2009 12:39 PM
Ron Tarvin
Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX
Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095

Man,  I don't know about you  but I'm not planning on doing ANY blogging past the grave!  When I leave this world, I don't plan on writing another blog ever...Nope,  GHOST blogging is absolutely not for me!

Jul 12, 2009 03:51 PM
Leesa Finley
RED Properties - Wake Forest, NC
RED Properties - Raleigh NC Real Estate

PERSONALLY - I wouldn't use a ghost blogger - it just would be the same.  They would never "say it" the way I wanted it said.  With that SAID - I don't have a problem with others using them but I strongly believe that it should be disclosed!  I love some of the suggestions here - Maria's was cute as hell!

Jul 13, 2009 12:51 AM
Larry Story ALC
Total Care Realty - Greensboro, NC
Beneath it all is the Land, Covering all of NC

Greg,

I to believe in full disclosure.  Of course what happens when the blogger is called with someone asking about what was in a blog written by a "ghost blogger".  I mean come on we are all RE pros here for the most part if you cannot do your own blogs then why bother.  

Jul 13, 2009 01:23 AM
Terry Miller
Miller Homes Group - Tyler, TX
Miller Homes Group and Tyler Apartment Locator

If you can't speak for yourself I don't want you in my business. I want the guy who is smart enough to write the blog.

Jul 13, 2009 01:49 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Terry - Right on brutha!

Larry - me too, shoot us straight I say.

Leesa - Yeah, I liked it a lot too!

Jul 13, 2009 02:52 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

hahaha @ Renee...good point too!  The majority of the time the lead is going to see right through the b.s and know that the person talking isn't the same.

Jul 13, 2009 03:52 AM
Sun City Grand Homes Surprise AZ Real Estate Leolinda Bowers Designated Broker Leolinda Realty
Leolinda Realty - Surprise, AZ
Sun City Grand in Surprise Arizona

So true Sally.  Unfortunately though, the ethics of a few reflect on the whole.

I personally feel that whenever the agent uses a ghost blogger, it should be disclosed.

Jul 13, 2009 04:26 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

I did not know what Ghost Blogging was.  Thanks for educating me..

I think you do your own work.

Ginger

Jul 16, 2009 08:20 AM
Robin Rogers
Robin Rogers, Silverbridge Realty, San Antonio, Texas - San Antonio, TX
CRS, TRC, MRP - Real Estate Investment Adviser

Hi, Greg:

I signed up for a BringtheBlog account last year. I used the settings to make it pretty obvious when I post a blog compared to when it's the site's writer's posting. I didn't feel comfortable passing off the daily postings as my own. But I don't think I'll renew my account. I haven't gotten any comments, which to me indicates it's not getting enough Google juice to justify the expense. I'll just link to the Mortgage Guy's blog when my subscription is up.

Back to writing my own stuff. Sigh.

Cheers,

Robin

Jul 21, 2009 01:20 AM