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Active Rain CurtainFirst we need to define "Transparency."

According to Wikipedia, transparency is the property of allowing the transmission of light through a material

You ask how does this relate:

  • to my me
  • to my blogging
  • in my career 

Quite simply, this is the age of transparency.

The public wants to know what's behind the scene. They want to know the real YOU, they want to know the SECRETS as they perceive them, they want to know if you are HONEST. The days of keeping the public in the dark are over and now it's time to open the curtain and be seen.

For those who are honest, hard working, and want the Best for their clients, this won't be hard. In fact, it's really quite simple.

There will always be those who don't want to know...they just keep toddling along with status quo but the majority do want to know and now it's time to show what you are made of. Show your character, your moral fiber, your sense of honor and knowledge. Show the REAL YOU!

Teach, educate and become REAL, become transparent. Open the curtain of doubt and let others in...

In Active Rain we have all learned to blog and be more transparent. We have a great group of people, here in the Rain. We help each other and share what we have learned in the blogosphere. We write about our areas and let the public know a little bit more about our services and the real us. This is the age of transparency. This is what will bring you clients.

My new clients typically state that they have been reading my blog articles and feel that they know me by the time they call.

Today, I have read posts about ghost writers for blogs. We all know that there is a perception out there about Realtors and now, about Mortgage Lenders. This is not the time to confuse the public. It is not the time to mislead them. It is not the time to have them think they are reading and getting to know you, when in fact it isn't you at all. I see this as having a very negative impact on all of us. 

The only good to come from it, are those that will make money from writing the articles for those that can't or won't. I only hope that with their greed they don't ruin it for the rest of us who are honest, moral, trust worthy and write our own articles.

Show who has written an article...be transparent. If you have decided to have ghost writers for whatever reason, be transparent about it. Let the public, let the readers know who is writing the material. Don't hide behind the curtain.

What say YOU?

 

 

Disclaimer: This article is written & provided to you by Gena Riede, Sacramento Real Estate Realtor - No Paid Ghost Writers Here!

 

60 Comments on Do I Know The Writer?

OCT
12
2007
1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor
I am all for GUEST writers on blogs, NOT GHOST writers.  I couldn't agree more Gena!
5:04pm • #1
275,478 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Totally agree.  I think that anyone with a strong referral base already knows that successfully surviving in real estate is a matter of connecting with people-and I can't see that there's any way a consumer is going to connect with you when it's NOT you.
5:14pm • #2
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Ginger, I totally agree with you. In fact Wendy Cutrufelli was a guest on my blog this week and I think that adds a different flavor and spice to my blog but NEVER would I EVER want to try and put one over on my readers and have someone write for me. Glad you agree.
5:16pm • #3
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Leigh,I wonder that myself and yet I know there are those that have ghost writers writing their blog articles. It really puts all of us at a disadvantage, I feel because once again we will be dealing with the trust issue.
5:18pm • #4
343,466 Points 36 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I have had a guest writer on my blog before for local mortgage information.  However, it was disclosed up front.  I know that if I was a consumer, I would be sorely disappointed if the agent I hired based on their blog had nothing to do with the content that drew me in.  Bait and switch, in my opinion.

5:18pm • #5
188,613 Points 23 Featured Posts
Gena - I concur and I would like to point out that although my date of birth was long ago, I am alive and well and any blog writing I do for others will be as a guest. I am not dead yet and I will not be anyones ghost but my own.
5:26pm • #6
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lisa, very good point...bait and switch. Should have included that in my post. Thank you.

John, love your sense of humor. I take it someday you'll be ghost writing on your own...unless the bug leaves you before then.

5:30pm • #7

We had this discussion at a seminar. It was suggested to hire a teenager to blog if you didn't have the time. For me that won't work since I don't have or know of a teenager I would trust to blog. I have a hard time knowing what to write about but I think it will get easier. I agree, no ghost writers. Guest writers welcome with most of the content coming from us.

5:32pm • #8
354,888 Points 137 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Gena, I'm thinking as I am reading this about this...Would we be willing to hire a Ghost Real Estate Agent to do the job for us the real agent??  Why in the world do we think it's OK to have someone dish out advise on our behalf which really isn't ours.  Blogging is not simply another newsletter or advertising piece.  It's an actual client interaction tool...that can't happen very well with ghosts. :)  Great post.
5:34pm • #9
5 Featured Posts

Gena -

Amen! The RE industry has had fantastic early successes with blogging but the recent increase in ghost blogging could ruin that for everyone. 

A few weeks back I met my first ghost blogger - here on A/R of all places. I called the Realtor to follow up on the conversation we were having in the comments on her blog - it was a confusing call since she had no clue what I was talking about. Eventually she said; "Aaaaahhh, the blaaaaahhg" - just like that - and then - "I have my assistant do that" yet the blog post and the comment had been been signed by the "Realtor." I was floored by this and admit I didn't really know what to say to her. I had wasted hours of my time talking to someone who had no clue what they were on about and whose very identity was a lie.  I subsequently found out that another one of the people who had commented on the same post was also this assistant in disguise - blogging on behalf of another A/R blogger who works in the same office.

Since that incident, I've become more attuned to ghost blogging and I'm now noticing it quite often.

Ghost blogging is frankly the worst PR move ever. RE is a relationship business. If your clients can't trust you you won't have much of a relationship with them. Don't outsource your reputation. 

Blogging is hard work and if you're on a team, I recommend that you find a way to have your colleagues share the workload - but ghost blogging is the wrong way to go about it. Each blogger should write under their own name and transparently declare their allegiance to the firm they represent. 

David G (from Zillow.com)

5:56pm • #10
1 Featured Post
I'm parking here to watch the discussion. I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I agree the idea of reading something and the finding out the agent it is attributed to knows nothing about the topic. On the other hand, we hire marketing experts and copy-writers to spice up the text for our brochures and marketing pieces, is having a ghost-writer on your blog any different?
6:15pm • #11
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Christine, I can't believe that anyone would suggest a teenager. The liability of someone writing under the assumption that it is you would be horrendous. I can't imagine anyone wanting to take on that type of liability. I'm glad you have decided not to do that. Writing and finding things to write about will come easier. I would suggest that you take a camera with you when you leave the house and snap a few photos...write about them and talk about your area.

Lola, I have no idea what some of those folks are thinking that have hired ghost writers. Like I told Christine, I can see some liability issues here. My guess is that these ghost writers write pretty mundane information that is general. And if the agent was smart they would realize that the readers are not going to be interested in material that is general and can be picked up anywhere on the Internet.

David, right on. I have not been as lucky as you and found these ghost bloggers but I agree whole heartedly that they are deceiving the public and should cease. Not everyone is a writier. Not everyone has the skill or the commitment it takes to blog...but this doesn't mean that you should outsource it. Just don't do it! I too, feel that it will hurt our industry as more and more ghost bloggers appear on the scene. I love your line..."don't outsource your reputation."

6:16pm • #12
881,597 Points 210 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
I've seen much discussed on this topic...well, again I say...original "self written" content is showing the consumer how honest we are as well. I wouldn't write for anyone...why would I want anyone to write for me? We all talk about professionalism...where is that in ghost writing if trying to fool the public? Even if writing and acknowledging . Might as well just tell everyone they "can't do their own work" but hire them anyway? Harumph!
6:33pm • #13
865,699 Points 50 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp
I produce my own blog content.  It is the expectation that if I present it as mine, it should be mine.  Advertising copy wouldn't necessarily be assumed to be produced by me... so it would be a different matter. 
6:58pm • #14
292,067 Points 110 Featured Posts Outside Blog

I'm going to surprise everyone.  Who cares if you use a ghostwriter?  I don't.  Consumers don't comment, they read.  The goal is to connect with consumers and that can happen through a newsletter, mail piece, or telephone call.

I am against ghost-written articles being "featured" on Active Rain for their excellence (like this excellent, original article) but I don't think it matters who writes the content.  In the end, it's all about leverage.  If my time is worth $300/hour and I can parcel out the writing for $50 an hour, I should leverage that task out...IF  it gets results.

The blog-snob in me philosophically agrees with all of you.  The pragmatic businessman is looking for mortgage writers for my sites.

6:59pm • #15
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Melissa, by all means yes. Of course I don't hire people to write my marketing and when I did newsletters I didn't use the canned ones, I wrote my own but when it comes to a blog...this is personal and the reader wants more information, not canned information so the agent in my opinion should be the one to be writing. Otherwise, I'd like to hire the person writing to handle my Real Estate...just that simple.

Sally, I agree with you. Not everyone can write and I understand that. Some write better than others. The point is that if you can't write, don't mess with the public and make them think you are writing. That's deceitful. In this age of transparency, it will only come back to bite you!

6:59pm • #16
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lane, I suppose you are correct in marketing material. I would prefer writing my own, however.

Brian,I would have to respectfully disagree with you. If you are thinking like a businessman and agree with ghost writing which is a mistrust from you to your reader, then eventually it will effect the bottom line...the money. Most readers want to connect with the person writing and if it's not you then who have they connected with?

7:07pm • #17
323,528 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Gena - I have to say that this ghost writing has certainly become a really hot topic of late.  Personally, I would never have someone else write for me.   I'm not the world's greatest writer, but when I write, I want people to know it's ME writing and not someone pretending to be me.  When I meet potential clients, many of them have told me they feel like they already know me because of my websites, blogs, and emails.  If I had someone else doing all or part of that, when they finally meet me, I'd bet they'd wonder just who on earth the real me is.

Not my cup of tea, and I think it's quite misleading.  I REALLY think any post that's ghost written should never be featured here on AR.

Ann

7:35pm • #18
168,651 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
I'm not so sure I agree either but I do agree that it is immoral to claim you have written an article when in fact you haven't.  But what if you have an assistant that is merely providing market information and updates that you didn't have time to put together that week???  Would it be better to act like a journalist and type all day to keep up with the obsessive bloggers with no other business?
7:37pm • #19
5 Featured Posts

Gregory -

That's simple; let your assistant blog under their own name on your blog.  

7:41pm • #20
105,006 Points 6 Featured Posts

AAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......the topic continues....and now on to spelling and grammar...Mike Norvell Sr

PS.....I write my own, no doubt, but can be bought for about $50.00  bucks a post,  $100.00 if its gets featured hahahhahahahhaaaahhahahahahah

7:44pm • #21
172,143 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Gena and Brian: I have been struggling with this concept since about 5:30 am this morning, when I read Brian and Rich's articles about the subject. 

Thoughts:

  • A good blog has sass. I'll be damned if I'm going to let someone else do it for me. Brian and Gena, you are both full of attitude and I doubt either of you would turn the privilege of expressing it over to anyone else.
  • A website, a brochure or a flyer don't command authorship, but a blog does.
  • Heaven help us if haters of the real estate profession discover this as just another example of agent duplicity and phoniness.
  • I welcome writers to my blog and have no problem attributing authorship--and it won't hurt my SEO one iota.

Brian, why not invite bloggers here on Active Rain as guest writers for your blog? It won't cost you a cent--and might earn goodwill.

Count me as one who is still struggling with the idea.... 

Good article, Gena! 

 

 

 

  

7:53pm • #22
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Ann, I would agree with you and would further state that those written outside of AR as well as though written in AR should be noted as a ghost writer. Otherwise, I as the reader would feel mislead.

Gregory, there is nothing wrong with having an assistant put in a listing for you but if it's a blog article and an assistant is writing it, I personally would appreciate it if the assistant puts their name to it. I don't want to be mislead.

David, touche

Mike, are you trying to say something, here?

7:55pm • #23
365,435 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

There are blogs with top producers names on them that have their assistants post for points/position- no different than cut & paste blogs just all for the numbers- no personalization at all - just looking to get the google results with someone else's effort / contents.....

8:17pm • #25
1 Featured Post

I have to agree with you. If you're going to write a blog, you should do it yourself and not trust someone else to write it for you. Your personality, your being, nothing about will come through if written by another person!

If you want a guest writer, then go ahead, but disclose it, so as not to "fool" anyone.

8:41pm • #26

I agree that ghost writers can have negative effects on blogs; however, I would like to point out the distinction between ghost writing and editing. After all, you may not want to put the bare and naked "you" in front of everyone.

Writing is like getting dressed to meet a client: You want to present an image (whether it is real or not is up to you), and you use a mirror to review that image before you present it. The difference, though, is that in writing you often cannot see the problems or difficulties in the image you create. You may frequently misspell words, use poor grammar or punctuation, or write in long, boring and repetitive sentences that should be lively and active. There are hundreds of ways that you can turn readers off and not even realize it. 

Getting someone to look over you writing is like asking a friend how you look when there's not a mirror around. They can see what you can't.

8:54pm • #27
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jeff & Grace, gaming the system. Those individuals will get the results that they reap. And the clients that they do get will know that they have been duped. It's a shame and I hate to see our industry fall AGAIN to add to the mistrust of the public. We have a lot to heal and that is not the way to heal...in my opinion.

Chris, that's the only way to do it and be transparent, upfront and honest. And isn't that the way we really want others to see us?

Anthony, again I would have to say that not everyone should blog. Yes, sometimes there might be spelling mistakes and no it's not a good thing but to actually have someone else write for you making others assume that it is you, is wrong. It's deceitful. So, if you can't write either don't write or hire someone and disclose to the reader who is writing. Just that simple. Deceit under any excuse is no excuse!

9:30pm • #28

Gena, I think there must be some confusion. I didn't say that deceit is okay. I meant to say that it doesn't hurt to have a proofreader review your material. It's not deceitful to have an editor tell you if a sentence is unclear or if you missed a period. Sometimes I also tell people that a paragraph should be moved or a topic should be expanded for clarity. This doesn't constitute deceitfulness. It's just making sure everything looks good and is working before you post.

Here's something else to think about. Even some of the most brilliant minds don't write well. (Just think of practically any reading list from a graduate philosophy class.) If someone is brilliant at real estate but can't communicate it well, is it harmful for them to get a writer to help them communicate clearly with others? How is this different from hiring an image coach? I don't think anyone has accused image coaches of participating in deceit.  

 

9:51pm • #29
304,649 Points 39 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I agree Gena. I have met several customers recently who have been reading me for awhile and they all said the same thing when we finally met...they fee l like they know me! Know me through my words, my blog not some ghost writers words but mine. Priceless!
9:57pm • #30
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Anthony, oh no I didn't mean to imply that you were being deceitful as long as the writer's name was attached to the writing or if you were just asking someone to proof read...no problem. However, writing and having others THINK you wrote an article when you didn't is in my opinion deceitful. Not everyone likes everyone elses writing. So, what you might like, I might not and the same is true with other readers. All I am saying is be honest...if you didn't write it don't claim it.

Monika, yes that what get as well. And besides being transparent, being honest and being YOU...you're right it is PRICELESS! That's how to not only get a client but keep a client. Kudos to you.

10:04pm • #31
172,143 Points 46 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Anthony:

I don't mean to butt in on Gena's blog, but there should be nothing wrong with someone proofing another's writing. Call it a humanized spell-check.

That is not the same as ghosting.

10:06pm • #32
14 Featured Posts

     "Would we be willing to hire a Ghost Real Estate Agent to do the job for us the real agent??"  

I had to laugh at Lola's comment.  It's just so right on the money.

Instead of ghost writers, people should get guest bloggers.  That way it's clear who is writing.  It defeats the purpose to have a ghost write a blog which should be in your own voice and transparent.  How crazy is that?

It's like having your thesis written by someone else and handing it in as your own.  Just yucky.  Listen, if you can't write, then don't blog.  Find the thing that you are good at and do that.  I know I'm not athletic, so I certainly wouldn't try out for the tennis team or better yet, hire someone to try out for me.  I'd just skip the tennis team and do something that I'm good at....or here is novel idea, maybe I could practice playing tennis and even hire a coach.  With some practice, perhaps I could improve my game enough to try out for the team. 

10:42pm • #34
591,941 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
I have to agree. It's not just in blogging. I was just today, thinking about how I feel about one of my doctors. I don't completely trust him because I don't feel like I really know him. My other 2 doctors are relaxed and open, so I'm the same with them. I imagine our customers and clients feel the same way in response to how we are with them.
10:45pm • #35
4 Featured Posts

I very much agree with you that the blogging needs to come from the individual. I have actually found that as I become more efficient, blogging is an excellent release mechanism to connect with clients, peers, or simply other professionals. As I'm doing a fair amount of media work lately, it is imperative to my continued success by being transparent. If it was ever discovered that my works weren't original, I would be rightfully crucified and villified for my lack of ethics.

I could easily warrant outsourcing the responsibilities for the sake of efficiency if I viewed it as a task, but done properly, blogging is of benefit to the blogger and of course to the several recipients.

It makes me question if the knowledge that is being delivered really belongs to the writer, and that frankly, is not a good feeling to have.

Count me in for ONLY original content. People may not always like it, but its always me!

11:38pm • #36
OCT
13
2007

Brian, why not invite bloggers here on Active Rain as guest writers for your blog? It won't cost you a cent--and might earn goodwill.

Brilliant! 

Count me as one who is still struggling with the idea.... 

I know; it's a damning dilemma. 

Good article, Gena!

Undoubtedly.  Expected, as usual.

Brian Brady
1:52am • #37
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Tracey, absolutely. Couldn't agree more.

Lisa, yes and writing your blog articles helps the reader get to know you. Wouldn't it be ashame to get to know someone that you will never meet, the ghost writer? Of course, from what I understand Ghost writers write generally and therefore most readers will never feel close to them, anyway.

Bill, glad that your writings are YOU. It just seems to me that some have lost focus on WHY they started blogging in the first place...was it to bring the REAL you out, was it to HELP the reader, was it to CONNECT, was it to help change PERCEPTION of the industry? Then, why would anyone want to undo what we have worked so hard to accomplish? Thank heavens you see that Bill and will continue to be the REAL you!

Brian, Thanks. Hope you give it some thought.

9:04am • #38
10 Featured Posts
Gena - Excellent post for sure. When discussing true transparency, what's your take on agents who demand your contact information to search the MLS or withhold information about the home buying or selling process? Does this philosophy of holding the site visitor hostage for their contact information to access MLS data run counter to true transparency? From a consumer's perspective, does it foster thoughts that if the agent is withholding information on MLS data what other information critical to the relationship is being withheld? I realize this is a bit off topic but still applicable to the whole idea of online transparency.
9:27am • #39
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Bobby, as far as transparency, the public expects full transparency. Whether agents give it or not obviously is up to them but if you are asking about my practice, I give full transparency. I treat others the same way that I wish to be treated. I have looked for property in other states and when I come to an agent who requires sign-in, I simply click away from them. There are plenty of sites to get full disclosure of properties and I don't have to be dictated to by any one agent. That's my humble opinion on that subject.
9:44am • #40
3 Featured Posts
Gena- None of us like a fake. We want the real thing. I want to work with people who are genuine and love what they do. There are lots of us out there. One of my favorite parts of my work is educating the public and my clients on how things work. That makes them much more comfortable with the process. Thanks for the reminder.
11:45am • #41
493,848 Points 222 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Today's consumers are much to smart and sophisticated to NOT know the difference between the real deal and the contrived. Those who elect to use ghost writers will be taking that risk. To each their own....
12:41pm • #42
178,223 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Gena, I see your point. I recently had someone write a post here on my blog. It was a mortgage professional who I had had some great dealing with and who had some great information for the public. (But they don't feel like they have the time for their own blog) Now, I am not confessing here I am just saying before I put one word on my post. I wrote a paragraph about them being a guest writer and introduced them to my audience. This was the easy and honest thing to do.
1:00pm • #43
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jennifer, no problem. I too only want to work with genuine people and believe that is what the majority want. So, for those that wish to hide behind someone else's' writings, I think you're making a huge mistake.

Rich, you're absolutely right. I think they will find that it does  NOT benefit them. I just hope that rest of us are not caught in the crossfire.

Stephen, that's the way to do it. When I have guest bloggers write, I introduce them to my readers and let them have the floor. Nothing wrong with that. It's only when you pretend that you are the writer that is the problem. BIG difference between GHOST and GUEST.

1:15pm • #44
1,546,385 Points 417 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Funny thing about Ghosts.  They tend to fade in the light.  I suspect that the value of ghost written articles would fade in popularity on ActiveRain too.

However, Brian Brady is absolutely correct about the value of content, any properly written content.  IMO, content is king and Google doesn't care who wrote it. 

I would prefer that members verify by checking a popup that the articles are original.  Problem?  Policing it would be impossible.  Shucks, we can't even keep up with blatant plagiarizers.  The pop-up doesn't work for content copiers.  How could we police ghost written articles?? 

There will always be opportunists in any network.  Just look at folks who steal images and content on ActiveRain.  I'm not suggesting that ghost written articles are anything like plagiarized content.  They are not. 

It's something the owners will have to decide.  I suspect that ghost written articles will be permitted. 

1:23pm • #45
287,662 Points 33 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Write what you know......be Honest even if you don't know something.....that to me is Transparent.......if you hide behind excuses of "no time, can't write, etc"  than exactly "why do you have a Blog"........It takes time, and commitment......

The same qualities I look for in an Agent, Lender, Stager, etc. I want to know they have TIME for me :) :)

1:30pm • #46
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lenn, I see no point in Ghost Writers...whether Google picks it up or doesn't pick it up...one thing clearly missed here is the authenticity of the YOU! I don't want to read thinking I'm getting to know YOU when in fact, your're not even witting what I'm reading. I believe it will come back to BITE!! No one likes to be deceived.

The other aspect that this brings to mind is what Realtors and Mortgage people have been complaining about for a long time...all those hands in our pockets. Yet, we FINALLY found a way to the consumer and your WILLING to give up the ship AGAIN! AMAZING!!

1:34pm • #47
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Kathy, absolutely. I feel the same. If you don't have the decency to write your own material, I don't want to work with you.

It's high time, as a profession we act professional and stop selling ourselves to others! Write your own material or stop writing!

1:49pm • #48
121,054 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gena, I think as blogging becomes more wide-spread it will be necessary to have multiple blogs. These blogs will serve various purposes and markets. It will be impossible for one person to do it alone. I think the assistant idea is a good one.

Somebody said "Would we be willing to hire a Ghost Real Estate Agent to do the job for us the real agent??"  Well, the answer is yes. It is already being done by the more successful among us. Assistants allow us to accomplish a lot more than we can alone.

Maybe what we will do is have one "personal" blog that we combine with our business-only blogs. If I'm seeking information only I don't care where it comes from as long as lt is correct.

If I'm seeking advice or opinion, then I care where it comes from. My "personal" blog will always be written by me. But a blog on one of my web-sites that conveys information and facillitates Q&A might very well be written by a "ghost."

Bill Roberts

2:09pm • #49
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Bill, as long as you disclose that it is written by a ghost or a staff member, I don't have an issue with that nor would the reader but when you try to pull the wool over the consumers eyes and pretend that it is you writing, that's when it's not honest. Disclose, disclose, disclose but you being a professional already know that!
2:33pm • #50
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Just a thought...out loud...I think I will disclose on my blog that all material is written by the REALTOR and not by a paid ghost writer. I think my readers deserve to know the truth about what they are reading...how about yours?
5:32pm • #51
OCT
14
2007
125,663 Points 24 Featured Posts
Gena- Very thought provoking article.. I think what you do on your own site is different from what you post on AR.. as Brian notes he wants content for his mortgage site.   However if AR is about who we are as much as what we write then I think the content here should be written by the blogger and not outsourced to an assistant... especially those that are noted as featured posts..
10:19am • #52
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Kaye, couldn't agree with you more about Active Rain. We all found each other on Active Rain and the folks that founded this great platform that we have all come to use had a purpose in mind...to bring the professionals together, share, learn from each other, unite, establish good will, refer and possibly become friends.

Although, there is nothing illegal about ghost writing, I don't think it lends itself to any of the attributes I listed above. I know when I see canned writing and I don't read it. There were Realtors who sent out canned newsletters for years but I wrote my own. The public is smarter than many wish to give them credit for and I just hate to see us go backwards when we FINALLY were given a platform to improve our images.

That's just my thinking and I'll continue as I always have, transparent.

11:44am • #53
In the various articles on this subject, several people have said they're not good at writing or spelling, etc. Those flaws are used as rationale for hiring someone to do their work for them. If I'm a buyer, I darn-sure want someone who can compose sentence structure for my Contracts, and knows the difference between your and you're. Like someone said above, better to beef-up your writing skills than to deceive a client and have the client realize they were deceived only when it comes time to prepare the paperwork for their most important investment.
1:41pm • #54
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Elaine, couldn't agree more. YOUR comment was well received and YOU'RE a great Realtor. How's that...I know that difference. Seriously, I do agree that the Home Buyers and Sellers will want someone that knows how to write and they also don't want to be deceived.
3:11pm • #55
OCT
15
2007
389,949 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.  I have to agree. Claiming credit for another's work is never a great idea, even when you have the right to. -Charles
1:09pm • #56
OCT
16
2007
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Charles, hope we don't see too many blind people behind the curtain. I know, I for one won't read them. I look for the spunk, and for the writer's personality...
10:41am • #57
OCT
19
2007

Would we be willing to hire a Ghost Real Estate Agent to do the job for us the real agent?

Come on...you see this all the time.  The mega agent has "buyer's agents" representing them all the time.  The "mega" is the rainmaker.  It's all about leverage.

That being said...I do think blogs need that personal touch.  I agree with you Gena, but I also see Brian's point, that the purpose is having more clients.  If I can leverage my time by paying someone to write my posts, I'm not opposed to it...however I'd put my personal touch on the articles.  The point is to be busy enough with clients that you don't have time to blog...right?  We're not all hear for our health.  I look forward to the day when I need to hire someone to help me out with it.  I hope they write better than me though!  But, my personal touch will always be on it.

On AR however, ghost bloggers don't belong.  Save them for the personal blog.

5:49pm • #58
244,910 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Christopher, well I guess that's what makes the world go round. I see no reason to blog if I'm not going to do it and I don't hire Buyers Agents to do my job, either. The buck starts and stops with me. I don't take on anymore business than I can handle. So, that said, I believe that eventually blogs that gave Realtors the edge will slowly be downgraded just as websites became downgraded and you had to end up paying through the nose to get noticed. The same will happen to blogs, in my opinion once the majority start hiring ghost blogger. Their effectiveness will no longer be the same as they are now.. Just my Carnac prediction.
8:50pm • #59
313,393 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gena,

Couldn't agree with you more. Ghost writing can get you points and an elevated ranking here in AR, but when the time comes to reap the benefits of your presence here, the truth most likely will surface. That'll be embarrassing.

11:35pm • #60

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Gena-riede Rainmaker_large

Gena Riede, Real Estate Broker Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Sacramento, CA

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Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792

Address: Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, Roseville,, Sacramento, Folsom, Elk Grove, CA, 95825

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