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Roxanne, Glamour Shots, and Casper the Ghost - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

In the movie, "Roxanne," Steve Martin plays the part of a small town fire chief who writes a bunch of mushy love letters for one of his fellow firefighters. The recipient of the letters, played by Daryl Hannah, is captivated by the words, but when she finally meets the fireman face-to-face, she quickly realizes the two don't match.

I remember when I first started my career in real estate back in Lawrence, Kansas. I was with a Realty Executives franchise (Realty Executives/Hedges Real Estate) that was owned by a good friend, Bryan Hedges.

Back then, real estate was all about the Agent. People would spend tons of money on marketing their image, their branding, or their team.

One female agent in town was especially popular. She would plaster her picture all over town - shopping carts, billboards, phone books, even the Big Screen at the local movie theatre, just before the feature film was shown.

Funny thing is, when I finally met this popular agent during a weekly home tour, I was completely dumbfounded. While her promotional picture was very striking (for the less politically correct, that would translate to being a 'hottie'), in person she looked nothing like her picture. Either the photographer spent an inordinate amount of time in PhotoShop, or her picture was taken 20 years ago.

Okay, so what's my point? Well, Brian Brady posted an article recently that stirred quite a bit of controversy (why is this not surprising?) concerning the use of ghost writers in blogging. And specifically, should members of ActiveRain receive points or have their articles 'featured' if they don't create the original content themselves?

To read Brian's post, go HERE.

I guess I tend to be somewhat of a purist, but it seems to me that publishing a 'ghost-written' article to your blog defeats the whole purpose of conversational blogging. If the primary reasons behind blogging is to effectively 'engage' your readers in meaningful dialogue, and to convey your unique personality, perspective, and passion, how can this be accomplished when the blog author ISN'T the author?

I suppose, in some instances, I can concede that 'ghost-written' articles can possibly serve a purpose. Perhaps in some industries where the relationship between the business and the consumer is not so intimate. Or maybe, someone just isn't gifted as a writer, but they want the benefits that new, fresh, relevant content can bring to their search ranking.

Still, what will happen when some potential client who has been lurking on your blog, reading your articles, finally takes the next step and commits to meeting with you? Who is going to show up? Will they recognize YOU?

Or will they be dumbfounded?

For further consideration, read two additional articles I've written along the same lines:

"Counterfeit Blogging" - What's in Your Blog?

"Original Content" - Using Your Own Voice in the Rain

~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~

social-media-is-a-conversation

Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker on 10/12/2007 02:04 AM

Comments (73)

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73 Comments on Roxanne, Glamour Shots, and Casper the Ghost - Blog Tips for Rain Drips

OCT

2007

That's why I like blogging...it is part of me. Professional written things are a turn off to me because they read as bland and no personalit...there is no one there.

Okay confession, I do need a new photo!

No worries, Deborah. Your current shot looks fine. But I do think we owe it to our clients and potential clients to have new photos done at least once every 5 years. I am about due myself!

Oh, under the 5 year rule then, I am OK! My photo is recognizable, but bland, not a good reflection of my personality.

yeah, it definitely should capture your personality. All the more reason to spend a few more dollars and have a location shot done, not just a quick, low budget sitdown.

As for my photo...

I just had that taken a few months back.

I still look like that and have the hat :)

By the way they'll be dumbfounded but not because of my photo. It relates more to the gun :)

TLW...ROAR!

FIVE YEARS? Change 'em every few months, Rich. It's a PICTURE, not a logo. You want them to remember YOU, not that specific picture.

I'm all for writing your own posts all by yourself. Some of my favorite bloggers aren't the best spellers and I can't comment on their grammar because my own breaks MANY rules. You can tell when it comes from the heart, and I think that matters. I want to read what they write and I go back for more. If I met them, I'm pretty sure I'd know them and we'd be like old friends.

Now that you're not a moderator, do you still have that same ... access you use to have?? (Left you something pretty!)

I think it is essential that any picture you use is up to date at the very least. Then it should look like you - no hours spent in photoshop or make-up; and finally I think it does need to say something of your personality whenever that is possible.

Rich, Great post.....My thought right now is really...GO JAYHAWKS!!!! :0) I will be back there in a week and half. Anything special you want from there? I will gladly send it to ya.

What kind of word is grumixameira? Took me longer to type that then it did to comment...whew!

Thank goodness I have my mug splattered all over my posts from my excursions around the island. Good thing I have photoshop...and anti aging cream and hey simon...takes only seconds!

I went on an excursion from your link to Brians and finally got back. Original and by me. There is no other me so if someone were to meet me and thought I'd look and act like a ghost series...it ain't happening.

Best I just be up front and honest.

I like the blog concept because it is supposed to be pure..I realize as this thing gets bigger, there will be more of a push to have more punched up and dynamic presentation. I like the fact that there are tools to make these blogs interesting, but some go from blog to actual Madison Ave theatrics. As long as a great thought or idea is being shared, then who cares. Some people who are newer to blogging will be intimidated becasue they don't know how to compete in the new graphical / html format of blogging.

So I looks on google, and wouldn't you know it, for $$$$ you can have all this stuff done for you. I have stated here before that I came here to learn more about the RE profession, and I am. I just hope the pressure to have fancy perfect bloggs does not hold back knowegeable people who now will choose not to participate. Here is my one in 52,000 vote to make attempts to keep it simpler, and maintain the constant flow of new ideas..... PS I will do a new more casual, normal photo soon.............Mike Norvell Sr

I think consumers can and will l figure out the difference between real blogs written by real people and those that are ghost-written.. I also think ghost written blogs may backfire.. consumers are tired of feeling mislead by the real estate community.. someone who wants to know about their local neighborhood is going to be disappointed to find out that the person writing as the neighborhood expert is some guy in India..

Like Sally... I write all my own stuff, make my own graphs and know my area... that's what consumers want.. I hope..

Like others I am much in favor of blogs that are not ghost written. To me that defeats the purpose of the blog, adn it becomes more like a newspaper artcile written by some journalist. I think Kaye's point is well taken. Unless you make it clear that the article is NOT by you then it could be perceived as being deceptive. Some consumers may not care, but many will.

Jeff

My broker started a blog a few months ago. It's somewhat informative but it's sterile. It's professionally written and boring. But a broker's blog can't be personal in the way an agent's blog can. I would expect the ghost written blogs to be sterile as well. Sure hope they don't take up residence here on AR.

For those that say they might consider a ghost written article (from Brian's post), because they aren't good at composing, aren't they worried that their clients will learn that they "cheated" when they try to carry on a conversation with the client? If they speak different from the way their blogs 'read', what will their client think?

Your analogy with the 'old photo' is right on! Deception is never a good thing.

Ghost writing is deceptive. I might be wrong, but to me blogging is about my perspective and thoughts, whether personal or business related. I can't imagine meeting a client who set an appointment with me based on what they read, and then them realizing the writing and the person don't go together. Very misleading!

I would rather not blog than use a ghost writer.

Rich, I love your analogy of Roxanne and the ghost writer. A little trivia here, Roxanne is based on the play written by French poet Edmond Rostand about the life of Cyrano de Bergerac. Cyrano was in love with the beautiful Roxanne who he wooed with his writing. Cyrano was very unattractive.

But, I do love Photoshop no matter when the pics were taken.

Great post.

Interesting points, Rich. I agree with the comments above about not wanting to have "sterile" blogs...BORING and I would never subscribe.

As for pictures, mine was taken in a bar and I cropped out one of my friends...LOL sshh..don't tell anyone

Rich,

Hmmm...my picture is only 18 months old, but my hair is a different color and longer. I guess a client might wonder where's the gal in the picture.

I guess my picture is true to life because I often have people stop me trying to figure out where they know me- often ends up it is from my advertising. Hopefully one day soon it will be because they all read my blog. Brian Brady's post was interesting. If someone wants to post articles on their own blog that they don't write- they can go for it- just don't expect me to come back because I want to see original content and real people.

As blogging gets to be known as a very worthwhile way to generate business, there will be a demand for ghost written material by people who don't want to do it themselves. It may work, but I doubt it will be as personal or effective as someone who does it the "old fashioned" way.

OCT

2007

Rich - I couldn't agree more with you. I don't think ghostwritten content is ever the way to go, especially if you meet with readers in person later. As for my own profile photo, it was taken this year, so I pretty much look like that, but slightly thinner in person now. My business card photo does need updating soon, however. I liked this post so much that I became a new subscriber to your blog! I gave it a "5" for this well-deserved feature.

Weird to be on the 'receiving' end of a Gold Star for a change. Thanks, Bob, Jon, or whoever!

It would appear that the majority doesn't much support the idea of ghost written articles being posted here on AR.

Question: In what instances or applications/industries would you feel ghost written articles would be appropriate?

I don't know about the picture but I agree that you should write your own blog. Ghost written leaves you exposed if you aren't familiar with the post that you allegedly wrote.

Jason - thanks for subscribing to my blog and for the favorable rating. I am always truly honored when people actually enjoy something I write, especially if they discover something new to apply to their own lives or business. Thanks for stopping by!

What you see is what you get...... That's me, in a picture, in real life, all the time. It's just too exhausting to be anything but myself!

Nancy - well said. To Thine own self and blog be true!

Like I said on Brian's post. If you are going to use ghost written article are you going to send a ghost agent? I think updating the photos are important as well. One man, a very experienced agent, had just switched to my office and walked into the meeting. I had no idea who he was. He looked about 20 years younger on his card! Ditto on the top female agent in my area. The only reason I can recognize her is the big hair. I don't photoshop my photo but dang it I do know the right angle to be photographed from and I will use it! My motto "Shoot from above and from the left".

I was a semi-ghost writer for Micky (Charles Micoletti) this week. Does that count? He's in Iraq, they're on the move and he can't really post right now. I asked for permission to turn him pink and asked if I could post and write about some pictures he sent me while I was in there. I wrote at the top that it was me.

And I'd like a definition of "ghostwriter" because I thought it was one person writing for another, not some service where anyone could go buy the same articles. "Ghostwriter" to me says that although you didn't write it, it won't be duplicate content. Am I wrong??

Someone in my office was bragging about how she'll get 1 person from title, 1 person from each lender, 1 person from each blabity-bla per week to write an article for her. I thought, why?

We've found that the easier softer way usually doesn't work for much of anything. Nobody can write "Rich", but Rich, and that's that. And doing biz with Rich is what you're ultimately selling. It's your service, integrity and personality, of course, that are the features and benefits of doing biz with you, and who can be you better than you. We think nobody, and we also think using a ghostwriter is therefore either lazy, as in "I don't feel like working that hard", or arrogant as in "I don't have enough time because I'm too busy and important."

There are no shortcuts to client care... or being ourselves.

Rich,

I think you just made excellent points, and this seems to be a relevant subject right now, and Sarah, I don't think that you helping Micky is Really Ghost Writing. If it were up to me, I would say it's Okay :0)

Tom Weiss

wow, I know this is an important issue. And I have this big empty comment box...

Hey, Rich, if I shoot you a nickel, will you fill in a comment that shows what a dedicated, knowledgable and caring feller I am?

One that reveals my inner peace and sensitivity?

A comment that makes me 20 years younger, 20 pounds lighter, and lowers my bad cholesterol 20 points?

While you're at it, will you steal a few good photos and cut and paste them in to show my computer skills?

Great! Thanks a bunch!

And thanks for the link to Brian's post and the ensuing regrettable community wrangle.

You can bet there are plenty right here that people are not aware of. Photos? I met a women who I had seen her photo and when she met me in person she looked as if she was totally different...color of her hair the actual style...and the weight was a change as well. No Airbrushing here:)

Rich...

I think the ghost written articles have their place in Blogdom.

As AR awards points for content it doesn't seem fair for the Bloggers here to receive points for non original content.

AR is just not the place for the ghost writers. Boo :)

TLW...ROAR!

Love it! I've added a few more wrinkles to my face since my photo was taken a year ago, so my next "updated" picture will obviously show that. I don't mind that one bit. I'm me. Wrinkles and all. I also don't want my articles ghost written for that very reason. I want people to "see" me and build a relationship with me, not someone I've hired to write for me.

I like blogging in the purists form. Typos and all. We need some personality in real estate.

Rich - There's an agent in my town who is probably one of the most productive I've ever seen and, yet when I met her I didn't know who she was. Her picture is at LEAST 20 years old and even then I don't believe it looked like her. As far as ghost writing goes...why?? Just put yourself out there warts and all! It's like telling a lie and if a potential client meets you they won't know you.

Rich - I always wondered about these pictures - for many agents they don't change for decades. I just read recently(may be in WSJ) about an agency in California hiring a talented 16 year old to write their blog, and what a great success it was. I wonder how surprised the potential clients would be when they meet someone much older. We don't even talk like the kids do today. Unless this writing is like an editorial in the paper, and the idea is to get people "in the door" of the agency and the agents will take it from there.

Realty Times has been a leader for ghost written articles for quite some time. If someone wants to create a personal blog, more power to em. There really isn't a place for ghost written articles on active rain as this is a social network also.

Rich,

I agree. I do not see where ghost writing is a good option in the real estate or any kind of sales blog. I want my readers and future clients to know me, my company our views in our words. I guess some may be just trying to cut corners but some things are worth the investment.

Thanks for making me aware of this topic and Brians as well.

Rich:

This subject is a fascinating one.

I think a website, much like a brochure, describes a product, business or cause. Authorship is rarely revealed because nobody really cares--or participates with the site.

A blog, on the other hand, is more akin to a publicly revealed ongoing diary or journal. I expect authenticity from the author and feel cheated is it is canned content, and duped if it is ghost written. If others are going to write on your blog, give the author credit.

Search engines will still spider the site and good SEO still wins. Nothing is lost--and credibility is gained. Clients will appreciate that you attract good writers to your blog (think Bloodhound Blog, Rain City Guide and others).

A "ghosted" blog that is written by other(s), yet attributed to the agent(s), is maybe worse than a 20-year-old glamor shot. It is more akin to putting someone else's photo on your card and claiming to be that person.

My recommendations for both:

Bad photos: Hire a professional photographer who understands lighting.

Bad bloggers: Hire an editor or coach. Or attract good authors to your site.

Thanks Rich (and Brian) for stimulating lots of discussion!

Rich, I whole-heartedly agree on all counts. Photos need to reflect who we are and the essence of blogging, both personal and professional, is to share our own thoughts and opinions, what we know and enable potential clients to get to know us. My blog clients always say they chose me because they got to know me and I am the kind of agent with whom they want to work. Ghost writing defeats all that makes blogging meaningful!

I went to the signing table of a client I had never met in person (a very busy business owner) He walked into the room and immediately asked..who are you?

Although the picture on my business card was only a year old, my hair in the picture was short, and showing some natural gray hair (which I had eventually colored).... I was 10 pounds heavier in the picture, which didn't seem llike a big deal (127 down to 117) I thought I looked the same, but obviously I looked like a whole different person.

I immediately had another picture taken. I agree that a picture should be taken often (especially women) and look like the current version of you. Important for bloggers because this is the vision of you that is implanted in the brain of your reader.

TG people do think I look like my picture, but I have to confess that I change hair styles a lot and so have to change my picture too - and for those ghost writers, I've also thought the same thing.

If you are supposed to let your personality through in your blog posts, who would the client meet? They could be doubly disappointed....no glamor shot and no personality. I personally think it's a risk and does defeat the whole transparency factor of blogging.

Good post and very inspiring for anyone that is experiencing blog block.

Rich, isn't this amazing? We have time to write and critically think now.

Believe it or not, I do see the benefit to ghost-written articles to enhance the demands of running a quality weblog. It's a matter of leverage. If a practitioner can leverage the marketing aspect of his/her business to spend time on the highest dollar productive activities, then let them.

Having said that, I believe it shouldn't be rewarded on Active Rain. What will define the future of this network if the quality user generated content.

Should busy agents use services like Bring the Blog rather than write? No..unless...they can't write or choose not to commit the time to a quality product. I think it will be mandatory for agents to have a weblog in 2008 if they want to be "in the game"; kind of like we all "had to have" websites in 2000.

Philosophically, I'm a purist but pragmatically, I see the value to a "blog in a box" as a way to leverage technology to the user's advantage.

Mike Jaquish wins the award for the most humorous comment (see above)

I get comments all of the time from buyers.... they say stuff like: "they didn't look anything like their picture".

I think the clients tone was enough for me to read into the conversation that they were less than impressed by the glamour shot

Rich, you asked in what industry might ghost writing be acceptable. Occasionally, one of the Today Show celebs will say something about their blog. I seriously doubt that Matt Lauer is sitting there blogging, and would expect his blog to be written by an intern. But that's totally different than what my expectations would be for a real estate agent. I can't think a potential client would be a regular reader if all that was posted came from a subscribed service. It would be no different than reading Realtor.com or Realty Times. Fake, fake, fake.

I confess ... The Murph ghost writes all my posts.

Wow, some really excellent comments and dialogue! Let me get things rolling this morning, and I'll come back in a bit for some responses. Thanks to everyone for your input here....

Mike Jaquish is honored beyond description. Needs ghostwriter to describe the glow!

"Mike Jaquish wins the award for the most humorous comment (see above) "

Brian - yes, it feels extremely strange, and yet wonderfully freeing! Nice to not have to pull any punches anymore....

I would agree with your points, albeit reluctantly. I think you're a realist. If the purpose is to contribute fresh, relevant content, and increase site ranking, I get that. I would imagine that we'll see (they're probably out there already), companies that provide complete writing/comenting services. Blogsite management. Not only do they construct the domain, but they post articles, respond to comments, and manage leads.

Rich,

I have always thought that the way we speak and write is a mirror image of our personality. And you are correct in some businesses ghost writing would work, but in our type of business, we really are trying to build trust with people who we plan on having a relationship for a long period of time. Remember we are in a "People" business.

Bravo Rich!

Yes, this needs to be said but like everything else, it's a big world out there and there's something for everyone in every venue. If someone wants to pay a VA and has the funds to do it, suppose nobody can stop that from happening. Buyer beware, as the saying goes! Thanks for writing another quality post!

Lisa

Oh Rich, You are so darn popular here in the Rain that there were already 52 comments by the time I was able to comment. That in itself says something about your premise being a good one. Yes, people like what you have to say and how you say it so when you "speak" they are ready to listen. I know a few of those commenting have stated they don't mind spelling and grammatical errors from a blogger as long as they know the post is from the heart. Welllllll, there may be some members of the general public who feel that way too. But I dare say that if folks come to us for information they don't want to spend time trying to figure out what the heck we are saying.

Our daughter is taking a college course concerning website development. The text for the course is titled, Don't Make Me Think. The thrust of the book is that when a consumer is searching for information they will only spend moments before moving on if the information is not easy, easy, easy to find and access. Surely the same must be true for our posts.

Since I recently discovered what blogging is I've been trying to learn everything I can about how to put a blog together and how to make a blog log that will be interesting for potential clients. One of the thoughts I had early on was that if I were looking for a _________________ (real estate agent, home stager, mortgage professional, whomever) there are certain people I would not even consider because they don't seem to be able to put one thought after another, they can't spell, they don't know the basics of sentence structure, and on and on. (I'm not talking about intentional misspellings or grammatical whimsy -- which certainly has its place in any writing.) Worse yet, I've seen some people who are trying so hard to impress others that they say things about themselves in their blogs which simply stretch the imagination. Stretch the imagination so far one is left wondering if the author is stupid or he assumes the reader is stupid enough to believe his flights of fancy.

Here is my dilemma concerning that sort of writing -- Is that good for me because it will drive the consumer to my door? Or, is that sort of writing reflecting poorly on the entire industry?

So --- having said all that, I think that a GOOD ghost blogger may be the answer for some persons who want to be able to convey their abilities within their chosen field but are not adept with the sometimes difficult task of writing. A GOOD ghost writer should be able to learn the "voice" of their client and help their client achieve success in the blogasphere. (Oops is "blogashpere" a made-up word?) The problem Steve Martin had was he wrote in his own voice. He was, after all, in love with his audience. A GOOD ghost blogger will allow his client's love of his client's audience to shine through.

Rich, good analogy. I know that I am always shocked when meeting a Realtor who continues to use a photo from years past...and twenty pounds ago. I have to interject here...Jeff Turner thinks I look younger than my photo...and I'll always be eternally grateful!!

Although it's not against the law to ghost write, as a reader without being told up front, I would be put off. To me, it's just another dent into the consumer's lack of confidence and trust of Realtors. Personally, I would never do it. I think my readers and the consumer want honesty and that's what I'm about...so that's what I give.

You have very good points. Why are some agents so afraid to be themselves?

No photos here for me as I'm posting for my office. :) I do have an agent photo that I had taken when I first started selling with Windermere in Westport, WA. To this day, it is still my best picture. Except for the glasses. I've since started wearing contacts. My writing is also my own. Why pay for something that I can do myself. Good points Rich.

PS. Rock Chalk Jayhawk. :) from a fellow ex-Kansan

I would love to hire a ghost writer, but I can't find anybody that writes as crappy as I do:-)

Hey Rich - I've often wondered about those pictures that look absolutely nothing like the real person. I've had clients tell me that I look just like my pictures, which I guess is a good thing even though I know I need new picturess. I guess I just don't change my looks all that much.

I've got friends here in my area that have their pics all over their signs, ads, business cards, flyers, etc., and no one who doesn't already know them would have any clue that's who they really are. What's the point in that? When I go to the door or meet someone who's already seen pictures of me, I want them to know it's me when I arrive.

Ann

Jason Sardi takes a close 2nd Place in the Humorous Comment Category....(see just above)

Yvonne - a wonderfully and very thorougn response. But how many ghost writers will realistically take the time to learn about their blog client, enough so that they can capture the essence of their unique personality and perspective? I highly doubt such a thing ever occurs.

I guess my basic stance is that if you are going to pay for a ghost writer to contribute to your blog, why have a blogsite in the first place? Invest your money in other marketing efforts. Pay someone to create a really top notch highly searched website instead....

I always get a chuckle out of some of the agent photos that look like they came out of the high school yearbook. Additionally, I wonder what the client must think when they meet the agent for the first time. I have my promotional photos taken every three or four years. Karen

Ha ha...there's one agent in our area who uses a photo from 20 years ago! I'm sure she always shocks them when she walks through the door...

My hair is alternately curly and straight though, I'm sure that throws people sometimes. But it's all natural and I can't swap out two pictures on a daily basis! LOL!

As for blogs, my mom asked me where I got my blogs! I told her I write them all myself! She was very impressed. I think everyone should write their own stuff, I don't get the point of a ghostwriter.

Rich, I think you are right. I think. I'm not totally swayed as yet. I myself have said that some people certainly shouldn't blog because they do more harm than good. I always follow that thought with this one -- they should find a different way to market. Yet, there still exists the possibility that a well chosen and good ghost writer could pull it off. Gosh, it is done all the time with books. Why not blogs? Here is part of the equation which hasn't been touched on yet. It harkens to the chicken and egg question. Which came first the good blogger or the excellent real estate agent? Oh man, I'm off to write one of my blogs. Either that or I'm off to write a blog for Yvonne. :)

OCT

2007

Rich, I hope to never "dumbfound" anybody! Neither with a picture nor with my blogging persona. That said, it could be possible that both a ghost writer and the agent are simultaneously equally a certain way, such as eccentric. In that case, perhaps a client wouldn't notice the discontinuity...

Sara. You'd be made in a heartbeat. Nobody could capture your spirit in a ghost-written article.

Rich, Ghost writers in my opinion can't capture the essence of a person. And in my humble opinion, I consider ghost writing deceitful unless and until the author is so published. I would feel duped and never wish to read that person's articles again. Just that simple.

I guess I would want to ask the person paying for this...why bother? Find some other avenue to waste your money on.

I agree that blogs should be original - maybe we should have two AR's one for the hardworking folks -- one for the ghosts!

I agree that some agents are not as proficient in the writing category as others; however, if you name and picture is pasted on the blog you better know the content.

MY photo

I was in my neighborhood, farming along, inviting my neighbors to an open house and came to my buddy, who has a new surveillence camera by his front door. Since they were not home, I put my gorgeous mug up to his camera. I also put the open house invitation so they could see it.

Well he sent me the photo of my gorgeous face (I've trimmed the whiskers, didn't like them). It is now on AR. This is for fun, building realtor relationships and getting my opinion out there. My pretty picture is on the website, print marketing, etc. Keep smiling and bloggin,

OCT

2007

Sara - as I had shared on another post, unless the blogger has a 'live-in' ghost writer, I don't see how they could take the time to really learn and capture a person's essence enough to convey it in writing. I think today's consumers are pretty savvy. They would spot the discontinuity a mile away...unless it was all "ghost"

Cheating both, glamour shots and ghost-written blogs. If you cannot be real about yourself, in image and content, then why would anyone want to work with you and trust what you have to say?

JAN

2009

You are soooo RIGHT! I know there are some people who have staff "write their" blog. I like you feel this is wrong. It is classic "bait and switch". You read something and think you "know" the person, and then find out that is not who your dealing with. This is a sad reflection of our times.

Betina

Betina: It works in some industries. I just don't think it's appropriate in real estate, such it's such a highly relational business.

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Silverdale, WA

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Keller Williams West Sound Realty

Address: Silverdale, WA, 98383

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Providing Knowledgeable Empowerment and Relentless Representation of Real Estate Clients throughtout the Western Puget Sound, including all of Kitsap County WA, and portions of Mason, Pierce, and Jefferson Counties.

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