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

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

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. :) 

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,

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?

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