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There was a members only post today that discussed agents who use someone else to write and submit blog posts for them.
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68 Comments on The Father...The Son...And the Holy Ghost Writer...Shouldn't Pre-Judge
Hi Barbara. Who cares who writes who's blog or manages someone's web site or creates content for someones direct marketing or makes initial calls? It is their business. I have enough trouble minding my own. Nice discussion.
Barbara, I agree - not everyone has something useful to contribute in a blog. If a ghost writer has something valuable to contribute, that's fine. Otherwise, generic pap just clutters up the blogosphere. On a parallel note, uninformed citizens shouldn't be encouraged to vote, thereby cancelling out the votes of informed citizens who have been paying attention to the issues.
Barbara, perhaps blogging is only about SEO to some people...those writing or ghost writing. Those doing the reading however and perhaps making a decision on who to work with based on personality that usually shines through someone's writing will be decidedly disappointed when they discover in initial emails with that person that they can't spell or punctuate worth a flip.
Personally? I could care less if someone chooses to hide behind pay to pretend they have an education, in my opinion though, I think it should be disclosed. If I chose to work with someone based on information and personality that I connected with when reading someone's blog and then discovered it had never been them writing it???? I would feel cheated and deceived. Remember Russel Ray? Banned from AR? Slippery slope...but then, that's just me. EXCELLENT TOPIC for discussion, I respect everyone else's opinion even if I don't share them.
Mona.... Russel Ray created a person....not just posts....a person....that's different...the point here is that there are people for hire to assist with writing...the thoughts could still be yours...the creation is by another....but the blog is yours and you're a real person....
I am all about freedom of the choice to handle one's business in a way that makes sense for them. A ghost blog on payroll is better than putting out blogs with typos and poor grammar. People also have the choice to reblog, although I doubt that would bring clients in....and I am assuming the original author is credited. But plagiarism is wrong. Good post about freedom!
I'm curious if ghost writers bring in more business for agents. I really don't have a strong opinion on this, except that I want to write my own posts and do, and I don't have a problem if someone hires a ghost writer. To each his own.
Barbara-This is a great topic and is one that has been discussed at great length over the years. While I personally wouldn't hire anyone to write my material I don't have a problem if someone hires a ghost writer. It might be better if it was noted it was someone else doing the writing like a asst but there again it is up to the person whose blog it is. If you are into building relationships with people then ghost writing isn't ideal.
Barbara - came here from Lenn's reblog.
Here is what i left as comment:
I do not see any problem using ghost writers. I also do not understand why agents using them should not be writing in the first person. They pay for it, and now it is their stuff.
Blog can be purchased like any other product or service, and then it becomes yours.
But taking points for it is wrong, and this is the reason there is a checkbox. you can post, but not claimn points. Simple concept.
I cannot believe that someone would employ a ghost writer here or on any site! It would not have ever occurred to me! Of course, it never occurred to me to buy term papers when I was in school, so the concept is foreign to me!
Jay....there are people who are exceptional writers and know SEO inside and out.... just as there are other people who are better qualified to do specific jobs better than others.... car mechanics....plumbers.... framers.... when I was in college I made money by typing papers....I could type faster than I could talk.... and I'll admit, I've recently written a few political science papers for no charge....just to help the husband of a fellow real estate agent.... I enjoyed it!!!
Mona in #52: I totally agree with you. If it has their name on it... it should be their creation. I remember years ago the group Milli Vanilli... two guys... who had a big hit that shot way up the "charts..." and then it came out that it really wasn't them doing the singing.
The music world, and the listening public, jumped all over them... and they should have.
I fully agree with you, Mona. Trust... is very important in doing business.
If someone writes a blog... a series of blog posts... and in doing so allows the "reading world" to believe it is that person who is talking... they are cheating... and misleading those who read their blog.
And... here's the big deal. If I contract for your services believing that it was "YOU" that I was buying... and then find out later that "you" hired someone else to do that writing... and the "real" you is quite different... well, I am sorry, but... to use language that I rarely if ever use on AR... boy, am I gonna be pissed!
The ability to be able to trust that someone really IS who they present themselves as being... is pretty critical, here.
Barbara... the examples you used in #60 are a little different. If I need plumbing or framing or my oil changed, and the guy who did the work was named Frank, but said his name was Herb... who cares? But if I am relying on someone's reputation they got from their blogging, and it turns out it was not really them... I will not be very happy.
I disagree with you on this one Barbara. I'm NOT a writer. I know my blog has grammar errors and LOTS of run on sentences. But when people call and tell me they've been reading my "stuff" and then I work with them in person, the know exactly what to expect. Most of them ask me about My Donald and my pets. I am now getting referrals from people who found me via my blog posts over the past 3 years.
Typing papers is one thing. Writing them for sale is another!
And when you write papers for someone else, do you really help them?
That's daddyspeak.
Interesting suggestion. But hey, if you can give a job to someone else so they can do what THEY love while you don't have to worry about it, by all means! Thank you for sharing. Interesting title drew me in instantly.
Hi, Barbara. As someone who struggles with the much-needed consistency of blogging, I can certainly see the value of having a 'ghost writer'. Live and let live!
I know many agents who have their assistants do the blogging for them and I don't see any problem with that as they are an integral part of the team.
Barbara, I did a huge fist pump with your remark about Google juice being the primary reason for blogging. Thank you!
I understand that some agents want to do their own writing and I applaud that. I've seen some really great stuff here at Active Rain. But the “time” factor should be considered, in my opinion, and nobody is addressing that. Where is your time better used – sitting at a keyboard for an hour or two, banging out a blog post or networking for, or following up on leads?
I just wrote a column at RealEstate.com about the number one agent in the country. He had some interesting things to say about the value of his time – what he chooses to spend it on and what he chooses to delegate to specialists. Considering he made more money than any other agent in the country last year, his opinions might be valid for those in the business to make money. He simply does not perform any actions that don't directly contribute to his finances.
Consider as well a recent study of homebuyers, conducted by Movoto. “We thought homebuyers would want to know the person who will help them make the biggest purchase of their lives? As it turns out, not really. . .homebuyers don’t shop for an agent.” They even go on to say that buyers don’t care if a seeing eye dog shows them a house. . .they just want IN. So, how important is it, again, that your personality shines through on those blog posts?
Interestingly, another tidbit from the study is that if agents don’t respond quickly and aren’t ready to show property on the client’s schedule, they’re kicked to the curb. So, while you’re busy penning your latest, greatest blog post, is your phone going unanswered and your emails unread?
This is an interesting topic, Barbara and I love reading everyone’s answers.
Barbara: I've been online reading several posts regarding ghost writers. I think you make excellent points as to why it is alright. I for one spends hours trying to write a simple post about anything. I would much rather spend time prospecting and letting someone else do what they are good at.