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You Can't Sell "ME"

Its seems the more I put myself out there they more people are finding me. Blogging has been good to me, I can't complain about the number of consumers who have told me they have read my blog.

But there is a downside to everything...sales calls! It seems the majority of these calls are from companies trying to sell me leads or referrals. But the call today was different and its too bad I missed the call because I could have had a lot of fun with this one!

The voice mail message was from a very friendly sounding man offering to write my blog for me! He could help me get my blog out there and one of the benefits was that he was local in Boston...close enough.Anyway, he was willing to write my blog posts for me for a very small price...I dont think sooo!

Now I have heard about ghost writers, but don't know of anyone who uses one. I deleted the message, but now its really bugging me! I can't remember the entire message but now I'm wondering who or how many bloggers he writes for..... ;)

I guess what bugs me the most about this is why would I want anyone else to write my blog for me? Besides the fact that I can write it myself for free. I know I could benefit from writing more consistently. But my writing is what makes this my blog, its me just being me.

Then I'm thinking what if my ghost writer were to bring me more business...would consumers notice that it wasn't me? Of course they would because you get a feeling from a writer who writes from the heart!

The bottom line for me its up to me to write, nobody else is going to say it like me, feel it like me or experience it like me.

Posted by Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate on 10/25/2008 11:12 AM

Comments (43)

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43 Comments on You Can't Sell "ME"

OCT

2008

I love the ones that say they want to put me on the first page of google. I used to tell them I already am....on many key words...but they'd start arguing with me...Now I just quietly hit the end key :)

Hi Sally,

Some of them are pretty persistent and don't take no for an answer. I guess everybody needs to earn a living. :)

I have a lot of people calling trying to sell me everything... leads, websites, marketing to name a few. But I have never had anyone call about writing my blog!

Suzanne- I remember getting into this discussion with an AR member that uses one. He thinks they're great and his rationale is "All the Best Bloggers use them"....he says he doesn't have time to write, and the Ghost Blogger does all the material to look Professional. Ummmmmmm I didn't like it when he said it, and I don't like it now.

It reminds me of a Franchise Newsletter, or one of those websites that everyone has the same answers to the same questions....and you can get the weather, Market Reports etc. Everything BUT a peek into the person that is writing. That other Blogger defends it to death, and I was always curious why AR that says they want original content allows Ghost Writing?

It is a way to get your name and Blog out there.....but now we're talking personal integrity vs exposure and a dollar. If you write in big bold font every time that this isn't your material, and you didn't have anything to do with writing it, then I guess it's transparent. But if you allow Social Media readers, and the consumer to believe you wrote the thing....well to me that is wrong. Good or Bad I am who I am.....and I write when I can.

Suzanne... There are plenty of people that post canned crap and some of it looks pretty good. Unfortuantely many consumers that land on their page won't realize they are not the brains behind the written word.

I write my own posts as well but do know that not everyone does. I'd rather it be me talking on my blogs!!!

Hi Suzanne - Glad you got my message..my fee was going to be very nominal - just kidding - LOL

Hi Shirley,

It was a first for me too, I get so many sales calls but never one like this. :)

Hi Kathy,

I think I would be disappointed if some of my favorite writers turned out to be fake. I like getting to know the person behind the blog.Now that would be a good way to get additional exposure, but I think if you work hard on your blog it will get noticed. I'm with you my friend, don't like it! :)

Hi Dan,

Not at first but eventually I think they would be found out...what if a business connection is made and they meet? Now they don't sound like their blog. :)

Hi Monika,

Of course it is... your personality shines right through in your writing! :)

Hi Bill,

Is that really you..... ;) I think I will just re-blog you!!!

The sales calls do get very tiring. I'm one of the few in Kansas City using AR so some weeks it feels like these lead referral people are completely focused on me. Very frustrating.

Suzanne, I think the blogs lose something when someone else writes them. I know I am not a poet, but if you meet me, what you read is what you get.

Hi Justin,

Sometimes I get the same ones everyday, it does get tiring. :)

Hi Audrey,

I would think you would lose the personal touch....btw, I do feel like you would be the same if I met you in person. :)

Hey Girl! How the heck are you! Anyone who reads my posts know darn well I write them myself. No professional writer would write the junk I do. lol

I agree with you, you might blog more consistently with a hired gun, but then it wouldn't be you. We love reading you!

Hi Sandra,

You don't give your self enough credit...heck I would re-blog you too! LOL!

Thanks your the best! :)

Set him up on Wordpress and see what he can do! LOL I haven't had one stop in here yet.

Hi Lizette,

Now thats an idea...not! LOL! :)

OCT

2008

Wow - that is interesting - a ghost writer... what is the world coming to. I have not heard that before but it is not too suprising. I have heard of others here who have their assistants post all their listings on their blog and thus, really do not add any content or comments but rack up the points. I guess a ghost writer would allow one to have more content but would take away from the personality, the soul, the essence... So even blog writers can sell out !!! LOL.

I concur with your decision 150 percent ! You cannot sell me either : ) ~ Chris

We get tons of calls from vendors wanting to extract money from us so they can make us millions. These calls are no different than the emails we get from people in far away places that have inherited millions and want to share it with them if we just do a few simple things. The bottom line is that those offers to place us at the top of a search engine list will not work; they require exact phrasing to even get there. Of course, if someone uses an "exact phrase" in their search they will get you anyway.... and the beat goes on. As far as "ghost writing experts" go, I can't see the value in using one. Our blogs are exactly that; they are ours. We are often identified by what we write and how we write it. The simple rule is just be yourself; people will recognize you by that.

Hi Chris,

I would be okay having an assistant post listings, I think its no more than placing an ad. But writing my blog is a whole different story. :)

Hi Jon,

I forgot to mention all the e-mail's we get, sometimes I can't tell if there real or not. But I really do believe that people do identify with us by what we write. Thanks for your comment! :)

I too get a a ton of sales calls, that is one of the downsides of this business. But at least someone thinks what you do is worth their time to call, so I take it all with a grain of salt.

Hi Dale,

Thats a very good point and of course it is to be expected in this business. Thanks for stopping in! :)

oh my gosh - that is too funny - at least they knew you were a blogger and not just another sucker agent

OCT

2008

Hi Thesa,

Yes they knew, but i'm thinking they must have thought I needed some extra help! LOL! :)

OCT

2008

Please not the dreaded re-blog:)

NOV

2008

I've had a lot of calls recently too - -but not one asking if they could write a blog for me. It's probably coming -- there have been so many solicitations on how to get rich in this market! I definitely agree with many of your points and the comments as well. Seems like if we want others to get to know us --the real me -- it can't be done by another! Seems dishonest to me, and certainly not authentic!

Bill- ;)

Hi Alexsandra- nice to see you! It's nice to see real people writing their own blogs, I believe that makes a difference. :)

Hi Suzanne - I haven't had a call, but several emails about the same - people wanting to 'improve' MY material. Well I know there are internet 'writers' for hire; some people can't write, but I think that's not the case for most on AR.

You can't sell me!

Hi Deborah,

How are you? Lean times for many have to find ways to earn $$$! :) Nice to see you!!!

NOV

2008

Hello again Suzanne - I am terrific - thanks! I spent summer very near you in Atlantic Canada. Yes I do understand people are trying to find every which way they can.

NOV

2008

Ghost blogging is a booming business and really doesn't require much depending on what the blogger wants. I could never hire one because I just have too much to say about everything -- LOL. However, if all one is doing is posting hundreds of listings on, say, 20 blogging sites, a ghost blogger is just an administrative assistant who understands how to blog on all the various sites. I have no problem with it; in fact, it might be a good profession to complement my current services since I do write web and marketing content for my Clients. I'm always looking into new things that I can charge for to help increase the balance in my bank account.

NOV

2008

Suzanne, there is only one "us," and "we" are speaking to our future clients. ;-) Good to stop by, and good post...lots of those calls I suspect to each of us. ;-(

DEC

Suzanne, I think some people definitely have ghost writers. They can't possibly have the time to do what they're doing and still have a life :) I'm not sure WHY they do it--for business I guess but I want to be found because it's ME.

DEC

Suzanne ~ just wanted to stop and say "Hi" and that you're missed. Hope you are doing well.

DEC

High Suzan. Ill right yer blogge four ewe two! Reel cheep! Verry Perfeshenal. :-)

DEC

Great blog and i feel the buyers or sellers connect with the blogger and then decide to use them as an agent...once they meet you and realize your not the person who writes the blogs, there most likely to not use you as there agent...

DEC

Hi Suzanne: I couldn't agree with you more. Happy Holidays to you. I hope you have a great 2009.pedala

DEC

Okay Suzanne, where have you been? Where are you? Did you leave us? Come back, we miss you. ;-)

Suzanne I wrote a blog similiar to what what are talking about early this year SOMEONE BLOGGING FOR YOU. ISN'T THAT CHEATING?. Like you said,when you write people are not going to feel it like you or say it like you. Have a Happy New Year. Come to back blog soon to write another great post Suzanne. We miss you.

JAN

Ghost writers for blogs? They didn't cover that in ethics class...Keep doing your thing, Suzanne. Maybe after I get over 100,000 points I'll get to turn away ghost writers! Good job!

JAN

Hi Guys,

Sorry this one got away from me, I'm doing fine. Thanks for the kind words and I missed you all! :)

FEB

Dear Suzanne,

I really don't know about getting calls. I haven't.

I have had solicitation emails. These guys are looking for business, just like us!

I don't respond, unless I am interested, but I certainly can't fault them for trying!

Barbara

NOV

☼ HELLO SUZANNE ☼ It's been awhile but I was curious HOW you're doing and if you're still doing your exercise/weight loss thing. So much has changed since I signed "off" of AR...how the heck are you??? I've actually followed Dan to some degree into the running field - lots of changes down here in Sunny FL!

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