Special offer

Realtor Magazine Posts A Blog About My Blog....

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Compass 0524642

Over the weekend I posted a blog about Ghost Writing and how I feel it is unethical in many different ways.

There were a ton of heated opinions, and even some tempered remarks; which included myself. I'm so grateful to have had such a heated debate, really. I know that sounds like lip service, but I seriously think the more we debate and air each others thougths out, the more we can learn as an industry.

I don't think it mattered what side of the fence you were on because you can be either right or wrong, depending on what transpires and how it is portratyed in a ghost written blog.

My favorite comment was about Active Rain members essentially BUYING points by paying for a ghost blogger. Then there was the comment about Realtors paying a person to TWEET and even UPDATE their FB account on their behalf. Funny how these companies are using the same tweets, Facebook comments and blog posts for MULTIPLE Realtors! Talk about lousy Google Juice!

Take a look at the link below. Todd Carpenter with the National Association of Realtors posted it earlier today. I have since contacted a few other sources for their input on the matter as well. Again, thanks for all of your contributions.

http://speakingofrealestate.blogs.realtor.org/2010/06/07/a-real-estate-pros-guide-to-buying-borrowing-and-stealing-other-peoples-content/

Posted by
Greg Nino
Realtor
RE/MAX Compass 
Direct & Text 7 days a wk: 832-298-8555 
 
 
Realtor since 2004
Mediator & Arbitrator for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Member of the Professional Standards Committee for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Arbitrator for the Comptroller's office for the State of TX for Arbitration of Property Tax Values

 Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Platinum Club

 

The information contained in this blog is believed to be reliable and while every effort is made to assure that the information is as accurate as possible, the author of this blog, and its comments disclaim any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. All information is copywritten and the property of Greg Nino.  

Comments(12)

Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Well, it is nice to know that the conversation went viral. One thing I would question: if affiliates are allowed to co-brand newsletters with your name on it (not your text), how different is that from ghost writing?

Jun 07, 2010 01:07 PM
David Obbee
Obbee.com - Agoura Hills, CA

Greg: Interesting issue, and I'm glad to see the conversation continue.  Based on that article, it seems like it would not be an ethics violation to use a ghhostwriter unless the ghostwriter stole someone else's content... although it's still not an apparently popular concept.

Jun 07, 2010 01:11 PM
Sherry Scales
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Leander, TX
Realtor, for Austin, TX and surrounding areas

You are such a trouble maker.....Keep up the good work!

Jun 07, 2010 01:27 PM
J. Philip Faranda
Howard Hanna Rand Realty - Yorktown Heights, NY
Associate Broker / Office Manager

I don't have a horse in this race because I generate my own content. The following would be my only ghost writing:

Boo. 

Jun 07, 2010 01:47 PM
Scott Carlton
San Diego, CA

Congrats on the exposure. Regardless of how many people agree or disagree, you and your blog are relevant. Nice work.

Jun 07, 2010 01:52 PM
Steve Loynd
Alpine Lakes Real Estate Inc., - Lincoln, NH
800-926-5653, White Mountains NH

Greg, I just wrote a post about all the things I do on line to promote listings for seller/client. I'm working hard and feel put out by people that don't do their own work.

Jun 07, 2010 02:34 PM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Once I read that blog I had to comment there. Blogging is prospecting and everybit a part of each day's business effort. Honeybee Consulting is just making excuses so they get more business. There are places for ghostwriting but it's not in real estate blogging. I don't knw what's wrong with he dude from the magazine, except that they provid information to be used by agents. I'm attaching some songs I had someone else write, play and sing for me. Can you give  me a job in your club? I need $500 up front for the booking fee.

Jun 07, 2010 03:46 PM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

Glenn - You're absolutely right.. she is just making excuses to "make money" off of people. Ghost writing for the  most part is unethical and should be illegal.

Steve - Good for you!

Scott - you know man.. I lost 3 subscribers to my blog. And guess what? I'm glad. Those guys obviously are only concerned about seeing their viewpoint and not being open minded to mine.

lol at J. Philip

Sherry - hee hee

David - thanks for the comment!

Mellissa - Viral? lmao.. good one.

 

Jun 07, 2010 04:05 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Interesting about the Twitter and Facebook. I pay my VA to put the tweets that I choose to post into my Hootsuite but I write all my own tweets and any actual conversations are done by me.I also have my VA clean out my email boxes and facebook boxes and also post my listings on Facebook fan pages and also post my announcements about posts I write on Active Rain on my Facebook wall. Do I need to disclose that too? LOL! 

 

Jun 07, 2010 07:49 PM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

That was SO cool of Todd to write about your post!

Now, for the rest of us who were part of the 220+ comments on Greg's Post about how he thinks that using a ghost writer may be an issue of the COE-

Well, here is Greg taking matters into his own hands -




Ghost Rider - Ghost Riders In The Sky ( Spiderbait - Cage )

Jun 07, 2010 08:38 PM
Evelyn Johnston
Friends & Neighbors Real Estate - Elkhart, IN
The People You Know, Like and Trust!
Greg you are a trouble maker. Every blog I have read of yours proves it. Good for you for stirring the pot! It makes us think and thinking improves business models.
Jun 08, 2010 04:50 AM
Greg Nino
RE/MAX Compass - Houston, TX
Houston, Texas

You're one funny gal Katerina.. I loved the song.. so did the whole office!

Evelyn- it's soooo fun.

Jun 08, 2010 05:10 AM