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The Father...The Son...And the Holy Ghost Writer...Shouldn't Pre-Judge

Reblogger
Real Estate Agent with Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate 303829;0225082372

GHOST WRITERS and OTHER FOLKS WHO EARN A LIVING.

I agree with Barbara completely. . . . . 

HOWEVER. . . . . . .

The member who publishes content on ActiveRain that they have purchased from a Ghost Writer or Copywriter should NOT TAKE THE POINTS.

That's what that button at the bottom where the owner of that blog can simply decline to take the points.

The offense is when the owner of the blog publishes content purchased or received from a Ghost Writer and TAKES THE POINTS.

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Original content by Barbara Todaro 104763

There was a members only post today that discussed agents who use someone else to write and submit blog posts for them.  The attitude of this writer was not favorable for this method of blogging and suggested that the owner of the blog do his/her own work.

Everyone should not blog.  It’s as simply said as that.  There are people who do not have a very good mastery of the English language; there are agents who are totally intimidated by the thought of having to write a post; and there are agents who just don’t have any time.

I’m sure there are many other reasons that people use ghost writers to prepare and post blogs.  If an agent can afford to hire a ghost writer, that’s a wonderful option.  Everyone needs an online presence and if one pays to have that accomplished it should be a top quality narrative.  That writer must have a thorough knowledge of SEO and the agent who is paying that fee will soar.

I think it’s acceptable.  It’s actually not a good idea to write if you are not a writer.  Your writing is a reflection of you.  It openly states whether or not you were a good student; it reflects your creativity; and it’s available to be read by the world so you can be judged.  If any of those qualities are not up to par, hire a writer, or use the services of a writer to "rewrite your narrative."  Your thoughts with a creative touch can result in many future phone calls.  It’s America.  Hiring a ghost writer is spreading the wealth.  It’s providing a job for someone.  Why not!!!  


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Comments (19)

Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It would not occur to me that someone on this site would use a ghost writer.  It would not occur to me to USE A GHOST WRITER!  How silly!  Is that the same person who purchased term papers from other people?

Jul 14, 2012 09:38 PM
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hi Lenn....thank you for the reblog.....

 

Jul 14, 2012 09:46 PM
Mona Gersky
MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC
GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Lenn, I'll definitely visit Barbara's post to comment also.  Trying not to pre-judge here but seems like if consumers read someone's blog and gravitates toward that person because of their "style" of writing and level of intellect then decide to engage in business with that person only to discover during their first exchange of emails that this person does not have a good command of the English language or a grasp of punctuation techniques (sort of like this incredibly long sentence of mine!) someone is going to feel betrayed.  If a blogger uses a "ghost-writer" it should be disclosed.

Jul 14, 2012 09:49 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jay.  They are here.

Barbara.  My pleasure.

Mona.  Ghose writing is a totally legal and respectible endeavor.  Purchasing their content is fine.  Just don't take the points. 

 

Jul 14, 2012 09:57 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

To me....  if someone is going to use a Ghost Writer they should not be writing it in the first person.... as though they were telling the story or presenting their own concept..It seems so insincere. A blog is a voice.. and it is something from the person publishing the blog...

 I am not a great writer, but I write the way I talk... and struggle to get something down on "paper". I never felt that writing was something I could do... but if using a ghost writer... how could somebody say.. "hey that is me"...?? While some feel it is okay.. i think it depends on what the topic is and how it is being written...not for me.. i'll continue to work on my writing.. 

for me.... It seems to cross a boundary that won't work... As far as points..?? yes... seems not to be original content and therefore not eligible...hmmmm 

Just my opinion... 

Jul 14, 2012 09:57 PM
Jon Zolsky, Daytona Beach, FL
Daytona Condo Realty, 386-405-4408 - Daytona Beach, FL
Buy Daytona condos for heavenly good prices

Lenn - 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.

Jul 14, 2012 10:07 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jania.  Actually, according to ActiveRain, ghost written articles are NOT eligible for points.

Jon.  Agreed.  On both points.

Jul 14, 2012 11:17 PM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I know I don't have the command of the English language. When I get blog topic excited I can't type as fast as I need to, some words get left out.

Part of me agrees with you Lenn, and then if the agent is really busy maybe he should hire a ghost writer. On the other hand once a potential customer/client meets this person they will know something is not right. I know at this moment is am torn about this subject matter and the taking of points or not.

I will have to ponder this subject a little bit more.

Jul 14, 2012 11:50 PM
Ralph Janisch ABR CRS Broker
Janisch & Co. - Conroe, TX
Selling Northwest Houston to good people like you!

I agree with you Lenn.  I've never liked the idea of Ghost Writers no matter how legitimate they are.  And certainly agree they should not take points when using one.

Jul 14, 2012 11:59 PM
Mitchell J Hall
Manhattan, NY
Lic Associate RE Broker - Manhattan & Brooklyn
To each their own. I get about 3 requests a week not from ghost writers but "so-called" professional guest writers. They want my google juice since they always want a link to their website. I have had guest writers on occassion but I always know them and they must be a local expert in a related field such as a real estate attorney, banker, architect or appraiser etc.

Generic "canned" blog posts are not for me. In my opinion there is already too much "generic clutter" on the internet masquerading as viable local real estate information. Not on my local real estate blogs.

Jul 15, 2012 01:36 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Lenn:  I could not disagree with you more.  Let's take YOU as an example.  You write great posts.  If I, as a consumer, hire you because of what I thought I learned about you from reading your blog and your posts... but... if then when I meet you, instead of meeting someone I think I "knew"... you turn out to be a different person... I feel tricked.

It is NOT about the points.  It is about being disingenuous.

Guest writers are one thing, and I am fine with that.  They tell you who they are right up front.  Ghost writers, on the other hand... involve portraying you as someone you are not.

It would be like me submitting a personals ad to the Washingtonian Magazine... and using Jennifer Aniston's picture, or one of my younger, prettier girlfriend's photos instead of my own.  Not a good plan.

Jul 15, 2012 08:07 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Sussie.  I see it no differently than buying clothes.  We COULD make them, but what a chore.  First, not everyone could.

Same thing with writing.  If you can't write, buy the content.  Just don't take the ActiveRain points.

Jeanne and Ralph.   I don't believe that much is ghost written on AR.  However, I've seen a few and they TAKE THE POINTS.  I report them to Kerrie.

Mitchell.  Not on mine either. 

Karen Ann.  Being judgemental is risky when folks are not violating ethics, laws or custom.  Ghost writers have been around forever and they are a way of a person putting their thoughts in a professional format.  There are worse things than hiring a ghost writer, like making false accusations against fellow ActiveRainers.

Jul 15, 2012 08:20 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Lenn:  I agree with you on part of what you said.  Yes, I just hate that when some folks make false accusations.  It just does not portray them in a very good light.  Perhaps those who do that should think twice before they speak (or type.)

And... if you had read all of my comment, you would have seen I was just fine with some ghost-writing... depending on when and where.  Just not when it was being done in a disingenuous way as in blogging on Active Rain... as we are talking about here.  Or, at least, I thought we were.

By the way... I re-read your comment just now.  If the "accusation" comment you made was because of the first paragraph in my comment... you either mis-read it... or mis-inferred in reading it.  I was complementing you in using you as an example.  I was saying that with you... what you write is the same as what we (or the public) gets when they meet you.  That was the point.

Jul 15, 2012 10:56 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Lenn- I don't have an issue with ghost writers.  If you're a business and trying to project a professional image, and if your writing ability or command of the language is lacking then by all means.. put your best foot forward.  I think it all depends on what you want your blog to do for you.  If you want to have a "blog presence"  then go for it.  If, however, you want to establish relationships like we have here on AR, then writing in your own voice might be more effective.  As for points... I do see where you're coming from on that one but for now don't have an opinion one way or another. 

Jul 15, 2012 11:01 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I don't have a problem if someone uses a ghost writer. I like to write and couldn't imagine paying someone to do it for me. But not everyone feels this way.

Jul 15, 2012 12:58 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Kathy.  I agree.  Some folks simply do not have writing skills.  They are purchasing a legal product.  Just don't take the AR points.

Debbie.  Agreed.

Jul 15, 2012 08:11 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Although I have never used one and don't think I'll ever have the need to use one, I'm not totally against the concept. It's part of every field including legal and medical where publishing is a prerequisite of the job.

Jul 16, 2012 07:29 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I know a lot of people that pay to have posts done and they are, well, let's just say the king pin.  I know the market and when I read posts that blather about a particular area stating "there is an abundance of homes for sale in _______________" (city/area for said paid for market report) and there's only SEVEN listed properties -- either that king pin is puffing . . . or they pay someone to write their market reports.  Pathetic.

Jul 16, 2012 02:02 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Jill.  IMO, ghost writers are merely providing a product.  I see nothing wrong with it, with the exception of taking the points here.

Carla.  I see them too but they are generally agents marketing their services and using misleading stats to create an impression of a market that they believe will generate customers.

Jul 16, 2012 07:17 PM