Comments on: Would You Trust a Company That Ghost Blogs?

By: Can you out-source authenticity? | businessesgrow.com

Can you out-source authenticity? | businessesgrow.com — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:30:16 +0000

[...] Would you trust a company that ghost blogs? by Danny Brown [...]

By: The Ethics, Or Lack Thereof, Of Ghost Blogging » Become eVOLVE'd

The Ethics, Or Lack Thereof, Of Ghost Blogging » Become eVOLVE'd — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:00:48 +0000

[...] Would You Trust A Company That Ghost Blogs (Danny Brown) [...]

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:43:19 +0000

Hi Jeff,

I'd say the views are still pretty much the same. If it's generic, how-to stuff or news, then often a ghost writer can help with the process. But if it's your voice that you want to portray it as, then it needs to be you that does the writing.

Heck, even if the CEO simply dictates for an assistant to post for him or her, it's still his/her voice, so even that's good to go. It's just the brazen claiming of ownership on a post that is clearly not that person's.

By: JeffHurt

JeffHurt — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:35:08 +0000

So now that it's almost Sept 2009, nearly one year from the original post, do you still fill the same about this issue?

Just finished reading and commenting on @markwschaefer 's Grow Blog with his post Can You Out Source Authenticity http://schaefersolutions.blogspot.com/2009/08/c…. He had a link to your post here.

I'm curious how you feel now about ghostwriting blogs today. Perhaps it's time to revisit the issue and discussion?

By: The Ethics of Ghost Blogging | Social Media Explorer

The Ethics of Ghost Blogging | Social Media Explorer — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:02:27 +0000

[...] Would You Trust A Company That Ghost Blogs (Danny Brown) [...]

By: Danny

Danny — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:06:38 +0000

I think this is where the main problem (for wont of a better word) arises, Kari. As both Joe and Darryl’s examples show, and where your point comes in, it’s having that recognizable and unified voice. Since it’s the company interacting with the client, having different voices on the same blog can lead to confusion – and that’s off-putting for a customer.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, always appreciated.

By: Kari Rippetoe

Kari Rippetoe — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:00:20 +0000

I don't see anything wrong with ghost blogging either - if the voice remains consistent from post to post, and each piece is reviewed before publishing. Also, don't display "admin" as the author (at least use someone's name as the author, even if that person is not actually writing the posts). Kari Rippetoe´s last blog post..17 Tools for Monitoring Your Company's Online Reputation

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:59:27 +0000

Good points, Daryl. Perhaps the reason you didn’t initially get the audience you were looking for was due to the different voices coming out? Many repeat readers normally come back because of the “voice” of the blog, and when you have too many, this can be diluted.

Thanks for sharing.

By: Darryl Parker

Darryl Parker — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:13:00 +0000

I've tried ghost blogging with several different writers to the tune of several thousand dollars over a two year period. At the end of the day, I don't think we accomplished the fine tuning into audience I had hoped for when we started. In fact many of the posts were seldom or never read. There were dozens of posts written, but it wasn't until I started focusing on my blog personally that I began to see a response. That said, I do believe that once established with a significant following, a talented writer could be an invaluable assistant. But don't leave that writer with the responsibility of building audience. Darryl Parker´s last blog post..Information Banking

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:28:51 +0000

Hi Joe,

Thanks for sharing your view on ghost blogging. With your example, it’s clear that you have the final say and don’t approve anything until you’re happy with it. As you say, it keeps you looking prolific which can only benefit you and your company. This is where ghost blogging definitely offers an advantage.

I think where the opposite is in effect, where it’s an outsourced blogger that’s given a vague outline and is then left to their own devices, that’s causing questions to be asked.

You’re the 3rd person that’s mentioned the blog design, while many others have said the opposite and that it’s fine. Perhaps I’ll offer a vote?

Thanks for stopping by and offering your views, always appreciated Joe.