Comments on: Just For The Record

By: Staci in Canada

Staci in Canada — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:51:53 +0000

Robbyslaughter: you stole your ‘take it to the limit’ ghostwriting concept from The Moth, a podcast featuring real life stories (for the rest of you). One of the speakers talked about how he ought to get one of those Indian CS companies to start managing his personal life, set up dates with his wife, send her texts and cards in his name… hmmm

By: Kami

Kami — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:12:03 +0000

Hi Lindsay! Great topic. Funny how things happen. I was up late scrolling through the Twitter accounts I’m SUPPOSED to be managing and thinking, “How am I going to do this AND everything else I’m responsible for at work?” Then I jumped over to Facebook, started clicking through and checked out your profile (we have mutual friends, Taylor HS, remember me?). I ended up on Linzstar.com after reading what you were up to (excellent name by btw). I think hiring a ghostblogger is nothing more than outsourcing a skill just like anything else. A freelancer, sub-contractor, vendor… it’s all the same in my book. Microsoft uses outside vendors to do a large part of their development, but the product is still from Microsoft. The important part, like you said, is interviewing the client and making their own thoughts and perspectives presentable. Congrats on starting your new company. I’ll mention your services to my CEO, who knows, maybe we can use you in 2010

P.S. If you’d like to make a collaborative video conference happen, I can totally hook you up! http://www.corocall.com

Take care,
Kami

By: Harrison Painter

Harrison Painter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:38:18 +0000

Great blog post and a HOT topic Lindsay!

I am in the middle of this one. I believe that there is a time and place for different strategies in new media, and ghostwriting is no exception.

Anybody that understands PR knowa that things are not always as they appear. LOL Anyway, I would personally prefer to see at least a “Contributor” credit to the writer, but do understand that most of the content is written from a seed/idea and in the voice, of the person seeking these services. So I do not really see the “unethical” argument to be the most valid here. (The FTC argument is very weak for this issue too, as I understand it is more focused on “Sponsored Conversation” and the trickery that internet marketers use to spam out their messages. *Think Perry Belcher type situations)

The fact is that most corporate executives and mid size business owners do not have the time to blog consistently while answering to share holders, board of directors, investors, and customers. This type of service is very valuable, as without consistency, blogging is worthless.

Now, if we start talking about “Ghost Engagement” via Twitter and other platforms, I would take a different stance. One of the best examples of somebody doing all of this correctly is Guy Kawasaki. I do not see anything in his current model as unethical, and he has a full team speaking for his brand.

OK, a lot to talk about in a small space, but this is a topic we all might want to schedule a tinychat or collaborative tele-conference around.

Great stuff, and I enjoy hearing all sides on an issue that I feel is VERY important to keep a discussion flowing about.

LOVE IT!

Harrison

By: Holly

Holly — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:34:17 +0000

Hi Lindsay,
Really liked your post and have to say I totally agree – if you freelance as a copyywriter anything you write for a company will be their property, so why not extent this to blogging? Although I do think ghosting as an individual has some ethical implications…. It’d be great if you could have a look at my blog post on the subject and see what you think?

By: Kenan Farrell

Kenan Farrell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:16:29 +0000

This goes on EVERY day in the law. Associate drafts a brief, hands it to Partner, who then signs his name to it. No big deal. In doing so, the Partner takes on responsibility for the contents of the brief. Doesn’t matter who wrote it, but rather who is responsible for publication. Companies that hire a ghostblogger should similarly be responsible for reviewing and approving the content. I’d be interested in seeing the contracts (including indemnification provisions) that ghostbloggers are using.

By: Daniel Herndon

Daniel Herndon — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:35:20 +0000

I think that Ghost writing is a false representation of your business and an unfair way of presenting yourselves.

-Daniel Herndon
(Co Written by Sindee Blogster)

By: Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)

Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:55:41 +0000

I love this quote from Ryan Puckett above…

“Do you honestly think they CEO will say, “Yes, this will do yada yada yada for our business and by the way, that language was coached to me by my publicist.””

The entire business and political world is run by ghostwriters. It’s simply moved online.

I believe this is a non-issue.

By: Linzstar | Social Media Management | Ghostblogging | Indianapolis IN

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:21:16 +0000

[...] I decided to write about what I do for a living last week in my blog, there were no defenses up. It was not a post defending my profession at all; it was simply one to [...]

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:02:21 +0000

This is a very interesting debate. I believe that not mentioning something is the same as lying. Whether it be about who wrote something or where you were on Friday night.

My suggestion, can you have a page where you list the clients you ghost blog for?

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:29:05 +0000

Ghostwriting is nothing new, and, as Robby said early on, the arguments are not easily resolved. Social media “purists” need to lighten up. Blogging is simply publishing. Ghostwriters, bloggers,etc… would be wise to be careful, not only in what they on behalf of their employers but also in how they talk about what they do.

@robbyslaughter, is your early comment an RFP? (re:love letters, tweets,etc…)