Is Ghost Blogging wrong?

Posted by Darika on April 12, 2008 · Comments 

Casper the friendly ghostI added my 2 cents to this article by Brendan Cooper the other week. It’s been interesting watching the discussion develop and it’s worth checking out to see the range of arguments for and against.

Simon Collister wrote a good response post which is closer to what i think. He also raises a great point that it’s probably a matter of personal perspective as well.

What’s your perspective?

Mine isn’t about a “naive” dedication to The Cluetrain Manifesto (I haven’t read it) but probably from spending time with bloggers who were early pioneers with the platform and passionate about it as a new communication medium, not just another channel for the same old corporate comms. I’m also realistic about the commercialisation of blogs  – I had to be working for Shiny Media.

Anyway, let’s face it, when you work in PR, most people think you went over to ”the dark side” long ago, whether your approach is traditional or “noo medja”.

Filed under How to, Opinion · Tagged with , ,

About Darika

  • I posted on this subject back in December... I think the issue is one pf practicality... whether ghost writers are up to the job. After all, blogging is about having a personal voice, and that's a very difficult product for a ghost writer to deliver... not to mention the in-depth expertise required to be meaningful to regular readers. Ghosts can probably deliver decent generic copy. But that's hardly sufficient if the blog is to do it's job of attracting and retaining an audience. Here's my post:

    http://www.literalmayhem.com/2007/12/26/ghost-w...
  • DarikaAhrens
    Fascinating article James. i thought his approach was slightly confused. The way he intro'd you offered no context on bloggers who do work ethically for brands vs those that don't.
    Plus, the whole bloggers can't remain independent like journos can thing *really* winds me up.
    Scared to see I share the same opinion as Tom Coates for once - we even both used the word "pointless".
  • Not a fan of it myself if I'm honest...
    Spoke to the BBC about it a while ago.

    I said something similar to Simon in that 'Openness and authenticity are paramount...'

    I'd recommend having a look at the if you get a chance.

    :)

    Cheers!
  • DarikaAhrens
    Check me! How old skool am I? Thanks
  • The whole text is free online - go to the link I posted above :)
  • DarikaAhrens
    Totally agree Simon. New media is giving the traditional PR "spin doctor" role a shake-up.

    Right, will locate a copy of Cluetrain and give it a go. (Another one for the list. Who has time to read anything other than RSS these days?)
  • It's definitely a matter of personal perspective - but then I also strongly believe that I want to live/work/consume in a world where honesty is paramount, rather than the other way around.

    Definitely read Cluetrain btw - even if it's just the marketing chapter: www.cluetrain.com
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