How do you feel about ghost blogging?

1. 76

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   If you freelance, do you write ghost blog posts for clients?
   I have seen job postings to write blogs and the buyer is paying $5 or $10 for an article.
   This is for something to post on their own website, supposedly demonstrating their expertise
   in their industry. Yet they value it so little!
   
   Aside from paying sh#t, I'm not sure why I have such an aversion to this type of work.
   It seems dishonest to me somehow.
   Am I nuts?
   Should I get over it and treat ghost blogging like any other client work?
   
   Thanks for insights.
   MM

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   1. 59

      MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I wouldn't do it for 10 bucks...
      
      But I'd treat it like any other non-byline work if it payed well enough.
      
      Is it lack of byline that is bothering you or do you feel the website owner is somehow being dishonest by hiring out the work?

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   2. 80

      Mitch Alanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Is it any different than a company hiring someone to write their ad copy or brochures. Some people have expertise in a specific subject, but not able to write about it effectively. It's common to charge $5-$15 per blog...it can add up if you are a efficient /fast blogger.

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   3. 95

      Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Susan, people who take these low paying jobs are either new at freelancing like I was two years ago, naive about freelancing or live in Asia so this seems like a lot of money.
      
      A couple years ago I would have taken a job like that because at the time $10 was $850 or so in Jamaica which would mean almost a days wage. As I gained experience and I am now in demand, I charge what I am really worth.
      
      As far as the ghost blogging is, it's not much different from writing articles for client who don't tell you what they are for...lol There are lots of clients willing to pay lots more for quality work.

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      1. 76

         Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, Cardisa!
         I looked into some article spinning software I saw in an older (3 years ago) thread on here.
         I guess what I'm really struggling with is the commoditization of the craft of writing.
         I don't need software to tell me 5 synonyms for a word. I know them. Just don't want to
         spend my time diluting the writing.
         
         Think I'll stick to my brick and mortar clients who value writing much more.
         MM
         P.S. If you're commanding $850 a day for your writing, that is AWESOME!

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         1. 95

            Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I make it a point to never accept spinning jobs. I think article spinning is an insult to writers. I am so averse to rewriting content that I can't even rewrite my own! Rewriting or spinning articles seem wrong to me.
            
            Ghost blogging is totally different from spinning. Ghost blogging is writing blogs for your client's blogs. They require research and originality just like writing your own articles.

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            1. 66

               Pixienotposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I do not think I could "ghost" blog, as a blog is quite personal.
               
               Having said that, I do know I could "ghost" write for someone who had the same principles as I and did not have the ability to use their words as I do.
               
               I know, because I am doing just that. However, it is not for "nothing." I do it in exchange for a monthly service for which I cannot pay!  So, in bartering, I am not a loser, but a winner.
               
               I get the experience and my friend helps me!  Win,Win!

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               1. 95

                  Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Well blogging isn't personal anymore as more and more blogs are becoming content sites. I have a blog that publishes health information and another which publishes recipes. There are many blogs with helpful information out there so ghost bloggers are in demand for these kinds of blogs.

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2. 76

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   I'm  struggling with exactly what is tripping me up here.
   It's not like I don't write all kinds of "content" for clients all the time.
   Including ghostwriting articles with the client's byline.
   
   Mitch Alan. It feels different to me.
   And I cannot imagine ever being so fast or efficient that I could research and write a 300=500
   word blog in less than 15 minutes. 
   What am I missing?
   
   I think it's more internal strife.
   Like if I'm going to become a subject "expert" in the client's business and write a whole
   bunch of blog posts that they post as their own expertise - maybe I should be putting
   that time into writing more hubs?
   
   Anyway, appreciate everyone's input.
   Still turning this issue over in my little brain.

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   1. 80

      Mitch Alanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Haha...I'm not saying I could or would either, just that if it was a topic you were well versed in and could accept those jobs as a supplement to other work or as a starting point, then it could work out...maybe.

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3. 62

   Anamika Sposted 12 years ago

   I have no problems Ghost Blogging. I am a Ghost Blogger to a Celebrity and have no problems with the payout or the TOS. I even wrote a Hub on Making Money Online as a Ghost Blogger.

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4. 54

   ocbillposted 12 years ago

   I look for ghost writers but they must have demonstrated value that warrants their fee like a following. If you are just a good writer with nobody to share it with then $10 is not so low. I tend to go in the middle somewhere. So, it is all relative. Hopefully, this does not offend anyone.

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