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Is it common for big bloggers to have ghostwriters?

by Dayne Dylan Banned
11 replies
I'm just curious, and many of you may or may not know this, but do many bloggers out there put up content articles and claim it as their own on their blogs? Do you think this is common?

I've started doing this, but in a way, I do feel a bit guilty for taking credit for the content on my blog when I know it was ghostwritten.

I do know some blogs have an "About" section and then list the contributors or "team" of writers. Maybe I should do this approach. Bottomline, I want to be transparent and 100% legit.

Thoughts?
#big #bloggers #common #ghostwriters
  • Profile picture of the author Cutthroat
    Ghostwriting IS 100% legit.
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  • Profile picture of the author Spencer Haws
    Yes, this is very common. Some companies have dozens or hundreds of blogs and could not possibly keep up with just one writer. Even though we know of a blog as an individual writing it, they are actually many times (not all) big businesses behind the scenes. For example ProBlogger.com has the face of Darren Rowse; but he clearly has a large staff behind him supporting, and yes even writing for him.

    Also, did you know that James Patterson (the New York Times Best Selling Author) does not even write most of his books??? He actually has other newer or lesser known authors write the book and he slaps his name on it because it sells better. Both authors are listed on the book, but you will only notice James Patterson because its in huge bold letters!

    So, yes, Ghostwriting is common, and NO you should not feel guilty.
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Yes.

    In fact, I'd say it is an essential part of a successful blog. Having content regularly updated for your niche is one of the most valuable assets in a blogging business.

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  • Profile picture of the author azgold
    As Cutthroat and Red Fox have said, using a ghostwriter for your blog is completely legitimate, many folks do it. You don't have to feel guilty at all, you are not doing anything dishonest.
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  • Profile picture of the author crissanteiro
    That is the whole point of ghostwriting, so you can pay someone and claim it as your own. I am sure most big marketers use ghostwriters all the time. I like to write most of my stuff, but when it is more than 10 pages, I usually outsource it to a ghostwriter. And I put my name on it.
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  • Profile picture of the author la dominatrix
    I ghost write several blogs and I do not have any problem with getting no credit that is part of the deal. Whan I want the credit I write and update my own content. However it is nice to give the thought of credit. However I must point out I write for some niches as a ghost writer that I would not want credit for.....................


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    • Profile picture of the author GT
      Hello:

      As you have discovered by the responses, Ghostwriting is very common in blogs, elsewhere on the Internet and throughout all forms of offline businesses and marketing.

      I see two forms of ghostwriting:

      - One is true ghostwriting where someone else writes unique content for you;

      - The other is much more common and the better term for it might be "Private Label Rights" or PLR content. That's where you simply access a source or a service where other writers submit their work and you take it and use it as your own.

      Both methods are legitimate. However, when using PLR I would highly recommend that you try to change it up at least a little bit. It is embarrassing to the industry to see the exact same articles, word for word, posted on different sites with different "authors."

      Just my opinion.

      GT
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      • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
        Originally Posted by GT View Post

        Hello:

        As you have discovered by the responses, Ghostwriting is very common in blogs, elsewhere on the Internet and throughout all forms of offline businesses and marketing.

        I see two forms of ghostwriting:

        - One is true ghostwriting where someone else writes unique content for you;

        - The other is much more common and the better term for it might be "Private Label Rights" or PLR content. That's where you simply access a source or a service where other writers submit their work and you take it and use it as your own.

        Both methods are legitimate. However, when using PLR I would highly recommend that you try to change it up at least a little bit. It is embarrassing to the industry to see the exact same articles, word for word, posted on different sites with different "authors."

        Just my opinion.

        GT
        There is only one form of ghostwriting.

        The other method you speak of is simply is re-purposing of PLR content. It's an insult to my writers and ghostwriters the world over to claim that anything less than original content can be considered "ghostwriting"
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        • Profile picture of the author pheonix44
          Steve Pavlina gets about 2.000.000 visitors a month to his site and he doesn't use a ghostwriter. I guess it all comes down to how many blogs you plan on running
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          • Profile picture of the author Dayne Dylan
            Banned
            I'm just focusing on ONE good one.
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        • Profile picture of the author GT
          Originally Posted by JayXtreme View Post

          There is only one form of ghostwriting.

          The other method you speak of is simply is re-purposing of PLR content. It's an insult to my writers and ghostwriters the world over to claim that anything less than original content can be considered "ghostwriting"
          Hey, Jay:

          Just offering my opinion. Point taken and believe me, no offence was intended towards legitimate writers: I am one.

          I understand your point of view and as a working freelance writer ("working" meaning I have writing clients for whom I produce ghostwritten content on a regular basis for pay), I would never dream of using any form of PLR for material I write for paying customers.

          However, I stand by my suggestion that Private Label Rights articles can be considered "ghostwritten" material:

          - Somebody wrote the PLR, making it original.

          - Somebody other than the writer has paid (one way or the other) to use it and they DO use it, calling it their own.

          I agree that re-purposed PLR should not be confused with "original" content.

          The suggestion I made in my earlier comment was only that IF a marketer chooses to use ghostwritten PLR material, that material should be re-purposed before posting to avoid conflict with the zillions of other copies of the same article that are sure to be posted elsewhere.

          Again, these are just my opinions. Different points of view, different experessions, different interpretations. That's all.

          GT
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