Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Is Ghostwriting in Business Cheating or Outsourcing? | Outsourcing

We all know that academia frowns upon, even forbids, ghostwriting-the practice of paying another individual to write a paper, essay, or thesis, then claiming the writing as your own. The term they give it?s ?cheating.? And in the academic realm, it?s. But in the business world, is hiring a ghostwriter unethical? Is it cheating? I do not think it?s-as long as it is done ethically.

Is that a vague answer? Perhaps. The point is, when a business owner decides to write copy or a book, they often do not have the time to do so (logically, because they?re busy running a business). At the same time, just because a person is knowledgeable about their business and operating the day-to-day operations does not mean that he or she?s a skilled, even gifted, writer. The solution is to hire a professional writer-a ghostwriter. When is hiring a ghostwriter ethical and acceptable in business?

A further fascinating detail concerning this issue. 1. When the ghostwriter is writing the thoughts, beliefs, principles, and practices of their client. Whether it is a blog, web copy, promotional or sales material, or a book, if a business outsources their writing needs, the writing should be based on their original thoughts, practices, and philosophies. It would be inappropriate for a business owner to put the business owner or company?s name on copy that does not reflect who they?re, what they are about, and their views. But when the material that?s the source of the copy belongs to the business and the business owner, it is legitimately their intellectual property. That is the key factor. If a ghostwriter used another business? practices, words, philosophies, etc., to pen the copy, it could be considered deceptive and unacceptable.

Outsourcing Business Breakfast ? Mike Bell, Group IT Director at Kingfisher Group: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Outsourcing? Harvey Nash Business Breakfast, Weds 8th June 2011 Kettners, Soho, London Following the event we interviewed M?

Look at it this way. A business owner who authors a book isn?t doing so to claim that they?re a gifted writer. The purpose of the book is usually to build credibility, gain exposure, and attract clients to the business. In business copy and books, the author is selling his or her knowledge, experience, and expertise, not their writing ability. If the content does in fact contain the author?s knowledge and expertise, then they can indeed claim to be the author of the material contained in the copy or book.

2. When the business owner is involved in the writing process. It is recommended that the business owner, or their representative, be involved in the writing process, providing material, resources, ideas, and feedback on the writing. By being actively involved, the business owner is legitimately an active participant in the writing process, and is contributing his or her intellectual property, ideas, and input to the content.

When is hiring a ghostwriter questionable in a business environment? 3. When the ghostwriter is asked to write his or her own thoughts and ideas, without any contribution or input from the client.

When a business owner outsources writing needs to a ghostwriter, they?re asking them to develop content that reflects their credibility and originality. If the copy is not based on the client?s beliefs, thoughts, ideals, and practices, it is similar to false advertisement. In this instance, the content doesn?t reflect the author?s expertise or knowledge-therefore, some might consider it to be unethical for the author to claim ownership of the copy. Simply put, it doesn?t represent who they?re or what they think.

4. When the ghostwriter is not compensated for his or her services. Chalk this up to common sense. If you are going to claim something as your own, in exchange for compensation, then ownership of the material doesn?t pass until that compensation is made. Simply put, you own it when you pay for it!

Some might think there is a fine line in determining whether hiring a ghostwriter is appropriate or even ethical. In the fiction world, it is deceptive (and, surprisingly, extremely common). In the academic world, it is cheating and trying to advance through the educational system without proving that you have acquired the necessary skills to do so. In the business world, however, it is not. In business, hiring a ghostwriter to pen your philosophies and ideas is not only acceptable-sometimes, it is also a smart business decision.

Alicia Dunams coaches her clients on how to expedite the book-writing process and ?Make Your Book Your Business.? Her clients include best-selling authors who have appeared on national media outlets such as 20/20 and CNN, and have been written up in The New York Times. These ?authorpreneurs? are adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to their bottom line ? all by leveraging their published books. Visit http://www.aliciadunams.com or http://www.17daybookchallenge.com for more information.

Source: http://tm-outsourcing.com/is-ghostwriting-in-business-cheating-or-outsourcing/

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