An Unusual Request
Mike and I received an email this morning with a request from someone who wants to post on our blog. He or she (we have no idea the gender) referred to himself as “The Lakeland Phantom”. The “Phantom” or “TLP” as the signature on the email we received reflects, wanted full access privileges to our blog. Of course, we denied this request and asked what exactly he would be blogging about. He replied he was a “mystery shopper” and wanted to visit local business and post his encounters on our site.
After a few hours of weighing the pros and cons of allowing this, we decided to allow him access as a contributor to our site. We also told him anything and everything he posts will have to go through our approval before we will publish his comments. One can never be too careful nowadays.
After granting him access, I pretty much went on with my day and didn’t think too much about it. When I logged into the blog this evening, there was a post awaiting approval. It was the Phantom telling Lakeland who he is and what he is all about. I approved his post and thought I had better explain in my own blog about the day’s events.
If you are familiar with blogging and SEO, you are aware that any post, which is duplicated in another post, is considered “duplicate content”. Duplicate content is frowned upon in the SEO world. The Phantom has agreed he will not post on any other site for this reason. Why he chose us is beyond me.
He has agreed to post at least once a week and will not give any personal information regarding the people he encounters during his visits. Before allowing any posting, I will be going through his writing with a fine-tooth comb; any names will be changed to “Jane” or “John” or any other common name I can come up with.
To be honest, I am looking forward to the first blog the Phantom sends for approval. Hopefully this will turn out to be a popular “weekly column” and not just the ravings of a lunatic. Only time will tell.
