Episode #22 In Defense of Culture: Preserving Authenticity in an Algorithmic Era with Ben Wise

00:00 Introduction to Ghostwriting as a Career

07:03 In Ghostwriting Who Is the Author?

09:53 Adopting Another's Voice and SME

16:00 A LinkedIn Ghostwriter's Critique of LinkedIn

18:03 The Opaque and Ever-Changing Algorithm of LinkedIn

19:45 LinkedIn as a Tool, Not the End Goal

24:25 The Line Between Vulnerability & Oversharing on Social Media

30:38 Luck, an Essential Ingredient to Success in Business

32:57 Successful Marketing for Founders

In this episode of Cupalo Conversations, Lauren Hannon interviews Ben Wise the founder of Storyd a US-based ghostwriting studio that helps 7+ figure founders turn their expertise and stories into compelling LinkedIn content in as little as two hours a month.

Ben shocks audiences with the admission that, despite being a highly successful LinkedIn ghostwriter, he wouldn't be on LinkedIn (or any social media) if he didn't have to.

Social media platforms such as LinkedIn incentivize users to conform to algorithmically favorable personas, prioritizing superficial posts and contributions at the expense of true self-expression, high quality content, and meaningful interactions. Ben also calls attention to the platform's opaque and ever-changing algorithms as a source of frustration and disillusionment.

Ben shares insights from his own journey navigating these platforms, from his initial foray into content creation on Quora and Upwork to founding his own ghostwriting business, Storyd. Throughout the episode, Ben emphasizes the importance of building trust with one's audience and staying true to oneself, even in the face of digital media pressures. He advocates for a marketing approach grounded in authenticity and customer satisfaction, rather than chasing fleeting success.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by algorithm-driven platforms like LinkedIn and a renewed appreciation for the power of authentic storytelling in building meaningful connections both online and offline.

Connect with Lauren Hannon

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Check out Cupalo's website: https://cupalo.io/