Close-Up TV News – When Its Too Good to Be True…It Probably Is!

Yes, we have all had those telephone calls that promise us the moon, stars and everything in between. We want so badly to believe them and in a weak moment most of us give in. These are pros that promise us and tell us everything we want to hear.

We are told we are “special” and they do not understand why our books are not on the best sellers list and they want to do everything possible to get your book on the best sellers list and to brand your name. You think, “Finally someone has noticed me or finally it is my turn”. Wrong – usually. Now that doesn’t mean that the slim chance doesn’t fall at your door step. There are always those few.

For a “small” fee they will agree to conduct interviews. Now, I have to tell you that when Close-Up TV News contacted me I had the impression it was “Close-Up TV News” contacting me and wanting to interview me. Not even close! Actually they use that name but the interviews were conducted over “blog talk radio”, not even real radio. So, it started out misleading.

I was promised celebrity host and endorsements for the four interviews. That would be where Doug Llewelyn and Jim Masters come in and yes, they did four interviews, two each and each did their 30 second pre-interview promo and 30 minute interviews.

There was to be a press release with photo or video distribution to major news outlets. Yes, a press release was prepared and it went out through a clipping service to random newspapers.

A press release with photo or video was to be distributed to media publications. That never happened.

A press release with photo or video was to be distributed to the networks. That never happened.

There was to be a promotion of books, along with show dates and times. Other than the initial press release there was no promotion.

I was to be provided with visibility on the major search engines. There was nothing done.

There was to be live streaming from my website with access 24 hours a day. That never happened.

The interviews were to be professionally scripted and I would have complete control of the 30 minute radio interviews. There was never a script. It was always spontaneous.

The interview setup was to accommodate up to 250 live callers into each interview show. I was never given any statistics indicating there were any callers.

I was told an estimated 52M Americans listened to internet radio “last month” but I was never given any statistics as to how that affected my interviews.

I was told internet radio audiences had increased 50% over the past year but I was given no statistics as to how “my audience” increased or decreased.

I was told that more than eight in ten Americans are online from any location at anytime but I was never told how this affects or influences radio interviews or my interviews.

I was told that 41% of online radio listeners have visited a website due to an advertisement but, I found no additional traffic to mine.

I was told that my website was terrible and that “they” required it to be redesigned, at a fee, prior to their performing any media or publicity on my behalf. They “suggested” the relocation of a picture and answered one question for me. The contract was to include six months of technical support; they answered no questions or provided any tech support. They did make one unauthorized change to the website that locked-in the design and never undid the change.

I was to receive copies of the interviews on DVD. That I did get.

I was to receive an email list of who they were promoting or marketing me to. I never got that.

I was to receive a year-long media campaign. I never got that.

Here is another thing, another sales person from Close-Up TV News, contacted me and tried to pull me away from the original sales person, Anthony Holmes.

Close-Up TV News demanded that I give them my approval on the spot without even five minutes to think about what they were offering or the consequences. Close-Up TV News demanded full payment on the spot. It is a serious hustle. Overwhelming!

In the end, I filed a dispute with my credit card company to get my money back. The response from Close-Up TV News concentrated on the fact they completed the interviews, sent out a press release, provided the DVDs and “redesigned the website”. They have yet to address all the other things they were supposed to do and did not.

I also filed complaints with the Florida, New York and California Office of Attorney Generals and the Better Business Bureau.

It is NOT the American way to accept less that we are promised and be willing to pay for more than we are promised or are entitled to.

We should not be lazy about tolerating or accepting shoddy treatment, poor service or no service.

Know what you are supposed to receive, what you are paying for, and expect it. Accept nothing less!

Close-Up TV News – Failure to Provide Services

Well, you have probably read many of the complaints posted throughout the internet about the “scams” currently being carried out at Close-Up TV News or their failure to provide the services they promise. I am hear to tell you first hand that probably everything you have or are reading is absolutely true. This is from first hand experience. I contracted with them for the usual, or at least a long list of guest benefit features only one of which was four radio interviews.

Be very careful – seriously very careful when entering into a contract with these people. Do not be swayed by the “big” names they will throw at you.

I am currently working with my credit card company to get my money back. Complaints have also been filed with the CA and NY Office of Attorney General, and the NY BBB. Each has offered to act as mediator.

Hear is what was promised, completed, and not completed.

the services provided were:

the 4 interviews
the 30 second promotions
the DVD recordings
Press release with photo or video distribution to major news outlets (newspaper clipping service)
Website design – recommended pix relocation and answered question re the guest book feature

The services not provided were:

the email list
Press release with photo or video distribution to media publications
Press release with photo or video distribution to networks
Promotional campaign for products, services, books, etc.
Provide company visibility on the major search engines
Live streaming from website
Stats on live callers to show
Stats on listeners
Website tech support
Website design completion
Detailed year long media campaign

Right-Wing Left-Wing…Political Labeling

I cannot remember a time when I have not listened to the news or read in the paper and heard or seen the term Right-Wing or Left-Wing. What I did not know was what either of them meant. Many times as we read we gather from the context of the sentence what a particular word means. But as many times as I read those words their meanings just seemed to get more and more jumbled. So, I decided to do some research and learn what all the hoopla is as these terms are used in discussing politics, economics or finances.

The first thing I learned was that the terms Right-Wing and Left-Wing were originally military terms and had absolutely nothing to do with politics, economics or finances. Dating back to the late 1700’s the Right-Wing was a simple label given to the military soldiers positioned to the right of the commander, facing the enemy. The Left-Wing sat to the left of the commander, facing the enemy. Oh so simply and makes sense. But then, the simple became the complicated.

The Right-Wing and Left-Wing became a description associated with politically opposing parties.

The Left-Wing has been associated with behavior recognized as traits found among the Progressive, Communistic and Anarchists thinking and practices.

The Progressive Party was founded in 1912 by President Theodore Roosevelt and later was known as the Liberal Party – not to be confused with the current Libertarian Party. The Progressives or Liberals advocate for gradual social, financial, economic and political reform. In other words, they want everything to change, but slowly. Liberalism is a political theory founded on the natural goodness of humans. Liberalist are non-violent that support ideas such as free and fair elections, civil rights, freedom of the press, trade and religion; and the private ownership of property. Their platform emphasizes individual liberty in personal and economic affairs, avoidance of “foreign entanglements” and military and economic intervention in other nations’ affairs, and free trade and migration.

Communism is a movement to create a classless, moneyless, stateless social order structure with common ownership of industry. Communism is a society free of division; one big government ruling, owning and controlling all things.

Anarchism is a philosophy that promotes free love, happiness and free-thought; basically striving for individuals to be free to decide all things of a political and religious nature. They call for a system with public ownership of all means of production without any government authority.

Anarchism advocates ownership by collectivization, through violent means, and supports abolition of the state, markets, money and ownership of all private property. In present times, the Left-Wing politicians are commonly also referred to as the Democratic Party. The party has favored farmers, laborers, labor unions, and religious and ethnic minorities; it has opposed unregulated business and finance, and favored progressive income taxes.

In summary, they want change, but slowly; do not believe in government and believe that if you big and mean enough to take what you want – then you should; and want to raise your taxes while you are doing it. If the Progressives are too laid back they might find the Communist and Anarchists becoming the dominant source.

The Right-Wing has been associated with the Nazis, Fascists, and Conservatives.

We all know from history that Nazism includes the argument that superior people have a right to dominate over other people and that society should be purged of the less than perfect.

Fascism promotes regulated private enterprise and property and that strength is through unity. Fascists seek to solve economic, political and social problems through direction action, in the form of political violence and tyranny.

Conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity; retaining traditional social institutions. In the 1950s Conservatism became associated with or more recognized as the Republican Party. They support tradition, law-and-order, Christianity, anti-communism; low taxes, small governments and free enterprise. Typically they support school prayer but oppose homosexuality and abortion. Republicans strongly support health, medical and insurance programs.

In summary, the Right-Wing will purge the less than perfect, have smaller governments, solve problems through violence and change nothing – preserving things as they stand – emphasizing stability and continuity.

Well, I have a better understanding now of what the two Wings are. It is even more evident now why they do not even seem to get along within their own ranks, or Wings. Their philosophies and theories seem to contradict each other and leave a lot of room to blame themselves and each other when something doesn’t work – which seems to be the norm. The only thing the two Wings seem to have in common is that they both support violence – you want it you take it versus, believe my way is the right way or I will cram it down your throat.

Well, judging by the radio, television and newspapers, I guess that is true.

http://www.janethorton.net

Let’s Talk Character!

By definition I am a compulsive reader. I read on the average five books a week. These are not the skinny little paperback books but are almost always fiction. I love reading about different walk of like, careers, places and of course the fantasy of people’s dysfunctional lives and communication – especially in historical fiction.

In the reading I always have the opportunity to learn new words but also learn I have perhaps misunderstood the meanings of words over the years. That is the case here in the words “conceit” and “arrogance”, not to be confused with “confidence”.

What would we do without the infamous dictionary and internet?

These three words tell a great deal about a person and one’s perception of oneself. Does this mean that each of these is a character within and that one cannot learn or become the other? I personally believe we are who we are based on choices we make throughout our lives; or because of the impact we have let others have on us. The question becomes a heavy question – the people who influenced us, were they good influences or bad influences? Or, did we make bad choices and never accepted those bad choices and moved on to correct them?

First, there is conceit. By the simplest definition, a conceited person is a braggart. They believe to have done some task very well and to their own pride or lack of self-confidence feel the need to brag to the world about the accomplishment.

The arrogant person is another story because they generally lack self-esteem and self-confidence and so, act cocky. They may not be reliable or trustworthy, probably cavalier in their outlook, and perhaps puts extra effort into their appearance. The arrogant individual may be shallow and superficial not caring much about anyone other than themselves. They have to be the center of attention.

Now the confident person is one that has the self-confidence and self-esteem. He carries his stature with good posture. The individual conveys maturity, reliability and easily earns trust from others. The confident individual does not boast or necessarily demand recognition for their accomplishments or existence on this earth. They simply do what is needed or required and move on.

It is easy to tell these different personality types just by actions, appearance and body language. Part of their personality is to let it be known where they shop and how much they spend, where they live, and whose name they can drop into a conversation. An insecure, or a person lacking confidence, will feel a need to challenge or compete with events or stories or experiences shared by others – always wanting to have the last word.

Depending on which type of character you are, will have a definite impact on how successful or restricted you are in your personal and professional lives.

Do you know which character you are?

http://www.janethorton.net

Star Spangled Banner

The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States of America. It was written by Francis Scott Key. National Anthem Day celebrates this song, and the rich history behind its creation. The song officially became our national anthem on March 3, 1931.

Celebrate today by proudly flying the flag.

http://www.janethoton.net

Secrets to Publishing Your Book

Here is your opportunity to meet and learn publishing secrets from Author, Writer, Publisher, Public Speaker, Publishing Consultant and Serial Small Business Entrepreneur JANET HORTON. You have listened to her interviews on radio talk shows such as Close-Up Talk Radio with Doug Llewelyn and Jim Masters. Now you can meet her in person and ask your questions.

Seating is limited! Reservations must be received no later than Friday, March 22, 2013. Admission is by prepaid reservation only. Tickets are $50.00 each.

This is your opportunity to get answers and to learn about the pitfalls to avoid in the writing, printing, publishing and marketing world. JANET HORTON will be at the Country Inn & Suites at their 4015 SW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32608 location on Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 9:00 AM – Noon.

Get Informed! Be Informed! This is your opportunity to get those critical answers so that you can follow your dream.

Mail your reservation request and payment to: Janet Horton, 265 NE Jacksonville Loop Lake City, FL 32055

jhcesi@live.com – http://www.janethorton.net

Are You an Author Looking for A Publisher? Beware!

As a publishing consulting I can tell you the list is outrageously long of online published publishers that the industry and authors are warning others about.

Before you sign on the dotted line or make any payment, do your homework! You know the old saying “If it looks too good to be true it probably is!” Well in the case of publishers this is a known fact.

Here are just a few of the publishing houses that are not recommended based on history, fees, royalties, breach of contract, complaints, conflict of interest, and any number of other reasons.

Remember, that many of these publishers operate under more than one name and as “in-house” referral services. This means they always find a reason to refer you to another company which they also own.

Argus, Aberdeen Bay, Algora, All Craft Media, Amereon Press, AmErica House, American Book Publishing, Anchor, Angel Press, Appaloose Press, Author Solutions, Author House, Balboa, Bookwise, Brighton, Brookline, Brundage, Cambridge House, Capri, Capricorn, Century, Challenger, Cobblestone Press, Collegiate Press, Dandelion Books, Deep River, Dorchester Publishing Dorrance, 1st Book, iUniverse, Tafford, West Bow, Xlibris….

I became a publishing consultant after I got caught up in the nightmare of the vanity and publish-on-demand world.

If you are an author looking to publish your work, or someone already caught up in the quagmire, you can access my service agreement from my website. http://www.janethorton.net

If you are a member of an organization, company or group that is interested in learning more about this topic, you may contact me through my website.

With or without me, do your homework!