Pay any attention to the way the new influencers work… it’s not big media controling the news so much any more….it’s us…

The Bloggers, ustreamers, twitters, facebookers, youtubers, myspacers… all of us are taking over… and reporting in real time "what we are doing" to the world and giving people totally transparent access or at least "pseudo transparency" into our lives and business!

People are reporting how long the lines are at Shake Shack.

People are reporting on rude customer service or bad service in general on their twitter, blogs and facebook accounts.

In a recent story on the woes of travel and how bloggers shook up the corporate status quo, it was reported:

"Blogging has a sense of authority and authenticity that other media doesn’t have," says Rebecca Goldberg, a hotel design expert and editor-in-chief of Boutique Design magazine.

You can read more from CNN travel article about the influence of Bloggers on the travel industry.

I mean, where else can you jump on twitter and follow a "famous" celebrity and write a DM (direct message) and they follow or write you back.

Remember the days when there was a curtain of privacy around people and those who you wanted to get to know or wanted to call… would never let you get access?

Now, those who hide behind the curtain, are the ones whose business models need adjustment, and who struggle to get anything happening in their flow because they act only from want and greed, instead of service and helping.

Try it on this side of the curtain, the public, "find me online and talk to me on Twitter, myspace, facebook, or post on my blog!" It’s tough work, I will say that, keeping up… dang… but it’s worth it, and making real connections is where it’s at!

Some of you know what I am talking about… others… not so much… go get a twitter account and make some noise.

This just out…. Pew and Research Center: State of the News Media 2009

Wow… it’s pretty dire…. and it’s cause the way media and the way people get updated is not traditional means anymore.

Check out what’s happening. For some, it’s good news… for others… hmmmm… not so good

So, follow me on my social site, ok? Connect with me, love me, follow me….

Also, follow @themediaisdying too, cool stuff….

Many people are going with him. A lot of them are associate and friend of mine.

Let me tell you straight up… I DON’T THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA!

Watch the video so you know what I mean.

Here is the latest news from Global Resorts Network. And I was told more news will be coming out regarding this matter.

The office of the Attorney General has sued YTB declaring that it is a pyramid scheme because only a few make money at the top and the rest never make money who join under the top players.

You can read the full story at their website:

The YTB Lawsuit is called: "Brown Sues To Topple Online Pyramid Scheme"

I'm going to be giving my opinion on this matter, which is a very delicate matter, and I invite you, the reader to offer your opinions in the comments of this blog as well.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Now, keep this in mind. Brown is only suing, so there is no final order from a Judge to declare Brown's claims to be true. YTB will say they have done nothing wrong and are within the realm of the law to conduct business the way they see it legally.

And, in case Brown did not realize, according to Dunn and Bradstreet figures, 90% of all new businesses fail. Network Marketing, MLM and Direct Sales are the same way. People start and most people fail no matter if it is a brick and mortar or a digitally based internet product or a physical product.

According to Michael Gerber from the Emyth Revisited:

• 1,000,000 million people will try to start their own business this year
• 400,000 will fail their first year
• 400,000 will fail within 5 years
• 160,000 will fail within 10 years

That leaves only 40,000 in 10 years are still in the game… Of those 40,000 most I would say are just scraping by…almost at the end of their ropes and a couple hundred at the top are killing it making millions… So, does that make it a pyramid scheme cause the failure rate is so high?

It's not a function of a marketing plan or a pay plan that makes a business a Pyramid Scheme.

Pyramids are everywhere in business.

Just look at your fortune 500 set up where presidents, CEOs, VPs and Managers make huge salaries, while the rest of the office makes minimum wage. Pyramidial structures are everywhere. All major businesses are set up this way so the rich stay rich and the not rich stay comfortable there.

The case for failure is not how the company recruits or advertises (although Brown Claims they are doing this illegally as well), the failure of so many is because of numerous conditions found within the soul of every one who calls themselves a human being…

• FEAR Of FAILURE
• FEAR OF SUCCESS
  
• LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
• LACK OF SKILLS
• LACK OF IMPLEMENTATION
• LACK OF MONEY
  

Most people fail because of a fear that comes from a lack of knowledge and a lack of skills development.

More people would succeed if they spent the time to work on THEMSELVES and develop skills and knowledge. So blaming the system for failure of so many and calling it a pyramid scheme is wrong in my opinion.

Home Based Businesses would be WILDLY successful if Human Beings did not run them!

I guess, if you join a company and you don't make money cause you told 4 people about, then you complain to the AG of your state… and enough people do it… then you'll get their attention.

So, maybe Brown should start sueing all the MLM or Network Marketing businesses since only 2-10% ever make it in the big paychecks and the rest can only wish to be in that top group?

So, many in YTB are obviously freaked out by this.

So are many similarly modeled travel agent business opportunity websites out there as well. If the courts do see it as Brown see it, many people will be fleeing from these home based travel agent businesses and looking for new homes.

If you are reading this, and you are a part of a company like YTB or another like minded "possible pyramid scheme" then maybe consider or weigh your options.

Do you want to keep recruiting people into a company with a grey cloud over their heads, that is bound to have to defend itself in public, over the long haul and constantly try to stick up for this companies business practices, or would you rather move on to a different company where you are not going to find lawsuits and red flags?

That is a decision all reps from Your Travel Business (YTB) will have to decide for themselves.

But if the reader is looking for a new home, please contact Jeff Mills, the CEO of Goldmills Marketing, which has other popular travel products to offer with high commissions, that might be a better fit for starting a home based business.

As I said, the jury is not out yet on the legitimacy of Brown's self declared "pyramid Scheme" talk he is shouting from Sacramento, this will need to be decided and defended in a real court where a judge or jury will make the final decisions.

This case will be a case watched by ALL industry players, as it does infact effect more than just the travel business opportunity markets that promote home based travel agent businesses, it affects many MLM models and affiliate sales based models as well.

Hopefully, all the money YTB has made over the last several years is enough to hire the best MLM lawyers to defend the case.

I am not actually too worried about what the outcome will be. I think MLM's have been on trial many times in the past and the real legit ones always come out on top, while the real schemes out there get pounded for what they really are… scamming people at the bottom to pay the people at the top.

I don't think this applies in YTB's model. But I am not a judge and I do not know the bounds of the law like the book smart lawyers do.

ONE BIG CAUTION: There are MANY high roller Direct Sales people out there touting their homes, Cars, Boats, Bentleys, Hummers, Jetskis, Bank Accounts, and more ENTICING people into a business opportunity and if I was one of those dudes, I would be scared as hell! Seriously… here is why…

Brown charges the company, its affiliates, and the company’s founders J. Lloyd Tomer, J. Scott Tomer, J. Kim Sorensen and Andrew Cauthen with operating an “endless chain scheme,” an unlawful pyramid in which a person pays money for the chance to receive money by recruiting new members to join the pyramid. Brown also charges the company with unfair business practices and false advertising practices including:

* Deceptive claims that members can earn millions of dollars with the company
* Operating without filing legally mandated documents with the attorney general and the Department of Corporations
* Selling an illegal travel discount program

Under California’s unfair business practices statue, the company is liable for $2,500 per violation of law. Attorney General Brown is suing YourTravelBiz.com to get a court order that:

* Bars the company from making false or misleading statements
* Assesses a civil penalty of at least $15,000,000 and at least $10,000,000 in restitution for Californians who were ripped off by the company.

from Brown's Comments "From August 6 through 10, thousands of members are preparing to travel to St. Louis for a national convention to learn new techniques to recruit more victims into the illegal pyramid scheme. Last year at least 10,000 people attended a similar national conference. For more details on the company’s plan to perpetuate its scheme visit: http://www.yourtravelbiz.com/bizRep/BizReports/BIZREPORT_07-18-08.htm"

For more information on pyramid schemes visit: http://ag.ca.gov/consumers/general/pyramid_schemes.php

Consumers who believe they have been bilked by YTB should send a written complaint with copies of any supporting documentation to:

Office of the Attorney General
Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

Or through an on-line complaint form: http://ag.ca.gov/contact/complaint_form.php?cmplt=CL.

This lawsuit against YourTravelBiz.com, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, also names affiliates which include YTB Travel Network, Inc., YTB Travel Network of Illinois, Inc., as well as the company’s founders J. Lloyd Tomer, J. Scott Tomer, J. Kim Sorensen and Andrew Cauthen. For a copy of the lawsuit please contact the attorney general's press office: (916) 324-5500.

You gotta love the timing of the lawsuit eh? All these reps flying into St. Louis, for the company yearly convention, over 10,000 expected to be there, and boom, this bomb drops on everyone WHILE THEY ARE THERE!

Crazy timing from Brown, sure to shake things up in the MLM, direct Sales industry.

Cross your T's and dot your I's people … watch how and what you are marketing. I point to finger back on me as well… Do a thorough and real inventory on what your marketing really says to people and promises to people.

What do you think?

How to Get Rich with Your Own Home Based Travel Club Business Opportunity.

Colorado Springs, CO (PRWEB) October 24, 2007 – October 24, 2007 — Residents of Colorado Springs are about to get powerful information from 7 Figure income earner, Jeff Mills, as he presents his, “How to Get Rich with Your Own Home Based Travel Club Business Opportunity.”

For over 3 years, Jeff Mills, a successful coach and industry leader in home based businesses, has been showing people simple duplicatable systems that they can use to work businesses from home, using the internet with less than 10 hours per week, which produce incomes of $10,000 a month.

Jeff will be showing attendees at his free money making seminar the secrets of how to save up to 75% off all their travel for life and how to earn $10,000 – $100,000 a month with his Coastal Vacations Club Team and the Decide Freedom International System.

Decide Freedom International uses Dani Johnson and her First Steps to Success system to train all their team using proven techniques which have provided over 10,000 success stories for Dani Johnson, as lead trainer.

Mills, a Former Youth Pastor of 9 years was $75,000 in debt and has turned himself into a travel enthusiast and will help anyone who wants to learn how to take exotic and tropical vacations at great discounts plus discover the secrets of using an online money making system with Decide Freedom International.

People in the greater Colorado Springs area are invited to attend Mills’ Seminar, free of charge!

There will be 3 chances to hear Mills’ life changing message on How to Get Rich with Your Own Home Based Travel Club Business. The dates are October 26,27 and 28 at the Residence Inn in N. Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Sessions begin at 7:30 pm and seating is extremely limited, so registratinos must be made immediately. This event will fill up fast because many people are eager to learn how they can earn $10,000 a month, just working 10 hours per week from home.

For a free ticket, visit Coastal Vacations Seminar in Colorado.

Recent success testimonials from Decide Freedom International show incredible money making abilities for average people, by plugging into the Dani Johnson training.

Kim made $26,000 within 2 weeks of starting her Coastal Vacations Club business
Katie from MN earned $3200 within 4 days of getting started.
Stacy from LA, earned over $235,000 his first two years with this team’s unique training, working part time.
Tracy from MN earned $19,000 within 2 months.
Shawn from WI earned over $50,000 within 100 days.
Renae from MN earned a 6 figure income and tripled it her second year, and paid off over $114,000 of debt.
Catherine earned over $34,000 in 3 months.
Lyonel collected $22,000 in 30 days just using 1 strategy from his team trainer.
Jackie, an RN, by profession,earned $190,000 with in two years working part time.
Mills also will show the audience the mathematical certainty that will allow for one to simply make over $1 Million dollars in one year by following his seminar techniques and teachings.

Visit: http://www.coastalvacationscolorado.com now.

“My name is Jeff Mills, and I am happy to help you enjoy travel, save money, and also share with you a story of how to have more money, more free time and all the joys of a successful home based business. Our home based business opportunity is simple to work and makes many people happy. I have already saved over $20,000 just using my travel package and made a fortune. I can show you how I did it, and how you can duplicate it too” said Jeff.

One Coastal Vacations Retail user, Adam Bistodeau, had this to say about his Coastal Vacation package, “Using the Coastal Vacation package, I was able to travel last minute to Orlando, where I booked a One Bedroom Luxury Condo at a resort for only $107 for 8 days and 7 nights! I was so stoked, I used my package to stay in another resort the following week, and got the same rate, for the same amount of time! I got two weeks in Orlando, Florida, at luxurious resorts, with no timeshare presenations, and it only cost me $214 out of my pocket….show me a retail vacation wholesale membership which can match two weeks in Orlando for only $214! It just does not exist.”

Visit: http://www.coastalvacationscolorado.com now to sign up to attend free.

South Washington County Bulletin Newspaper and Inc.com!

http://www.swcbulletin.com/articles/index.cfm?id=7613§ion=Business

and

http://www.inc.com/news/briefs/200708/0807tips.html

Here is a copy of the Newspaper Article about Jeff.

Ever since Cottage Grove resident Jeff Mills found success in the Internet marketing business, he said his friends think he’s a drug dealer.“I don’t seem to do a lot, but I make a lot of money, so it’s kind of suspicious,” Mills said.

Mills said he was a “miserable failure” for four years as he tried to start up an Internet marketing business, but now he’s been so successful he’s teaching others how to get startedThe Cottage Grove resident is a former youth pastor who now sells vacation packages, work-at-home opportunities and mentoring online and travels to speak at conferences on the weekends. Now he earns a six-figure income through his commissions, but the road to get there was a long one.While working full time as a youth pastor in North Minneapolis, Mills wanted to do work that would help him get his debts paid off, he said.

“Like most people, I had a lot of debt, and I saw that there were a lot of people making money on the Internet,” he said.

He started by subscribing to a program called AllAdvantage in 1999. The program put a banner ad on your computer while you surfed the Internet, and each time you clicked on a banner, you would get two or three cents.

Mills got a little discouraged when in his first week he made $1.68.

“I was like, this is going to take forever; this isn’t worth my time,” Mills said.

After that he joined a lot of affiliate programs, where he’d get money for selling other people’s products, but he wasn’t successful at that either.

“It usually cost more in advertising that I was getting back in returns,” Mills said.

He also got involved in a business that was selling millions of e-mail addresses to people and was eventually sued under “can spam” laws.

“I’ve gotten into a few stinkers, made a few mistakes, but that’s how you learn,” Mills said.

For four years he failed at Internet marketing, until he decided in 2003 to pay $500 and join a mentorship program. Given his past record, it took some convincing to get his wife to let him spend that much on another attempt to make money online.

She finally agreed, and through mentorship, he learned how to find people who wanted what he was selling by buying leads, and that he should try to sell high-ticket items with a higher payout per sale.

He got to where he was making $10,000 a week on the side through his Internet business, so he and his wife decided it was time for him to quit his full-time job. His wife, La Rae was still in the ministry, working as a children’s pastor at CrossRoads Church.

Now Mills said he wants to teach other people how to do what he has done. He started a MeetUp group called the Minnesota Online Marketing Mastermind for people who want to learn more about the field, and the Midwest Internet Marketing Superconference a three-day instructional event.

“Anyone can do it, it’s not hard,” he said. “(The Internet) is the Wild, Wild West still … it’s wide open for anybody still. There’s no limit to the success people can have.”