6 replies to this topic

[markus]

After reading this site, i went and issued my first press release the other day. I then got a call from a reporter from a independent news angency that produces news for abc, nbc and some 800 other television stations. He said they wanted to do a bit on my site and give it national coverage. But they want me to pay for nielson ratings and so i can have the rights to the video for redistribution etc etc. That would end up around $8,700 USD and the story would be shown to between 1 to 2 million viewers if its a average story. Is something like this worth it?

[Scottie]

It sounds like a scam to me... may not be but do your research first. YOU shouldn't have to pay for a news story on your company.

[Vertster]

I have been contacted by these guys too. Every so often, I get a call from a similar group. Usually the pitch is, you get on TV for free, but then have to buy DVDs or tapes, or pay for production, or something like that. It ends up costing thousands. I tell them to take a hike, cause it sounds like a scam.

They are basically offering a marketing channel. THis is not so bad, and it may very well be worth it. But the fact that they are deceptive in how they present it is what makes me think "SCAM!"

[OldWelshGuy]

Editors are CRYING OUT for content, it is the bane of their lives getting hold of content, and IMO no way would a content provider (like yourself) be expected to pay for the privilege.

The most that we would ask a content provider like you to do we ran a paper was to sign a waiver of control form.

If they are independent news producers then they produce news for themselves in the hope of getting it syndicated, it is a little wrong IMO to expect you to subsidise their business.

Personally I would spend a few hundred $ or £ spend with a decent copywriter and produce your own press release syndicating it yourself. Any editor/newshound who likes it will contact you direct, and if they run the story then you can expect to be contacted by many others, all at no cost to yourself.

[qwerty]

The bosses at my old company would occasionally get calls from "radio shows" that wanted to interview them. After the first couple of tries, they were wise to the scam, but the conversation always had to go at least five minutes or so before the caller would give an honest answer to questions about any money we had to pay them.

[SearchRank]

I don't know if I'd call this a scam. I would call it a commercial. They are trying to sell you a commercial camouflaged as a "news story." Sure they would probably show your story to 1 - 2 million people but I can think of alot better ways to spend that kind of money.

News agencies do not charge one to run a story. Therefore I'd respond to them saying that you will not pay them $8,700 USD but you will give them half rate on the hourly rate you charge for your time!

[markus]

This is the company,

<URL removed, as this company has been referred to as possible scam artists I dont think it appropriate to mention them by name>

said the $8700 is for nielson ratings. Evidently there last big story went on 60 minutes. Doesn't matter if they give me 2 million visitors, for $8,700 i can buy a lot of cheap traffic to my site! Since april 1st of this year i've signed up 22,000 members, so i guess its just a matter of time till someone takes notice.

Edited by OldWelshGuy, 08 December 2003 - 04:43 AM.