Jett Travolta's Death Says Something About News Authority

I was surfing around the Web today while watching football games and I stumbled on a notice that John Travolta and Kelly Preston's son, Jett died today while they were vacationing in the Bahamas. I wasn't particularly familiar with the site and so I immediately went to look for more information. After all, as a person who was a teenager in the 1970s, I was as big a John Travolta fan. Also, Jett's news was tragic regardless of what you thought of his acting parents. Soon I found TMZ reporting this and I knew that site had more credibility than most entertainment news sources, but this young man was only 16 and the source was still "entertainment news." I was looking for a more reliable source.

Soon I began to find it in more traditional sources and learned that young Jett often suffered seizures and John Travolta had been quoted saying "we almost lost him" in a TV interview a few years ago. However, the cause of death was conflicting. Some sources said he injured himself in a bathtub, while others said it was a seizure. I assume it will be concluded that if a head injury was involved, it started with a seizure.

It took a few"clicks" before I found a page that I considered authoritative and it made me think about the way people perceive web sources. In spite of the rise of blogs -- there are over 133 million of them on the Internet -- I believe people still want to get their news from traditional sources. The more traditional, the better, it appears. I didn't fully embrace the validity of the story until I read it in Reuters (showing my bias for business news I assume).

As someone who writes four or five posts a week, I find this a little disconcerting. Although it is true that some blogs carry more authority than others and this one is written by someone with twenty plus years experience in journalism, it is still a blog. When I did my search based on authority, I instantly dismissed articles that were blog sources.

There are reasons why there are 133 million plus blogs on the Internet today and it isn't because people have nothing better to do than write them (well, not all of them at least). I know many read mine, as I find quotes by me on other blogs and news articles and I get emails and calls from others about my posts. But the gap between traditional and new media remains obvious.

Note: I hate for my analysis to distract from the tragedy of the passing of a teenager who is far too young to die. However, I will leave stories about him to those who are more eloquent than myself to write such. I leave it to those who know him and the family far better than I do. As a father, I find this story particularly tragic and send my sympathies.

Kevin Price is a syndicated columnist whose articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media. Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at PriceofBusiness.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

The Price of Business and the "Syndication Effect"

One of my objectives is to get the media that my company is developing in front of as many ears and eyes as possible. That is, after all, the purpose of media. The Price of Business Show is the longest running program on CNN 650, which is in the Houston market. Lately, I have been getting calls and emails from all over the country. Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania are just a few of the states that have been taking a part in the program (you will get an example by clicking the image above). Thanks to the Internet, the show may already be "syndicated." I like to call this phenomenon the "syndication effect." We are nationwide, even thought the program is broadcasted locally.

CNN 650 is a partner with AOL radio and as a result, many of my listeners are listening to my show in their car, on the bus, and at the restaurant on their Ipods. Furthermore, with the ease of finding our media through Google searches (with over 150,000 unique visitors each month) and our growing business media platform (including USBusinessDaily.com, ChicagoBusinessDaily.com, etc.), our reach is only expected to expand.

The syndication effect doesn't end with AOL radio. Rarely does a day go by that I don't see an article of mine from BizPlusBlog.com in Reuters.com, USAToday.com, ChicagoSunTimes.com, or other major media. Blog syndication services, such as Blogburst, is continually changing the way people get seen and heard.

A very popular concept these days is the effort to become "almost famous." With some solid and consistent content and strong efforts to get your information seen, it is easier than ever. Furthermore, with websites like ours enjoying visitors measured in the hundreds of thousands monthly, it is very feasible to be a player in media today.

Kevin Price articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media.

Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at PriceofBusiness.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Is Bartering Practical?

Since ITEX has become a sponsor of BizPlusblog, people have asked me, "what is 'cashless marketing'?" Cashless marketing means bartering, which is the trading of goods and services and ITEX is one of the most established companies when it comes to such a system.

Bartering was the prevalent means of exchanging goods and services long before money. Money replaced bartering only because cash and coins were easier for such trades than finding a perfect match for a product or service. When countries had irresponsible monetary policies (like Germany after World War I), it was often natural to go back to trade.

So, why would cashless marketing, like that facilitated by ITEX, make sense today?

It has an outstanding history that make as much sense today as it did in the early 80s when it was founded. This is from its website: Founded in 1982, ITEX is a leading marketplace for cashless business transactions across North America. ITEX processes over $250 million a year in transactions across 24,000 member businesses and 95+ franchisees and licensees. Member businesses increase sales and open new markets by utilizing ITEX dollars to exchange goods and services. ITEX is powered by ITEX Payment Systems, the leading payment technology platform for cashless business transactions. ITEX is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.

What are its other advantages?

ITEX dollars are used to buy and sell products and services among members instead of spending cash

Record keeping services for expediting and simplifying the transaction process

Access to "Trade Directors" in local regions for facilitating new business among members

Private membership directory reaching new customers and moving idle inventories

24x7 online account access

ITEX offers thousands of ways to spend your dollars. In hot economies, people buy vacations and in cold ones, they cover business expenses. Whatever the reason, it makes sense in this writer's opinion. That is why I have been a member for over a year.

Kevin Price is an ITEX member and was a member before ITEX became a sponsor of BizPlusBlog. Consider the above video with the CEO of ITEX.

For a copy of the free report, "Why Your Marketing Isn't Working," email Info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing" in the subject line.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

"That Was Easy"

Last week I received emails and calls from the people at Fleishman Hillard (a PR firm) about my blog posts regarding Staples and I wrote about the stir they were creating. Fleishman Hillard represents the office supply store.

Today, I received a Federal Express package at the studio. My producer said, "If you think it is going to blow, please take it to another studio" rather than the one adjacent to her room. Fortunately, it didn't blow, but it did contain one of the most important forms of technology of all time... a Smart Button (at least that is the impression one gets from the commercial).

I commend Vaness Astros of Fleishman Hillard for the innovative and energetic work they are doing and their ongoing efforts for Staples. I love creativity and hard work. As a result, they are in this blog again and I am mentioning again that they are, in fact, opening a store here in Houston this week. There will soon be no more waiting!

For a copy of the free report, "Why Your Marketing Isn't Working," email Info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing" in the subject line.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Staples Reading BizPlusBlog

Today I received a call from a spokes person of Staple Office Supplies and she just wanted to mention that the box store is moving to Houston. I was delighted to be informed and have written about the company often in BizPlusBlog. Further, I wanted to compare them to the mainstay in Houston, Office Depot.

Vanessa Astros (of the Fleishman-Hillard Agency, which represents Staples) was quick to tell me that "I read your blog on March 13 about how there were no Staples stores in Houston, and I thought to myself...wow, this is perfect timing! Staples will open four stores this year, including the first store on Almeda-Genoa and I-45. It's a real neat story because, as you said, it brings competition and options for consumers." Yes, I am a big fan of competition and am looking forward to seeing a Staples in our area.

Four stores is a pretty aggressive effort and I am looking forward to having one added in my area. Furthermore, she said that there would be a couple more added in 2009. The first one is having it's grand opening next week. It will be interesting to see how many Houstonians will press the "Smart Button."

For a copy of the free report, "Why Your Marketing Isn't Working," email Info@HoustonBusinessShow.com and put "marketing" in the subject line.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Is Dr. Phil Now Good Television?

It is tough to come up with daily content for a show, be it radio or TV. Yes, there are plenty out there looking for their fifteen minutes fame, but most of them are unworthy of such a platform.

On my show, I find it challenging to get my listeners great guests and write several articles each week at BizPlusBlog.com and at HoustonBusinessShow.com.

Dr. Phil normally has guests on in some form of crisis. Pregnant too young, angry too often, drunk most of the time, etc. On these shows, McGraw works with these guests and helps them "sort through" their issues. Often, he will have additional experts on to throw in their opinions and provide opportunities for future assistance once they leave the show. However, there are only so many stories that can be done on issues such as these before they get old, regardless of how sick people are capable of being. Eventually, all the stories seem the same.

This leads to the new "Dr. Phil Now" segments, in which the psychologist has a different set, a different seating arrangement, and a different approach to the stories. On such segments, Dr. Phil takes a story pulled from the headlines of newspapers, (such as today's where he interviewed the girls that were "too cute" to fly on Southwest Airlines) and interviews the major players in the incident. Instead of the counseling approach he's noted for, it is more of a platform for social commentary.

The set lacks the crowd of the normal Dr. Phil show and has a decidedly different feel. The mob scene doesn't make sense for such a format. I'm not sure if it is to fill a content void or because he sees a need for a serious review of social issues. We will have to see how the show performs with this new platform.

Kevin Price is Host of the Houston Business Show (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at HoustonBusinessShow.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Is Business News Boring?

This website is know as BizPlusBlog, but I have to admit that there is often more "plus" than business. In fact, I took a glance at the 200 plus articles in the archive and found that political issues were the prevailing theme. I love business, particularly biographies of great leaders, innovative ideas, and major business trends. But clearly I love political issues more.

I've spent some time looking at other blogs with a business focus and found that most tend to be technical or "how to." There are very few with the intrigue and drama seen in the focus of other blogs, in my opinion.

I'm going to devote some time to cultivating more business topics for this blog. I would love to get suggestions from others on the best ways to do just that.