The Hook Vs. The Reality: Google News Publisher Pitch Exposed. [Part I]
Publicity — By Marc HartyWant a “VIP pass to Page One” of Google? That’s the hook for a new traffic method making the rounds in Internet marketing circles. It’s called Google Red Carpet by E. Brian Rose.
And it’s not the only one. There’s a competing product by one of Mr. Rose’s students and other smaller products, again with the pitch of getting free traffic from becoming a Google News Publisher.
There’s a lot of buzz about this. And there are some compelling examples and proof.
Having looked at Google Red Carpet via webinar pitch (as well as via previous incarnation, an ebook called GNewsNow), and after serious consideration on building my own Google News Site, I decided against it.
For that reason, among others, I’m compelled to share my thoughts. After all, I’ve learned a few things about the dynamics of Google News, Yahoo! News and news aggregator sites over the course of the last six years.
That’s how long I’ve been actively doing and teaching Online Press Release Marketing. Over that time I’ve generated tens of thousands of visitors and leads via press release traffic from both the news search engines and the regular search engines.
So yes, I’m a bit of an authority on the subject.
And that leads us to…
The first of a 3-part series revealing, in detail, the realities, risks and rewards of becoming a Google News Publisher.
Here’s the lure:
How to generate a lot of free web site traffic for some of the most competitive (and expensive keywords) and do so in minutes. All by becoming a Google News Publisher? What does that mean exactly?
High-level overview wise, it works like this:
Step #1: create/build a blog that is a Google News Site (following exact instructions as detailed by Google Red Carpet or the other competing products.)
Step #2: submit the site to Google to become an official Google News Publisher
Step #3: Once Google approves your site, it’s your “VIP Pass to Page One.”
So before we dive in to the value proposition of becoming a Google News Publisher, lets set the record straight. In short, the “why” behind this series of articles.
Reason #1: It’s my in-depth response to those colleagues, subscribers and customers who asked me what I thought about becoming a Google News Publisher. This article series is my response to their collective inquiries.
Reason #2: To inform and educate based on my experience with Google News and six years of online press release marketing.
Reason #3: To examine the assumptions and risks, that, in my view, have not been fully explained with the ongoing marketing blitz for Google Red Carpet or for a competing product, “No Cost Traffic Blueprint” by Ben Shaffer.
Here’s what this article series is NOT:
- This is not a review. I have read E. Brian Rose’s original ebook that I discussed with a fellow colleague.
- This is not a hatchet job. I’m not saying these programs doesn’t work, or the people promoting them are deceptive or crooks.
- This is not a pseudo pitch for a competing product.
Let’s face it; anytime something new comes along and has some success, there is a bandwagon effect. And that is the dynamic happening now with Google Red Carpet.
So before YOU jump on the bandwagon, get the facts. Be informed. And after reading this series of articles you still want to go ahead and purchase, go for it.
It all started as a Warrior Special Offer (WSO) and an ebook…
The ebook that started the Google News Publishing Craze?
For those who don’t know, the Warrior Forum has a section where forum members sell information products. These are often at serious discounts to the ultimate price once these products are promoted to the public at large.
Now while I didn’t purchase the ebook via the WSO, a colleague did and shared it with me. We both read it cover to cover. And we discussed building a Google News Site and using it as a vehicle for press release submissions of our PR clients and customers.
Upon investigation, and the anticipated level of work involved, I decided against it. And with all the hubbub about Google Red Carpet, I made the bold decision to speak out now.
So here, in a nutshell is how this 3-part series will unfold…
Part I: Introduction and Background on Becoming A Google News Publisher Exactly. What about the purpose and the promise behind Google Red Carpet? (Note: this is what you are reading NOW.)
Part II: The Land Mines Lurking Under The Google Red Carpet. What are the assumptions and risks that are not being fully communicated, explained or documented? What could blow up in your face and be totally beyond your control? And how can you best arm yourself with knowledge to make an informed buying decision?
Part III: The Future Of Google News Publishing (Experts Weigh In) Don’t just take my word for it. I’ve interviewed several experts with knowledge and experience with Google News as well as publishing news-type sites.
So I’m sure this is going to ruffle some feathers. And I’ll be attacked. But hey, last time I checked, the first amendment of the constitution was still in full effect.
Please share your comments, feedback and questions about this article (and those that will follow) about Google News Publishing. (And Google Red Carpet.)
Tags: E. Brian Rose, google news publisher, google news publishing, google red carpet, online pr![The Hook Vs. The Reality: Google News Publisher Pitch Exposed. [Part I]](http://www.30minutepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lure480px.jpg)
42 Comments
Great stuff Marc I will be sharing that on Facebook and Twitter
Tat
Lets go, Marc. No sense is waiting. I’m leary of Google anything after the product that really could have been the collaborative product of all time, Wave. What a poorly thought through set of instructions and actions. Completely non-intuitive.
So I wait to hear that the next big thing is from Google. Besides I trust you. But you already know that. You ever get the FB messages I sent?
Tatyana,
Thank you! I realize I’m going to be taking incoming fire on this one and I’m glad to have you in my corner! 🙂
Hi Stuart,
Wait until you see article #2. And yes have received FB messages just been swamped. Will get to them this weekend, promise.
Hi Bill,
Thanks for your feedback. This first article is just an introduction. The real meaty stuff is articles #2 and #3.
Hope you weigh in on those as well.
Marc
I think it is ok to test it and see how it works. But never put eggs in one basket. Lets talk soon. Honestly to me when it looks too complicated it is! I was overwhelmed We are PR people. Talkers. Connectors. I was reading all on Google News Publisher from your link and it is alot to do.. but you know you never know..It can work for some but I would not put all focus on using them.
I will use Pitchengine or other PR services.. They are solid.
Tat
Tatyana,
Yes, it is a BIG time commitment. That’s one land mine. I’ll be sharing some others with my next post. And YES, let’s see if we can talk next week.
~ Marc
Hey Marc,
I’ve heard that Google has seen these products as well, and is now checking the cache for the sites that are submitted that have backdated posts, and is only considering sites with a history of a few months, with 3 -4 original, unique articles per day! Huge time/effort/outsourcing commitment!
Also, from what I’m hearing, the traffic is hard to convert/monetize.
So the cost/benefit scenario doesn’t seem like a good ROI to me.
Looking forward to articles 2 & 3!
Thanks, Marc!
Howard “OutSourcerer” Tiano
http://OfflineCashBlueprints.com
Mark
I’m really interested in hearing your take on this. I’ve considered building out and outsourcing a project like this but it’s a huge endeavor even from a project management standpoint… and of course there are no guarantees (as with anything).
I’ve been having a lot of success leveraging other Google news sites and thought why not have my own… so I’ll be especially interested in hearing why you decided against it.
You’ve got mw on the edge of my seat for the next post!
Brian
You have my attention, Marc! Certainly very interesting. It’s quite a challenge for all of us, knowing what to focus on and what apparent leveraging opportunities to test or pass on. Opportunity cost and reputation risk are often not mentioned and I see as implicit in your series some way for any of us to figure those out for ourselves with this particular proposition. Can’t wait for Ep 2!
I sign up with Rose and have the other competitive product. Their initial promotion made it seems like it would be easy to create the news site with their software that makes the original posts. But I find that these posts have be be rewritten, titles changed, and images reposted. Its a tremendous amount of work. Then the news to write daily for a couple of months is another large project.
Awesome, Marc. I look forward to reading your full report on this subject as I would love to understand how it all works from a PR Jedi Master.
Finally someone has the balls to tell you how it is without the so called hype and sugar coating I have been getting email after email promoting google news
by a lot of so called big names but no one has really come out to tell us
ALL THE FACTS..
For this I thank you Marc this is how real relationships are built by separating the facts from the hype I really appreciate your honesty and no hold bars approach and also saving me $497 haha god bless Marc and yes thank you..
James,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m sure to make some enemies but also some new friends. Much more to come including a “self-test” to see if your keywords are a good fit or not for being a Google publisher.
Kevin,
Thanks for your comment. I may end doing 4 posts and a special report by the time it’s all over!
Rudy,
You hit one of the biggest land mines–time! I’ll be covering more about that in article #2. So, am I right in assuming you are feeling some buyer’s remorse over both products and the basic premise you were pitched?
Hi Des,
So great for you to stop by! I think the biggest travesty is this recent pitching has really pissed off the Google News Publisher community. These marketers poo-poo the community members as whiny complainers. And yet, in looking at what those who are upset are talking about, they do have legitimate concerns and it was one of the reasons I’m speaking out.
BTW, I’ll want to get in touch with you about an Australian PR project sometime soon. That’s in your wheelhouse, is it not? 🙂
Brian,
Good to hear from you. I’d like to have a quick phone chat with you for an expert quote for article #3 where I am looking at the future of Google News Publishing. Would LOVE to hear about your successes.
And thanks for taking the time to give me your feedback.
Howard,
You are correct, sir! Here’s the deal: first E. Brian Rose said you could get your site accepted by Google in days, a recent webinar said up to 6 weeks and I have heard it could now be as long as 3-6 months!
As someone who understands outsourcing like you, that is a HUGE bet on something that may very well not pan out the way you want it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Oh, I will be, Marc!
I look forward to hearing from you about the Australian PR project. If it’s not for me I could surely help with connections.
It IS a ton of work, but at what cost? How many other projects could you put in place, RIGHT NOW, and MAKE MONEY with instead of doing this?
And all for what? 10 minutes in the top 10. BFD.
Oh, but the ROI for E Brian Rose and his shady or gullible JV partners is tremendous!
That’s how a lot of the internet marketing world works — *They* sell *You* stuff that you think you need (but you don’t). Then they move on to sell you other crap you don’t need.
And try to get real live support on products they no longer have an interest in promoting. Seriously. Try it. Buy something that was launched 6 months ago by one of these guys. You’ll be lucky to get an auto-generated “We’re working on it” email.
@ Rudy
@ Bill
Both of you make good points. I’ll really be deconstructing the whole time component in my next article. I welcome your feedback on that as well.
Des,
It’s on a slow boil but hopefully will start cookin’ soon. Always good to connect with you. How is the new Pitch Engine platform working out?
Hi Marty,
I signed on for your PR package but I’m overseas nd my computer crashed. back tomorrow.
Back to the point,I’ve been present on one of those webinars you talk about with brian Rose but to the truth, I wasn’t attracted to it mostly because, apart from the hype, there wasn’t a lot of good content given. Good to see my gut feeling being confirmed.
Cheers,
Tamar
Hi Marc,thanks for your honesty! Looking forward to the series.
Hi Tamar,
Thanks for your feedback. Let me know if you need online access to my PR package again.
Hi Karen,
Can’t wait to share with you what I’ve been researching. Look for two more posts this week!
PitchEngine’s going great guns – will email you a link to an excellent post on the subject.
BTW, we should have a chat also about social media in that rather hugely populated country immediately north of where I’m sitting and I don’t mean PNG 🙂
Marc – Awesome! I was at a seminar this weekend and somebody brought up this whole “Google News” web site model. I hadn’t heard of it, but something sounded fishy, so I put it on my “list of things to research when I get home.” So your timing is perfect. I’ll be reading every post, for sure.
Marc, this is a very well-written article. I can’t wait to read parts 2 & 3. It is very important that consumers understand the pro’s and con’s before investing their money in internet-based strategies.
Hi Holly,
Thanks for the feedback. Working on article #2 today. Can’t wait to get your reaction to that one…
Hi Ryan,
That doesn’t surprise me. Building a Google News Site is definitely a hot topic. And it’s about to get hotter–stay tuned. Next up, hidden land mines…
I have a Google News site and since being approved I had to find out the hard way just how hard it is to convert the traffic. There are other methods that you can use a Google News site for but trying to convert readers who want to read news to click on any ads on your site is hard work.
This is not the blue pill folks this is really hard work. I’m almost a thousand dollars into this project because you have to submit articles on a daily basis to keep from having your Google News site deindexed.
One other thing! Mr Rose shows in his video that you can write an article and have the blended news result on the first page of Google. After about 2 months of submitting articles on a daily basis I can tell you that its false.
All articles index in Google News but you will have some articles that wont even sniff Googles man search index. If you buy be prepared for a bunch of headaches.
If you search for the course by name or the author, in Google, you’ll find some interesting things in the Google News Discussion Forum, not the least of which seems to be the tip of a posse of people determined to hunt down and expose all of these sites and get Google to defrock and even blacklist them. Basically, it would appear these sites have a big red bulls-eye painted on them, and folks are hunting them down. Some lawsuits are already flying over sales of GN-approved sites that were shortly disapproved not long after the sales were made. And these weren’t in the $8,000 to $50,000 range touted in the webinar. They were only a couple grand.
I have no doubt that Rose’s techniques work. I just cannot see investing the time, money, and effort needed to get such a site into the “inner circle” only to have it nuked shortly afterwards by people trying to get them banished.
First, I really appreciate you for coming forward and sharing your experience. I also totally respect your desire for privacy. Your voice in this conversation is most welcome.
David,
You bring up some excellent points! In fact, if you check my second article in this series, you’ll see I cover many of those topics. Hope to get your feedback on that one as well. Thanks for your feedback.
Thank you Marc for this post and thanks to those who posted thoughtful comments on the subject!
I was intrigued by the presentations by Shaffer and less by Rose and got very interested.
After these comments I concluded that I won’t jump into this.
Lousy trick to backdate posts, really bad sportsmanship!
Best wishes
Rolf
Hi Marc,
Are you still working on the final part to this series? If so I’d be happy to talk to you about it!
Brian
Thank you, I considered the course but decided against it. Google is not dumb or stupid. Google will catch up with this and will find a way to single out all the sites that does this and shut them down. One thing Google does not like is people using them, as Google has people attending webinars and listening in to the latest tricks that IM ers come up with.
Thanks for your post.