My Thoughts for the New Year

This time of year, a lot of people look back over the past twelve months and evaluate some of the big moments of their life. Where did things go wrong? Where did things go right? What could I have done better? What were some of the unexpected surprises along the way? I could spend some time with you today looking back at 2012 - it was an incredibly eventful year with some bitter disappointments - but I don’t feel like looking back today. On this New Years Day, I want to look forward to the future.

In 2013, all of us are going to have some interesting decisions to make.  I believe each one of us is going to have to make a commitment to stand up for our principles and values.  You and I both know the  problems we're facing aren't going to be solved in Washington D.C., but in individual homes across the country.  It is my responsibility to be prepared for what is coming in the next few years, especially given the data I'm being presented with on a daily basis.

And do you want to know the good news? I’m an optimist. I know the American people still have the resolve, the grit, and the willingness to make the hard choices to get through the tough times that are headed our way. Sure the progressives are clearly in political control, but it’s going to be the people who value freedom and liberty that will be the light in the darkness.

In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote:

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.

These are the times that try men’s souls, and putting America back on the path of freedom may not be easy - but“the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

So in 2013, what do I need to do?  Your focus may be different, so I'm only sharing this to give you some perspective about where I'm focusing my energy.

First, I have made a commitment. It’s going to be harder than ever to stand for liberty, freedom and small government in 2013. I am prepared to stand up and stand firm for the things that I know to be true.

Second, I have already aligned myself with like-minded people who really believe in the principles of freedom. If you look to the Constitution as a guide, you’re likely to find some allies like I have. Why can I sit down with an atheist and find common ground? Because we both believe in the same basic principles of freedom and liberty that were part of this country's founding. I guarantee you, there are more people in this country who want small government and personal responsibility than those who don’t - you just need to seek them out and find that common ground. 

Third, I believe we need to take back the culture. It appears to me that conservatives have all but given up on culture. I've been working with my company on some exciting new plans for next year and beyond that will see us injecting socially redeeming content back into the cultural sphere.  I am committed to working with companies who are committed to those cultural goals that will impact lives, so I'm dedicated to find those companies and help them make massive marketing moves in the coming years. But I can’t do this alone. If you’re a creator or an artist, you need to be out there creating your art, filming your movie, singing your song. And if you’re not an artist, you can support and share the work of people who are putting their work out there.  I can help you market your message, but it MUST be high quality content that will engage our culture.

Fourth, I intend to be as prepared as possible, first for the "All is Normal" scenario, next for "Survive-in-Place" scenario and a "Bug Out" scenario. I am an optimist, but I also know that with the way things are going in Washington, things could get worse before they get better. Please, take the simple steps that you can. Store some extra food and water around the house just in case there is a storm or a natural disaster. Have a go-bag ready. Make sure your family knows a meeting point where you can all regroup in an emergency. I’m not asking you to go crazy, I’m just asking for basic preparedness.  You've lost nothing by preparing compared to being at someone else's mercy if something does happen and you've not prepared.

Fifth, I intend to triple my business and double the revenue for all my existing clients.  The more money we all make together, the more we will control our own destiny.  Money certainly isn't the sole focus and it doesn't solve all the problems, but it does allow me to arrive at the solutions in style!  :)

Finally, in 2013 I want to be an example.  I intend to talk to my friends and family about the things that I believe and know to be true. I’m not telling you I'm going to dress up like George Washington and go to every single Tea Party rally in my area. I am telling you I'm going to try and engage people who may not agree with me in a cordial and civil way. I am telling you I'm going to be putting money away so that I can handle problems with family and friends in which I don’t want the government involved. I am telling you that I am doing everything possible to embrace personal responsibility. I am attempting to have honest conversations. As important as it is to ally with like-minded individuals, the biggest challenge I will face in 2013 is waking up the people who have been brainwashed by the progressives on television, in music, and in the classrooms.

If I don’t show my neighbors, and more importantly my children, a better path, then it’s going to be harder to turn things around.  I believe that we can put this country back on the right track, but it is not going to happen overnight, it's not going to happen in the coming year...but we have to be dedicated to turning this around over the next 10, 20 and 30 years.  We didn't get here overnight and we're not about to change the culture or restore sanity without hard work and dedication to that goal.

I hope you and your family have a wonderful 2013.

Why Gun Control is NOT the issue.

I think we can all agree that a man walking in to an elementary school and opening fire is deeply, deeply horrific. And in the gut-wrenching social introspection that comes afterwards, the desire to 'do something' is understandable. 

These days, the role of government in the west has become so bloated that it's commonplace for people to look to their political leaders when they want something done. 

And politicians, who are bent on keeping their jobs, are keen to be seen as taking action. 

And so here we are again, after another terrible tragedy which involved (a) death, and (b) firearms, with calls to restrict firearm ownership, particularly high-powered assault rifles. 

Again, in fairness, the reaction is understandable. Most folks have such an emotional response, they just want to do something... often without thinking through the long-term consequences or all sides of the issues. 

Unfortunately, the root cause of such issues is often misdiagnosed, hence the response is ill-conceived. This is often how wars get started. Pearl Harbor. 9/11. Etc. 

What the left wing ideologues and gun control favoring media continues to ignore are stories that are equally horrific, but which don't support their anti-gun rhetoric.  For example, a man wielding a knife attacked students Friday at a school in central China, leaving 22 children and one adult injured, according to state-run media reports.  Same whacked out craziness by someone who should be in a mental institution, larger number of children affected and the only difference is the weapon of choice.  So why aren't we talking about "Knife-Control"?  

The attack marks the latest in a series of violent assaults at elementary schools in China. In 2010, a total of 18 children were killed in four separate attacks. On March 23 of that year, Zheng Minsheng attacked children at an elementary school in Fujian Province, killing eight.

One month later, just a few hours after Zheng Minsheng was executed for his crime, another man, Chen Kanbing wounded 16 students and a teacher in a knife attack at another primary school in Fujian. The following month, on May 12, a man named Wu Huangming killed seven children and two adults with a meat cleaver at a kindergarten in Shaanxi Province. That attack was followed by an August 4 assault by Fang Jiantang, who killed three children and one teacher with a knife at a kindergarten in Shandong Province.

In 2011, a young girl and three adults were killed with an axe at an elementary school in Henan Province by a 30-year-old man named Wang Hongbin, and eight children were hurt in Shanghai after an employee at a child care center attacked them with a box cutter.

So are we going to ban meat-cleavers, axes and box cutters? 

In the Newtown, CT case, some nut job shoots up a school with assault weapons, so the response is to ban assault weapons. But is access to assault weapons really the root cause of the issue? Or, to paraphrase Chris Rock, are some people simply crazy? 

History shows that there have been countless crazed psychopaths who kill wantonly, indiscriminately, without the use of assault rifles: 

- Seung-Hui Cho, the 2007 Virginia Tech killer (he used two handguns) 
- Luis Garavito, a Colombian mass murderer who killed hundreds of children with just a knife 
- Mary Ann Cotton, a 19th century mass murderer in England who poisoned her victims 
- Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a 16th century Hungarian who tortured and killed hundreds 

Some people just aren't wired right. It's always been that way. Before firearms, before violent movies, before video games... there have always been crazy nuts.  Go all the way back in Biblical times and you can see it only took a rock in a hand for Cain to kill Abel.

Passing laws doesn't change any of this. Government cannot protect us from all the bad people out there. Bathing travelers in radiation doesn't make us any safer. Fondling children at airports doesn't make us any safer. Taking away Constitutional rights doesn't make us any safer. 

Neither will banning assault rifles. Bad guys will always find a way, either commandeering a killing machine illegally, or reverting to something more old school. As Lao Tzu once wrote, "The more laws and order are made prominent, the more thieves and robbers there will be." 

On that note, there's a deeper issue that is seldom mentioned in the gun control debate. Yes, every year, innocent people die because of violence. But there is no greater mass murderer in history than government. 

When a lone gunman kills 32 people at an elementary school, it's a tragedy. When a government abandons its own ambassador and staff in Benghazi, it's collateral damage. No biggie. 

Governments have a horrible track record of murder, pillage, and genocide, and they have the blood of millions of victims on their hands. The Founding Fathers in the United States knew this. And the premise of the Constitution's Second Amendment, the right to bear arms, is based on this idea. 

Yes, people need protection against those who mean to do them harm. But occasionally, people also need protection from those who are sworn to protect them. Given history's numerous examples of once stable nations descending into murderous rampages, it's both foolish and intellectually dishonest to dismiss this point. 

Some people argue, 'well the Founding Fathers never intended for us to have assault rifles, which didn't exist back then.' Sure, maybe. But they also never intended for government to have nukes, drones, body scanners, or Homeland Security urban assault vehicles. 

A well-armed populace is a major deterrent in keeping government responsible, as well as keeping bad guys away. Willfully giving up this advantage out of fear is a poor choice. It means that we have no other option but to trust the goodwill, and competence, of government agents to keep us safe. 

There's little that's more important than the well-being of ourselves and our families. And when an entire society considers abandoning that responsibility, choosing instead to outsource it to corrupt bureaucrats and jack-booted thugs, this marks a major turning point that your nation is about to go down a very precarious road. 

In total sincerity, perhaps it's time to consider your options and be a part of the rush to purchase your own guns before that right is stripped away.

Content is King!

Understanding the Building Blocks of a Successful Social Media Marketing Campaign 

Content is King! 

Introduction 

Social media and networking is about as ignorable as that proverbial elephant in the room… only this one is wearing a big pink tutu. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Digg, Friendster, Stumbleupon, Twitter, YouTube and the hundreds more than can be found out there in the virtual ether: they all promote communication, interaction and information exchange. They have millions upon millions of regular users… people like you and I who use the Internet to reach out to our friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances and all those people you don’t really know, but are friends with anyway. While social media and networking sites have revolutionized 21st century social interaction, they have also revolutionized the way we essentially promote our enterprises and compete with our rivals.

Social Media and Modern Marketing 

So important has social media and networking become to marketing and advertising that the subject is taught at University level. There are degree and diploma programs dedicated to unraveling the mystery that is making Facebook turn web-viewers into paying customers. Business owners shell out thousands of dollars to advertising agencies and online marketers to use websites that their eight year old nieces and nephews know like the back of their hand… and all to drive greater traffic to their websites, turn viewers in to customers and increase profits. Does this sound crazy? Well, it WORKS! It works so well that all these social media and networking sites have become an indispensible component of the successful online marketing campaign. In other words, if you want your business to keep its head above the waters of its competition, you need to be visible in social media. This means building and maintaining profile pages on all those buzzword sites: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. It means regularly broadcasting quality content that doesn’t simply get swallowed by the Internet, but actually creates ripples throughout its virtual pages. From status updates and tweets to posting videos, pictures and key-worded writing pieces on the myriad of article directory sites… it all helps to imprint your business’ name and identity in the minds of the both local and global Internet-users. 

Content is King! 

So here we are: a solid and creative social media marketing campaign is fundamental if the modern business is to establish a positive online reputation that translates into dollar bills. But while subscription and registration with all these social media sites is free, time is money and at the end of the day, very few business owners have the time to update their Facebook statuses. This is why social media and online marketing agencies have become really important. But what so many business owners forget, or never learn in the first place, is that content is king! Those Facebook statuses you skim off the top of your imagination? There are hundreds, if not thousands of people reading those and every status they read helps them to develop an impression of your business… of your brand. It only takes one poorly-thought out, inappropriate or weak status to make hundreds of potential customers sneer at your message and ultimately, at your business. 

Improving Your Internet Marketing Campaign 

There are a myriad of techniques, strategies, tools and tricks that go into the crafting of a fantastic online marketing campaign. But, much like a car is made of thousands of different components, these all mean nothing unless you add fuel! Likewise, your online marketing campaign means nothing without… creativity. This is the most important ingredient. You can hire a thousand social media administrators to update your profile pages, post articles, videos and more, but unless there is creative energy behind all these efforts, they will not reflect in the number of people that visit your business website. The modern business owner needs to be prepared to invest money in their Internet marketing campaign and this means maintaining a dedication to quality over and above anything else. Think ‘fresh’, think ‘unique’, think ‘compelling’, ‘engaging’, ‘original’ and any other adjectives that would make you put down your cup of coffee, turn down the radio and pay attention. The point of social media marketing is to captivate an audience and establish a positive rapport with them. While social media is a brilliant tool for online marketing, it is social in nature and no one is going to pay attention to you unless you have something interesting and original to say. Creativity drives what the online advertising agency does. So here’s what you can do to improve upon your Internet marketing strategies:

 Keep Thinking Creatively 

You need to constantly think of new and innovative ways that you can engage your audience through social media. No matter how small the idea or localized the impact it may have, as long as someone is listening, it is contributing positively to your online marketing campaign. For example, you could offer specials or discounts to those that make purchases, order online or book your services through your business website only. Or, if you own a restaurant, art gallery or any other small creative business, you could use Facebook to advertise an event you will be hosting to increase awareness and patronage on that particular night. Whatever the idea, whatever the strategy, it all pays off in the end.

Stinking Linking 

There is no doubt that link-building is a core component of a successful online marketing campaign. However, there is nothing more annoying than a business who constantly posts links to their website on their social media and networking accounts. There is nothing imaginative or interesting about a link unless there is something tantalizing before it, so steer clear of dropping them endlessly on your social networking sites. 

Write, and When You’re Done Writing, Write Some More… 

You (or your website administrator) should be actively engaged in writing blogs, press releases, informative articles and new web pages. Even more so, these need to be well-researched and eloquently written; all of the people who read these need to enjoy their content. Remember, for every new page of content you post – be it a blog post, a new webpage or a press release – a new URL is created that serves as a pathway back to your business website. The more you write, the more virtual pathways there will be leading back to you. The better the quality of these articles, the more people will actually follow these pathways.

Cheap Strategies, Cheap Results 

There are plenty of ways to drive heavy traffic to your website; however, the majority of those ‘quick fix’ solutions offer an exceptionally low lead conversion rate (this refers to the percentage of viewers that actually become paying customers). Some traditional tricks include ‘keyword stuffing’ and over-linking, which are capable of catching the attention of search engines. However, Google’s ever-changing algorithms – the latest of which is referred to as the ‘Farmer’s Update’ - are cracking down on these cheap Search Engine Optimizing tricks. The take-home lesson here is that if you employ cheap online marketing strategies, you are likely going to end up driving traffic away and completely waste your time and money in the process.

In Conclusion 

Most business owners do not have the time or skills necessary to translate their social media marketing campaign into increased website traffic and greater sales. While social media is accessible to all, it always comes recommended to entrust the online success of your business to an experienced and skilled social media advertising agency. Fuelled by your personal visions for your enterprise and your creative energy, an online ad agency can get you stellar results. It does, however, always pay to be vigilant. Keep your finger on the pulse of your social media marketing campaign and keep the content fresh, original and engaging. Follow this advice and you can only ever improve your business’ online success!

Content is king; Creativity is key

Shoppers Rescue Teens from Streets with InfluenceTV Purchases

Los Angeles, CA (November 21, 2012) – – Shoppers can rescue Emancipated Teens from being dropped off on the streets when the Foster Care money ends at 18 years old. After hundreds of Foster Homes, teens are left with no money, nowhere to go, many times on Skid Row to fend for themselves. They are targets for pimps, gangs, sex traffickers, or drug dealers. Now Shoppers can help provide a safe home for these lost children. 5,000 available products can be purchased on Influencetv.org (www.influencetv.org) giving Shoppers who care about others the opportunity to donate a portion of their purchase to a life-saving Cause. This does not cost the shopper a single penny more because all of the products have been discounted by manufacturers, leaving a portion of every sale to support a specific Cause. Emancipated Youth, a dedicated housing program of The Dream Center, offers a safe home to begin this difficult transition from spending a childhood being transferred to hundreds of Foster Care homes to stability with training for adult life. “People would be surprised to know how awful the Foster Care system has become, leaving teens confused, angry, and without hope or direction,” said Dr. Michael K. Clifford, Chairman of InfluenceTV.org. “The Dream Center is making a real difference in Los Angeles. We are calling on Shoppers to buy their everyday household goods from InfluenceTV designating a portion of the purchase to rescue these future Americans. Make a difference in someone else’s life then you will make a difference in your own life.” ABOUT INFLUENCETV.ORG InfluenceTV.org is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to change the way America spends money shopping. Through its content-rich video-centric website, shoppers can buy goods and services they use every day while designating a portion of the purchase price specifically to the Cause or charity that they want to help.

Shoppers Feed Hungry Less Fortunate on InfluenceTV.org

Los Angeles, CA (November 21, 2012) – – Shoppers can now take a seat on the Food Truck , a non-profit that delivers groceries to the poor, by using their money to buy products on Influencetv.org. With a menu of more than 5,000 available products, Influencetv.org (www.influencetv.org) gives consumers the opportunity to donate a portion of their purchase to a life-saving Cause. This does not cost the shopper a single penny more because all of the products have been discounted by manufacturers, leaving a portion of every sale to support a specific Cause. Food Truck, of The Dream Center, provides USDA quality and fresh groceries to more than 40,000 hungry people every month. A model deploying nationally, the program is especially valuable to young single mothers plus working poor families with average annual incomes of just $15,000. “Poverty is a devastating reality in every corner of this country,” said Dr. Michael K. Clifford, Chairman of InfluenceTV.org. “The dedicated volunteers at Food Truck are helping end the suffering by giving away one million pounds of food every month on the streets, but more is needed. InfluenceTV provides caring shoppers with the ability to spend their Influence in a positive direction for the Food Truck.” ABOUT INFLUENCETV.ORG InfluenceTV.org is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to change the way America spends money shopping. Through its content-rich video-centric website, shoppers can buy goods and services they use every day while designating a portion of the purchase price specifically to the Cause or charity that they want to help.

Shopping To Help Victims of Human Sex Trafficking on InfluenceTV.org

Los Angeles, CA (November 21, 2012) – – Shoppers can help rescue teenage girls from human sex trafficking, as well as support several other worthy Causes, by using their money to buy products on Influencetv.org. With a menu of more than 5,000 available products, Influencetv.org (www.influencetv.org) gives consumers the opportunity to donate a portion of their purchase to a life-saving Cause. This does not cost the shopper a single penny more because all of the products have been discounted by manufacturers, leaving a portion of every sale to support a specific Cause. The Dream Center Project Hope program, eases the painful suffering of female victims coming out of prostitution rings. “Sadly, America is the world’s biggest consumer of modern-day slavery,” said Dr. Michael K. Clifford, Chairman of InfluenceTV.org. “Here’s an opportunity for everybody to support these young women by purchasing everyday products and services at InfluenceTV.org.” “Our not-for-profit provides as many options as possible for people to spend their Influence in a positive direction,” said Clifford. “We invite all charities to join InfluenceTV.org and help people who are suffering live better lives.” Clifford said Project Hope was the right choice for the first Cause. “These young women have suffered unbelievable, extensive, physical and mental trauma,” he said. “They will die unless they receive professional physical, spiritual and emotional healing in a safe place full of love.” ABOUT INFLUENCETV.ORG InfluenceTV.org is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to change the way America spends money shopping. Through its content-rich video-centric website, shoppers can buy goods and services they use every day while designating a portion of the purchase price specifically to the Cause or charity that they want to help.

Save Families from Losing Their Children - Help InfluenceTV

Los Angeles, CA (November 21, 2012) – – Home for the Holidays will take on new meaning for thousands of families at risk of their children taken into Foster Care if shoppers decide to buy their Christmas presents plus other products on Influencetv.org designating Project Prevention as their Cause of choice. With a menu of more than 5,000 available products, Influencetv.org (www.influencetv.org) gives consumers the opportunity to donate a portion of their purchase to a life-saving Cause. This does not cost the shopper a single penny more because all of the products have been discounted by manufacturers, leaving a portion of every sale to support a specific Cause. Project Prevention, of The Dream Center, provides families with the necessary items – ranging from appliances and furniture to cleaning supplies, and food – to make sure that homes with minor children satisfy the requirements of Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. “Tragically, Los Angeles has approximately 25,000 children in foster care, 60 percent of which were removed from their homes, separated from loving parents, whose only transgression was extreme poverty usually for a small household item that the family can’t afford,” said Dr. Michael K. Clifford, Chairman of InfluenceTV.org. “Our not-for-profit provides as many options as possible for people to spend their Influence in a positive direction. We invite all charities to join InfluenceTV.org to help people who are suffering live better lives.” ABOUT INFLUENCETV.ORG InfluenceTV.org is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to change the way America spends money shopping. Through its content-rich video-centric website, shoppers can buy goods and services they use every day while designating a portion of the purchase price specifically to the Cause or charity that they want to help.