Joseph's Friend Scammed by ISN

Two emails today with similar stories about getting burned by ISN, the International Speakers Network. Here's one from Joseph:

Hi. I came across your blog the other day and it was an interesting read. I have a friend who recently joined ISN (yeah, too late) and after reading about your experience, I’m now afraid that the money has been lost. Regarding your post about Brenda Keefer leaving ISN, check out the email David Wright sent out the other day. The fact that he posted a link for all to see of Brenda’s criminal appeal case almost 10 years ago proves to me what kind of scum he is. And he sent this out to his entire client database!! Unbelievable…

Attached was a letter David Wright had sent out (noted in a blog post below) with a copy of Brenda Keefer's criminal case. Turns out she's still on probation until 2009 after stealing about $250,000 from a previous employer.

Ay-carrumba!

I guess my loss of $950 is nuttin compared to all that!

Do you have a story about dealings with ISN? Care to share? As you can see, I won't use your name....

Another Author / Speaker Ripped Off by ISN

Here's the first of the emails I have received in response to David Wright's upset at the loss of his sidekick, Brenda Keefer. (If you are unsure about what I mean, read the other June 2 post below.)
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From Bob:

I received this email today which prompted me to do a google search on ISN and the “many” businesses that they represent. I found your blog and just wanted to confirm that I am one of the many people that have been burned by ISN. I had them print a book and, other than receiving the actual shipment, I did not received ANY OTHER SERVICES that were promised. ALL LIES!

So, just wanted you to know that you are in good company.

Hope your business continues to be successful – even WITHOUT their help.
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Brenda's Out on Her Own

.... but can we trust her any more than we can trust David? That's the question.

Someone called "Thought you should know about this" at yahoo is sending email to any number of people who were likely scammed by ISN. The email contains a letter dated today, June 2, and says that Brenda Keefer, one of David Wright's right hand people, has started her own business called Willow Mist Professional Services.

Doncha just hate it when a disgruntled employee sets up shop and steals your thunder?

As for David Wright -- he's just protesting too much.... except I'm sure he doesn't want the company skeletons uncovered either. So he has to play nice -- to an extent.

In response to the memo David is sending, I'm beginning to hear from others who have been burned -- so -- I'm going to post the first of them in a separate post -- read above!

Ripoff Report - check this out

Imagine my surprise to find that someone had posted a rebuttal to my filing on Ripoff Report for ISN. check this out: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/291/ripoff0291778.htm

I've read it and reread it -- and the ONLY conclusion I can reach is that somebody from the staff at ISN wrote it. If not, I can't imagine how they would know the information they know?

I love how this person explains to me how it is a marketing company and they know what's good for me. Oh really? Hmmm.... I have worked in marketing myself for over 20 years. And somehow, THEY know how to market me -- yet -- there has never been ONE request for my services. YET -- when I do the marketing myself, I have more requests than I can handle?

Oh yeah. they know a lot, don't they?

The entire reason I tried to hire the International Speaker's Network was to help me with my marketing. I just didn't feel like I had time to manage it myself. Instead of lightening the load on my time, they lightened my pocketbook -- to the tune of $950.

Rip off -- personafied.

What do you think?

Can I Deduct This ISN Scam from my Taxes?

That's the question I have posed to my tax accountant. She's reviewing the possibility and will get back to me.

The problem with the International Speakers Network business model is this: those of us who buy-in are spread all across the country; probably even North America. So unless we find information like this blog to tell us whether an organization like the International Speaker's Network, or BookaSpeaker.net or Innovators Group or Insight Publishing (I wonder what new names they are using this month?) is going to take our money from us and do nothing in return, we don't have an opportunity to find out the truth about their scheme.

It makes me wonder what David Wright's income tax filing looks like. Hmmm.... that might have to be my next step. I wonder if he has ever been audited?

I'll let you know what I find out.

February 2008 Report -- More Dollars Saved!

It's been a busy couple of months since my last post.

First -- the good news: I've been contacted by four more people since the first of the year with questions about my experience with the International Speakers Network. I shared my story with them and each one has decided against doing any business with these money-stealing bozos. I saved them each about $600, right? You do the math.

Second -- more good news: I was contacted by some people who run workshops for people who want to be speakers. They have a great blog called Hidden Speaker Treasures of the Internet. They asked if they could use my experience to present at a conference they would be giving in San Francisco this month. Perhaps that's why the counter on this blog went up so high so quickly? Happy to be of service. If I kept even more people who have not contacted me from spending their hard earned money, it's worth sharing my story.

Third - still more good news: Knowing the ISN would not be helping me after all, I began searching the internet for conferences that focus on the topics I can speak to. I'm happy to report I've had some success. I have seven talks booked between now and October and bites on two more. There is life after the International Speaker's Network.

Bad news? yes, of course. I have not heard one single word from David Wright or Brenda Keefer or Greg Wright or any of the rest of them. They still have all my money and they have left me with nothing but the knowledge that karma will get them.

What goes around comes around ISN.... I hope even more people find this blog and save their money. At least I hope they don't give it to you.

Closing Out the Year on ISN

Two updates to report here -- hope they are helpful to you.

First, I was contacted by someone who found this blog in a search as she was researching ISN and bookaspeaker.net, and she contacted me to find out if I was bonafide and had a legitimate gripe.

I gave her the info she needed and I'm pleased to say that she has passed on the "opportunity" to work with ISN / bookaspeaker.net .

Secondly, I found a website called Ripoff Report -- and filed some information with them. Never realized one could take their bad consumer experiences online!

As of today, December 31, 2007, I have nothing to show for the money I gave the International Speakers Network. Nuttin. nada. They "tell" me they have followed through but I have nothing to even suggest they have.

Supposedly they have sent 12,000 emails on my behalf targeted specifically to my audience -- health and wellness. But if you do the math for direct mail, then there should have been inquiries from a minimum of .5% of them at this point -- that's one half of one percent.

That math means I should have heard from a minimum of 60 people interested in my speaking services -- and I have not heard from a single one.

I hope this blog will serve to help you decide whether to work with ISN / Innovator's Group / Insight Publishing / bookaspeaker.net all located in Sevierville, TN.

I am so very sorry I wasted my money.