I heard about a speaker in the sales business—a name you’d recognize if you’re in that business—who was selling book testimonials. That’s right, if you want his endorsement on a book it costs thousands of dollars.

I’ve encountered speakers bureaus which demand payments to review people’s video and/or to even include them in their catalog!

It’s easy to get into virtually any Who’s Who—if you pay for it by purchasing the books.

You can speak at “industry conferences” by paying a fee to be in the cattle call of 20 other speakers who have done likewise.

You can appear in a TV “interview” (infomercial) with a “celebrity” (washed up D-list personality) for about $15,000-$20,000. You can be a “host” of an AM radio show or cable  TV show, if you pay for them and bring in advertising for the station.

The problem is, everyone knows this. So the testimonial, inclusion in the book, appearance before the group, representation by the bureau, TV interview, “your own show”…are worthless. In fact, they undermine credibility. The make you a world-class phony.

You can buy your way onto the New York Times or Wall Street Journal best-seller lists for one week, for about $120,000. I know, because I have to turn the offer down from several sources every time one of my books comes out.

Some people purchase Twitter followers! I can’t imagine why that’s important.

When you have to buy pseudo-fame you’re only a pseudo-intellect, a fake expert, and a really pathetic human being.