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August 8, 2004
"Real Quixtar Blog" Exposed
By QBlog in
UPDATE: The "Real Quixtar Blog" is apparently responding to this post and explaining the specific relationship with Quixtar. Cool. Looks like the author(s) is wanting to take this blog thing seriously. One suggestion, if you want to blog then turn on some sort of Permalink function. Without this, there's no way to link to a specific post. Are you listening? I understand no comments (though I may disagree) but no Permalinks is a little silly to me.
I love blogging. I love how blogs have eroded the power of the Information Gatekeepers and empowered the masses. I love how blogs are enabling the 95 Theses of the Cluetrain Manifesto to become a reality. And because of my affinity for blogging, I try to embrace those who join this publishing revolution regardless of their opinion, agenda or motive.
The latest blog to receive my "blogging embrace" calls itself "The Real Quixtar Blog" (realquixtarblog.com). It's billed as an "insider's perspective" and claims to detail the life of a Quixtar employee (not an IBO). The blog is new and has only a couple of posts but I suspect its archives will be filled soon enough. It's a curious blog and I'll be watching as it develops. I suggest you do the same.
Quixtar Is Blogging
However, there are some facts that I think you should know about this "Real Quixtar Blog" that aren't immediately evident to the casual reader. The first fact is that this blog is owned by Quixtar. That's right. A quick WHOIS search at Network Solutions reveals that the domain is registered to Quixtar Investments, Inc.
I find no information on the blog indicating that Quixtar is paying the hosting bills for the site but such information would probably be of interest to most readers. Does it interest you?
Blog History
The blog is actually version two of "Real Quixtar Blog." The first version, started in July, was a BlogHarbor blog and appeared to be nothing more than the musings of a Quixtar employee (the blog has been removed from BlogHarbor but a Google cache is available for now).
On the BlogHarbor version, the author (using the name Kia) posted about vacations, the wonders of XS drinks, exercising and Quixtar news. After reading the blog, one got the impression that "Kia" was a real person posting about life at Quixtar. What we now learn is that "Kia" is not a person but a fictional character representative of "real" Quixtar employees. While I love full disclosure, I believe it should be done at the launch of a blog, not after a month of posting. But that's just me.
Paid to Blog?
"Kia" has admitted to posting "during work hours" but provides a rationale for blogging on the clock and indicates that his manager may not mind as long as the work gets done. When I first read this, I accepted it as truth but now I'm wondering if "Kia" is being paid to blog for Quixtar. I've sent an email asking for an explanation and will update this post as soon as I know the truth.
The BlogHarbor Connection
I find it interesting that this blog initially began (version one in July) at BlogHarbor. We know that this former BlogHarbor blog is owned by Quixtar and would it be such a stretch to assume that the myriad of other Quixtar bloggers using the BlogHarbor software are similarly connected to the Quixtar corporation? I don't know but it's something to think about.
So What?
So, who cares about all this blogging nonsense anyway? Why should I care if some person or company wants to blog about how great they are or their wonderful company? Good questions. The reason I've gone to the trouble to point out some things about this blog is that all the best blogs are honest, candid and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). If I visit Instapundit I'd be upset to learn that Glenn Reynolds is really a fictitious character made up by the Republican Party. Good blogs can be trusted and when inconsistencies are discovered, that trust is compromised. Has the integrity of the "Real Quixtar Blog" been compromised? You have the facts, make up your own mind.
About Comments
One final note. The "Real Quixtar Blog" does not allow public comments. This is fine and even I turn off comments on selected posts. However, the rationale given for omitting such a feature tells me (this is my opinion) that Quixtar has learned nothing about the nature of information and conversations. In Kia's first post on the new blog, we read that he's "been told that I might be opening this site up to a lot of crap" if comments are enabled. This may be true but you also might be allowing hundreds and thousands of Quixtar IBOs a place to share their enthusiasm for Quixtar. And aren't thinking adults able to distinguish the "wheat from the chaf?"
Comments
Good point about Blogs that are trustworthy and those than cannot be trusted. My father echoes similar w/respect to the web (in general); i.e., can you really trust what's being posted? Of course, you have to investigate...
it's amazing to me that quixtar didn't register this as a "private" registration.
I mean, c'mon.
and both emails - tech and admin, are listed as being from quixtar.
curiouser and curiouser.
I mean seriously, until they make them so that anyone can challenge them on their posts, they're really not proving anything are they?
Obviously they are not prepared to have mature and open dialogue about the best business opportunity on the planet on equal footing with people who don't consider them royalty.
Of course the response to that would likely be along the lines them not having time to waste on losers.
Good thing any of the hangers-on are a bunch of sheep who won't ever question them.
But that's just me:)
The advances in technology usually bring out more fact than fiction.
Even though it is now easier to spread AmQuix propaganda via the internet, the availability of good data and an informed consumer base will ALWAYS offset lies and half-truths.
The move to "i-commerce" may seem hip and cool, but it still only a front to a very antiquated and inefficient operation.
I just read the letter from an alleged IBO posted on this blog......it is obviously a letter composed by Quixtar...the IBO's do not talk this way....."business powered by Quixtar" NO WAY a real IBO wrote this....the rest seems contrived as well; but this is just in my opinion (of course)
One of the most annoying things about the Quixtar folks (IBOs & employees alike) is their overuse of words such as 'awesome'. I read the post from the supposed IBO and was amazed at the limited vocabulary. All lines of sponsorship need to put a thesarus on their tool book lists!
Take a look at the "vacation" pictures, the one of the kid jumping in the water...I have seen that on another Quixtar site...they called it the "frog" picture. anyone else seen this and can remind where it is at?
Or was it on the previous free site "Kia' was running?
Also, for those that are interested, i have a site in developement, an open discussion board, for ALL to post. I'll post the address as soon as the domain name is propogated.
I was reading some posts last week on the realquixtarblog.com and some of the recent blogs started (July) and it just made me laugh. Kia, in my opinion, is an obvious plant and so is one of the other sites I saw which I think was the www.realquixtarblog.com of someone who actually works in Sales and Marketing at Quixtar and admits it.
Question - If they are using IBO for sales and marketing why do they need a sales and marketing department? ... I was thinking for advertising, but they don't advertise either.
PS I like Quixtar and use the products, but I think they took a wrong turn with starting to Blog and pretending it's non work related.
I've been reading through google's archives of the blog, unable to put my finger on what it reminded me of. Finally it hit me, it's like "the Truman Show" where there would be awkward product placement and buzzwords... "I haven't updated in two weeks, but thanks to my sip of XS Energy, I have the energy to make two posts! XS Energy is awesome!"
Soobon:
they have a sales & marketing department because the IBO's are their customers.
They market to the IBO's - to get them knowledgeable and excited about the product. They produce tons of marketing materials - from ads in the achieve magazine, to hand outs that come with your order, to banner ads on the quixtar website.
In marketing, there are the four functions (the 4 P's -- Product, Price, Place and Promotion). Now, let's look closer at what type of marketing the big Q is doing:
Product--limited to, and controlled by Q
Price--limited to, and controlled by Q
Place--limited to, and controlled by Q
Promotion--limited to, and controlled by Q
So, really the whole idea of marketing to an existing consumer base can be seen as redundant and/or self-defeating.
This "marketing" effort isn't all not naught--afterall, it is a great way to keep the Quixbots brainwashed.
Next up, addressing the "free enterprise" definition......things don't look so "free" to me.....
Sounds like you all failed at the business. I feel sory for you.
The system is great you just need the right person to launch it. The weak ones FAIL
"K" is typical of the quixbots.
-r
PS:
I like what you said about honest blogs. It reminds me of when people tell me that I'm 'too honest' for my 'own good.' I often think what kind of person either lies or doesn't tell people things, especially embarrassing things.
Do they think we don't know they aren't robots?
-=-
Nice bit of investigative work. I must admit that I am not very surprised by your discovery. Dare I say that the bloodhound has found the scent of the fox?
Posted by: Dave S | August 8, 2004 4:11 PM