I recently received an email extending me an offer to present my latest book to a book club via a video discussion. It sounded like a great opportunity to get free marketing for the book, so I accepted. But there were some requirements – the usual bio, head shot, and a QR code. No problem.
But they also wanted a trailer and a 3D rendering of my book, I assumed for advertising. And since I didn’t have either of these things, they recommended someone who could do it for me for not a lot of money. The ‘not a lot of money’ turned out to be a LOT of money, at least for me on my budget.
I mentioned this to an old friend with experience in business, and she opined it might be a scam. She actually did a deep dive on the organization and found out there was a solid report that it was indeed a scam.
I asked the person who first emailed me how she had found out about my book – it’s YA and I haven’t done much marketing. She said she got it from a list.
Not completely convinced, I asked my book cover designer how much he would charge for the trailer and the 3d rendering and discovered he would charge a lot less.
I then told the person who emailed me that I had doubts about the organization’s validity and received two video streams to convince me.
On the video streams were a number of authors who had apparently done the book discussions. I decided to look them up. I only found one on Facebook, but none of her books on Amazon. The others had no Facebook pages and no books on Amazon. No websites for any of them. Most of my author friends are on Facebook, have a blog or a website and sell their books on Amazon.
I cancelled.
This may have been a legitimate offer to help me market my book, and if so, I missed out, but if this was a scam, it was a darned good one. It played to my vanity and desire to expand the market for my books. I came very close to biting.
My words of the day: Do your research.
And thanks to my friend.
I too have had a number of offers to bring ny books to the attention of book clubs and even to film producers.. I always ask which of my books in particular they liked and why? never having been satisfied with the answers I have refused all offers. Charges fir services vary quite a bit but my budget doesn’t. Hugs
Sounds like very similar situations. My budget is almost nonexistent! Thanks for stopping by, Sur David.
Thank you for posting this warning, Noelle, it’s appreciated. So many scams to negotiate these days. x
And this was a good one, Judith. They almost had me. Perhaps they were legit but everything I found was fishy! You’re welcome!
Noelle, I get multiple emails like this per day. I can assure you they are ALL scams. Writers Beware has some posts about them and have tracked the scammers to Nigeria. You can almost bet any cold call is a scam. Wish it was all true, but it’s not. Don’t ever click on any links!! That’s my advice.
I almost bit, Jan. I sent them most of what they wanted, but my friend stopped me in time. If it is a scam, it is a really good one. And since I told them I wasn’t interested, I’ve not heard a peep! Thanks for the reassurance!
Sounds like an elaborate scam. If not, then it is not thought about well as most writers can’t afford to pay for much marketing.
If it is a scam, it’s a good one. Fooled me. Than heavens I chatted about it with my friend, who set me straight!
Thanks for the warning, Noelle. As David says, there are a lot of those, and some might be genuine, but even then, that doesn’t mean we can afford them. The more time you’ve been on the business, the more things you see, but new authors are likely to feel different about it and fall more easily for such offers unless they’ve done their research.
Absolutely, Olga. They pray on your vanity! Doing the research takes time, but I value my rather limited funds! Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve been inundated with these. I agree–scam. I would bet if you’d had the trailer (which I have), they’d come up with some other piece required that they could help you with. Glad you backed out.
Thanks, Jacqui. I’m glad (not glad) to hear you’ve faced the same thing. Very reassuring!
I receive these offers constantly. I find them rather amusing because they usually reference how much they enjoyed my book and how they want to give it further exposure. One even took the time to write a Goodreads review, but they’ve turned me into a total skeptic.
After hearing from you, Pete, and a bunch of other blogging buddies, I’m convinced this was a total scam. Call me gullible, but now I know better! Thanks!
Yes, lots of scams here too. Most have some AI content where they rehash my book blurb telling me why they think it’s so wonderful and so current, and why their readers will love it.
But the first one I had wanted me to speak to their book lcub, so I said it would have to be via zoom, and they gave me some ridiculous deadlies, but didnt ask for a lot of other content than mio and headshot and a brief synopsis. It was still more than I was willing to do, so I dropped it. Still not sure whether that one was genuine, since the book clube appeared to exist, but I couldnt see why they’d be interest in my book.
The rest have mainly been single paragraph emails saying how they can do a vid/prmo/tiktok feed that’ll reach their 300k viewers.
And no address or logos, or even a tiktok link.
But look on the bright side – some search engine picked up on your book!
I hadn’t thought of that, Jacky, but it makes me feel better. I guess I am the last one to get poked by these guys! Thank you!
Scam, yes. I got emails being invited to speak to book clubs as promotion for a ‘small fee.’ Upon further probing, there was nothing small about the fee, not to mention there should be no fee at all. Even got an email about the possibility of someone working on a script for my book with me, to possibly turn into film, again, for a fee. The answer to all is no. There should be no fees if the intention is honest. If anything, they should be paying me. Not that I ask.
Absolutely, Sylvia. These people are just after your money, and they don’t have to spend any money to bilk you via email. Ticks and fleas! Thanks for stopping by!
Total scam. Good thing you cancelled. Even if you found the authors on Facebook or Amazon, these folks are not above faking that information, too.
Probably, John. I even sent a message to the one author who did have a Facebook page but never heard back! These people are like ticks and fleas.
“Do your research” – wise words indeed. So sad that this appears to be a global phenomenon. I’m very glad you were able to avoid any scam and it’s wonderful you had a trusted friend to consult with.
Thanks, Takami. It seems that scammers and hackers have multiplied recently. I never talked about this with my critique group before but they had ALL been approached in a similar fashion.
Glad you didn’t bite. We authors seem to be getting targeted a lot more (well, it makes sense in a way–we’re all desperately trying to figure out how to be “discovered” in a constantly changing marketplace). Unless someone approaches me with some specifics about how we met or references from someone I actually know, they get deleted right off.
Thanks, Rebecca. I’m glad, too. My budget for marketing is minuscule and I don’t want togive it away!
Omg Noelle, I get at least 20 a week, offers of all sorts. A.I. is rampant with scammers. I’m so glad you didn’t go through with it. 🧡
It’s been so reassuring to hear from everyone that they are getting hammered with the scammers, too. I’m learning! Thanks for visiting!