So, I wanted to write an article about my experience with people wanting to promote my new book, The Business Procrastinator. I wanted to share some light for those who may be considering going down the path of using a Promotional service.
Now don’t get me wrong. Fiver is a great tool. I use it weekly for many activities, but here’s the thing. There are a lot of dodgy offerings on there so beware.
So as an example, for you to be aware of, Here is the pitch:
(Post on Facebook group Offering Promotion and 100% sales guaranteed)
[First Red Flag)
"How are you doing?"
"Are you ready for promotion?"
"I will promote your book (or business) on top-rated and highest traffic social media platforms to make people aware of you after that I will set up high converting Facebook ads."
Now, most people who are new to promotions and social media like I am would have a tendency to reply to hello and say Hi back. No harm in this right? Well no, not really but be prepared for a sales pitch that is straight out of the University of Scamalot.
Now like me you may ask them to provide you some evidence of their work. They will say something along the lines of “I have been in this industry for years” or something to that effect and then proceed to show you screen captures of accounts with 3 million-plus followers etc. To an untrained eye, they look legit but take the image, run it through a few filters in Photoshop, and bang, you can see where the image has been doctored. That’s for the experts. The noobs to scamming simply crop out what they do not want you to see.
[Second Red Flag]
Check their Fiverr account and none of them have accounts with more than 10 reviews and jobs older than 6 months.
If you ask them why this is so they say they have been “De-ranked by Fiver” and that “ It is Fiverr logic”. None of them can explain why though and when they do they say “it is because they are building a new account”.
If you look into Fiverr providers you will see that many accounts have hundreds of reviews and professional content. There is no reason Fiverr is De-ranking home unless they are doing something wrong, though I have never heard of this before.
[Third Red Flag]
I could go on about this but with Three Red Flags already, what does that tell you?
It is easy to spot a fake once you dig down a little. Have a look at their profile, see what they post about. Ask them to see their Instagram and Facebook pages, even ask for a Twiter handle as these are the main medial platforms they will use. Its not obvious at first but soon you will begin to pick them up quite quickly.
If you are looking for Social Media assistance these are what I think you need to be looking for:
- Someone who has a good Social Media presence themselves. This will at least let you know that they understand what they are doing. It should be somewhat impressive or at the very least professional-looking, not like a grade 10 high school project.
- Willingness to let you contact one or two of their past clients if needed for clarification of services. For me, this is a big one. I want to speak to people who have sued their services.
- Prices are meaningful and structured around the KPI of their services to you.
Be very mindful when dealing with Consultants and so-called Professional Experts, many are simply copying services from other people and using Fiverr accounts to provide you with the possible results you are looking for, but more likely they are going to take you for a fun-filled ride to Brokeville, via I lost My Money Central.
Ok, You can go now.
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