18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What's the Scam Here?

by Mark Singletary
17 replies
(And, yes, I consider most unsolicited offers like this to be a scam of some kind and have rarely been proven wrong. May be unfair or judgmental but that's how I roll.)

I ran across this and am not sure what to think.

An unknown person contacts a site through their contact form wanting to advertise on their blog and asks if the owners would be willing to do so.

The site is active but has very little traffic, hasn't been updated in a while, has a very limited social media presence, has three posts on the blog total, and has no backlinks.

What could they be looking for? Backlinks? Installing malware through the ads somehow? A warm body they can now spam to death if the owner replies?

Anyone had this experience?

Mark
#scam
Avatar of Unregistered
  • Profile picture of the author Devilfish168
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    (And, yes, I consider most unsolicited offers like this to be a scam of some kind and have rarely been proven wrong. May be unfair or judgmental but that's how I roll.)

    I ran across this and am not sure what to think.

    An unknown person contacts a site through their contact form wanting to advertise on their blog and asks if the owners would be willing to do so.

    The site is active but has very little traffic, hasn't been updated in a while, has a very limited social media presence, has three posts on the blog total, and has no backlinks.

    What could they be looking for? Backlinks? Installing malware through the ads somehow? A warm body they can now spam to death if the owner replies?

    Anyone had this experience?

    Mark

    You mean people contact you from your site asking for Guest post?

    I don't reply back to most. I know is a way to get more traffics , likewise if you into technology will go around scout other technology site with good traffic etc and " Try " for guest post.

    To be honestly No site owner will let you place your links, content in their site for guest post for Free.

    Unless you offer to Pay than they will see how much you willing to pay.
    Signature
    https://linksta.cc/@freedombyaffiliate
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710468].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author DABK
    Most likely, backlinks.

    I get them now and again.

    I would love to get new content without creating it or paying. I have asked for samples; the quality was too low.

    Even when they were an agency specializing in content creation.





    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    (And, yes, I consider most unsolicited offers like this to be a scam of some kind and have rarely been proven wrong. May be unfair or judgmental but that's how I roll.)

    I ran across this and am not sure what to think.

    An unknown person contacts a site through their contact form wanting to advertise on their blog and asks if the owners would be willing to do so.

    The site is active but has very little traffic, hasn't been updated in a while, has a very limited social media presence, has three posts on the blog total, and has no backlinks.

    What could they be looking for? Backlinks? Installing malware through the ads somehow? A warm body they can now spam to death if the owner replies?

    Anyone had this experience?

    Mark
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710486].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Agreed with DABK. I've had a sales & marketing blog since 2014 and the first time I got asked by someone if they could post an article it was kind of flattering. But the quality was low and I learned my lesson. I ignore inquiries like this now.
    Signature
    >> Executive advisory: Unstick sales, strategy & growth problems fast → jasonkanigan.com

    >> Agency founders: Regain control when overwhelmed
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710487].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    What could they be looking for? Backlinks? Installing malware through the ads somehow? A warm body they can now spam to death if the owner replies?
    I assumed the question was referring to potential advertisers. In which case, I'd say your guesses pretty much covered it. Most bona fide advertisers would ask for a rate card and probably some idea of visitor profile.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710491].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Tomas Kazlauskas
    It looks as if it would be a guest posting request. But it must be done properly and met with Google Search policies.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710498].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    I think anyone that's done a lot of advertising is familiar with the bot issue. Your ad shows so many clicks and yet we all know some of those were from bots. Been a lot written about it and a lot of legal things over the issue.

    There are those that will sell you a package and promise you so many clicks. Not knocking Fiverr, but it's one of the places you can buy these packages...

    5000 clicks for xxxxx.

    A site with little traffic would be dirt cheap to advertise on...thus cutting the cost to place the ad someone promised you. A bot or hot room would perform the clicks to satisfy the contract.

    Just saying this could be one of the many scammy possible reasons behind the request. I'm sure there could also be other reasons because the scammers work full time at scamming. This is the first thing I thought of though...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710504].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WF- Enzo
    Administrator
    Could be another warm body for spam.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710570].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LisaJohn1
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710581].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      Originally Posted by LisaJohn1 View Post

      Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, would check this¡K IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a big section of other folks will leave out your wonderful writing due to this problem.
      I'm not the owner of this forum. If you are having technical issues, you can ask here: https://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-forum-help/

      Mark
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710584].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author agmccall
    Could be an ad arbitrage type of thing. The person selling ads then buying the ad space

    al
    Signature

    "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710590].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I'm thinking a backlink with the possibility of a rare clickthrough to their site. If not that, then a rookie marketer trying to get their feet wet, by following some internet marketing advice in a book they read.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710652].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author spartan14
    Well it depends also on the quality of the article if the article its good then it will help your site also si i would not mind to let someone write an article on my blog
    Signature
    Sharing My Favourite Method to Make Extra Money In My Free Time
    Atention : Not a quick rich scheme ,takes patience, consistency and some work also
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710803].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I have received the emails offering to put a link on my site but I never respond as each time, it looks scammy. I wouldn't allow others to post articles on my site as I am a writer myself and know my quality is better than that of the people "offering."
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710835].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Devilfish168
    Just to add on, at first I do accept but I told them need to pay and they agreed so I don't mind accept seem they pay. Those content still on my site I never remove since is unethical.

    This is why I also don't buy guest post, " have to depend that seller " they can claim your content, link will be on their site but after max one year they remove your content and resell again and again if you know what I mean.

    I not say all Guest post providers are like that , just that have to be careful choosing reliable ones.
    Signature
    https://linksta.cc/@freedombyaffiliate
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710891].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author MeTellYou
    We've brought in a whole lot of money through cold calling. The OP's attitude reminds me of a problem we used to have where a "potential scam" message would show up as caller ID when we called. We've always offered a good, honest service, and cold calling has been extremely effective. So, I find it strange the OP is assuming this is a scam just from that message. I'd assume they're an unskilled, inexperienced marketer instead.
    Signature
    [UPDATED] FREE 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP: Student Makes $12,000 His First Week Of Running Ads
    Skype Me! Skype: yourebookwriter
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710976].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author WF- Enzo
      Administrator
      It's almost always better to assume unknown contacts as spam, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

      Originally Posted by MeTellYou View Post

      We've brought in a whole lot of money through cold calling. The OP's attitude reminds me of a problem we used to have where a "potential scam" message would show up as caller ID when we called. We've always offered a good, honest service, and cold calling has been extremely effective. So, I find it strange the OP is assuming this is a scam just from that message. I'd assume they're an unskilled, inexperienced marketer instead.
      Signature
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710979].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author MeTellYou
        Yeah, spam I can understand. Scam I have an issue with.



        Originally Posted by WF- Enzo View Post

        It's almost always better to assume unknown contacts as spam, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
        Signature
        [UPDATED] FREE 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP: Student Makes $12,000 His First Week Of Running Ads
        Skype Me! Skype: yourebookwriter
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11710989].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
      Originally Posted by MeTellYou View Post

      We've brought in a whole lot of money through cold calling. The OP's attitude reminds me of a problem we used to have where a "potential scam" message would show up as caller ID when we called. We've always offered a good, honest service, and cold calling has been extremely effective. So, I find it strange the OP is assuming this is a scam just from that message. I'd assume they're an unskilled, inexperienced marketer instead.
      Or perhaps they are hardworking professionals who have been scammed before and have no time or interest in this. There is no valid reason for anyone to want to advertise on that site. If someone cold called or visited the office or sent something through the contact form that made sense for them, they probably would be receptive to listening to at least a little bit of the spiel and perhaps even buying what was being sold. But if someone came selling something that makes no business sense and does not fit any of their plans and doesn't match what they do, etc. the sales person would probably be dismissed quickly. I think that's normal, regardless of your own experiences.

      Mark
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11711005].message }}
Avatar of Unregistered

Trending Topics