Alert: The New Marketing Scam to Avoid

So the other day I was minding my own business, and I missed a call from someone. Yeah, par for the course sometimes as a working mom. Anyway, whenever a number I don’t know (especially one that’s not local to me) calls, I let it go to voicemail and pick it up later.

Later came, and I had a moment so I checked it. Someone in Florida was looking for an artist, and was referred to me! YAY!

I always get excited with calls that have to do with my art. Yes, I’m a business person, and I’m really great at my “day job”, but when my art comes calling in a way that sounds like it could pad my bank account a little, I get giddy. I’d make art anyway, but you get my point.

So here I am, all excited, and I call the guy back. He’d given a direct line, so it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary except that he’s in Florida, but that didn’t really mean much.

I got his voicemail, left a message, and he called back in like 10 minutes.

So he tells me that he’s looking for an artist, specifically one who paints murals. I told him that I do have experience in that, and I was eager to hear more. I didn’t tell him this, but an average exterior wall to a business can net me around $20k, so it’s super exciting!

He says that he works for a company that produces a golf digest to the golfing community in West Palm Beach.

hmm?

He tells me that the editors are looking for artists.

…

He says that they have three different options.

huh?

“Okay… please go on,” I say.

He tells me that the quarter page ad is…

Are you kidding me?

Somehow I let him get through his whole pitch. I think I was just shocked. I finally told him that I wasn’t a fan of his approach, and I’ve spent my entire marketing budget already, so sorry.

AAARGH!

I hate salespeople. I mean, I’m a salesperson, so are you, all of us are to some extent. But I really hate people who lie to get you to listen to them, and then hit you with some kind of bullypoo whammy where they try to get your money.

A similar thing happened to E with his computer repair business. It was within a week of putting his site online, and he gets this call with a guy who’s all, “I did some research and found you! I don’t want to sell the spot to [your competition], so can you let me know by Friday?”

Someone read some stinkin’ sales book or something ridiculous and it was just so annoying.

My point is this: Don’t BE this kind of person, and don’t FALL for this kind of bullypoo.

Some ways to deal with the issue:

• Only respond to inquiries that come through a form on your website.
• If you are going to advertise, do your research and make sure it’s a good fit for you.
• Don’t ever ask for more information unless you seriously think it’s a good fit for you. That gives them permission to hound you. (I know, you don’t see it that way, but they do.)
• Have someone you trust (and probably pay) to deal with all your marketing and ad buys.
• DO spend most (or plan to spend most) of your ad budget in the beginning of the year.
• DO make sure you have an advertising budget, by the way.

Have you ever received one of these calls? What happened?