The Devil IS in the details…

Care to continue?

Alright, so someone is approaching you about advertising with them, wants to create book covers, edit, etc. How do you tell the “good guys” from the “bad guys?”

Well, number one, if you don’t know them at all and they’re approaching you, the odds are they are not legitimate. Sorry, but phishing for business is the approach for scammers. Happens all the time. Of all the people who have contacted me via Twitter wanting to help my career along, I can think of only two or three who were actually legit.

So beware.

But, okay, you get to talking with someone and connect, or think they sound reasonable and aren’t actively “buttering your muffin” and you want to take it to the next level. What’s next?

Here are a list of things to ask people you want to work with:

1. Ask for more details about who they are. Find out where they’re located, ask about their background and see if they have a resume of any kind.
   • IF they give you gmail addresses of people who will vouch for them, this is probably a scammer. I said it earlier, but anyone can create a gmail account in no time at all.
2. Ask if they have a website or a business affiliation.
   • If they’re a business, they’ll have LLC or documents to affirm this and if they hand that over you can double check that against the business registry. Do it. Cross referencing potential business partners is NOT paranoid OR rude.
3. Ask for references. IF they’re in the business they say they’re in, they should want to show off other authors they’ve worked with and the accomplishments they have achieved. Even if it’s only one or two, it’s something. AND, it’s a point where you can find those people and what social media they’re on and ask about working with said potential business partner.
4. PRICES. I emphasize this because one of the biggest red flags of scammers is not coming across with prices up front. I haven’t quite figured out the why’s, but most likely they want to tell you all the great things they can do for you, and then they’ll ask the sneaky question of what your budget is. And low and behold, they’ll be happy to come up with something real close to that budget and probably a little over to see what they can get out of you.
   • Pricing should be up front. It shouldn’t be a game.
   • The cost should tell you what you’re getting for your money.
   • Pricing should be in line with other market equivalents (google average cost of a book cover, etc., and see how their prices stack up) IF it’s cheap, remember TGTBT…)
5. The DETAILS. Pin them down on everything.
   • If they’re doing Twitter blasts, make them tell you how many times a day and for how long
   • If they’re going to “boost your presence” ask them the details of how they’re going to do that. And make them use detailed language, not vague, flashy statements. Ask them, “what does that mean by increasing my Google standing?” Ask how they’ll do it, over what time frame, etc.
   • When they tell you they’re going to put your books in front of tens of thousands of eyes, ask them how and who their audience is.
   • Ask all these questions about your specific genre–do they know anything about your Victorian paranormal romance genre? Ask.
6. Agreements and contracts. It can be extremely simple or complex, but see how they follow through on this project you’re entering into.
   • IS there an actual contract you get where they tell you what you’ll receive and how much you’ll pay for it?
   • Is there a time frame to completion?
   • Is there consultations and edits when it comes to something like designing a cover?
   • ALWAYS ask questions. Don’t be shy. It’s your money and it should go toward advancing your career as an author and writer.

It’s sad but you cannot be shy about asking these things. You are investing your money and time in someone else and they should be helping you forward not just taking your money. It’s okay to be an tough with the questions and grill them. IF they push back, then you can still be polite but tell them YOU need to know these things up front before you say yes to anything. They need you, not the other way around.

Period.

I’ve got some other things to say on this front but this is a lot to digest. AND, if you run into something you’re not sure about, holler at me here and I’ll help as best I can. Trust me, we can figure it out.

Next time we’re going discuss a tool I use for marketing and ferreting out “businesses” that is controversial, but can be one of the best weapons in your arsenal…you’ll see. And how 😉

Alright, go get ’em!

Craig