Snake Oil Exists in Book Publishing and Marketing

by | Sep 22, 2022 | Podcast for Authors

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In a recent episode of our podcast for authors we got LOUD about author scams, and how many more seem to be cropping up every day.

What kind of scams?

Basically the biggest offenders are those that prey on your ambitions, and honestly, your fatigue.

Unscrupulous groups know you put a lot of blood, sweat, tears and capital into creating your book, and they figure you’re a perfect target once you’re exhausted with the process and faced with the next battle: getting your book out there.

How You Land on a Scammer’s Radar

  • You’re really anxious to talk to someone about a film deal
  • You want someone else to handle ALL the work, but on a budget
  • You want an offer from a publisher, no exceptions
  • Your marketing plan consists of buying ads
  • You’ve been resistant to self-education
  • You think you can make your investment back quickly with the right marketing services

We started our podcast for authors because we know book marketing takes a lot of hard work, and because we know there aren’t any shortcuts to success.

That might be a hard pill to swallow, and we know there are people out there trying to tell you otherwise.

But don’t fall for it!

Instead, use our resources (and those of other trusted book marketing professionals) to educate yourself, stay on top of what’s working in the industry, and make some strategic decisions about what you should hire out, and who you’ll be collaborating with.

Hopefully you’re intrigued, and we look forward to your feedback on the show!

Full-length episodes from our podcast for authors go live every other Thursday. You can stream episodes from our website, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Plus, you’ll want to follow us on your preferred podcast platform in order to catch our helpful- and often hilarious- minisodes that go live every other Friday.

Do you have any suggestions for a future episode?

We would love to hear from you in the comments section!

Resources and Free Downloads

Be sure to follow and listen to more episodes of our podcast for authors, you won’t be disappointed!

Essential book marketing services to hire out.

Don’t risk choosing a book cover without our expert input!

Sell more books by boosting your backlist.

Booktubers worth following for leads on reader trends.

3 Comments

  1. Helen Starbuck

    I’ve gotten two DMs lately of a similar type. I Googled both and one has so many complaints and sad stories about people being scammed it was astounding. The other seemed legit but was asking for so much money it was ridiculous. It’s criminal what they do.

    Reply
    • Penny Sansevieri

      Helen I absolutely agree – and apparently there are scammers also pretending to be execs from Netflix trying to buy your book. I mean, wow.

      Reply
  2. Alan W

    The article brings a refreshing and insightful perspective to the world of book publishing and marketing. It sheds light on a crucial issue that often goes unnoticed, providing valuable information to authors and aspiring writers. By addressing the existence of “snake oil” practices in the industry, the article helps readers navigate the complex landscape with greater awareness and discernment. Its unique approach not only exposes the problem but also offers practical advice and strategies to avoid falling victim to misleading promises. This article is a beacon of honesty and transparency, empowering authors to make informed decisions and pursue genuine opportunities in their publishing and marketing journeys.

    Reply

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