Since we started publishing more guest blog posts here at Writer Beware, and especially since I added a page to the blog describing what sort of guest posts we want and how to submit them (there’s a link just to the right), I’ve been getting a lot of solicitations. A few are appropriate. Most…not so much.
I’m especially amused when I get a solicitation as obviously inappropriate as the one below (and yes, I know these aren’t generated by human beings–but still).
Hi my name is [[name redacted–not that I believe it’s a real name, but never mind]] and I’m a blog spotter. I basically scour popular blogs in an effort to find great writers. I loved your post on Opportunity or Exploitation?, nice job!
I’d like to get straight to the point.
Our client wants people like you to sponsor their products and will pay you to do so.
They’re launching an educational product on September 7th that teaches others how to make money on the internet by using Facebook and Social Media.
We want to pay you for recommending that product to your loyal blog readers and we will pay you up to $200 for each person that you refer. If you make just one sale a day you’re looking at making around $6000 per month.
All you need to do is create a few blog posts that recommend this product. You may also use one of our nice banners and place it on your blog.
It’s pretty simple, takes very little time (10 minutes or so) and will be very rewarding.
All sales that you refer are tracked through your own special link and you will get paid every week. Payments are always on time and will be sent to you via Check.
This deal is totally legitimate and we will NEVER ask you for any fee, or to sign any contracts.
What do you need to do if you are interested?
I have more details, a video and instructions for you here:
http://www.hyperfbtraffic.com/BlogOpportunity.html
Regards,
[[name redacted]]
So, like, a blog that exposes scams is really going to participate in a product referral pyramid scheme. Riiiiight.
I got this one yesterday, verbatim! Crazy.
Thank you for your thoughts and views on the subject. Build
Green, Scotty
Hahaha who thought that irony could be so… well… sad.
It's even more amusing when it happens on posts that have absolutely nothing to do the original post. Heh.
It's the joy of letting a computer choose who to solicit. I recently got one that thought the article they'd just posted would be of interest to my readers. Their post is a list of five things. I often post lists of five things. It takes a human to realise that what you count is more important than how high you count.
Unfortunately for them, they're counting something pretty meaningless for a SFF blog. I'm not going to bond with them over a love of the number five.
If they have to mention that they're legitimate…
I love the fact that you'll never be given a contract. Rather convenient for them, don't you think?