PART THREE: Red Flags You're About to Get Scammed as a Content-Creator

PART THREE: Red Flags You're About to Get Scammed as a Content-Creator

Man oh man, this series has been HOT! Have you checked out Part 1 and Part 2 yet?

With so much as stake for creators this year, here are three more things you need to look out for. Oh, and for an extended version of this article, check out the audio portion (podcast)… so many more nuggets of creator wisdom in there….

🚩 The “Let’s Circle Back” Game That Never Ends

This one used to drive me BONKERS! It’s when at first the brand is so eager-beaver asking you for updates every hour on the hour. You know… then they send you “follow up” emails if you don’t respond within sleeping times. And then suddenly (poof!) you’re in a loop of “circling back soon” emails. You’ve delivered ideas, concepts, or even draft content… and now…. now they’ve ghosted you quicker than John Mayer with Taylor Swift.

Why?

Hate to break it to you…. it’s because they got your strategy for free. Some brands will intentionally farm creator ideas under the guise of “collaboration discussions” and never actually plan to book you.

What to do: Never deliver full creative ideas, briefs, or treatments without a signed deal. Yes, you can tease, don’t give it all away if you’ve never worked with the brand before.

🚩 Fake Brand Ambassadorships with Zero Real Value

“You’ve been hand-selected to join our ambassador program!”

OMG I can legit barf right now writing that.
Idalia-translation: We (the brand) want you to post about our product for free, tag us, give us usage rights, and in return, you miggggghhhhhtttttt get a 10% discount code.

These schemes prey on early-stage creators hungry for validation and brand alignment but unfort they’re one-sided marketing tactics in disguise.

What to do: If a brand wants you to work, they need to compensate you. (I’ll get into trade deals in another article).

🚩 “We’re a Startup” Sob Stories

Another moment where I can barf on the spot. When brands approach my clients with “We love your content, but we’re just a small team/startup/bootstrapped company. Can we do a trade for now?”
They promise future paid work but trust you’ll never see a cent. They may even throw in a sick parent or child. Meanwhile, they’re running $50k ad campaigns using creatro content they got for free.

What to do: Exposure doesn’t pay bills. If they can afford marketing, they can afford you. Now trend with caution here… maybe you do LOVE the brand, know the founder, and genuinely want to help a friend out. Okay, cool. I’m all for lifting each other up… just know that you can’t do it every gosh darn time, K? You’re running a business, not a charity.

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XX Idalia