My website and podcast are big enough that it attracts several emails a week promising to rocket my audience numbers and bring countless clients or sponsors. I believe some are legitimate. After all, I got connected with PR companies promising screeners and interviews, and I landed my relationship with Spreaker through unexpected emails.
But I'm also not oblivious to the truth that some of these emails are likely scams or at least businesses that may not be as awesome as they promote, with the agenda of separating me from hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. I do laugh at the companies promising to grow my client base for the charge of thousands of dollars, when if I had that money, I probably would have a decent amount of clients already.
I just want to be big enough that I am supporting my family and having enough extra cash to go out to musicals or buy some nice gifts for my kids and wife. If I had that, I probably wouldn't drop that money on procurement agents, but rather put it into things that would actually enhance my site or podcast through recording software or publishing essay collections or books.
The prevalence of scammers does make me extra nervous any time I get an email or reach out. I often quiz them on seeing if they actually know anyting about the site or podcast that they say is so awesome. Most of the time they ghost me after I do that, which provides my answer on at least how honest their praise was.
Recognizing how inauthentic so many are in their attempt for cash, it does make me feel a little less awful about the times I straight up request a donation or at least request you consider hiring me for some freelance creative writing work. I'm at least very open about what I'm offering, or that yes, I am desperate at the moment for a little bit of money to get through the coming weeks.
While that mostly fails, I do intend in the coming months to launch the Substack paid tier, sell some essay collections, and find other ways to encourage people to bring money my way so I can continue to write and support my family.
I will, in the coming weeks, provide some of my best possible work and put in a lot of effort and energy. You can then decide if your support is worth it.
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