How to Avoid Advertising Scams

TECHNOLOGY - In this age of internet advertising companies will frequently approach popular blogs and websites offering to pay for any number of advertising schemes.

The problem is that is exactly what they are: schemes.

Yes, there is legitimate brand name companies out there like Google, MSN and Yahoo! which offer internet advertising to online publishers. They all pay reasonably well.

But then there is the fly-by-night advertising companies... the rogues of the industry. They're headed by get-rich-quick schemers who offer website owners lots of money to post their advertising, but then never actually pay their tab.

Here at Lilith News we've been fortunate. We only deal with brand name companies and accept advertising from individual companies that is pre-paid links for a year. Why because the pre-paid advertising and brand name companies can guarantee their payments. The fly-by-nighters have no guarantee.

Oh sure, they can have a logo on their website saying 100% Guarantee! But why do they need that logo there unless they're completely full of BS?

Sorry, but that is just their word that it is a guarantee. And their word isn't worth the pixels on the screen.

Let me put it this way... whom do you feel safer buying a car from? The Toyota dealership? Or some guy building cars in his garage and selling them on craigslist?

The answer is Toyota, because its a brand name and you can guarantee the car will work. The guy selling cars over the internet has no guarantee that he will actually deliver a car that works properly.

We have no problem dealing with Google, MSN or Yahoo because they're brand names. But other advertising companies that we've never heard of need to pay in advance because their word cannot be trusted.

Indeed that concept can protect you from many other scams. Cheque scams from Nigeria, Green card scams from Europe and the USA. Once you realize there is no guarantee that these people will fulfill their promises you will say: "Hey, why didn't I work with a brand name company instead?"

With any kind of advertising there is a risk. If you put a $50 ad in the newspaper to sell antiques you are taking the risk that you won't sell any antiques. The newspaper isn't taking the risk, they demand payment in advance.

So why should internet website publishers be asked to take the risk when it comes to advertisers? Its the advertiser's responsibility to burden the risk. Not the publisher's.

For more advertising advice see:
SEO Advice