SPAM – Can it Get any Worse?

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Spam

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Yesterday, when I opened my emails, I could not believe what I read.  I made a copy for this blog (see below) before I moved the message into the spam folder.  I was mad that someone had used our own contact form / submission form to send unsolicited sales ads.
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There are some unwritten (and written – even by spam law backed) rules that you, as a writer, should adhere to:

  • NEVER to send unsolicited advertising for your book to totally strangers.
  • NEVER, ever, send advertising for your book to contact forms / submission forms / blog comment forms.
  • ALWAYS make sure that the recipient is interested at least slightly in the genre of books you are writing.
  • ALWAYS use a citation to personalize your offer (and email it only if the recipient agreed).
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So my question is: Would you order a book (if interested in the topic) if your comment form of your website is abused, like this:

Copy of the Spam Email
A form has been submitted on January 25, 2015, via: https://www.savvybookwriters.com
Contact Form
by ….
___ Engaged couple, who met on ……, parody the online dating experience in their new book …………..
•Our main character has been sentenced to online dating rehab after being arrested for her sexcapades in a public fountain.
•She devilishly gets her three best friends to join …… and the online dating exploits begin.
•Weekly …….. meetings replete with dating addicts stories add dimension to the antics.
•Sunday brunch and the girls’ close-knit friendship bring sincerity to the craziness that develops during their search for ultimate happiness.
…. has published three prior books, but writing this book with his fiance was a true joy for the young couple in love. They both have way too much online dating experience to draw from and are currently in the process of writing the second book in this series. The story is set in …. where they had many a …. date, including their own first date (six hours long and a parking ticket later) after having met on….. He is the CFO ….. She is an Investments and Certified Financial Planner at ……..
Available on ….. in paperback and kindle format. Available on ….. in version.

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Learn from this Writers Error
… and don’t abuse other peoples blogs to send out spam.  Author Traci Lawrence just sent me her thoughts, which I will include into the next book marketing title: “Writers do need to market their books by connecting and networking with potential readers; that’s the only way they will sell their books.  However, there is a difference between promotion and sales.  The promotion / marketing of your book is the ongoing drive to keep your book in the public eye by whatever means.  On the other hand, the selling of your book involves direct requests to buy it.  Aggressive (hard) selling is a real turn off for your audience, as it is in any industry.”

“The process of networking (meeting your future readers online or in person) should be fun for both sides.  The interaction should not consist solely of continual “Buy my book!” requests.  If your readers like you and your writing, they will buy it anyway.  This is especially true if they have had a chance to “sample” your work.  (For instance, readers can sample your work through blog posts and social media posts.)  In this case, you’re not selling anything directly; you are giving people a taste of your work–for free.  This generates buzz.  People will talk about you on Social Media, and they will link to your site from their blog.”
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There are so many possibilities to subtly promote your books, as outlined in this blog article:  https://www.savvybookwriters.com/worst-fault-when-promoting-your-book-to-readers/

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If You Get Too Many Spam Emails from Your Contact Form

Report Spam

Forward unwanted or deceptive messages to:

  • the Federal Trade Commission at spam@uce.gov. Be sure to include the complete spam email.
  • your email provider. At the top of the message, state that you’re complaining about being spammed. Some email services have buttons that allow you to mark messages as junk mail or report them spam.
  • the sender’s email provider, if you can tell who it is. Most web mail providers and ISPs want to cut off spammers who abuse their system. Again, make sure to include the entire spam email and say that you’re complaining about spam.

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