Author approached via Goodreads

[Roderick]

Hi

I wonder if this has happened to anyone else?

I received an email via Goodreads from someone under the name *******. There is no sign of any activity from this person on the site - nothing read, nothing to read, no friends etc.

Furthermore, the reference to my work does not show that he (or she) has read it since it contains no specifics.

I have found the name ******** online, but it is clearly not this person though, of course, there could be more than one person of that name.

Has anyone else had this email, and what do we think about it?

rod

'Hi Roderick Hart. I just want to say hi and introduce myself - I'm a huge fan of your books! Your dialogue is snappy and it's like I could physically hear every word. Thank you so much for sharing your talent.

As an aspiring author myself, I thought I'd send you a quick message to share a recently discovered website specifically designed for authors to increase the sales of our books. I've personally tried what's offered on that website for the last month and honestly, I was blown away with the results I got! I love your work and admire you as an author, I want more people to experience your books! Everyone deserves to hear your stories so I'm excited to share this website as friendly act of kindness.

You can find it here: http://goo.gl/Wkt2Fy. This website features only the absolute best products for independent authors and publishers.

I want quality work to receive the audience it deserves - nowadays it's so hard to increase sales. P.S. I assure you - I'm not affiliated with this website in any way. Good luck, Roderick Hart!'

[Christa]

You aren't the only one to get it - check this out:

http://alex-hurst.com/2014/05/18/scam...

[E.G.]

Roderick, you're right to be wary. Goodreads authors get targeted a lot by marketing types. Some are legitimate - they will provide the service they sell, some aren't. The 'I'm a fan of your work' is a good flag. So are unsubstantiated claims about sales results.

Christa, thanks for locating the blog. I agree with the author.

[Edward]

Spam

[Roderick]

I agree with you Christa, and E.G.
It didn't seem right to me at all.

[E.G.]

Roderick wrote: "I agree with you Christa, and E.G.
It didn't seem right to me at all."

Rod, is it ok with you if I pass your post along in some other author groups I'm in?

[Christa]

If it came as a message on Goodreads, I would also suggest flagging the message as spam. Support will likely then check the profile to determine if it's just being used to spam people, and act accordingly.

[Roderick]

EG Yes, pass it on by all means if it helps.

Christa, I should have thought of that. I'll act on your suggestion.

[Roderick]

It seems the sender of the message has deleted his account.

[Pamela]

Lol! It figures.

[DS]

Thanks for pointing this out! I'm sure we've all received this type of spam to our email accounts at some point or another, but I guess I didn't expect it here.
My experience in the tech world is that if you aren't sure who the sender is, don't click on the link. If the link seems suspicious, don't click on it. It's too bad, though, the sender wrote some nice stuff!

[Roderick]

I clicked on the link. I don't believe it's malicious in itself, but the site seeks to draw you in, make use of its services.

Your advice is good, though.

[E.G.]

Roderick wrote: "EG Yes, pass it on by all means if it helps.

Christa, I should have thought of that. I'll act on your suggestion."

Thanks Rod, even if it's legitimate, the marketing tactics are questionable. Every month new indie authors join Goodreads, so it's a good example of something to be cautious about.

[Mellie]

It's a scam. Delete & move on.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Sounds like spam to me. You could also report it to GR support.

[Barbara]

This is all good to know. While I've been writing for years and have a few self pubbed books out, I'm now to the point of going it alone and having to dive into areas I don't know much about. My spammer senses are now on alert!

[Brian]

Yeah, I'd say goo.gl as a website name would be a bit of a warning..

[Roderick]

Good point, Brian.

[Christa]

Brian J. wrote: "Yeah, I'd say goo.gl as a website name would be a bit of a warning.."

It's Google's link shortening service. The irony is that the actual web site address is shorter than the shortened link, and would probably draw more clicks than the shortened link.

I recommend the use of a link checker for any shortened links from an unknown source. This one works with several, including goo.gl:

http://checkshorturl.com/

There are also browser extensions available for most popular browsers that will show the real URL in your status bar.

[Carmen]

If you are an author with a website, be prepared for more of this type of thing. At least twice a week I get an email with promotions like this.

[Roderick]

I have a website which is almost ready so, yes, I'll keep a weather out out for more of this.

[Christa]

Roderick wrote: "I have a website which is almost ready so, yes, I'll keep a weather out out for more of this."

I would suggest using a combination of a domain privacy service (which keeps your contact info private in the WHOIS database) and using a contact form on your site instead of placing your email address on it. You'll still get spam from the form, but less of it, and they won't have your email address to sell / spam directly.

[Roderick]

Thanks, Christa. I have already set up domain privacy and will use a contact form as you suggest.

[LaVerne]

I got the same message and deleted it. I was worried the link might be malicious so didn't go near it. You're braver than me, Roderick! :)

[Brian]

Great info Christa!

[Christa]

Roderick wrote: "Thanks, Christa. I have already set up domain privacy and will use a contact form as you suggest."

You're welcome. :) Good luck with your new site!

Brian J. wrote: "Great info Christa!"

Thanks :)

In case anyone wonders why I pop in here, I'm not currently writing (not books, anyway) but I have a lot of experience in the technical areas - computers, internet, design, as well as small business management and media (film, music, etc and the associated intellectual property issues and concerns).

So, I drop in when I think I have something helpful to contribute, and try to stay out of the more "sensitive" parts of the discussions unless it's to clear up some point of information.

[Charles]

Thanks, Christa. Your help will undoubtedly be needed by us authors who are not technical whizzes. This has been a steep learning curve for me, and your help is appreciated.