Scambug/Scumbag

I recently had an email asking if I'd like to make money from my blog. Of course, the thought of doing so was appealling and, after all, it was why I had given up teaching, to make money from my writing, so why not from my blog. It all seemed quite simple as well.

All I would have to do was pore over a list of products, choose any I fancied and write no more than 150 words about it. I needn't even be particularly effusive, so long as the product was included somewhere in my blog. If it was used by the company who made the product, I'd get paid extra, but even if it wasn't, so long as I kept it posted, I would earn something.

It never occurred to me to wonder why I had been chosen, when, so far as I know, only about 3 people in the whole world actually look at my blog (thank you, loyal followers). Surely not the captive audience they might require?

I was flattered to learn that the company offering this generous deal 'choose blogs which are well written and with no spelling errors'. In my case, clearly, flattery gets you everywhere. I'm a sucker for a compliment and my ego got the better of me.
'Hmm, so they think my blog is well written and my spelling is excellent? I must be good.'
No alarm bells rung at this point. No metaphorical speech bubbles with 'BEWARE' entered my head.

I emailed to check I had understood the brief - 'and you don't even have to like the product, just write about it?' The reply was immediate. 'Yes, that's correct, and you get paid no matter what.'

This was money for old rope!

Amusing anecdotes about anti wrinkle cream came flooding into my head. Oh yes, I could do this, I could make it amusing and poignant and clever and original.

It was my level headed husband who brought me back down to earth. "Find out how they pay you, and don't, under any circumstances, give out any bank details."

I emailed again, asking that question, and pointing out that, because of all the scams around, I would not be giving out any bank details. The reply this time was not forthcoming. In fact, I've never heard from the scambugs again.

Next time I will remember the old adage: 'Flattery gets you nowhere'.

Wise words.