I was just notified that Scorching Web Design & Marketing was awarded a “Best of” award!
How exciting! I’m so glad that my hard work for my clients has been noticed and is getting recognized. This will also be excellent PR and will help attract new clients. I am so stoked that I’m getting this award!!! This is too good to be true…
Unfortunately, it IS too good to be true. It’s a scam.
This is a company that’s trying to get you to pay them to receive an award. If it was a real award, you wouldn’t have to pay for it.
This type of scam is referred to as a vanity award scheme by the BBB. While mine came across as saying I won a “Best of” award, there are other names that may be used instead (such as Award Program, Business Recognition, Award Connections). I’m sure they’ll come up with some others soon as well.
Of course if you REALLY want to get something that looks like an award to impress potential clients, you can go to a reputable local company and have them make one up for you (if you need one in the Ann Arbor area, I’ve got a good one for you). However, your business will suffer greatly if/when people find out you’re displaying a made-up award. After all, who wants to deal with a company that’s being dishonest with them up front?
So just delete the email, and keep working hard. Integrity is more rewarding than some made-up award. At the end of the day, you know if you worked hard or not, and that’s really all that matters.
