Hey Rob I got an email saying my business won an award…is this real?
Yes and No…let me explain.
The award itself is real…the winning is not.
There is no committee in your town that goes around determining who gets this particular award.
The company behind the false awards makes their money by preying on companies and selling them awards.
Yup, they are in the award selling business.
And that beauty of an award pictured above is selling for about $200.
Hey, showing off fancy awards gives fans, friends, followers, clients and your momma a belief that you’ve achieved something…I get it.
But buying an award is NOT the way to go about building authority and trust.
And when consumers realize that the awards you are displaying have been bought for the sheer purpose of building authority and trust…well, your credibility is shot and no amount of money or awards can restore that.
Stay away from this type of award scam.
Here’s what to look for if and when you get the email saying you were selected as a winner of this so-called coveted award.
I am happy to tell you that (Your Company Name) was chosen for the 2018 Best of (Your Town) Awards in the category of Advertising Agency. The Best of (Your Town) Award was created to acknowledge the best businesses in our community. For additional information please visit us at: (website that goes to the award scam website)If needed for reference – your code is: DKMV-UBCQ-2EBB Congratulations, Blake Thompson Best of (Your Town) Awards
Phone Number: 888-207-3442
Directly from the Award Scam website…
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Strategic ValueToday, small businesses and entrepreneurs are facing the challenges of an increasingly competitive local economy. While many businesses have taken on various initiatives to continue to grow, a select few have been able to benefit from the strategic value of business awards.
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Sales ToolPaula Arnold, owner of SmarterTech Business Systems, learned firsthand from a former manager that a business award can be an account executive’s ace-in-the-hole. “Used effectively, business awards are yet another sales tool to aid in the close of business,” says Arnold.
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Free PublicitySteven Anderson, manager of Devon Health Corp. understands the value of award competitions. Anderson says, “We believe it (business awards) helps validate what we do in the company and enhances our ability to keep good people.” PR might be difficult to measure on the bottom line but it is invaluable.
As you can see, not only did we receive an offer of an award, but the same offer was made to one of our clients, a martial arts studio just a few miles away from us. Same wording in the email as we received, same look and feel to the award itself and same promises made. Nope, not a legitimate award…just a legitimate way to sell awards.
Yes, all of that mumbo jumbo is true to an extent. The strategic value, the sales tool and the free publicity. But it’s all based on a false sense of achievement.
Then it goes on…
Frequently Asked Questions
Each year, in and around the (Your Town Here) area, the (Your Town Here) Award Program chooses only the best local businesses. We focus on companies that have demonstrated their ability to use various marketing methods to grow their business in spite of difficult economic times. The companies chosen exemplify the best of small business; often leading through customer service and community involvement. For most companies, this recognition is a result of your dedication and efforts as well as the work of others in your organization that have helped build your business. Your team is now a part of an exclusive group of small businesses that have achieved this selection.
Changes to your company’s name, city, or category can be submitted to us via our Company Information Change page.
No, you do not have to pay for an award to be a winner. Award winners are not chosen based on purchases, however it is your option, to have us send you one of the 2018 Awards that have been designed for display at your place of business.
No, most business organizations charge their members annual dues and with that money sponsor an annual award program. The Best of (Your Town Here) Award Program does not charge membership dues and as an award recipient, there is no membership requirement. We simply ask each award recipient to pay for the cost of their awards.
Your Award Code is: DKMV-UBCQ-2EBB. This Award Code has been provided for you that may be used for direct access to your award options and press release posted on our website. Please reference this Award Code with any correspondence or calls to us.
Yes, only one winner is selected per category for each town.
Notification to other award winners in (Your Town Here) will be made over the next several weeks. After all award recipients have been notified, we will post the complete list of winners on our website.
All 2018 Awards are issued based on the location of your corporate headquarters even though your service area may extend beyond that town.
Your press release is available here: (Your Company Name) Receives 2018 Best of (Your Town Here) Award.
You may use, reproduce, distribute, and display the press release in any media formats and through any media channels you choose.
We offer various ways to get in touch. The most efficient is via our contact us page. Emails sent to us via this page are prioritized first by our customer service staff. Alternatively you can call us at 888-509-9915. Select option 1 and reference your award code: DKMV-UBCQ-2EBB.
As you can see the toll free number given in the original email doesn’t match the email in the contract information in the last question. The whole thing is just a giant ruse to get you to shell out monies for a fake award and there is absolutely zero credibility in getting this type of an award.
Rob is affectionately known as “Mr. Sarcasm” to his friends - to everyone else he’s a Certified Digital Marketing Strategist, a Foremost Expert On Specialized SEO, a Best Selling Author, Podcaster, Speaker and Authority Broadcaster who can help amplify YOU to your audience.
Rob has authored, coauthored or produced over 40 books covering social media, search engine optimization, podcasting, copywriting, personal injury law, weight loss, military law, life lessons, scams, sarcasm, customer service and more. His book clients include lawyers, speakers, doctors, real estate professionals and more.
Rob is also host of The E-Heroes Interview Series available on Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify & many other podcast channels. Rob works inside corporations across the globe, helping companies generate new revenue and capture online business.
Rob is also available to share talks and give interviews. To learn more and to get started visit www.AnspachMedia.com or call Anspach Media at (412)267-7224 today.
Dear Rob,
I was recently “scammed” by the bogus award!! What I want to know is, WHAT can be done to shut their scam DOWN????
This was a very cruel thing to do and finding out that the award was fraudulent!!! Yes, I spent $219.96 on a worthless piece of crystal!!! I’m ANGRY that I was taken advantage of!!
I am a small business woman running a Permanent Cosmetics, Removal and Training Center in Newport Beach, Ca. I want to go after these creeps!! Who do I
call, who do I contact???
Please help me! Thank you!!
Diane Molinaro
SCAM SCAM SCAM!!
Seemed like a scam, just wanted to make sure. Many thanks for the post, Rob.
I got a comment on my news website about my company winning the same award