How to spot social media scams promising huge streams of income

If you’ve frequented Instagram or TikTok in the last year, you’ve likely come across a post touting how a creator has made six or seven figures online with zero experience or investment, and minimal actual time invested. And, guess what, they say, you can do so too! All you need to do? Sign up for their course.

On the surface, it sounds too good to be true. And there’s one simple reason for that: it often is.

Spotlight on misleading narratives

A quick search on TikTok or Instagram for #digitalmarketing or #digitalproducts will show such promises and are in no way hard to come across. I’ve seen videos specifically offering claims of earning “$11,000 a month on Pinterest with less than 1,000 followers”, or how they “made $3,000 in sales in just a few hours, and how you can do so too”.

No wonder they captivate you, but do they lack substance? And, an even better question, who is fact-checking this?

The quick fix dilemma

Do I wish it were true and this simple? Of course. After all, who wouldn’t? Just the same as I wish I could take a pill to shed weight without changing any other facet of my life. But nothing worth having comes easy. I have, indeed, tried.

The allure of these schemes lies in their promise of significant rewards with negligible effort. And it’s a captivating narrative, but it overlooks the realities of the digital marketplace, where success is neither guaranteed nor easily attained. The rise of the #mumpreneur trend exemplifies the growing appeal of digital entrepreneurship, particularly among those seeking to balance professional aspirations with personal commitments. However, this trend also highlights the potential for oversimplification and the dangers of embracing unrealistic expectations.

Red flags to watch out for

The digital world is overflowing with legitimate talent and success stories that have been built through sheer hard work and dedication. This isn’t about discrediting every course creator, guide, or digital product seller out there; many are offering genuine value. 

The reality though, that someone might boast hundreds of thousands of followers or a stream of glowing comments doesn’t necessarily equate to authenticity. Need proof? Websites like Buzzoid, Twicsy, and InstaFollowers make buying followers as easy as buying a cup of coffee. And it doesn’t stop there. Buzzvoice, Goread.io, and SocialBoosting offer services to customise your engagement, turning the generic “Love it” comments that I know we’ve all seen into a commodity.

So, how do you separate the genuine from the gilded? 

1. Start with scepticism. If a promise sounds too incredible, it’s worth a closer inspection. 
2. Investigate the engagement. When considering a purchase from a creator, scrutinise their profile. A large follower count with sparse genuine interaction is a red flag. Are the comments meaningful, or are they a sea of repetitive praise without substance? 

So how do you sell the product you’ve put your heart and soul into?

With the rise of these promises, there’s a growing trend among their promoters suggesting that time and thoughtfulness aren’t prerequisites for success. They champion the use of AI and other tools to quickly create and sell products with minimal input. What if you don’t fall into this bucket though?

When you’ve crafted a digital or even physical product with genuine effort, time, and from your own expertise and experiences, it’s vital not to undersell yourself. Your product’s price should reflect not only the cost to produce but also its inherent value that comes from your unique knowledge. 

It’s crucial to consider how you position yourself in the market. Building a strong brand and a coherent marketing strategy is crucial, laying the foundation for how your product is perceived and valued by potential customers.

While the allure of easy wealth is potent, the reality is success in the digital realm requires diligence, authenticity, and a commitment to providing real value. Is it possible? Of course. But is it as easy as you may have been led to believe? I’m going to go with “no”.

In a world where anyone can claim expertise or success, a critical, questioning approach remains your best defence against the siren call of digital scams.

Maddi Kimber is the director of unBasic Studios.