3 simple steps to avoid scams when looking for cheaper ISBN.
Help and information regarding the all important ISBN for publishing. Article 5 in the ISBN series.
There are scams? Of course there are scams!
With self-publishing authors desperately looking for cheaper alternatives to produce a high quality books, of course there are people who will take advantage of that. On the internet lot’s of scammers lurk ready to lure unsuspecting authors in with cheap prises. You will not be that author because you will understand which sites are scams.
Horror stories fill the internet of authors deciding to purchase their ISBN for less over a site, pay money and then not get an ISBN in return. In the self-publishing industry it is critical to save as much money as possible so as to make an income from the books sales. Without the exposure from publishing companies and the need to pay for services it is more of a business specialising in accountancy than writing. £40 spent on a fake (or just completely non-existent ISBN) is £40 added on to the ISBN cost making the cost to produce the book an extra £40. Wasted money that an author can’t spend on other things, like improving the prose or a pretty cover.
It is important to avoid scams. Obviously.
How do you avoid scams then?
There is a website called ISBN agency. It’s a scam. I’ll talk you through how I found that out!
- The website looks unprofessional.
It looked like a child had drawn it and it was just a picture on the screen. It looked like a fabricated myth. A painting of a non-existent story. Which is exactly what is was. Does the site look 100% professional? That's your first warning flag, don’t let your excitement at the low prices trick you.
2) Google search.
A quick google search with the websites name and scam can reveal a lot.
For example: ISBN Agency scam
If you are half way through typing and it is already suggested, thats a pretty big hint that it’s a scam. If results pop up after you search it, claiming that the website is a scam, then it’s a scam.
3) Reviews.
You can rely on a search on Trustpilot to inform you about a scam. Ignore the good reviews for a moment and look at the one star reviews. If one says it is a scam be on the safe side and avoid the website. If people are simply complaining, well its up to you to weigh the pros and cons.
Well, that’s the information I wanted to share with you. Now I want to help you apply this knowledge to your book. Join me in exploring what some famous authors from history should have done if they wanted to purchase ISBN.
Other articles:
Where to buy an ISBN in the UK. Where to buy ISBN in the UK.. Help and information regarding the all… | by Fern-Leta Mowots | 1-minute-reads | Sep, 2024 | Medium
Where to get a cheaper ISBN in the UK. Where to buy cheaper ISBN in the UK. | by Fern-Leta Mowots | 1-minute-reads | Sep, 2024 | Medium
Avoid scammers when buying discounted ISBN. How to avoid scams when looking for cheaper ISBN’s in 3 simple steps. | by Fern-Leta Mowots | 1-minute-reads | Sep, 2024 | Medium
Case studies on ISBN for you to understand your books needs. How to know which ISBN option to pick through studying famous authors. | by Fern-Leta Mowots | 1-minute-reads | Sep, 2024 | Medium
What is an ISBN actually: What even is an ISBN and why do I need it to publish my book? | by Fern-Leta Mowots | 1-minute-reads | Aug, 2024 | Medium
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