#245 How I Lost $2k in a Bad Media Placement (and How to Avoid It) with Emily Reagan

The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite

I lost $2,000 in a media placement deal that turned out to be a total scam. And I don’t want this to happen to you, too. I’ve been in marketing for years. I know how media buying works. I’ve done radio ads, TV spots, digital ad campaigns—you name it. But this one got me.

As freelancers and service providers, we’re constantly looking for new ways to get in front of the right audience. We want to help our clients grow their businesses, and we want to grow our own. But not all opportunities are created equal. Some are too good to be true and I learned that the hard way.

Listen to learn more about:

• The red flags I ignored in this media placement deal
• How sketchy media networks manipulate numbers to make their platforms seem more valuable
• The tracking funnel I set up to measure results & how it proved I got ZERO return on my investment
• How to protect yourself (and your clients) from scammy media placements
• Why I’m still choosing to see this as a valuable business lesson

If you’ve ever considered investing in media placements for yourself or your clients, this episode is a must-listen. I’m breaking down exactly what went wrong, where I should have trusted my gut, and how you can make smarter ad-buying decisions.

Sponsored by The Digital Marketer’s Workgroup

One big lesson from this media placement fiasco? Not all PR opportunities are legit. A big audience doesn’t always mean big results. That’s why my Digital Marketer’s Workgroup includes hands-on PR training so you can land real interviews and position yourself as the expert you are without wasting money on shady deals.

Are you already doing marketing work but need more clients and a stronger referral network? Join a tight-knit community of freelancers and get access to behind-the-scenes conversations, support, and troubleshooting that every solo marketer needs. Plus, you'll benefit from advanced trainings, networking opportunities, and exclusive job leads. Apply here!

Connect with Emily:

• Facebook Community: Emily’s Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant Lab
• Instagram: @emilyreaganpr
• Facebook: @emilyreaganpr

3 ways we can work together:

1. Get on the waitlist for the Live Unicorn Digital Marketing Assistant School. My signature course on digital marketing implementation will give you the confidence and teach you HOW to do the work that’s in demand and highly marketable. This is the secret weapon to getting booked out. Or get started now with the Self-Study version of UDMA School here.
2. Got the skills but need help getting your digital marketing services business to take off? I’ve got an advanced tight-knit referral and networking community that can help and I would love for you to apply here for The Digital Marketer's Workgroup. You’ll get the latest updates and trainings, networking opps and job leads from online business owners who are looking to hire digital marketing implementers and assistants.
3. Looking for a fast way to get your foot in the door with up-to-date skills? Take my 2-hour Quickstart to Facebook Community Management workshop and learn how to help online business owners like course creators and membership site owners manage and engage their community

>>> Download my Top Ten Most Requested Digital Marketing Tasks & Services