How New Entrepreneurs Get Targeted (And How to Protect Yourself)

Starting a Business? Watch Out—You're a Target

The moment you start a business—whether launching a website, creating a LinkedIn profile, or posting about your work—you become a prime target for aggressive sales tactics, scams, and misleading offers. Many new entrepreneurs, eager to grow, fall victim to these tactics before they even realize what’s happening.

Here’s how these schemes work—and how to safeguard yourself.

1. Spam Emails & Fake Business Offers

How They Find You

• Publishing a new website – Automated bots scan your domain and flood your inbox with offers.

• Posting on LinkedIn – Marketers scrape new business profiles and add them to outreach lists.

• Registering a business – Your company details appear in public records, attracting unsolicited emails.

Common Scams

• "Your website has SEO errors! We can fix them now!" – Often exaggerated or completely false claims.

• "We can build you a better website!" – Even if you’re a web designer yourself, you’ll still get these pitches.

• "We’ll send you 500 leads per month!" – Typically low-quality, non-targeted leads that don’t convert.

Real-World Example

Many entrepreneurs receive vague SEO warnings or web development offers that seem urgent but lack specific details. These emails often follow up persistently, creating a false sense of urgency to push you into buying services you may not need.

How to Protect Yourself

✅ Use a contact form instead of publicly listing your email.
✅ Ignore generic warnings about SEO issues—verify with trusted tools like Google Search Console.
✅ If an offer sounds too good to be true, assume it’s a scam.

2. "Business Coaches" & Overpriced Courses

How They Target You

• Posting about your startup – You’ll get DMs from “coaches” claiming they can help you succeed.

• Watching business-related videos – You’ll be retargeted with ads for expensive programs.

• Joining entrepreneur groups – Coaches spam the comments with manufactured success stories.

The Red Flags

• "You're doing it all wrong! But I can fix it." – They create self-doubt to sell their services.

• "I made $100K in 30 days!" – If they made that much, why are they selling courses instead of running a business?

• High-ticket coaching calls & courses – Often overpriced and lacking real value.

How to Protect Yourself

✅ Research their background—if they only make money selling courses, that’s a red flag.
✅ Look for unbiased testimonials—not just cherry-picked success stories.
✅ Take advantage of free resources before investing in paid coaching.

3. LinkedIn Cold Pitches & Fake Partnerships

How They Target You

• Connecting with business owners – You’ll quickly get DMs pitching vague "collaborations."

• Posting about your services – Marketers bombard you with unsolicited offers.

• Gaining visibility – More exposure leads to more sales-driven messages.

Common LinkedIn Scams

• "Let’s discuss a business opportunity!" – They just want to sell you something.

• "We guarantee you clients!" – These are usually overpriced, ineffective lead generation schemes.

• "I need a partner for a big project!" – Often, they’ll ask you to pay upfront for something questionable.

Real-World Example

Entrepreneurs often receive LinkedIn messages that seem promising but lack specifics. The sender might insist on a call without explaining details upfront—this is a red flag.

How to Protect Yourself

✅ Ignore vague offers—legitimate business deals provide details upfront.
✅ Ask direct questions—real opportunities don’t hide key information.
✅ Remember: If they’re reaching out to you, they need you more than you need them.

4. "Easy Money" Schemes & Passive Income Lies

How They Target You

• Searching for income growth – YouTube and social media will start feeding you “easy business” ideas.

• Joining business forums – You’ll encounter people pushing get-rich-quick schemes.

• Expressing a need for clients – Someone will offer a “done-for-you” agency model.

The Most Common Scams

• "Amazon automation" – Pay £10K+ for an automated store that rarely turns a profit.

• "Dropshipping riches" – Outdated strategies with no real competitive advantage.

• "Crypto trading bots" – If they worked, they wouldn’t need to sell them.

How to Protect Yourself

✅ Be wary of anything promising passive income—it’s rarely sustainable.
✅ Demand proof of real, long-term success, not just recent wins.
✅ Focus on skill-building and legitimate business models.

How to Stay Safe & Grow the Right Way

🔹 Be skeptical – Genuine business opportunities won’t chase you aggressively.
🔹 Do your own research – Verify claims independently before committing.
🔹 Focus on real skills & clients – Sustainable success comes from expertise, not shortcuts.

Final Thought

Starting a business is challenging, but that’s what makes it valuable. If success were easy, everyone would be rich. Stay smart, stay patient, and build something real.

Need Real, No-BS Business Advice?

At TurboGlitch, we help entrepreneurs build strong online presences with web design, SEO, and digital strategy—without the hype. Get in touch today!