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

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

Author: Emily Reagan | Digital Marketing Mentor, Speaker March 25, 2025 Duration: 22:55

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:



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 


Emily Reagan brings her experience as a digital marketing mentor and speaker directly into your headphones with The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite. This isn't about vague inspiration; it's a practical dialogue for those navigating the specific challenges of running a solo marketing business. Each episode digs into the real work of positioning your services, attracting clients who value your expertise, and establishing pricing that reflects the true impact of your work. You'll hear conversations focused on moving beyond the feast-or-famine cycle to create a sustainable, profitable practice. Emily operates from the belief that every skilled freelancer possesses a unique set of talents-their "unicorn" qualities-that form the foundation of a standout business. The discussions in this podcast are designed to help you identify and leverage those strengths with confidence. Whether the topic is refining a niche, improving client conversations, or streamlining operations, the aim is actionable insight. Tuning in means joining a community focused on elevating the craft of freelance marketing, not just as a side hustle, but as a primary, rewarding career. If you're building a business in marketing, entrepreneurship, or creative services, this series offers a direct line to strategies and mindsets that can help shape your path forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Marketing Freelancer: Unicorns Unite
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