Is FREE Overdone?
Each and every year we see that “free line” is sliding more and more and it has been described many times by others, including the great series of post by my friend and marketing guru Doug Champigny “The POWER OF FREE In Affiliate Marketing – Part One“.
FREE is an incredibly powerful word that draws people and while sometimes it represents nothing but regurgitated crap, some of the recent product launches, such as Send Button Profits by Jeff Dedrick shows us true power of over-delivering. And as a launch partner I know that he will surprise even more people by what is coming.
But seeing all the freebies – question comes to mind – Is FREE Overdone?
Or rather at which point it simply becomes too much?
And here is what I mean…
FREE often perceived as less valuable, less useful and as such less acted upon when it comes to information that has potential to actually help you. We all know that if you paid for consulting – you will act on what advised if for no other reason but because you have paid for that advise.
And I’m not trying to advocate to stop giving stuff away for free to attract the customers! Quite opposite! My partner and I are giving away our own Expert WordPress blog installer with several videos Absolutely FREE.
But we have intentionally limited of what is provided with free package to make it enough for people who know and just enough for people who need to learn to realize that upgrade could be a valuable option to them.
And not because we are greedy! While we need to make money to continue supporting free installer as well as upgraded members – I see time and time again that even people who purchase full product fail to actually watch the videos and act on them! Information that comes directly from testing, trial and error is all available and yet – not even used! Go figure!
Considering that example above is something that fairly low priced – I know that FREE Offers are even less acted on.
So the questions is back…
What defines the FREE line and how do you ensure that people don’t just consume and demand for more but rather take it for what it is valuable gift that required research, time, effort to provide it.
Free Offer is a Gift and Not Mandatory!
So lets remember to be grateful when that gift is of actual Value!
Value it when you find it, don’t just automatically assume that gift provider is obligated to do more beyond what is already provided! And if you want to see a great example of gift that truly over deliver – have a look at Send Button Profits by Jeff Dedrick.
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About The Blog Author
Alex Sysoef is an IT Consultant, Internet Marketer and ProBlogger who shares his passion and knowledge of WordPress, SEO, Social Media and traffic strategies on his blog WordPress Howto Spotter. Connect on Twitter or Facebook
15 Responses to “Is FREE Overdone?”
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Is FREE Overdone? http://bit.ly/2DA72w (by Alex @TheSpotter)
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RT @AndyBeard: Is FREE Overdone? http://bit.ly/2DA72w (by Alex @TheSpotter)
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I think free may be getting overdone lately. I only use free to try and get people on my list.
.-= Jim Clary´s last blog ..Advantages of Affiliate Marketing =-.
Jim,
I’m in same boat, it just makes me wonder – free line is good, but I also think it confuses too many people who are just starting out. Once again – free as less valuable perception comes into play.
Twitter: volaer
says:
Another thing, I just want to give this as a testimony to for you Alex.
The main thing that keeps me coming back to your blog is for the FREE valuable information that you are sharing to us. I have subscribed to at least 50 website gurus, but there were only two gurus that I really loved and found out that their FREE valuable information are really valuable. And that is YOU ALEX, and the second one is Ken Evoy of Site Sell.
I have read and followed your advices, recommendations, and I just want to let you know that even I am slowly reaping its fruits.
I still remember when I commented here maybe about 5 months ago that my blog is a religious blog and its hard to gain traffic and readers. Yes it is. But guess what, because of those FREE informations that you dispersed, which I followed, is giving me now a good traffic (which is a little slow as of the moment, but is moving on).
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for those OVERDELIVERY of information.:)
Now, I stick to only two gurus, you and ken evoy. I already unsubscribed to the rest. And sometimes, when someone asks me who taught me, I usually recommend your blog and website.:)
.-= Vince´s last blog ..Why and Why Not Brother Eddie Villanueva =-.
Thanks Vince!
Your comment is great;y appreciated, if my info helps people – that means it counts for something.
Twitter: volaer
says:
I believe free is good and is one of the best ways to increase your traffic as well as subscribers. But let us just be sure that we deliver a good FREE items and not a crap. Later on, your subscribers will start unsubscribing if they will be getting lots of crap emails.
Free gifts can be over delivered, but should not sacrifice the quality.
.-= Vince´s last blog ..Why and Why Not Brother Eddie Villanueva =-.
I like ‘No Cost’ better. Not as ‘powerful’ perhaps, but less ‘spammy’. And I agree in any case, quality should suffer, dog poop that is free or no cost is still dog poop.
Also what people receive ‘free’ they are less likely to implement (sometimes to their own detriment.) If it is free with an opt-in, it really isn’t free is it? Perhaps ‘Your gift’ for following my updates and you can unsubscribe anytime and keep the gift!’ is better?
The site I put in the ‘website area isn’t mine and leads to breast cancer support in New England. I’ll tell them they need a feed.
Hello,
I agree with the person above … Alex’s ‘free’ info is quite good. Most are not.
As a copywriter, I advise my clients to use the word, “complimentary,” instead of free.
Most folks have learned, I think, that the ‘give-aways’ are just to get you on their list, so they can bombard you with BUY messages!
I think the free, fre.e or FREE is too freely used. And, as is the case with anything that’s over-used, it becomes a turn-off.
Ciao,
Carolyn
.-= Carolyn´s last blog ..One Day in the Life of a Brave Marcom Writer! =-.
Carolyn,
Yes, but the word is used for one reason – it works
Like it or not, it triggers action…
Hi Alex,
Everything has it’s pros and cons. I, personally, don’t like the word “free” because I feel it is a misnomer. “Free” doesn’t exist. Everything comes with a price, cost and/or an obligation.
Carolyn, thank you! I’ve never thought of using the word complimentary. I’ll use it!
Free is definitely a tactic that’s needed to be used. It’s been used for centuries to get people to try things.
Using free and expecting the prospect to automatically buy, or “owe you something” is totally the wrong way to think about things. There is no obligation by them to do anything except take what you are offering them. It’s the offer that you follow up with that makes the difference to get them to want more.
Use free, but only as part of a longer term tactic. Then, it will be your best friend!
David
.-= David´s last blog ..Product Launch Manager – How To Hire A Good One =-.
When it comes to the English language just free and cheap are two words which are used way to often. 9 out of 10 times when it comes to blogging the word “free” means that you will get something in return of giving away your mail.
.-= Stefan´s last blog ..How to Automatically Back Up Your Computer =-.