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| Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | Views: 1298 |
| Nov 17, 2005 4:54 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Leslie Baldwin | | I'm guilty of using the word "free" as a marketer but as a consumer I really don't like the word "free" because - well - it (usually) isn't. Now If I am at a store and I buy a box of cereal and there is a coupon for a free box - then I have a good experience and the store has a higher chance of me buying that particular cereal.
If "free" is to tempt me into doing something I probably wouldn't do in the first place then it's effect it pretty slim. In fact the mind numbing offers of "free e-book X and Y and Z valued at two gazillion dollars if you buy this $99.95 product" drives me slightly nuts. Especially when it's now or never and I mean who just happens to have $100.00 at hand and is willing to spend it that easily?
Don't even get me started on the: you won a free computer! Scams out there.
On the flip side - something small for free can have limited appeal since we know a lot of these gifts are limited in life span or may not be something a person really wants. However getting a small gift unexpectedly with your shipment or order can work wonders. My last NSP shipment came with a free magnet and I thought that was so cool! :o)
Yesterday at Target I received a free notepad (with coupons) along with my receipt. Nice
Probably one reason we use "free" is it is a small word (easier to fit in copy) and most people understand the concept - although Bonus - Complementary - Gift - might be more accurate terms.
Best!
Leslie in San Antonio
Springanew to a Slimmer You
http://www.springanew.com
http://www.springanew.biz
Private Reply to Leslie Baldwin |
| Nov 17, 2005 10:59 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Stephanie Biscomb | | I'm in marketing and offering stuff for free is one of the things the company I work for does. So far, it has given us great results and has always had us having more traffic flow to our mother Website - free things where I'm at are usually to have people just try out our technology. It's not a question of those people then buying one of the instant messaging solutions we offer - most people that go for the free stuff aren't in the same market or segment as those supposed to have an interest in our paid products. However, it does create a collective idea that when we say free, it's free, when we say no spyware, there's no spyware and when we offer something, it's a certain quality.
I guess offering things for free does get attention, but it is far better for generating a bran 'status' on the consumer's head. When it comes to campaigns... I wouldn't really offer something for free.
Private Reply to Stephanie Biscomb |
| Nov 18, 2005 12:17 am | | re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Terry Vermeylen | | I’ve been considering giving away subscriptions to my value and goal setting web site for free here at RYZE. Only if someone is genuinely interested in using it. In return I would only ask for honest feedback and suggestions for improvements.
Most people tell me they would love to have a free subscription and then never use it. Most people who buy self-help books don’t do the exercises. It’s all in how much effort you want to put in something. Or maybe they don’t like the product. Nah, can’t be…
Performing conscious reflection to identify core values and set goals is way too much effort for some people, even if it’s free.
Terry
You always have choice.
http://www.mylifechanges.com
Private Reply to Terry Vermeylen |
| Nov 18, 2005 3:50 am | | re: re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Jilian M Saweczko | | Free has always worked for us....Been working for decades in fact... in the party plan field. We give you a free dating gift for holding/hosting a Tupperware Party...then we stopped it, and starting giving everyone who attended a T Party an item at a special price. Next we brought back the free gifts for dating, then holding a party...and more free give aways for reaching various benchmarks. Somehow, somewhere free always came into the mix. People expected it! AND it made me proud to offer so many things for free!
On the other hand, I've felt really good to be on the receiving end when I've attended party plans that did offer free gifts for...you pick the promotion. And felt sorry for those whose plans didn't offer anything for free! :-)
I like to receive free gifts, especially so when I'm interested in the product or service. However, I also like to know that the person, giving things away for free, also makes money...or what's the point!
Some people bargain down the price to free...now That's my hot button!
If it is going to hurt them then to sell their product or service so low it might as well be free...then No! To bargain a person down to such an extent that they give it to you 'free' is really bad and not good for anyone. Just look at countries where people are so desperate to make a sale, to put food on the table, they agree to a price below cost! That hurts them and ultimately the one getting the 'free' product or service (eg. getting your hair braided on the beach) It hurts who you are and then the type of person you becomes. What does it eventually do to a society?
That is when I say 'No' to free and 'No' to bargaining!
(think cruising in the Caribbean)
Another type of free is when we're fund raising for a cause and ask for donations. These are 'free' items to the cause ...and raise money or awareness. Yet it is a free gift by the person or business giving the item(s). Such transfer of wealth from one sector to another is fun, rewarding and helps a good cause! Be it politics or your favourite charity.
Bottom line: Is 'free' fair to the one giving and to the one receiving? If the answer is 'yes' then it is good. If the answer is 'no' then it is not good.
Here's to fair trading!
Jilian :-)
Private Reply to Jilian M Saweczko |
| Nov 18, 2005 1:52 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Andrew Barnes | | I think it all depends on what the purpose is.
Sometimes giving something away for free can still have a 'value' for the giver, without requiring anything from the recipient.
For instance - free 'viral' e-books. They don't require any further action on the part of the recipient, but if they are happy with their gift, they may be inclined to click on one of your links. If they like the book enough to offer it for free to their list, even better.
Free gifts as an enticement to subscribe to a newsletter. OK, sure, you are asking them to subscribe, but if they don't enjoy your newsletter, they just unsubscribe.
There are more involved give-aways that are still essentially free - take my 'Partner' Program.
Applicants get to have a page promoting THEIR business, hosted on the site (and a whole lot more) for free. All that is asked is that they include a link back from their own site, or if they don't have a site, that they use the page as an entry page in their promotions.
All 'partners' get increased traffic viewing their business proposals, at no cost.
Of course I benefit from increased traffic to my site, but this doesn't 'cost' partners anything, except some time.
Autograph Your Work With Excellence.
AndyE Barnes
Launch Issue. Read On-line Now.
Working Together - We Win.Newsletter.
Private Reply to Andrew Barnes |
| Nov 18, 2005 5:38 pm | | re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Stephanie Biscomb | | Andy does make a good point, but the problem with reciprocal linking is that is has to be done very, very carefully. Otherwise, search engines could kick page rank points from your website for thinking you are committing a SE 'foul play' - reciprocal links need to be embedded into the overall content of the website on both sides in order for the links to be accepted as 'legit'.
Private Reply to Stephanie Biscomb |
| Nov 18, 2005 9:55 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Andrew Barnes | | Absolutely Stephanie,
The links coming from my site are actually in context within the 'partners' own page introducint the business.
Equally, they are requested to use a text link from their site, equally in context.
and passed or declined on condition that they are promoting legitimate, 'real' opportunities or products that are of real value to visitors.
Such things as 'links pages' or even worse ffa's, are instantly declined.
As the introduction to the program on the site states - 'combining the power of Networking with the effectiveness of co-operative, viral advertising'.
All partners, in line with this, are requested to also submit a 'personal' page to introduce themselves so that visitors always know that they are dealing with 'real' people.
Autograph Your Work With Excellence.
AndyE Barnes
Launch Issue. Read On-line Now.
Working Together - We Win.Newsletter.
Private Reply to Andrew Barnes |
| Nov 18, 2005 10:56 pm | | re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Denise O'Berry | | Free still works. And I don't see that ending anytime soon. Yes, you'll get a bunch of tire kickers -- that comes with the territory. You can weed those folks out over time. What it will do for you if you are trading something free for an email address, is give you an audience to build a relationship with. And that definitely works.
Here's a true story. I give away a free Success Strategies Guide to people who sign up for it on my site. Been giving it away for about five years now. I mail to the list a couple of times a month -- sometimes informational stuff, sometimes sales stuff. In the last two weeks I've had several people who have been on my list for OVER ONE YEAR purchase something. Free works.
If you're not sure whether free still works or not, just pick up one of those free coupon books that are handed out in every city. Thumb through it and count the number of times free is used in the ads. You'll find a bunch.
Best regards,
Denise O'Berry
Small Business Expert
Want to squeeze more cash out of your website? Isn't it time you had your very own product? Visit http://www.gotsmallbusiness.com
Private Reply to Denise O'Berry |
| Nov 21, 2005 10:57 am | | re: re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Gali Pushkin | | I wonder - Why Ryze people don't apply for my free help with images?
AndyE supposed that I would be overloaded with too many requests and warned me to not let my generosity lead me to being taken advantage of. But I haven't get any request!
What does it mean - that people don't need to tidy up or fix their images or that they are too polite?
Gali
All kinds of images.
http://www.all-occasion-clipart.com
Private Reply to Gali Pushkin |
| Nov 21, 2005 1:13 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Andrew Barnes | | OK Gali,
My logo could do with being sharpened up with some better density of colour.
I'll email you the file if you could see what you can do with it, that would be great.
Thanks.
Autograph Your Work With Excellence.
AndyE Barnes
New Audio Edition. On-line Today.
Working Together - We Win.
Newsletter.
Private Reply to Andrew Barnes |
| Nov 21, 2005 1:54 pm | | re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Gali Pushkin | | Andy, I examined your logo file. It doesn't look well because that you resize it. When placed in original size it looks perfectly. You need special files in all dimensions, you need. If you need help with resizing I can do this for you. Only note that we can lessen it, but not enlarge (less than 599 px). In order to enlarge (as it is used on your web page) you need another source.
Gali
All kinds of images.
http://www.all-occasion-clipart.com
Private Reply to Gali Pushkin |
| Nov 21, 2005 3:15 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Andrew Barnes | | Thanks Gali,
A simple tip I didn't know before.
That's what it is all about.
Thanks again.
Autograph Your Work With Excellence.
AndyE Barnes
New Audio Edition. On-line Today.
Working Together - We Win.
Newsletter.
Private Reply to Andrew Barnes |
| Jun 18, 2006 7:29 pm | | re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Kristin | | As a 'newbie'I'm just reading some of the old posts and this one caught my attention. I VERY often (99% of the time and I ALWAYS encourage the company to do so because it works!) use 'FREE' (or bonus gift,etc) in my Sales Letters and Direct Mail Campaigns. It helps to 'sweeten the deal' and I always attach a sense of urgency to it--that can be done with a limited supply or a cut off date. I even use FREE with Fundraising Letters. Those letters have offered FREE gift cards with X dollars given, FREE season tickets to a symphony for one of the donors, 'CHANCE TO WIN' in a private lottery, a backstage 'pass' to a lucky donor to meet a celebrity. All of those things have worked, and worked well.
If you need any help or suggestions please let me know.
Kristin Andrews
Private Reply to Kristin |
| Jun 19, 2006 7:34 am | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Scott Allen | | I certainly hope so!
Watch this space, as they say... on Monday I'm going to give away TWO freebies just for participating in a 20-question survey. These aren't the same old stuff you'll find floating around -- these have never been given away before (one of them was just finished).
More details soon.
- Scott -
Private Reply to Scott Allen |
| Jun 19, 2006 12:01 pm | | Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Heidi Richards | | FREE works if it is something of perceived value. I have a retail florist and one of the things I do when attending any type of networking meeting is to bring along a gift either in the form of a "raffle" prize (free advertising for my company) and or a free rose to hand out to all in attendance. I don't do the free rose every time as then it would not have the same effect as everyone would "expect me to do it."
Free has worked for me for 25 years and I will continue to do it as long as it brings in customers.
Thanks for asking!
Heidi Richards
Private Reply to Heidi Richards |
| Jun 19, 2006 12:25 pm | | re: FREE | # |
Craig Kiessling | | Sorry but what I said earlier is still correct...
* I was referring to online activities
* The people who will say it works and offer stuff for FREE!!! will be mlm, network marketing, "success" stuff or other things that you can find "free" on the internet without it being labelled as "FREE!!!"
It depends on the medium. It depends on what you're selling, and it depends on the image you want people to have of your brand.
Hell - I use to teach martial arts, and for those financially challenged, they could still train for cheaper or for free. But then, nor now will I ever use "FREEE!!!!"
Private Reply to Craig Kiessling |
| Jun 19, 2006 9:19 pm | | re: re: FREE | # |
Lamar Morgan 954-603-7901 | | Craig,
I agree with you. Whether or not you offer something for free or not does reflect on your image. There are indeed a lot of factors that enter in here.
My business mixer can away with offering "free" door prizes that area actually quite nice. Why? Because someone has already paid for the item and is willing to give it away for free due to the exposure to the physically assembled crowd. But, when you give something nice away for free online, there is I believe a different perspective involved. It is more one-to-one than one-to-a-crowd. There is just not the same sense to promotion or exposure. However, you might very well be exposing your product to more people online that you would in a physically assembled crowd.
Keep in mind that free or cheap often has a negative connotation. I used to work for Bear Stearns - one of the most high-profile investment banking firms in the world. We actually had an in-house saying that went like this, "You can find cheaper, but you cannot pay more." When I first heard that slogan I thought it was terrible. Who would appreciate such a jingle? Answer: people who willingly pay a high price for what they perceive is the best investment advice on Wall Street. I soon discovered that rich people actually like that slogan. Why? Because thety relish doing business with what they perceive is "the best of the best." And no, they do not mind paying a premium price for that kind of investment advice.
Therefore, while I do believe that free offers have their place in the marketing mix of some businesses, I also realize that establishing one's position as exclusive and costly has its benefits as well.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM
Power Networking
Attract more customers!
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 954-603-7901 |
| Jun 20, 2006 5:20 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
>> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today | | I went to Paul's free huge mug page and got a 404 not found error - maybe that is why no one seems to be taking him up on his offer?
Best,
Barry
Private Reply to >> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today |
| Jun 20, 2006 7:32 pm | | re: Yes, Want a mug?/Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
>> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today | | Paul -
So the free mug's gonna cost me $500?
Hmm, I know it has been a while asince I studied math in college and all, but I htink math is still the same.
English on the other hand may have changed since then - is money so de-valued that $500 now equals free when (at least to me) free means "at no monetary cost whatsoever"?
Or has "free" changed meaning?
Best,
Barry
Private Reply to >> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today |
| Jun 20, 2006 7:47 pm | | re: re: Yes, Want a mug?/Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Kristin | | Yes Barry, in this case FREE should be "as a token of our thanks..." But the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a great organization. If you write your check to them through Paul and GET that mug you can smile knowing that you're drinking from the most expensive Java Cup in town!
Kristin Andrews
:-)
Private Reply to Kristin |
| Jun 20, 2006 8:11 pm | | re: re: re: Yes, Want a mug?/Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
>> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today | | Worthy or not it still smacks of bait and switch to me, as I mentioned to Paul via PM.
Come on - the come-on is misleading fform the initial subject , the web page doesn't work, and no updated page was ever offered...
Hmm, I wonder what the Leukemia Society itself wouldf think about its good name being used that way? Does anyone know?
Best,
Barry
Private Reply to >> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today |
| Jun 21, 2006 1:09 am | | re: re: re: re: Yes, Want a mug?/Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campai | # |
>> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today | | OK, paul deleted his post with the bad link, but I am guessing he is still collecting money for LS and still promoting the "free for only $500" mug somewhere if not here....true or not Paul?
Best,
Barry
Private Reply to >> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today |
| Jun 21, 2006 3:40 pm | | re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campai | # |
>> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today | | Paul-
If you are a public spectacle, you are making yourself one. I only asked for a corrected URL.
I have been PM'ing you in addition to this thread so don't pretend you just had that idea in order to look good for the crowd :)
As for keeping the topic, I am on topic - I am asking you to define free - because you posted "Free" stuff when it really costs $500.
If you got instructions to do that from LS, OK, point to the instructions and I will be satisfied.
If it was your idea, it was a bad one IMNSHO, as was posting a non-working url, then claiming it had moved to another host, and not posting the new one.
> This topic below is about, what?
keeping paul in line, if so, then new thread
No, it is about free stuff - and agreeing on the definition of free.
Paul, you are making waaay too much out of this then it needs to be. Stop trying to control what and where I write - I told you last time on another thread I respond to matters that arise in the context they arose in - meaning that thread. Unless you are the moderator, you are gonig to have to live with that sensible policy.
> I can reward anybody for donating , ri
I dunno. IANAL, and IANA accountant, but it sounds like there are tax implications there, depending on the size of the "reward". Maybe also if the reward comes from you instead of the charity. I suggest you ask these things of your tax advisor and the charities involved, not the list here.
> appreciate your tenacity to be our resident cop.
I am not cop. I am just respodning with what others think when you post a broken link - hey I better let Paul know! That you had a can of worms hiding under the surface I could not have known at the time.
Best,
Barry
Private Reply to >> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today |
| Jun 21, 2006 4:24 pm | | re: thans barry/Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campai | # |
>> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today | | Paul -
Not sure what you mean by that.
But yes, if someone gives me a business card with a non-working url, I will try to reach them to let them know :) I hope you would too, as it is only common courtesy, and it happens to everyone occasionally.
If you want to talk to a well known ryzer who knows me in person, ask Althea Garner.
But you know what Paul? Other ryzers are interested in my services becaue they see I pay attention to the details, and I cna be trusted to do so for their business, even when they know that details are not their own strong point.
I can be pointed to a goal and won't let go until I achieve that goal for you. My skills are something that businesses need to reduce risk and increase chances of success, and that is why business owners and others hire me and should hire me :)
Best,
Barry
Private Reply to >> Barry Caplan - Start Your Future Today |
| Jun 08, 2007 1:05 am | | re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Martin Russell | | Interesting question...
A guy called James Brausch has a piece of copywriting software that compares your copy against profitable and non-profitable copy. I use this software almost daily.
http://www.wordofmouthmagic.com/copytool/
According to his software, the word "free" actually has a NEGATIVE correlation with being profitable, ie the word takes away from sales.
Collecting names isn't the same as being profitable, and most people don't test the impact of the word free all the way to the outcome of profitability. But that's where it actually matters!
Can you stop saying "free" - perhaps say complimentary etc instead - and actually profit more?
Statistically, yes. Hmmmm...
Cheers,
Dr Martin Russell
Small Biz Referral Marketing... For Results!
http://www.WordofMouthMagic.com
Private Reply to Martin Russell |
| Apr 06, 2022 2:49 pm | | re: re: re: Giving stuff away FREE - does it get attention and or help a campaign? | # |
Paul Finkelstein | |
Is free sexy? In marketing
Fb page: http://www.facebook.com/paulstevenfinkelstein
li: http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulfinkelstein
fb profile: http://www.facebook.com/planaborc
t: http://www.twitter.com/paulsteven
Private Reply to Paul Finkelstein |
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