Dec
20
Freebies, Is There A Catch?
Filed Under Marketing | Leave a Comment
Damian Saunders asked:
It is something we hear repeated all our lives, that nothing in life is free. So, with that in mind, the question is, how can free offers and freebies actually be free, really?
The reality is that freebies and free offers promoted by reputable companies on line actually are free. That does not mean that there is nothing expected in return. Some companies are looking for your opinion or your contact details so they can send you more offers, and product information, or they have another, more obvious motive, which is to get you to buy their products.
Internet freebies and free offers are exactly the same as the promotional giveaways that you find in shops and businesses across the country all the time. Businesses are always offering free samples, discounts and coupons for one very good reason; they want you to try their products. The hope is that when you do, you will like the product, or service and you will want more, you will happily pay for it, and hopefully keep buying. Obviously, companies do this more for products they really believe their Customers, or potential Customers will like.
Freebie offers are a very reliable market test for a new product or service. They give the company a strong understanding as to whether or not people are in fact interested in a product, whether they have a use for it, and whether they will buy it; essentially, it tells a company whether this is a product worth investing their resources, and cold hard cash, in further.
Freebies are also an effective means of introducing a new product into the marketplace. People, being very habitual, are often reluctant to try new things; sometimes they are simply not motivated. But with a free and better alternative placed in front of them, the offer becomes irresistible. In addition, and considering people are becoming ore immune to marketing messages, the chance to try something free means that they can make their own evaluation of a product, with little or no risk, before deciding whether to become a Customer.
On the Internet, freebies, giveaways, and free offers serve another very effective purpose. Companies use freebies to harvest email addresses and contact information. Using this method, marketers obtain permission, and continue to send you information about their products. They may also use this as a subscription to a regular newsletter or other means by which paid products and expanded services can be marketed.
Looking at freebies from a marketing viewpoint, as a means of promoting your product, or testing your market positioning, the Internet, in particular freebie sites, offer good examples of the methods used by savvy companies to attract Customers.
Freebie marketing on the Internet has added a new dimension to traditional freebies and free offers, the practice of offering freebies as a marketing strategy is not new; freebies have been a staple of product testing and advertising for more than a century. No doubt this will continue and, for a consumer, that’s great news as never before have so many freebies, and free stuff offers, been so accessible, and easily available.
ISAAC
It is something we hear repeated all our lives, that nothing in life is free. So, with that in mind, the question is, how can free offers and freebies actually be free, really?
The reality is that freebies and free offers promoted by reputable companies on line actually are free. That does not mean that there is nothing expected in return. Some companies are looking for your opinion or your contact details so they can send you more offers, and product information, or they have another, more obvious motive, which is to get you to buy their products.
Internet freebies and free offers are exactly the same as the promotional giveaways that you find in shops and businesses across the country all the time. Businesses are always offering free samples, discounts and coupons for one very good reason; they want you to try their products. The hope is that when you do, you will like the product, or service and you will want more, you will happily pay for it, and hopefully keep buying. Obviously, companies do this more for products they really believe their Customers, or potential Customers will like.
Freebie offers are a very reliable market test for a new product or service. They give the company a strong understanding as to whether or not people are in fact interested in a product, whether they have a use for it, and whether they will buy it; essentially, it tells a company whether this is a product worth investing their resources, and cold hard cash, in further.
Freebies are also an effective means of introducing a new product into the marketplace. People, being very habitual, are often reluctant to try new things; sometimes they are simply not motivated. But with a free and better alternative placed in front of them, the offer becomes irresistible. In addition, and considering people are becoming ore immune to marketing messages, the chance to try something free means that they can make their own evaluation of a product, with little or no risk, before deciding whether to become a Customer.
On the Internet, freebies, giveaways, and free offers serve another very effective purpose. Companies use freebies to harvest email addresses and contact information. Using this method, marketers obtain permission, and continue to send you information about their products. They may also use this as a subscription to a regular newsletter or other means by which paid products and expanded services can be marketed.
Looking at freebies from a marketing viewpoint, as a means of promoting your product, or testing your market positioning, the Internet, in particular freebie sites, offer good examples of the methods used by savvy companies to attract Customers.
Freebie marketing on the Internet has added a new dimension to traditional freebies and free offers, the practice of offering freebies as a marketing strategy is not new; freebies have been a staple of product testing and advertising for more than a century. No doubt this will continue and, for a consumer, that’s great news as never before have so many freebies, and free stuff offers, been so accessible, and easily available.
ISAAC
Dec
2
Free is Not Good Enough
Filed Under Marketing | Leave a Comment
Zeke Camusio asked:
Why Nothing in Life is FREE
“Nothing in life is free.” That old saying rings true when it comes to offering online freebies. Even when you offer something FREE to consumers, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a “cost” behind that freebie.
Everyone is shaking up the Internet with freebies – sign up for this spectacular newsletter and receive a FREE SPECIAL report, whitepapers, or the latest and greatest trial sample.
Freebies don’t necessarily equate to “high value.” Have you ever tried a free sample and thought “Aw, no wonder they gave away that product for FREE!” It just wasn’t THAT great! You don’t want to be that kind of online marketer!
Sometimes the “buck stops there” – literally! Companies think they can blast out their freebies and consumers will automatically jump all over these freebies.
The Art of Persuasion
What makes YOUR freebie better than your competitors? With all the free offers floating around on cyberspace, you need to give people a GOOD REASON to sign up for your freebies.
How many times have you unsubscribed to newsletters because they were boring and didn’t offer relevant information? The last thing you want is to send worthless content to your subscribers.
“Time is money” and your visitors/customers don’t have a lot of free time on their hands. Monetary costs are just one aspect for consumers- what about the time it takes to READ your free content and marketing campaigns?
What can you do to PERSUADE people to actually WANT to read your content and actually USE your free samples?
It comes down to sales persuasion tactics!
Persuasion gives people the choice to make an informed decision – persuasion is not about manipulation or hype.
However, persuasion will only get you so far. Reel them in with free stuff BUT give people want they actually want. VALUABLE content is what makes people come back for MORE…and WHY people will buy your products and services!
INCORPORATE POWERFUL CALLS TO ACTION
o HOW will your free content SOLVE crucial problems for people?
o What VALUE do you offer them to make them WANT free information?
oHow will it CHANGE THEIR LIVES on a positive, long-term basis?
o Add URGENCY to your call to action – they NEED to read/try your content or product NOW. Give them every reason to take action immediately!
SOCIAL PROOF – People will “jump on the bandwagon” and copy other people’s action (especially if they like and trust them). Use testimonials and endorsements. SHOW benefits that other people have experienced as a result of signing up for your free newsletter or report.
VISUAL ELEMENTS – Use photos, music and videos as part of your freebie offers. People are visual creatures and you are more likely to really CAPTURE their attention through visual elements.
SHOWCASE YOUR AUTHORITY/EXPERTISE – Show you’re an authority/expert in your field. Link to third party sites to back up your facts when offering free information (people will trust you even MORE!) Reference figures of authority (i.e. government/political officials, health leaders, etc.)
If you liked this article, please tell your friends about it. If you really liked it, feel free to publish it on your blog or website (please don’t forget to mention www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com/blog as the original source).
JARROD
Why Nothing in Life is FREE
“Nothing in life is free.” That old saying rings true when it comes to offering online freebies. Even when you offer something FREE to consumers, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a “cost” behind that freebie.
Everyone is shaking up the Internet with freebies – sign up for this spectacular newsletter and receive a FREE SPECIAL report, whitepapers, or the latest and greatest trial sample.
Freebies don’t necessarily equate to “high value.” Have you ever tried a free sample and thought “Aw, no wonder they gave away that product for FREE!” It just wasn’t THAT great! You don’t want to be that kind of online marketer!
Sometimes the “buck stops there” – literally! Companies think they can blast out their freebies and consumers will automatically jump all over these freebies.
The Art of Persuasion
What makes YOUR freebie better than your competitors? With all the free offers floating around on cyberspace, you need to give people a GOOD REASON to sign up for your freebies.
How many times have you unsubscribed to newsletters because they were boring and didn’t offer relevant information? The last thing you want is to send worthless content to your subscribers.
“Time is money” and your visitors/customers don’t have a lot of free time on their hands. Monetary costs are just one aspect for consumers- what about the time it takes to READ your free content and marketing campaigns?
What can you do to PERSUADE people to actually WANT to read your content and actually USE your free samples?
It comes down to sales persuasion tactics!
Persuasion gives people the choice to make an informed decision – persuasion is not about manipulation or hype.
However, persuasion will only get you so far. Reel them in with free stuff BUT give people want they actually want. VALUABLE content is what makes people come back for MORE…and WHY people will buy your products and services!
INCORPORATE POWERFUL CALLS TO ACTION
o HOW will your free content SOLVE crucial problems for people?
o What VALUE do you offer them to make them WANT free information?
oHow will it CHANGE THEIR LIVES on a positive, long-term basis?
o Add URGENCY to your call to action – they NEED to read/try your content or product NOW. Give them every reason to take action immediately!
SOCIAL PROOF – People will “jump on the bandwagon” and copy other people’s action (especially if they like and trust them). Use testimonials and endorsements. SHOW benefits that other people have experienced as a result of signing up for your free newsletter or report.
VISUAL ELEMENTS – Use photos, music and videos as part of your freebie offers. People are visual creatures and you are more likely to really CAPTURE their attention through visual elements.
SHOWCASE YOUR AUTHORITY/EXPERTISE – Show you’re an authority/expert in your field. Link to third party sites to back up your facts when offering free information (people will trust you even MORE!) Reference figures of authority (i.e. government/political officials, health leaders, etc.)
If you liked this article, please tell your friends about it. If you really liked it, feel free to publish it on your blog or website (please don’t forget to mention www.TheOutsourcingCompany.com/blog as the original source).
JARROD
Oct
31
Freebies for Everyone
Filed Under Marketing | Leave a Comment
Aoureliou Televko asked:
Many firms are giving away a freebie so they can attract people to their web site. They are giving away free sweepstakes, free baby stuff, free samples, etc. What is happening to all this free stuff? It’s loosing it’s perceived value. Every time you surf the internet or check your e-mail you see at least 10 to 50 freebies offers.Don’t get me wrong freebies do increase traffic, but not like they did when the internet was new. The key is to increase the perceived value of your freebies so they will be more attractive to your audience. How do you do this? Well, here are eight ways:
1. You would tell them what the freebie is worth with
a dollar amount. For example, “try our
tooth whitening solution! A $19 value!”
2. You could add other freebies to your freebie that
will increase the value. For example, “Subscribe to
my freebies site and get free access to our “subscribers
only” private web site!”
3. You could tell them the freebie is only available for
a limited time. For example, “If you win, you will also
receive a $5,000 gas card. Your opinions matter! Limited
time offer.
4. You could tell them the freebie is only available to
a limited number of people. For example, ” Our free
software will only be available for the next 150 people
that download it.”
5. You should give more details about the freebie.
List the benefits, features, what problems the freebie
will solve, etc.
6. You may describe your freebie to sound more
attractive. For example, instead of “free report” you
could say “free never released top secret document”
7. You could list testimonials for your freebie. Most
businesses don’t give testimonials for their freebies.
This would defiantly increase your freebies value.
8. You might tell people how many people have
already receive your freebie. For example, “15,000
people have already subscribed to my free e-book!
Can they all be wrong?
These are only a few ways you can add value to your freebies. You could be creative and think up some other ways to increase the perceived value of your freebies. Also test each idea to see which one draws the most traffic to your web site.
WALLACE
Many firms are giving away a freebie so they can attract people to their web site. They are giving away free sweepstakes, free baby stuff, free samples, etc. What is happening to all this free stuff? It’s loosing it’s perceived value. Every time you surf the internet or check your e-mail you see at least 10 to 50 freebies offers.Don’t get me wrong freebies do increase traffic, but not like they did when the internet was new. The key is to increase the perceived value of your freebies so they will be more attractive to your audience. How do you do this? Well, here are eight ways:
1. You would tell them what the freebie is worth with
a dollar amount. For example, “try our
tooth whitening solution! A $19 value!”
2. You could add other freebies to your freebie that
will increase the value. For example, “Subscribe to
my freebies site and get free access to our “subscribers
only” private web site!”
3. You could tell them the freebie is only available for
a limited time. For example, “If you win, you will also
receive a $5,000 gas card. Your opinions matter! Limited
time offer.
4. You could tell them the freebie is only available to
a limited number of people. For example, ” Our free
software will only be available for the next 150 people
that download it.”
5. You should give more details about the freebie.
List the benefits, features, what problems the freebie
will solve, etc.
6. You may describe your freebie to sound more
attractive. For example, instead of “free report” you
could say “free never released top secret document”
7. You could list testimonials for your freebie. Most
businesses don’t give testimonials for their freebies.
This would defiantly increase your freebies value.
8. You might tell people how many people have
already receive your freebie. For example, “15,000
people have already subscribed to my free e-book!
Can they all be wrong?
These are only a few ways you can add value to your freebies. You could be creative and think up some other ways to increase the perceived value of your freebies. Also test each idea to see which one draws the most traffic to your web site.
WALLACE