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Best Synonym for "FREE"?

by geekology
19 replies
We are in the process of designing a site with free content and premium content. The premium content will be hosted on the main domain example.com while the free content will be hosted on tuts.example.com

Both these sections will carry different logos, while the premium section will have <example logo> Pro (The word will be a superscript).
Now I am looking for a better word other than Free for the free section <example logo> ???

I hope I was able to frame my question properly, please let me know if you need some more information.

[Just in case it helps, I am not a newbie in copywriting, marketing, coding etc]
#free #synonym
  • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
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  • Profile picture of the author Cam Connor
    Originally Posted by geekology View Post

    We are in the process of designing a site with free content and premium content. The premium content will be hosted on the main domain example.com while the free content will be hosted on tuts.example.com

    Both these sections will carry different logos, while the premium section will have <example logo> Pro (The word will be a superscript).
    Now I am looking for a better word other than Free for the free section <example logo> ???

    I hope I was able to frame my question properly, please let me know if you need some more information.

    [Just in case it helps, I am not a newbie in copywriting, marketing, coding etc]
    If it's free, just say free. No reason to beat around the bush... people usually like free anyway.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alex Cohen
      The word "FREE" still has power.

      It occupies a long-held place in your reader's brain, and when he reads it, he has a predictable reaction.

      The alternatives may not get you the same response.

      Something to think about.

      Alex
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      • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
        Originally Posted by Alex Cohen View Post

        The word "FREE" still has power.

        It occupies a long-held place in your reader's brain, and when he reads it, he has a predictable reaction.

        The alternatives may not get you the same response.

        Something to think about.

        Alex
        Yeah, "free" has power. But not the way you think.

        For instance, in the affluent market, "free" as a word, is a turn off. Rich people reject the idea of free because it sounds cheap. It repels.

        So how do you overcome? Well, the word "complimentary" has been proven to be more appealing to the affluent.

        So instead of a "free bottle of wine", you use a "complimentary bottle of wine".

        Notice the difference? Subtle but powerful.

        Since the OP has not offered up the market, coming up with appropriate synonyms is a little like playing pin the tail on the donkey.

        - Rick Duris
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        • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
          Originally Posted by RickDuris View Post

          Since the OP has not offered up the market, coming up with appropriate synonyms is a little like playing pin the tail on the donkey.
          I think I liked your first spelling far better (tale vs tail)... I nearly fell out of my chair laughing!

          Marvin

          P.S. - Had someone in a distant conversation when talking about people thinking for themselves, they described it as they should be standing on their own too feet .
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          • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
            Originally Posted by Marvin Johnston View Post

            I think I liked your first spelling far better (tale vs tail)... I nearly fell out of my chair laughing!
            That's funny, isn't it? It ain't the first time. The more tired I get, the more I seem to think phonetically.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marvin Johnston
    Maybe along the lines of Used vs Pre-Owned,

    Free vs Starter
    Free vs Intro (Introductory)
    Free vs Pre-Owned .

    I would think the word "Free" might attract the wrong type of buyer, i.e. they don't buy. So it might be worthwhile to give some thought to driving that type of person away with the title.

    Marvin
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  • Profile picture of the author Rbtmarshall
    How about no mention at all of the word free, just provide the free videos as you are, and your visitors can always have the option for your pro level membership.

    as far as the logo, just the name with no subscript for the free visitors/members, then the pro subscript for the paying members header image if thats your thing
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  • Profile picture of the author Charli
    I'm with Rick.

    If I were at a store and there were two displays:

    Free T-Shirt
    Complimentary T-Shirt

    My mind would immediately believe the free t-shirt was cheap and the complimentary was a reward of some type. Some limited offer, even though I didn't state it as that. That's what's in my head. Now sure about anyone else.
    Charli
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  • Profile picture of the author geekology
    Some great suggestions there.

    Rick - The site is targeted for technical folks ( programming stuff) As Charlie said , seeing complimentary would make me feel as a user that I am getting this content in return for something ( in this case won't it lead to confusion?, just a thought) but yes I do agree with wine analogy, " free" just doesn't make a cut there. Some ppl take free as-in inferior.

    Brian, Cam, Alex : as I am reading through your responses I am inclining more and more towards using just the word "free" for free content and in fact leave the word "pro" from the premium content. ( isn't it looking superfluous?)

    Marvin - I agree but in this case the targeted folks are geeks

    Robert - that's a great suggestion, I am just looking for something which is least confusing and yet clearly demarcates free and premium section.
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    • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
      Originally Posted by geekology View Post

      Rick - The site is targeted for technical folks ( programming stuff) As Charlie said , seeing complimentary would make me feel as a user that I am getting this content in return for something ( in this case won't it lead to confusion?, just a thought) but yes I do agree with wine analogy, " free" just doesn't make a cut there. Some ppl take free as-in inferior.
      Is your pro content structured as a membership site?
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      • Profile picture of the author geekology
        Originally Posted by RickDuris View Post

        Is your pro content structured as a membership site?
        Yes Rick. Premium content is structured as a membership site.
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        • Profile picture of the author RickDuris
          Originally Posted by geekology View Post

          Yes Rick. Premium content is structured as a membership site.
          Ok, so here's a thought. And again, I don't have visibility to your site so it's hard for me to appreciate.

          But let's say the name of your membership site was Geekology.

          The most exclusive thing you could probably do is say "Geekology - Members Only" for the premium content.

          Then for the free content, just don't say anything. Just call it "Geekology".

          Visitors will appreciate the available content without you explicitly naming it. And they'll learn soon enough there's a paywall for premium content.

          Assuming the available content is good, they'll crave to learn how to become an exclusive member and get to the really good stuff.

          Let me know if I've hit a paystreak with this line of thinking.

          - Rick Duris

          PS: TIP: Pricing-wise, within members-only area, it might be useful to consider a bronze - silver - gold pricing model. Have silver or gold be the "best deal".
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    • Profile picture of the author BrianMcLeod
      Originally Posted by geekology View Post

      Brian, Cam, Alex : as I am reading through your responses I am inclining more and more towards using just the word "free" for free content and in fact leave the word "pro" from the premium content. ( isn't it looking superfluous?)
      Well, that's a whole new brief...

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  • Profile picture of the author Lance K
    How about "Basic" or "Starter" for the free section.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jennie Heckel
    Hi All,

    Get "The Synonym Finder" from Nancy LaRoche

    This is a book I just ordered which had rave Amazon reviews.

    No I'm not an affiliate...

    Good luck with your launch.

    Jennie Heckel
    Sales Letter Copywriter
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    ******* WSO & JV ZOO COPYWRITER -- VLS & SALES LETTERS PROVEN TO CONVERT ******* Get Higher Profits From Launches That SELL! Proven Copywriter with 17 Years of Copywriting Experience. Contact Me Via Skype: seoexpertconsulting Copywriting Website: http://www.VideoScriptCopywriter.com

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  • Profile picture of the author sethczerepak
    "Member Content" ...gives them a sense of belonging. Also sounds like they should be paying for it, but they're not, like they're getting something valuable instead of something free.

    Then, you can leverage jealousy and elitism to sell the higher levels using terms like "Preferred Member," "VIP Member."
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  • Profile picture of the author geekology
    Thanks for your suggestions guys. Hat-tip to Rick for the follow ups.

    For now, we are not touching the brand logo at all. Just the premium members would know they are in member's only area.

    On the home page example.com , there would be two big visually attractive links only.

    One going to Member's Only Area Login.
    Other going to Access Free Content.

    We hope to improve this with time as per user's engagement and feedback.
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