Sell a service or offer it free to build a list?

milenko1054 · 01-11-2009, 09:42 AM

I recently launched an online resume builder application and would like some opinions on how best to utilize it. In my humble opinion it's head and shoulders above what's available now in the market but having read the profile of Plenty of Fish founder Marcus Fried in the latest Inc. magazine I'd like some opinions on offering it for free to build a list and then marketing related products/services to that list. The price point for similar products in this market is $15 - $25.

I would appreciate it if anyone with experience in this area could give me a few pros and cons to help me decide which route to take...

TLTheLiberator · 01-11-2009, 09:51 AM

If it's as good as you say it is and it's free and you really get the word out, you should be able to build a huge list rather quickly and make a killing down the road and build a fine long term asset in the process.

It's 100% true that you can get at least a buck per subscriber per month.

TL

jmidas · 01-11-2009, 10:00 AM

IF you goal is list building - which is a pretty good goal to have - and you can afford to offer it for free, do that. If the product is even half-way useful, you can build a big list quikcly and then market additional products.

One quick thought without knowing a thing about your product: maybe you can offer a free (and useful) version, then offer an upgraded, fancier
version at a price to the list - this could be the first of many related products you sell to the list you built for free.

Just a thought, but my vote is to build the list with a free version if you can. Something in that market that is both free and useful could very well end up picking up a bit of a viral effect and you could end up with a massive list.

milenko1054 · 01-11-2009, 10:48 AM

I see the backend for this being resume writing advice and/or services at first and then transitioning more toward general career related topics and even into self-help or online business if the interest is there.

Good point BlogBrowser that the initial niche is more of a one-time purchase. Another reason I'm considering building the list and using it to expand into related niches vs. selling the product.

01-11-2009, 09:42 AM	#1
milenko1054 Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sell a service or offer it free to build a list? I recently launched an online resume builder application and would like some opinions on how best to utilize it. In my humble opinion it's head and shoulders above what's available now in the market but having read the profile of Plenty of Fish founder Marcus Fried in the latest Inc. magazine I'd like some opinions on offering it for free to build a list and then marketing related products/services to that list. The price point for similar products in this market is $15 - $25. I would appreciate it if anyone with experience in this area could give me a few pros and cons to help me decide which route to take...
	Eric

01-11-2009, 09:51 AM	#2
TLTheLiberator Please get a net biz plan War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: , , USA. Posts: 1,428 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 1,107 Thanked 559 Times in 427 Posts	Re: Sell a service or offer it free to build a list? If it's as good as you say it is and it's free and you really get the word out, you should be able to build a huge list rather quickly and make a killing down the road and build a fine long term asset in the process. It's 100% true that you can get at least a buck per subscriber per month. TL

01-11-2009, 10:00 AM	#3
jmidas HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 339 Thanks: 41 Thanked 49 Times in 39 Posts	Re: Sell a service or offer it free to build a list? IF you goal is list building - which is a pretty good goal to have - and you can afford to offer it for free, do that. If the product is even half-way useful, you can build a big list quikcly and then market additional products. One quick thought without knowing a thing about your product: maybe you can offer a free (and useful) version, then offer an upgraded, fancier version at a price to the list - this could be the first of many related products you sell to the list you built for free. Just a thought, but my vote is to build the list with a free version if you can. Something in that market that is both free and useful could very well end up picking up a bit of a viral effect and you could end up with a massive list.

01-11-2009, 10:48 AM	#4
milenko1054 Active Warrior Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio USA Posts: 90 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sell a service or offer it free to build a list? I see the backend for this being resume writing advice and/or services at first and then transitioning more toward general career related topics and even into self-help or online business if the interest is there. Good point BlogBrowser that the initial niche is more of a one-time purchase. Another reason I'm considering building the list and using it to expand into related niches vs. selling the product.
	Eric