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Why we must be extra cautious when offering giveaways and freebies?

by samdar
7 replies
There is a common misunderstanding that freebies are great way to build list and deep dive into internet marketing.

Yes, I accept the fact that freebies are great attractive point and it adds value to your entire offering. However lately I am seeing too many freebie based business models fail because of one BIG mistake.

Freebies are free, but still they have to carry value. Here is what I think one should avoid when creating a freebie based model.
  • Never create a freebie from a product that never sold
  • Though it's freebie, people still pay for it. How? They spend their valuable time to download or sign up. Just imagine they spend 30 minutes on sign up and reading your freebie. They have already spent atleast $40 (Considering their hourly rate is $80!)
  • Hence freebies are not really free for customers. So respect and offer value to your customers
  • Never spam your freebie customer. Most of the crappy freebies will be reported or unsubscribed the moment people see no value to you. Sending more e-mails to people with no value will make you look bad

Though I personally don't have experience in freebie marketing, I am depressed seeing some poorly designed products as freebies and just waste our time.

Can experienced marketers add their perspective on what has to be avoided and what has to be followed when creating freebies?
#cautious #extra #freebies #giveaways #offering
  • Profile picture of the author LarryC
    The value of freebies has declined simply because there are so many marketers offering them. For the most part, who wants to download yet another ebook or "free report?" I don't think the average person online has an hourly rate of $80, but it's true that everyone's time has value.
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    • Profile picture of the author MacMiller
      Originally Posted by LarryC View Post

      The value of freebies has declined simply because there are so many marketers offering them. For the most part, who wants to download yet another ebook or "free report?" I don't think the average person online has an hourly rate of $80, but it's true that everyone's time has value.
      I completely agree with you. I would think it is safe to assume that the hourly rate for most users trying to make money online is about minimum wage, or $8.

      I also feel that freebies have declined because too many marketers were taking the easy way out and just giving away crappy PLR reports or "get rick with one click" reports that obviously were subpar in quality.

      Now people are more wary because they simply don't want to waste their time downloading a product that they know they will just delete!
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      • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
        Originally Posted by samdar View Post

        Can experienced marketers add their perspective on what has to be avoided and what has to be followed when creating freebies?
        IMHBVAO, a freebie that you give away should contain
        valuable and unique information that people can't get
        elsewhere.

        Your freebie should position you as being an expert in
        your field and a person who is worth listening to.

        Your freebie should also move people closer to buying
        your front-end offer so that you more quickly turn new
        subscribers into buyers.

        Your freebie should NOT contain information that people
        have heard before or that they can get easily elswhere.
        Otherwise, why should they listen to you?

        Instead, focus on providing unique and valuable information
        so people have a reason to tune into your messages now
        and long into the future too.

        Once you've created the product you want to sell, then
        strategically take parts of it to give away in your freebie...

        Give away some of the "what" and sell the "how".

        This way, your freebie pre-sells your paid product.

        Dedicated to mutual success,

        Shaun
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        • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
          Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

          IMHBVAO, a freebie that you give away should contain
          valuable and unique information that people can't get
          elsewhere.
          How is that even possible?
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          Professional autoresponder email writer.
          I also write premium quality articles, e-books, etc.
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          • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
            Originally Posted by canyon View Post

            How is that even possible?
            By being a REAL expert in your field rather than being
            a part-time or pretend expert.

            When you know your subject area inside out, you'll
            develop a unique perspective on how to best solve
            the biggest problems in your marketplace.

            Present your unique point of view and people have
            a reason to choose you over anyone else.

            Dedicated to mutual success,

            Shaun
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            • Profile picture of the author TheSpokesman
              It definitely has to have value for the person getting it. I'm personally using some software as a giveaway that has value to the very people I am trying to attract--marketers with their own websites.
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              The Marketers Factory
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  • Profile picture of the author tpw
    A product that did not sell is not necessarily a bad product, but a product that had bad sales copy.
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    Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
    Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
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