18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
18 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

The chore of giving away something of value for free...

by Ashley Gable
14 replies
Do you guys have any tips on how to give something of tremendous value away, for free?

I am sitting here trying to write and it seems everything I put down is giving off the vibe of "being too good to be true".

I cant get over it. Everything is sounding scammy.

We dont have testimonials (thats why we are doing this) so I cant use 3rd party credibility.

This is a mailing to a cold non-customer list, never wrote to them before.

This is a $500 service we are trying to get people to take on (with a small monthly fee afterwards).


So my fellow copywriting warriors, what tips can you give, in regards to selling a free product?
#chore #free #giving
  • Profile picture of the author David Chung
    Did you add anything in there about why you're offering such a good deal? Maybe that will lower the overall 'scammy' feel?
    Signature
    Ghostwriters: Easily Manage Your Writing Business (Windows Only)
    WF Junkies: Dimesale - WF Thread, Post, PM, and WSO Organizer Software (Windows Only)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4655793].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by Ashley Gable View Post


    This is a mailing to a cold non-customer list, never wrote to them before.
    Because it makes a difference, is the reason I ask.

    Cause, if you are sending real mail, you have to get them to open it or read it...and a tickler on the carrier could solve your problem...

    to an email list...good luck. It should be very targeted, they have to open and read it...and you'd better have something of value quickly...I'm in agreement with other poster...

    try some honesty...

    tell them why you want to Bribe them...

    gjabiz
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4655958].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
      Originally Posted by David Chung View Post

      Did you add anything in there about why you're offering such a good deal? Maybe that will lower the overall 'scammy' feel?
      Thanks David. Yeah I put the reason why in there, because we want testimonials and possibly referrals.

      Originally Posted by gjabiz View Post

      Because it makes a difference, is the reason I ask.

      Cause, if you are sending real mail, you have to get them to open it or read it...and a tickler on the carrier could solve your problem...

      to an email list...good luck. It should be very targeted, they have to open and read it...and you'd better have something of value quickly...I'm in agreement with other poster...

      try some honesty...

      tell them why you want to Bribe them...

      gjabiz
      Its a real letter. Sent priority mail in the big card envelopes.

      I am not worried about getting them to open it. I have written a few letters in this niche before and done alright, but never giving them something for free.


      The stage I am in right now is just brainstorming, writing down ideas that come to mind. Not even to the rough draft yet.

      Maybe once I get the letter pieced together and edited a few times it might produce an honest vibe.

      And yes the whole pitch I am planning basically surrounds the great benefits they are getting for free, and the reason why we are doing it. Completely honest. Completely true.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4656058].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author max5ty
    What are you giving away for free?

    Free...sounds exciting...

    How can I use it -- is it a vibrator, or maybe shoe laces...

    What is it?

    We could probably help a little more if we knew what it was.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4656036].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alex Ceskavich
    If you're giving away valuable information for free, you don't need a gimmick.

    Just tell them what you're going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them why that was important and what you want them to do next.

    You're probably confused because you've never written pure editorial before. So your instinct is to oversell free things.

    It's free. Let them have it. And let the information prove itself.

    - Alex
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4658040].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
      Originally Posted by Alex Ceskavich View Post

      If you're giving away valuable information for free, you don't need a gimmick.

      Just tell them what you're going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them why that was important and what you want them to do next.

      You're probably confused because you've never written pure editorial before. So your instinct is to oversell free things.

      It's free. Let them have it. And let the information prove itself.

      - Alex
      Youre exactly right. After I posted the last couple replies I went and just sat down and wrote as if I was telling a friend I was going to do it for them.

      It came out a lot better. Now I just have to weave in some persuasion.

      Its coming along.

      Thanks Alex
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4658331].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    Personally I like the idea of using the word 'bribe'.

    With a 'too good to be true' thing... it's a tightrope between plausibility (why you're giving it away for free), which becomes tougher the more value you put in...

    ... and value-maintenance... if you say 'look guys, this really didn't cost me much to put together / didn't take a lot of time / effort... that's why it's free' then obviously they won't want it anymore.

    So if you start outright with 'I'm bribing you... I'm providing this much incredible value because what I'm asking in return from YOU is incredibly valuable to ME... your opinion"...

    Something like that, I don't know your business so I can't really give you anything gold :p

    If you can strike a balance between honesty, value and plausibility you've nailed it.

    I hope that's helped, rather than confused the issue further. If it's the latter, just ignore me
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4704122].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Raydal
    Just explain WHY you are giving it away fro free and let
    the reason by a selfish one from which THEY would
    benefit greatly.

    For example, if I were giving away free copywriting
    services then I'll say that I need their testimonials
    afterwards to use on my website.

    You shouldn't have to 'make up' a reason but it
    should be believable. (Believable and true are
    not the same thing.)

    -Ray Edwards
    Signature
    The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4704167].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author arfasaira
      People LOVE freebies, and a good, valuable bonus might be just the thing to tip you over the edge, especially if you're a wavering prospect.

      And if your bonuses are valuable, sell their benefits but tell the prospect WHY they are so valuable and WHY you're offering them for free.

      Free only sounds scammy if it really is - so you shouldn't have a problem.

      I read somewhere that you should try and include bonuses that are more valuable than your actual product as this way, whipping out your credit card isn't nearly so hard, and it makes the prospect feel valued.
      Signature
      "Sales Letter Conversion Rate At 19%??" Get Your Own Kick-Ass Converting Copy Here!
      Need More Clients? Click here...
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4704532].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
        Originally Posted by Toniy View Post

        Personally I like the idea of using the word 'bribe'.

        With a 'too good to be true' thing... it's a tightrope between plausibility (why you're giving it away for free), which becomes tougher the more value you put in...

        ... and value-maintenance... if you say 'look guys, this really didn't cost me much to put together / didn't take a lot of time / effort... that's why it's free' then obviously they won't want it anymore.

        So if you start outright with 'I'm bribing you... I'm providing this much incredible value because what I'm asking in return from YOU is incredibly valuable to ME... your opinion"...

        Something like that, I don't know your business so I can't really give you anything gold :p

        If you can strike a balance between honesty, value and plausibility you've nailed it.

        I hope that's helped, rather than confused the issue further. If it's the latter, just ignore me

        Originally Posted by Raydal View Post

        Just explain WHY you are giving it away fro free and let
        the reason by a selfish one from which THEY would
        benefit greatly.

        For example, if I were giving away free copywriting
        services then I'll say that I need their testimonials
        afterwards to use on my website.

        You shouldn't have to 'make up' a reason but it
        should be believable. (Believable and true are
        not the same thing.)

        -Ray Edwards
        Thanks guys!

        This is basically what I ended up doing. I sat down and wrote purely about why I was giving it to them - I put it on pretty thick too. But sprinkled in benefits upon benefits.

        I guess this type of writing is pure "reason why" copy. Or at least that is what I am finding. So far its the only version that has really got across what I wanted without sounding desperate or "scammy".

        Thanks again


        Originally Posted by arfasaira View Post

        People LOVE freebies, and a good, valuable bonus might be just the thing to tip you over the edge, especially if you're a wavering prospect.

        And if your bonuses are valuable, sell their benefits but tell the prospect WHY they are so valuable and WHY you're offering them for free.

        Free only sounds scammy if it really is - so you shouldn't have a problem.

        I read somewhere that you should try and include bonuses that are more valuable than your actual product as this way, whipping out your credit card isn't nearly so hard, and it makes the prospect feel valued.
        Great advice. After reading this, I actually realise that there are a couple things that were actually "bonuses" that I was just lumping together.

        I think I will have to turn them into deadline bonuses, for the fast movers.

        Thanks!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4705737].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Jovanvaldeze
    Banned
    [DELETED]
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4706093].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Toniy
    That's cool Ash, way to go mate.

    I have a feeling you knew what to do anyway, just needed a little nudge saying 'yeah man, you've nailed it'

    Keep at it buddy!
    Signature
    Madness...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4706211].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ashley Gable
    lol Thanks Toniy
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4709313].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author BartsTreasures
    Put yourself in your customer's shoes...what would make her believe your offer?

    Usually a sincere sounding explanation of why you're offering such a good deal is good. Also if the offer sounds "too good to be true" say for example, you were warned of this.

    All the "Guru's" said I was crazy for offering this free but I'm doing it just the same because I really want some unbiased testimonials, so here's the deal...
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[4754233].message }}

Trending Topics