Using the term FREE

Note the headline selling the membership site system at the top of this forum.

George Wright

Great to know because I was thinking something may be off with my thinking because just about every time I see the term FREE, especially here in the WF I jump on the offer and read all I can learn. Thanks for the confirmation! I don't think the term FREE will ever turn me away.

Whomever gave this opinion obviously doesn't know what they are talking about....FREE is a psychological trigger that will move someone to in the very least look at the offer (provided they are interested in whatever is being offered.)....

There is a book that I recommend you take a look at that actually has a chapter with studies on this called Predictably Irrational...forgot the author's name but it is definitely worth the read.

Thank you Ldimilo, will certainly check out that book. I'm always up for reading a good and informative book on ways to be better at what I'm trying to do! I was surprised I believe the article was actually in a blog link I found here on the forum but I can't recall for certain. I need to try to find it, I'm pretty sure I bookmarked it.

Free when used within the context of eliminating purchasing risk, is a powerful tool. If people know they can try a valuable product for free, it reduces their buying resistance and helps the sales. This concept is more powerful with physical products although still effective with digital products.

Everybody loves free gifts or complementary bonuses. Why not using them? I dont see why not, they work just great.

I think it is ok to use "free" but I also believe in providing value even though it's free.

So say we have a "free" trial to a software, etc. what other term would we call it?

I think using "at no cost to you" is more appropriate now a-days; the word free is Synonymous with "i'll get some money from you another way"

at no cost to you implies that the cost is applied to someone else - Nothing is free; even something that is free still took the energy from another person to deliver that free item being an automated message or a physical effort - it all takes energy right?

Free still triggers well with me, not so much online since I started working with internet marketing but so much offline! If you have a free product there is no problem in stating it, otherwise you'll end up saying something like "gift for you that you don't have to pay for" - a long and drawn out mouth full!

Free, still works for me. I think most people like to get stuff for free. You can test it though to see how it works for what you're marketing.

FREE.

It works for many people, but do not over use it.

All techniques are boring and not effective if you are using them again,
and again and again in a very short period of time.

Example :

Today you use FREE word 3 times in your emails sent to your list.
Tomorrow also the same.
And the next day, until a full month. Will that be boring?
Then it would starting be a very ineffective technique.
Your prospects will completely ignore your message.
How poor

I feel free works. There are many out there looking for actively searching for free stuff. You may argue that if they want free, they will convert poorly. I really doubt that.

There are times I search for free stuff and will not mind paying for an upgrade to fully benefit from the product.

It is best use as a teaser or to build a list. Its not all the time one is in a buying mood( There is a recession out there you know) and you need to sweeten the product anyway before the prospect buys.

As a stand alone term, I believe that free works just fine.

It's when you see free"*" that you start to get just a little ticked off.

FREE is a trigger word for most people but it also implants the idea of 'zero value'. This is dangerous if you're trying to lead people down a sales funnel which starts out with FREE. A better strategy is to implant the real value first, then say that it is FREE.

"Our best selling eBook sells in other circles for $49.99, now available to you FREE for a limited time".
Now when I read the book I'm not starting off from the basis that the content has zero value.

FREE is a good way to collect contacts, since they're essentially exchanging something of little value (a Gmail address for example) with something that also has little value but some element of interest, like your eBook.
But FREE on its own is a dangerous way to try and create a sales funnel unless you know what you're doing. You'll get a bunch of prospects and very few sales.

I think the word "Free" definitely draws attention. However, getting attention and getting people to act a two different things. What I mean is, just because you're offering something for free and someone sees your offer, doesn't mean that they are going to take up your offer.

Offering something for free is no longer enough. The internet is flooded with "free" stuff. Now, if you want people to act, you have to offer something of real value for free. At least this way, the person will actually want your free product and may become a future customer of yours. If not, then at least you'll be building trust and a solid name/brand.

The reason why it may seem like words like "free" and "cheap" are becoming less effective, is because it's being used all over. However, I don't think that people are becoming 'immune' to the words... I still think it will draw some attention.

If you do use the words "free" or "cheap" then make sure that it is actually "free" or "cheap" and make sure that it is something that somebody actually wants and finds value to. I know I'm repeating myself, but I'll say it again anyway: It doesn't matter how cheap or free something is, if they don't find value in it, then they're not going to bother with it.

Free still works. Proof: Look at how many views and responses this thread has gotten and there isn't even anything being given away.

Free is most effective though when the perceived value is high, for example a product that is actually for sale somewhere else being given away for free.

The word "FREE" in all caps (for type), and in speak, is the number 1 most powerful word in the English language, as for limited time offer, do not just say, "Limited time offer" say, "This offer will only last 48 hours" it causes more of a sense of urgency.

Being biased does not help at all

Words should mean something.

But there is no free thing in marketing