How to respond to freebie seekers

7 replies
Hi all,

After a while in this game you get used to people sending you emails asking you to give them your products and services for free. In general, I don't have time to respond to such emails and I generally recommend you ignore them. But occasionally I'll be inspired to send a response. And you know what? Sometimes I'll be pleasantly surprised by the response. Here's what I wrote to someone recently:

Unfortunately, people are constantly asking us to give them our products and services for free... but we generally don't do so for two main reasons.

Firstly, we run a business. As such, we don't give our products and services away for free. We already provide a lot of articles, reports, audio interviews, newsletters, and other information, etc for free.

Secondly, if you are determined to make money selling products and services via the Internet... it's essential that you get an understanding of how your customers think. What better way than to become a customer yourself?
I'm not saying that's an example of incredible copywriting - it's just what occurred to me a the time. And frankly I didn't expect a response. But here's what I received:

I really never thought you'd answer my childish demand. And you are truly gracious and truthful in the way you respond, and very respectful... So, I really hope that in a few days I'll get your book. Thanks again.
I don't expect this person to end up buying the book in question. I'll be delighted if they do, but experience tells me that it won't happen. But I'm pleased that something in my email triggered a realization that their request was out of line.

Should you respond to freebie seekers? Honestly, it will probably be a waste of time in most instances. But now I can say that occasionally it may be worth it. Not necessarily in terms of generating sales, but in terms of "getting through" to someone.

Anna
#freebie #respond #seekers
  • Profile picture of the author kfount
    Originally Posted by Anna Johnson View Post

    Hi all,

    After a while in this game you get used to people sending you emails asking you to give them your products and services for free. In general, I don't have time to respond to such emails and I generally recommend you ignore them. But occasionally I'll be inspired to send a response. And you know what? Sometimes I'll be pleasantly surprised by the response. Here's what I wrote to someone recently:



    I'm not saying that's an example of incredible copywriting - it's just what occurred to me a the time. And frankly I didn't expect a response. But here's what I received:



    I don't expect this person to end up buying the book in question. I'll be delighted if they do, but experience tells me that it won't happen. But I'm pleased that something in my email triggered a realization that their request was out of line.

    Should you respond to freebie seekers? Honestly, it will probably be a waste of time in most instances. But now I can say that occasionally it may be worth it. Not necessarily in terms of generating sales, but in terms of "getting through" to someone.

    Anna
    I couldn't do it because too much work is involved with creating an e-book. Besides, there are a million and one sites offering free e-books. That's where the freebie seekers need to go.
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