Free vs Complimentary

14 years ago

Very good point. Try both and see what the results are

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vneely 14 years ago

"Complimentary" has a very service industry/airline-ish flavor to me. You know, like the complimentary cup of coke-flavored ice and five micro pretzels.
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Dennis Gaskill

14 years ago

The word "Free" is known as a well-established people magnet in marketing, advertising, and copywriting circles.

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Koffing 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill

The word "Free" is known as a well-established people magnet in marketing, advertising, and copywriting circles.

Couldn't agree more. It's also more "INTERNATIONAL".
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- myob 11 years ago
  
  Being a simple kind of guy, I just promote a "free bonus" offer, contingent upon the successful completion of a purchase transaction. Buyers get a free product which is complementary to the sale, and I get complimentary comments on being legit.
  
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James12C

14 years ago

"Free" for me.

"Complimentary" sounds creepy!

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rahmscorp 14 years ago

FREE FREE FREE - Everyone wants something for nothing!
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rosetrees

14 years ago

I think you mean COMPLEMENTARY. I'm sure everyone would like to be "complimented" by your free gift, but it's unlikely to happen - unless it's a talking teddy bear.

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apocalypsereturns

14 years ago

Complimentary always meas there something i dont know....
its the same with free but atleast they are tru to the words

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seobro

14 years ago

OK some email filters kick out anything with the word free in it - FREEdom even. That is why I use {gratis, comp, zero cost, bonus} to get around the filter.

Also, for sadsense users. Many advertisers filter out for the word free to prevent their ads from on "freebie sites" showing up. So make sure it does not appear. That means anywhere on any of your pages.

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TylerF

14 years ago

Sounds the same.
If you're going to use it in copywriting, test it and report the results.

We would love to hear it.

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kwality

14 years ago

Free, is a proven sales and marketing tool. Always stick with what works.

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areevez

14 years ago

good results here, me personally think complimentary with an I is the best, thanks to alexa who caught my drift, more like we appreciate your business, go here for a complimentary (blank) basically thinking it can work, but I will try both and track and return results

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krharper

14 years ago

FREE. Everybody knows what it means and it works.

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KristiDaniels

14 years ago

I can't find my test results.

I have tested that one to death though.

The correct answer a vast majority of the time is...

Complimentary

At least in the umpteen tests I did.

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Claude Whitacre

11 years ago

Originally Posted by KristiDaniels

I can't find my test results.

I have tested that one to death though.

The correct answer a vast majority of the time is...

Complimentary

At least in the umpteen tests I did.

Me too. I did a split test on e-mails to my list, and "Complimentary" won. I don't remember by what percent, but it won.

My guess is that the word sounds more like "I'm doing you a favor" than "You pay nothing". Ever go to a nice restaurant or hotel? They say "Complimentary".

Anyway, I've also heard of a more extensive test (I think by Ryan Deiss), and "Complimentary" won there too.

And the next person I hears say the word "Legit" is going to get choked through the computer! Do you know who says "Legit"? People that just came out of prison. Who else says "Legit"? People that wouldn't use the word "Complimentary". So There! :rolleyes:

OK, I was just having a little fun there.

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JohnMcCabe

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

Me too. I did a split test on e-mails to my list, and "Complimentary" won. I don't remember by what percent, but it won.

My guess is that the word sounds more like "I'm doing you a favor" than "You pay nothing". Ever go to a nice restaurant or hotel? They say "Complimentary".

Anyway, I've also heard of a more extensive test (I think by Ryan Deiss), and "Complimentary" won there too.

And the next person I hears say the word "Legit" is going to get choked through the computer! Do you know who says "Legit"? People that just came out of prison. Who else says "Legit"? People that wouldn't use the word "Complimentary". So There! :rolleyes:

OK, I was just having a little fun there.

I just did a quick scan through one of my gmail accounts. Out of 19 headlines that promised "free" items, 17 of them pulled a bait-and-switch to BOGOS or free with purchase offers. I have a feeling that many people are starting to understand that FREE does not mean free anymore.

I only found two headlines in the same sample that offered complimentary items, and both were no-strings freebies (if you discount the fact that I had to physically go to their business to cash in). In both cases, the complimentary items complemented items the business wanted me to buy, but no purchase was required.

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fulliving

11 years ago

Here's a quick explanation of "Complimentary" vs. "complementary"

These two words sound exactly the same and are easily confused, but it's important for credibility to use the right one.

"Complimentary" (with an I) means "free of charge, given as a compliment or gift." Obviously, that's not what we do except when we offer freebies.

"Complementary" (with an E) describes that which "completes" the whole. Notice the similarity in spelling between "complete" and "complementary."

I hope this helps for your future copy.

Malcolm

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mdan287

11 years ago

I would prefer free because it will get more attraction than COMPLIMENTARY

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Paul Gram

11 years ago

I'd go with "free" because it sounds more real to me and not as stuffy.

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MKCookins

11 years ago

"free" fore sure. Lets face it - everyone likes stuff for free

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igorGriffiths 11 years ago

I would go with free for the promotion but use complimentary on the page for an unexpected bonus.

Complimentary according to dictionary.com means a free extra for an action taken, as in a complimentary ticket for the sauna when you book into a hotel.
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ceenote100

11 years ago

FREE of course. Does anyone actually use the word "complimentary" in IM anyway?

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Alexa Smith Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by ceenote100

FREE of course. Does anyone actually use the word "complimentary" in IM anyway?

Yes.

And according to post #15 above, it's at least one person's regular winner, when split-tested against "free".
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Inspired, Inc.

11 years ago

I always use the word FREE... coz it never fails to catch attention...

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brentb

11 years ago

In all my experience, FREE works best with the exception of email messages, since FREE will get you autospammed so I use complimentary.

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kemasdimas

11 years ago

I think using "FREE" is preferable, it can be easily understood and just plain simple

"Complimentary"... like something I've heard in bar / pub, just like "Complimentary Drink" or so

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TiffanyLambert

11 years ago

I would also think it could sometimes depend on the niche. If it's the MMO niche then by all means go with FREE but if it's something a little more upscale - even a gourmet tangible niche or something, then I might expect to see "complimentary copy of..."

Tiff

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Claude Whitacre

11 years ago

Originally Posted by TiffanyDow

I would also think it could sometimes depend on the niche. If it's the MMO niche then by all means go with FREE but if it's something a little more upscale - even a gourmet tangible niche or something, then I might expect to see "complimentary copy of..."

Tiff

I agree. It is more upscale.

You other guys and gals: Did you notice that the three of us (I'm tired, it may be two and I'm hallucinating), that actually tested, found complimentary to win?

I'll also say this. The people on my list are not upscale people for the most part. They own small businesses. No wine stores, Cigar emporiums...just guys that fix cars, change the oil, inspect your home, get rid of termites, and other very "blue collar" jobs.

In my retail store, I say "Here, with my compliments". For some reason I don't say "Free" in most conversations.

Maybe I just want to sound more legit. ....I mean Legitimate. :rolleyes:

Watch; People will still debate this, even after all the results have show the answer. I love it.

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Shan54

11 years ago

Everyone knows what "free" means. Not everyone understands what "complimentary" means.

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seasoned

11 years ago

According to the FTC, free means ****FREE****! Complimentary could mean some added bonus that goes with it, or free.

Steve

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Randall Magwood

11 years ago

Free is better. Complimentary requires me to think a little bit.

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freeburd

11 years ago

Originally Posted by areevez

If you are promoting an offer for something that is "free" do you prefer using the word FREE or COMPLIMENTARY?

People search for free things. I personally do not know anybody who would search for 'complementary' items.

You cannot use 'FREE' in advertising on Google. They will not allow it. You can, however, use 'Free'. The word 'free' is a huge attraction for crowds that works and is used in advertising widely.

I do have a warning: anything free attracts tire kickers. Use free stuff to attract people but try to sell something immediately.

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Rossome

11 years ago

Would love to see the split test results on this on a site that gets decent traffic. Interesting!

-Travis

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bigdaleln

11 years ago

Free means no money involved where complimentary means you buy something and this is an added bonus.

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JohnMcCabe 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Shan54

Everyone knows what "free" means. Not everyone understands what "complimentary" means.

Apparently, not everyone knows what "free" means. They know what it's supposed to mean, and exploit that for offers that are anything but.

If there is room to parse sentences to get any desired meaning, people will use it. Heck, we even have an ex-President who wanted to debate the meaning of the word "is"...:rolleyes:
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neodarth

11 years ago

Between Free or Complimentary or No Cost or Zero Cost, or Gift, or nothing to pay, or kostenlos or libero or gratuit or gratis or whatever you want to put... copywriting speaking... FREE often pops up more is shorter and people related to it more.

Of course you can always split test and see which word converts best.

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Free vs Complimentary

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