Can you settle a dispute?

Nothing wrong with giving free copies to newbies. Still, you shouldn't publicize the fact, otherwise it would kill your sales.

If you're going to give away free copies of your product, consider doing the following:

Ask them for their feedback. It doesn't have to be a review, just what they think of your product. It's a great way to improve your product.

Ask them to opt-in to your list. They don't have to opt-in to get the product, but it's a good idea to be able to stay in contact.

Lastly, don't give TOO much stuff away, otherwise you may have a hard time selling to your prospects.

My suggestion:

Have some WSO's where it's 100% free for everyone, and some where you have to pay for it. Offer some review copies at the start if you want, but after that, BE FIRM with your price. I'm not saying you can't make an exception if you feel it's the right thing to do, just don't give away a copy to anyone who asks for it.

Most products don't cost too much. If they're not willing to pay for it, then they're probably just wasting their time (and yours).

My 2 cents.

Hey Lisa

It's a fine line.

One of the things to do is to check the people asking for review copies and see if they have "added" value to the forum.

If not don't give them one.

Also, some people are professional "reviewers" and what they say really doesn't hold much sway so forget them too.

If you are going to provide review copies state that in your WSO and also the rules that apply - such as must XXX posts, must have run own successful WSO's etc.

Hope that helps

Regards

Bronwyn and Keith
PS. Hubby was half right.

I think it would be good to give a sample of the product. Just enough info to get them interested in buying the whole thing.

People aren't supposed to ask for a review copy so report those who do.

Giving out a few copies to people for feedback is a good thing to do and will get you some testimonials but do it on your terms.

As to giving things away, nothing wrong with it but remember, there are a lot of leeches who will just always take and never spend a dime with you. So watch that you don't get known as the "soft touch"...lol.

Tina

i believe it comes down to a matter of credibility and legitamacy. 5-dollar freebie here and there but your payment should be a well thought out, honest (hopefully positive!) review. There is no free. At some point your legitamacy should (and will) stand on it's own and there are people that WILL buy on your reputation alone (and I've seen many WSO to that affect). I have to admit, he's right, but only partially IMO. Payment doesn't always have to come from something that can fit in your wallet

Thanks for your responses, everyone

@Joshua - that is a more sensible way of doing things, thank you

@Bronwyn and Keith - I can't tell him that he will get big headed, lol

@Redflea - you make a good point

@ Tina - yes that had crossed my mind; gosh now mayby hubby was right, and I will never live that down, lol

@ Darryl - yes that was my idea too at the start, but when I end up giving away more than I make then maybe I need to start thinking about the whole idea of giving in terms of "time and place"

Thanks

You have to give away to a certain extend to build your business but weed out the free riders who want everything under the sun for free including my pants....lol

Giving away review copies to someone who is more experienced will provide a more pragmatic viewpoint of the content in your WSO. In addition to that, people viewing your WSO thread will appreciate the typically more detailed and knowledgeable reviews that the experienced members can provide.

Paul

I agree with maybe going for more experienced Warriors to review your product. Put it in your WSO that you are offering 3 or 4 review copies and have a criteria that they need to meet to ask for a review copy. Member for 2 years, a minimum post count, war room member, I don't know, you're choice what to aim for. But like it was said above, newbies are not as experienced to give a really good review.

I think what I would do is set aside a certain number for "reviewers". Maybe like 10-15 or even lower if that's too high for you. Then once that number has been reached, tell the others that you've already allotted your amount out for reviews.

Most people asking for review copies are freeloaders you will never here from again. Check their posts and only engage them if they are obviously adding value to the forum and will give you a decent review in your sales thread.

There are some that seem to be full time reviewers/pests, that ignore the rule completely. For reasons unbeknown to me they appear to get away with it as well.

You will see on several WSOs that a few people post "Sent you a PM" at the top of the thread. If you look through their history you will see it is what they always say at the start of someones WSO.

It's clear what they are up to, but so far they have avoided being flogged with a dead haddock, which is of course what they so richly deserve.

If you do give out a review copy, make sure you check their past posts first. Supporting scroungers is not the way to push this forum or your product forward.

That is not to say I don't think offering a review copy or two is wrong. However, this PM'ing to get around the rules really bugs me.

Cheers,
Colin Palfrey

I should have posted this thread ages ago; I would be far better off now if I had of done

@ Rus Sells - you are right and I like to think that i am giving value. You make a good point about asking for genuine reviews - I think I will have to 'put myself out there' a little more and ask for reviews and feedback before I launch a WSO. Thank you

@ Colin Palfrey - I read a lot of your posts because you do give good advice - with regards to this issue I think this is where my husband was saying I am naive - I honestly thought people contacted me for review copies because they were trying to help me sell my WSOs, because that is how they came across. Of course I won't get caught like that again, and I feel like an utter idiot for thinking that way; but darn it, it means hubby was right and he won't be worth living with if he thinks like that, lol. Love your graphic BTW

@ Mohammad Hassan - this is what I normally try and do - I spend hours on the forum looking for questions I can offer sensible advice in response and genuinely try and learn, and help others all at the same time. This is one part of my MO I will keep doing, because I do think that things that are given freely come back to you ten fold.

Thanks again for all of your advice - I am glad I asked the question even though hubby will be insufferable now
Lisa

It's nice that you are a pay it forward person but the fact is, there's a bunch of cheapo freebie seekers who do nothing but sit on the WSO forum and beg for freebies. Wouldn't surprise me if some of them are the very same people who will then turn around and pass it around all over the Internet for free or sell it on their own sites for profit.

They aren't even supposed to be asking ... there's a sticky about that.