Will You Hate Me If I Give Everything Away For Free?

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Hi Warriors,

I've come to a place in my thinking where I really want to share information more than I want to jump through hoops to charge people for it.

Of course I want more money as it has its uses, but having the focus of sharing information and helping people be focused on making money is not working for me (it never really has), so although I know I could charge and make decent money, I'm thinking of pretty much giving away everything that is information based from now on.

There's not an ulterior motive or some gimmicky marketing reason for this, I just believe that information is something you don't own and that you have an obligation to share if it will help others.

I'm confident that the Universes almost unlimited supply of money will ensure that I still make enough money to get by, so the only issue I ended up with was do people really want it for free? and will that upset other people who are happily selling information and like it that way?

So, as usual rather than guess I thought I'd ask you guys.

I'm not sure what difference your response will make to my thinking, but I'm open to new thinking or perspectives I might not have considered.

Andy
#main internet marketing discussion forum #free #give #hate
  • Just as there are people who will consider something you give away to be worthless, there are people who will consider you to be magnanimous for your ideology.

    For every Seth Godin, there's a Dan Kennedy. Each resonates with their audience.

    The only problem I have with the "power of free" is that people rarely take action on that which they do not have to reach, at least a little, to obtain.

    Best,

    Brian
  • If you can afford it, i.e. this choice will not compromise the well being of you and your
    loved ones, go ahead... I too believe that sharing can be more profitable than hoarding :°)

    ciao,
    Saul
    • [1] reply
    • Interesting thread...made me think...

      Free is always good, but I think there is a time & place for it to...don't get me wrong, some of the best information i've received was free.
      By time & place I mean...to your list, who signed up to receive value from you...at specific events such as jv-giveaways or membership sites where people join to seek information or places like the WF where it is more of a personal community than just open public space.
      Just to give information away to anyone is frutal as 90% won't do anything with it anyways....

      Ok, that's my .02 for the day...lol

      Ken
  • No.

    I value my time and it's the one thing I do charge for, but in this respect if I'm creating information products to give to anyone who can use them - I'm not trying to cover the cost of my time, I'm just sharing information and that will always inherently have a time element to it.

    Maybe I'll find a reason this doesn't work at some point, but right now I'm finding that there are some information products I know people need but that I'm not creating because I'm not interested in going through the process of creating long sales copy just to try and get people to see the value of the stuff because they don't have much money.

    A lot of people are struggling financially right now and turning to the Internet and IM as an option to get them out of their situation, I don't want to add to their issue by taking their money when actually I am happy to share information regardless.

    Since I'll only create them with whatever time I decide - the time cost is my choice, so I'll give that time up in order to help people.

    The main issue I felt is that sometimes people don't value things they get free, so I can see that for some people they'll get everything they need to know from me for free but then not read/watch it all and then go spend money on the same (or lesser) information because someone told them it's the answer to their prayers.

    Andy
    • [1] reply
    • Bingo. That's pretty much what I was trying to say.

      It's a maddening phenomenon.

      Good for you for caring, Andy!

      Best,

      Brian
  • I've paid for things, and I've gotten them free. Guess which ones I actually use more? The ones I've paid for. For some reason the freebies just don't get used, even though they are of the same excellent quality as the paid ones.

    This may sound dumb, but there are so many free things out there that are junk, you'll have a battle getting people to use your free things. I'm sure they are of excellent quality. It's just a mind set that is hard to overcome. I would consider a Pay-It-Forward agreement or charge a bit but the money goes to a charity.

    Afterthought: If I used the term excellent quality one more time I"m going to scream.. So much for writing before my Starbucks.
    • [1] reply
    • Andy, I may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree but I have
      learned something about human nature during my brief stay on this rock.

      When you give most people something for free, their initial reaction is,
      "What's the catch?"

      Nobody really believes in the free lunch. Even I don't. If somebody is giving
      me info for nothing, it can't be that valuable. There has to be a catch.

      Ultimately, I think that's what you'll run into as well. Most people will either
      not take the info or if they do, not take it seriously and not do anything
      with it.

      It doesn't make any sense and it isn't logical, but who said human beings
      were logical?

      Ultimately, this is a decision you have to make on your own.

      Personally, as far as a "will it hurt my business" standpoint, not at all.

      Like I said, most people only value it if they have to pay for it.
  • Hi Andy,

    I personally wouldn't hate you, but I'm certain there are many who would. I am
    reminded of a psychology experiment conducted many years ago. Participants stood
    on a street corner in a large city and tried to give people $20 dollar bills. You can
    guess how well that went over.

    However, there are a lot of folks who would appreciate it and put the information
    to good use. Perhaps for you, if you can help even one person succeed, it would be
    worth it.

    In the end, we are the ones who must live with ourselves and what other people
    think about us or what we do is inconsequential.

    Helping other people has always had its own rewards.

    Bud
    • [1] reply
    • That's a good point and was partly why I was thinking like this.

      I have helped people for free and seen them massively improve their lives - and that's why I know that charging people is not the only way to help them get value.

      I do know all about perceived value and that being free doesn't help that, and Stevens point about people being skeptical and suspicious when you offer something for free is right - I've found that many times over the years when I've put myself out to do things and been met with people coming up with negative scenarios they've imagined must be behind what was nothing more than a desire to help.

      Steven - I'm sad to hear you say that you still don't believe in something for nothing - even when I'm here offering to create and give away information products - that seems like some part of you is still saying that even this isn't what it seems.

      So, if you're a skeptical person and no matter what the facts are you're always going to be looking for the downside - I can never address that. All I can do is follow my belief that information should be shared and not held hostage for a dollar and go from there.

      I'm still happy to let people pay me lots of money to speak to them and train them in person, but I'm still feeling that giving away generic information products so that no-one needs to spend money just to know what they need to.

      Andy
      • [1] reply
  • [DELETED]
  • I believe you have already helped a lot of people by your input on this forum. I know I often learn things by reading your comments. A forum like this is good outlet for your knowledge. So you can do both, continue giving valuable advice on this forum and also sell your products for those that want to buy them.
  • I won't hate you for it...

    In fact.. I'll applaud you for it.. there's an abundance of market share out there... the little bit you feed isn't going to affect my business...

    If it's something that you want to do with information... go for it Andy... Kudos to you for getting to that place psychologically...

    Peace

    Jay

    p.s. I think I would echo the thoughts from above about some people not seeing the value of "free stuff", but having said that.. you might just let some people see what they otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity to because of money worries.. it's really not up to us.. but I certainly won't hate ya

  • Why don't you charge a small fee or ask for a donation and give it to charity?

    That way you are helping a charity, people will value the info more (as paying for it) and will also feel good about themselves for donating.
  • Andy,

    My experience is that people do not appreciate things that were not acquired at a cost. This cost may be financial or it may be time or pain or some other commodity that humans place value on.

    Even I am guilty of this.

    When you give away info for free you'll get lots of pats on the back and lots of praise...but most people will just take that info and file it away somewhere never to be seen again.

    In short, you probably won't really help anyone any more than if you charged for your info and the inverse is actually probably true...despite what people tell you.

    It's the same reason a person is more likely to sit down and make a serious effort to learn from their $2000 course but will leave the $20 ebook rotting on their drive.

    P.S. Your poll options all push a foregone conclusion...that those who favor charging for info are "greedy" and are worried about their business. I don't sell IM stuff...but still think it's a bad idea.
  • You can't go wrong- FREE is the most powerful word on the planet. Whether your products are free or expensive, if there good people will always come back.
  • This is a difficult one. My first thought was something along the lines of 'If you don't need to sell it, give it away. It's good to help the struggling newcomers who are willing to put the effort in'. I quickly realised that you could do just as much damage to those who have done their research, are just getting on their feet and are seeing results from selling the same thing - struggling newcomers who are willing to put the effort in.

    I suppose a lot would depend on the material in question, but if it's too advanced for there to be any possibility of newcomers making an entry by selling it, it's probable that your intended audience aren't in a place yet where they're ready for it anyway. I don't think it's a question with a cut and dried answer.
  • Giving things for free could actually make things look less worthy than what they
    might actually be... so to solve that you could ask to donate to known charities in
    exchange

    If you ask the money though people will suspect you won't give it to charities (lol,
    not because it's you...eheheh sorry about that, I mean because people rarely trust
    things like that! ;-)... I would build a page that says more a less: "I want to give to
    less fortunate people and you'll help me, in exchange you can have these things: report 1,
    2 etc"

    Since one can't track donations given to others you can outline the various steps:

    1) Here's how you can download this report about blah blah

    2) Choose the charity you prefer:
    Congenital Heart Defects Information - CHDinfo.com (by Dr. Mani, a succesful warrior! :°)
    Kiva - Loans that change lives (also promoted by Allen, the warrior forum's admin)
    Emergency - Sito Ufficiale (an italian no-profit organization, and also my favorite
    charity: they build hospitals for civilians who live in warzones)
    [obviously you'll put links to the ones YOU prefer ]

    3) give them a donation

    4) come back and Download the report!


    Obviously there will be people who will download without giving anything to the
    charities, but who cares... some (most, hopefully ;-) instead will give to charities
    and also give more consideration to your reports, because they weren't exactly
    "free"

    Hope this helps!

    ciao,
    Saul
  • Hey Andy,

    I'm not sure if this will be going in the wrong direction for this thread but your statement above is something that I hear all of the time from the "Secret", and "Master Key" kinds of discussions (ExRat and I are actually having a similar discussion at his blog) and even though I would love to believe this and I am a very positive thinking person I just can't see how this unlimited supply belief is supported.

    But not to head too far out I will say that if I do not go along with the "unlimited supply of money" and I still need to pay my bills then I have to sell more of my product than I give away.

    I think that is more of the question here for me. "How much of my product can I give away and still make a profit"?

    Of course sometimes in our business "giving" is really marketing in one form or another. I can give enough to get so much attention that it becomes advertising because of the talk it has stirred.

    Then I can be building relationships by "giving".

    So I would think that if my competitors saw my amount of giving as part of how we run business then they would not hate me.

    On the other hand, if I decided that I really don't want to make any more money then I could just give it all away and flood the market with free products and reduce the value of yours.

    You would probably hate me then but really what could you do about it.

    We package free and reused information every day and the "art" of selling is showing you why you should "buy" my stuff when you can get it for free.

    Matt
    • [1] reply

    • I see your point Matt - but in this case I'm looking at it from the perspective of - If I help people create value, it's creating an input to the flow - and in the pay-it-forward style, you're never going to run out of supply when the systems growth is predicated on increasing that value and wealth.

      As for the giving concept - I'm not talking about giving away some things in order to attract people to other stuff I sell, or to build a list to sell to - I'm just talking about creating things I know people want/need and giving it to them - literally nothing more to it than that. It's not a marketing trick or a tactic to use to generate prospects.

      I dunno, maybe I'm not being clear - or maybe I should factor in some monetisation, I just don't want to put the money ahead of sharing the information.

      Andy
      • [2] replies
  • Andy,

    You're one of a kind. I mean that in the most kindest, positive way. I've read most of your posts and in the past few months it appears that you're at a life changing crossroad of some sort.

    Well, since you asked... I'd say to heck with what anyone else thinks. If you want to give it away freely, do so. Or you can continue to sell it. It's your call.

    You mentioned as an example the confusion newbies may encounter here about something as basic as Twitter. Set them straight. Start a new thread 'The truth about your business & Twitter'. I guarantee people will read and take heed. Your threads are well attended and that's just one way to give free valuable info. I know you do some of this anyway... but maybe you can step it up a few notches and become the warrior business guru or something like that. That is of course...if you want to. Your choice.

    Whatever you decide, it will be the right one for you.

    Carol
    • [2] replies
    • This is a good question. I like giving away a certain amount of useful information for free because 1. helping people is good, and 2. it gives people a taste of what I can do for them with no commitment on their part.

      It *can* be taken too far, of course. Some people are out there just to take what they can get for free. Also, others may be selling the same things as someone who's giving them for free, which lowers the value of the item that people are selling.

      I believe it's up to each person to do what seems right in his/her situation.

      Lisa
    • I too think a lot of information should be free because my feeling is the same as Andy's: if you help someone else succeed, you will also succeed. If too much emphasis is on the money and not on what you can do for others, then I think the success will be short-lived.
  • I say give it away free.

    Most people cannot give away their ebooks for free simply because their "money-making systems" do not work. They make money by selling the ebooks and courses.

    It is true that most who get the info free will not use it. I'm sure the numbers are the same for those who pay...most don't apply the info either.
  • If you fill like giving back or just have it in your heart do it, then just do it.

    The feeling you get of knowing that you have helped some oen that might
    not other wise been helped is truly a great reward.

    Jess
  • I rely on this forum to gather information for FREE
    I buy links,software and articles I do not buy Information as I beleive thats the point of the forum to share Information.
    I have only been here a short while but I have had the oportunity to offer others the benefit of my experince in Sales and Marketing and other areas In return I have been helped by many Warriors

    When I look in the WSO forum I am mostly disapointed as there are so many offers where they promise information that will make me rich,yet my cynical attitude says If Only It were that easy !

    I sell physical products and in addition I am working on monetising a batch of web sites that are under development. The Information I have gathered for FREE here on Warrior Forum has been essential in the building of my business plan to monetise these web sites.

    Most of the Information is available somewhere on the web but there is no substitute for the short cut benefits gained from the help from another person who has already gained the information through experince.

    I think warrior forum is about sharing Information and helping each other for FREE
  • Giving your stuff away for free would only be a good idea if you
    pm me when you do it. I don't get to the forum that often these
    days and I wouldn't want to miss that event.

    The comment "You get what you pay for" always makes me want
    to reply "You're kidding! How much do you spend on oxygen?" It
    certainly could be that most people have never given it a thought
    and that they would appreciate each breath a lot more if they
    had to raise the money for them, even if it is a bulk purchase.

    But it doesn't take a lot of deep thought to appreciate that it is
    valuable, even if it is free, at least for the people who like life,
    and of course not everyone does.

    It really is nice though to see a thread in an IM forum that isn't
    focused on how to make the most money the fastest, but on the
    possibility of improving the quality of life. That is a really great
    area to poke around in. That area tends to be my focus and I
    have to recommend it. As far as I am concerned it does pay off
    a lot better than a focus on making money.

    best wishes, lloyd
    .......__o
    .......\<,
    ....( )/ ( )...
  • I just tested my giving things for free theory - I met someone earlier today who was saying she didn't have gas money and had to choose beween getting groceries and going out tonight. So I took $90 out of my wallet and gave it to her - she chased me down the street and forced me to take it back.

    I can't even give money away.......
    • [1] reply
    • Andy, that's a little different. Perhaps the woman didn't want to feel like she owed you anything. People have pride too, sometimes it's false pride, true, but nevertheless don't let that one incident stop your generosity.
      • [1] reply
  • You're being clear.
    Where do I sign up?
    I've bought tons, but I still need more info.
    Anything I can learn for free is a plus.
    This would sort of be like going to the library instead of the book store.

    If you decide to do it, Thanks.

    Jim
    • [1] reply
    • Banned
      [DELETED]
    • I think its wonderful of you to want to do that and also to do it.

      A warrior approached me and was willing to help me for FREE. I could have NOT been more grateful and I still am in admiration of his generosity. I couldn't believe how lucky I was

      He really inspired and put a lot of confidence in me and what I have to offer because he took the time to look over my stuff and was going to get everything set up for me to give my work the professionalism it deserved.

      I didn't go to him he came to me

      Unfortunately he had some issues and couldn't help me anymore...but because of his generosity and his confidence in what I have to offer I hired someone to take his place so speak.

      This person turned out to be fantastic too and is now helping me free of charge (now that she's done what I paid her to do) to get things properly up and running

      I feel lucky this year..but then I always believed this would be my year

      I think its a wonderful thing to give information for free and lots of people will be grateful. I know I am and would.

      One day I will definitely be giving out information for free once I have a more stable financial setting.
  • Yep I think you must be a great guy to want to give away info and help others to succeed.

    cheers

    Marcus
    • [1] reply
    • For what it's worth, in the short time I have known Andy, he has struck me
      as being one of the most generous people I've ever met.

      I can kind of understand why he is like this. He's reached a point in his life
      where the money is secondary, unlike us poor schmoes who still have bills
      to pay.

      I too hope to someday be in a place where I can give everything away for
      free as well. I have my dream site already thought up. I'm just waiting for
      that time when my wife says to me, "Honey, we don't need you to work
      anymore." As soon as she gives me the okay, I'll be joining Andy in his
      crusade to help everybody for free.

      That's assuming anybody will actually take the help.
      • [1] reply
  • Hi Andy

    I am one of those struggling marketeers trying to make ends meet which is why I am always looking for free products to educate myself.

    Personally If I came across a site that was offering products for free but requested a donation to charity in exchange I would gladly give what I could afford. I have turned loads of OTO's etc down simply because I cannot afford them.

    After using the products and making some money I would happily continue to donate a percentage of the profits to charity and pass the information foward for others to benefit from

    Go for it mate you've got my respect

    Anton
  • Yes I think giving things for free is good.
    As long as I don't have to pay S&H, go through a OTO, multiple upsells and not forgetting a subscription that I have no choice but to accept, in order to get my "free" product.

    Kidding.
    Seriously though I do get what you're saying. You've reached a stage in your life where you want to share your knowledge and genuinely help people.

    When I get a free report, I value it the same as I would a paid report.
    After all they both contain information that I could learn from, right?

    Factor in the exchange rate for rand to dollar and a lot of products are unattainable for me.
    Maybe that's why I value the free and paid stuff equally.

    Kudos to you, Andy, for your good intentions and do what ultimately feels right for you.

    Naima
  • Andy,

    I've known you (or least least known of you) since the days when we were both moderators at Phil Wiley's forum.

    I guess I'm in the minority in that, the source the information is coming from is the greater determinant of whether or not I will use the info provided then money is.

    (Boy, was that a clumsy sentence or what?)

    In essence, if I'm comfortable that the person providing the information is credible, and has "walked the walk" in their business, I'm far more likely to put their information to use, whether it was free, or cost thousands.

    Coming from you, I would gladly and gratefully accept every single piece of information you were willing to give, and put it to immediate use.

    Even if you aren't in that "different place" that Steven spoke of, the very fact that (1) your current level of success allows you to do this, and (2) your personality is such that you believe that what you give freely will come back to you tenfold, then you are absolutely the very first person I would want to listen to, learn from, and ultimately emulate.

    I do hope you decide to do this. I will be the first person in line to learn from you, even though I've already been at this for years.
    • [1] reply
    • Hi Andy, I will be in line to learn from you, and I do not know you. Your honesty shows through your writing. I am always grateful for free advice. I believe the best things in life are free. The value in any advice, is not whether it is free or paid for, it is what the person receiving the information decides what to do with it.

      Sincerely,
      Lori
      • [1] reply
  • Saying that people don't appreciate free is a Generalization or at worst mind reading.

    Because it is true for perhaps a majority, doesn't make it true for all.

    When Katrina people needed water, weren't the guys selling water almost crucified?
    And if you compare to Designer water their prices were fair,yet "they should have given it freely"! I would have preferred that they gave it away but, I do not hate them selling it. Wait until food supply become an issue and see how wonderful it gets.
    I applaud you for considering this Andy.

    When I fixed a friends car for free or a told a customer to spend less for a different product that fit his needs better how does that compare?

    Recently I have received something that should have been charged for. It gave me great pleasure. Not from simply being given something no charge but, it convinced me that the giver valued me "as a friend" when it could have been strictly commercial.

    I felt embarrassed at first but, doesn't the giver get something in return that is just as valueable? I think so.

    If people are apprehensive that your giving freely will cause them financial harm then their model of the world is finite instead of the abundance.

    In fact some big gurus did just this recently by giving huge value for free, understanding that shipping was charged.

    I wish I was financially able and had the valuable knowledge to give away too but, not at this time.
    I do give freely when I can but, different areas not IM.

    Perhaps giving in secret would fix your indecision. Ask the person doesn't tell anyone you gave it away to.

    G L
    Rant over go ahead and add me to your crap list

    John
    • [1] reply
    • I won't hate you, and that's your question in the subject line.

      I haven't read every single post here, read some & scanned some, so this may be repeat, but here's my input.

      My direct experiences show over and over that free is seen as not valuable. Here's just one of many, many examples I could give you:

      I'm a seminar presenter. I've done free, low cost, high cost, everything in between.

      Some years ago, I was volunteering my time teaching a series of stress reduction classes at a city-run community health care center. I chose the volunteer gig for reasons I won't go into here, but it had to do with strictly selfless reasons, I wanted to "give back" and contribute.

      I taught those classes over the course of a couple of years. I wanted them to be free, but the health district insisted on charging a small fee. Classes were large, people were friendly and appreciative.

      Toward the end, the last series I taught, the health district decided to make my class free. Attendance went from 50 to 5. People were mean and demanding, picked me apart like vultures on a carcass.

      The only thing that had changed was price; workshop title was the same, time-frame the same, series of nights the same - nothing had changed. Just price.

      Oh, and the other thing that changed was the behavior of the attendees. VERY noticeable difference.

      I could give more examples.

      Best,
      David Portney
      • [3] replies
  • I remember someone I knew had to give away for free a certain number of computer training courses as part of a government initiative.

    When it was free, not many people actually did the training.

    When they charged $50 over 75% completed it.

    Another example, a few times over the years at car boot sales, my wife and I would literally shout out that in the last 15 minutes of our being there, everything was free.

    We didn't want to take anything home with us, so we were prepared to give it away for nothing.

    Yes, some of it was junk, but some was useful stuff. We hardly managed to give much away for free.

    People just couldn't have it. We got suspicious looks and stares. What's the catch.

    In summary, if you do plan to give your stuff away for free, you will still have to convince them why it is free in your sales letter. Even though it is zero cost, you would still have to make it believable to the reader.

    What you could also do is suggest they make a donation to a charity of some kind if they profit from it. I would be willing to do that for sure.

    Good luck.
  • Andy,
    I think you should do both - give it away (since it is important to you) and charge for it (for those who don't value anything free).

    I commend you for your desire to pay it forward. I feel much the same way.
    • [1] reply
    • I agree 100% and who cares what others think, this is something you want to do, so go for it.

      Rhia
  • "Those who matter, don't mind. Those who mind don't matter."

    Andy, just do what your heart tells you. No need to look for external validation or approval.

    If the worst thing that happens to me in life is that some people on the internet "hate" me, I count myself lucky.

    Another thought: Give away "something" for free and see the results. Test in real time. We can meditate about it for years. Just test your idea. (I know I'm not saying anything you don't already know).

    It will be fine, relax :-)
  • Great thread. .... I'm afraid I fall into the "People don't value free... People don't follow up on free" camp. Maybe because I'm like that too! But, paradoxically, that doesn't negate the value of what you're thinking of doing!
  • quite often the money you charge acts as a barrier to entry.

    charging for products will eliminate most of the people who won't use your product anyways and will most likely be customer support nightmares (provided you wish to provide this support for free).

    good luck with what you are doing either way


    regards

    Simon
    • [1] reply
    • Hey Andy old mate. Hopefully we can have a long chat about this at the next London Lunch!

      Meanwhile, if this utopian community spirited model is really what floats your boat, then go for it. And don't worry about damaging anyone else's business - that just won't happen. I just happen to believe that after a while you'll become just as disenchated with that model.

      Pretty much anything that anyone sells in the IM arena is already available for free somewhere. It is all recycled and repackaged. And yet IM stuff still sells like crazy.

      It isn't the price that stops people from achieving. We both know that. It is their inability or unwillingness to take action - and I'm not sure the price of the information has very much bearing on that at all.

      What I do know is that 'free' doesn't necessarily equate to more customers. In KIckstart I have given away free reports and I have sold special reports for $10. Almost always more people pay the $10 than download the free ones.

      I might create a warm fuzzy reader experience by being seen to give stuff away, but I end up 'helping' fewer people.

      Of course, I have no way of knowing how many of either group use the information. That's a who other story. Which leads me to a more practical suggestion:

      Knowing you - and your particular set of skills - I'd suggest that you forget about trying to educate people in Internet marketing (doing so just seems to be frustrating to you anyway) and concentrate on helping people learn a success mindset.

      A free course on NLP for Internet marketers is likely to have way more positive effect than a free ebook on Twitter.

      A free lecture on achievement attitude for small businesses will potentially help more people than trying to give those same people a free report on driving local traffic to their website.

      And you can have that advice for free - but will you use it?

      Martin
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • If you choose to create a membership site where you give your valuable information, I would join in a second.
  • Andy,

    What you want to do sounds great and I agree with some of the other comments that what is "free" tends to be undervalued or indeed used.

    I for one have so much free stuff floating around on my PC, I am not even sure what I have.

    I am sure you would get a lot of people taking up your offer, but I wonder if you have considered how many people might want to contact you direct?

    I was in that position where I would have been so thankful for really good info not so long ago. My problem was one of needing some help along the way as an older member, so I got myself a mentor, listened to him and focused on a narrow road and made one thing work at once.

    Do what is in your heart and do not over burden yourself offering support if you can.

    God loves a generous giver! Actually, he loves everyone

    Ian
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Hey Andy..

    Just a thought... if some people find that your free information in this niche is too much competition for them, they could always go use the information they are selling to build a business in a different niche....

    Or could they?

    Peace

    Jay
  • As a fresh face to IM and WF, I would greatly appreciate any and all valuable free information. I am still working towards my first profitable month.... I made $13.10 in February but spent about $600!

    I guess free stuff in exchange for an opt-in can be touch and go in terms of quality, but you seem like an established entrepreneur, therefore your info could do nothing but help.

    I don't think gestures such as these which seem to be done with a pure intent can have anything but positive repercussions for those who receive and those who give.
  • Hi Andy

    Like a couple of people in this thread, I'm not sure why you feel the need to ask us and given this statement:I don't think you know either.

    But hey, if that's the way you wish to work things out, who am I to argue.

    Your gesture could be seen as very philanthropic but philanthropy isn't always well received. Many people will be sceptical of your motives and some will say that it will serve no long-term purpose as anything 'free' will be equated to worthless. Some may even say that you'll be encouraging the sponging mindset and won't be helping anyone to help themselves.

    When you think about it, Jay Abraham says something like you owe it to your customers to charge a fair amount and you're disrespecting them if you charge too little.

    Heck, even Tony Robbins sells stuff. I'd hazard a guess that he's in a better financial position than you but he still recognises the benefit to his customers for charging. He seems to only give away stuff to those that are in obvious need.

    However, you know that none of that matters. It's all up to you and how you feel about it.

    Peter
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    • [1] reply
    • Hi Andy,

      Previous posters have made insightful comments. We even got an excellent poem. My reply is a bit lower-brow and self-centered.

      I've frequently paraphrased a post you made a few months ago -- which I can't find again. It was along the lines of: building a business is paramount, everything else is secondary. Whether or not I'm quoting you correctly, the idea had a profound effect on my Internet Marketing pursuits -- if indeed I can't still call them that.

      So, any further wisdom, tactics or strategy you can provide along those lines would be welcome, free or otherwise, personal for me or for all of us.

      Bring it on,

      Steve
  • My only question would be...

    Why do you want to do this..

    just for your own ego?

    We both know that no matter how much you give them it wont be valued

    You yourself recognise the only real way to help them is to personally coach them, if your feeling benevolent then do a free one on one coaching package.

    If you dont really help them, the only other reason for giving stuff away if to make you feel better.

    Example of why i think giving free stuff away is actually doing them a disfavour, and hurting them

    For over 2 years I have been doing a 1 hour Q&A session for a friend who pulls in his members to give them a chance to learn and to ask questions, there are usually 3 or 4 full time IM people there to give advice and answer questions.

    The same people turn up every week and sit their and listen, they never ask questions and they never participate, and they never do anything with the information.


    Flip side:

    I now dont participate in there either, if they want to sit there for an hour without asking i can sit there for an hour without talking, they still turn up


    Yet I have a $2k coaching package and 50% of them not only ask questions but follow the advice they call in on Q&A sessions and they follow instructions. They already have a start in list building and making sales.

    You tell mewhere my time is best spent, and where I'm having the biggest impact ?

    Robert
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Dear Andy, I am fairly new to the forum so I don't know much about you.However from reading the comments from other warriors, you seem to be quite sincere and my perception of what you were saying "I want to help people by giving them info Free".

    DO IT! And don't look back. The reason for you wanting to do this, is your business and if it fills that need we all have..DO IT!

    One of the hardest things for other people to accept sometimes is the "Truth".

    I don't know what field of expertise your thinking about, but I'm sure whatever it is other people can benefit from your generosity. Do what your being led to do because someone far greater than all of us is guiding you in that direction! Do It!
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  • Thanks a lot for all of the really well considered responses, they've definitely given me a lot to think about and some ideas for how to proceed.

    I really appreciate you all for taking the time to give me your thoughts. I know that to some people just asking this type of question is on such a different wavelength that they think badly of me for it, so I thank everyone who understood where I'm coming from and gave me honest thoughts.

    Andy
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  • This is my first post on the forum so first and foremost, hello to you all.

    Andy,

    I've read this thread with interest. The dilemma you face comes across as something that you are genuinely unsure what to do about. It comes across to me that you want to help others without receving financial recompense, though feel a sense of loyalty towards other IM who are trying to raise capital through selling their methods.

    The point made regarding people not giving enough respect to free products is very much a valid one. You want to feel as if you work is appreciated and as a free product it may simply be discarded by many as "another free method". Those with a bit of common do know, however, that each individual ebook (in this instance) should be judged on merit. In fact, some of the better ebooks I've found have been free ones. It's simply a matter of seperating the wheat from the chaff.

    At the end of the day, Andy, it boils down to what you want and how you as an individual feel. I'm a complete "noob" in this game and have just embarked on the journey of making cash online. Someone like me would certainly benefit from someone such as yourself with experience, as could many others. In order to ensure your knowledge gets the respect it deserves .. how about being selective in who you help?

    scfc22
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