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Give product for free or charge?

by applegreensnake
13 replies
I'm writing an ebook - nearly finished.

It's in my area of expertise, and I provide a related service.

I don't have a list yet. Once I've finished the ebook I'll look into ways of getting the word out.

People who download the book will also get a series of emails from me.

I'm confident people will find the book really useful.

I don't know whether to sell the ebook or give it to people for free - either way I'm looking to get the word out about me, and get more clients.

If I sell it, I guess it'll take longer to build a list, but the list will be of people who dipped into their pockets. And I'll have some income from the book.

But I prefer not to put too much money into promoting it until I have a good sense of where to put the money, to be sure of getting the return.

If I give it away for free I guess I'll build a bigger list easier.

Any words of wisdom on what might be the better route - sell or give away?
#charge #free #give #product
  • Profile picture of the author Khemba
    I would go with the list-building option every time, once you give away a good quality product your list will love you.

    It will also allow you to build a relationship with them and any future products you create can be presented to your "warm" list who will be more responsive to the products sell to them.

    Hope that helps

    Regards
    Khemba
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  • Profile picture of the author paul nicholls
    you can always give it away for free to build your list and create another product as your paid offer

    having a high quality free offer is a must if your going to be building a list for the long term

    also if you create a paid product you can then link to that product from your free ebook

    paul
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    • Profile picture of the author iRunThis
      Originally Posted by Khemba View Post

      I would go with the list-building option every time, once you give away a good quality product your list will love you.

      It will also allow you to build a relationship with them and any future products you create can be presented to your "warm" list who will be more responsive to the products sell to them.

      Hope that helps

      Regards
      Khemba
      Originally Posted by paul nicholls View Post

      you can always give it away for free to build your list and create another product as your paid offer

      having a high quality free offer is a must if your going to be building a list for the long term

      also if you create a paid product you can then link to that product from your free ebook

      paul
      I was just going to tell you what these two guys already said. Seems I got beat.

      This is the best advice. Launching a free WSO is one of the fastest ways to start building your list.
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      "Grammar: The difference between knowing your sh*t, and knowing you're sh*t." -A Wise Man
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  • Profile picture of the author MattWell
    I'd prefer to sell it. I'd also get affiliate to promote it for 100% commissions (plus bonuses, if you want more affiliates). It may sound crazy, but although you will have a smaller list, they are proven buyers and will be more valuable to you in the long run. Also, if your product is really good, then they will be looking forward to your next one, no matter what price it is and will want to buy. That is why you should always over-deliver with high quality content and products.
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  • Profile picture of the author wordpressmania
    If your target is making a list, it is better to give that to people for free...
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  • Profile picture of the author AlexNeo2009
    Free is better than paid!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    I'd have people buy it. Straight sales letter page for some instant cash.

    Did you do the math of how much money you will lose at a particular price point? At the very least you will want to break even. If you want to sell your product at $7 or $19... lead them straight to the sales letter page.
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  • Profile picture of the author KLinfluence
    If it is quality content and you believe in it? I would definitely give it away for free and your list will loooove you for it! Besides you want your list to trust that your next ebook, product or service will have even more or better quality they can an expect from an awesome seller.

    People don't want to be sold to but they always wanna buy from you. If your ebook is good, your next product will sell and your list will grow for the long term. Its up to you to decide.

    Good Luck, -KL
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  • Profile picture of the author mikeac
    Id say give it away for free. You want to build trust and a relationship with your list, and grow it then when you have their trust you can sell them with a product later on.
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  • Profile picture of the author TGforever
    Why not have it at a low cost? Rather then the normal $20 book have it be like $5 or something, that way it will be cheap enough where people wont really mind spending the money and you are still getting buyers! On the bright side, if your product was a great one and you just over delivered your new list will love you and will keep wanting to read your emails.
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  • Profile picture of the author success with anthony
    Really depends on the traffic your going to send to the page.

    If its free semi targeted traffic from video, article, forum promos then a free offer to low price offer maybe of use. With paid offer then of course its buyers your getting.

    If your going to use solo ads or ad swaps then you will need a free offer however the traffic will be targeted, engaged and perhaps some buyers.

    So you would want to have a free giveaway then your paid product as the OTO.

    Like I said though what your going to do to build your list will have different outcomes depending on the traffic source.
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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    To throw my 2 cents in, I would suggest charging for the list even if its a token amount. You could end up building a list of a 1000 freebie hunters which is next to useless to you from what you have said. I would rather have 500 guys willing to spend $5 on what I have produced than a 1000 guys not willing to.
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    Baadier Sydow
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  • Profile picture of the author tomw101
    I would give the e-book for free to build a list and have a video / audio version of the book as a OTO on the thank you page.
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