The word "free" makes people less secure

10 replies
I got this email from a subscriber:

"Why do you always say fre.e instead of just free? Makes me feel a bit less
secure about the product."

I told him that by using "free," the email filters could block my message from being sent. But does the word "free" still trigger the message to be blocked? Or is it already safe to use it?

Thanks,
Michael
#free #makes #people #secure #word
  • Profile picture of the author Minisite Nerd
    Originally Posted by Michael Lee View Post

    I got this email from a subscriber:

    "Why do you always say fre.e instead of just free? Makes me feel a bit less
    secure about the product."

    I told him that by using "free," the email filters could block my message from being sent. But does the word "free" still trigger the message to be blocked? Or is it already safe to use it?

    Thanks,
    Michael

    I think this guy who emailed you thinks that when you type "fre.e" it is some kind of underhanded way hide the real meaning.

    I guess in his mind he thinks that if you say "fre.e" instead of "free" that somehow sets you in the clear legally.

    The dude probably doesn't have a clue what spam filters are or how email marketing works. It sounds like he thinks you're just looking for a legal loophole by saying "fre.e" and not "free".

    Some people are like that. Part of it comes from getting messed with and ripped off by companies...like the one's who charge you a couple bucks for **** Berry miracle cures and then keep charging and charging and charging your credit card and make it next to impossible to cancel unless you have 12 hours a day to sit on your phone and get a service rep.

    They are the same people who think that people spamming on Criagslist with CPA offers are somehow trying to work some "identity theft" scam.

    They just don't know any better.
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  • Profile picture of the author Norma Holt
    I avoid all messages with the word FREE in the subject because of the constant offers with time limits and other things. So I have become free intolerant.

    Norma
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    • Profile picture of the author EmpoweredCreator
      I don't ever use the word free... It doesn't get anyone into the buying mood. Even if I am offering something free, I like to use a benefit of the free thing to intice them to open the e-mail.

      This also keeps me from looking bad if I also try to sell them on the back end of the process.

      My advice just stay away from the word free and be more creative to get your readers attentions.
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      • Profile picture of the author Minisite Nerd
        Well....I still think some are reading too deeply into this. I understand it's a legit marketing debate but going by what this guy said it's NOT that the word "free" makes him less receptive and suspicious, but the process of spelling it like this - "fre.e".

        "Why do you always say fre.e instead of just free? Makes me feel a
        bit less
        secure about the product."
        What he's saying there is pretty clear.

        The idea that FREE is a dirty word in marketing as some responses suggest is laughable in my eyes.

        The free model has been a successful one for many businesses, even before this whole internet thing started.

        This is great reading - Free! Why $0.00 Is the Future of Business
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  • Profile picture of the author Mike Hill
    Any "trigger" word can be used and not set off the filters in most cases if you have the percentage of use down to a minimum.

    For instance, if I use the word free and have only 50 words for example then it may set off the filters compared to if I use a trigger word within 200 "normal" words. This is just an example and not necessarily the right percentage but I have found that I can use words like Free and even exact dollar figures and not set off the filters when I have regular text within the message.

    Mike Hill
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  • Profile picture of the author artwebster
    If the guy is a subscriber your address should be his email client.

    I have noticed that the only time words like 'free' and 'no cost' get emails sent to the spam box is when they come from email addresses that bear no relationship to the senders address. noreply@..... is guaranteed to get dumped, for example.

    There also seems to be some contextual recognition by spam filters, 'free will' for example, never gets treated as spam.
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    Some old school smarts would help - and here's to Rob Toth for his help. Bloody good stuff, even the freebies!

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  • Even the word fre.e will be blocked if lot of people report that as spam to the mailing service provider.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin Riley
      I never use "fr.ee" or "mo.ney" or any of those in my e-mails. Just looks scammy.

      I use the word "free", but in moderation. And "make money", but I limit that phrase to once in an e-mail.

      No problems.
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      Kevin Riley, long-time Warrior living in Osaka, Japan

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    • Profile picture of the author saintsguy
      I have no problem with being marketed something for "free". I just assume that the free product will be an average product and that the good stuff will be offered on the upsell.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    H.i Mich.ael,

    Th.ere shou.ldn't b.e a ma.jor pro.blem wi.th usi.ng th.e wo.rd free a.s i.t i.s., a.s lo.ng a.s th.e peo.ple a.re alre.ady subsc.ribed.

    I.f yo.u ar.e conce.rned, u.se a syno.nym f.or fr.ee (su.ch a.s no-co.st, m.y gi.ft t.o yo.u, o.r m.y tre.at). Othe.rwise y.ou r.un th.e ri.sk o.f loo.king li.ke a spam.mer - the.y a.re usua.lly th.e on.es w.ho us.e a "." t.o g.et thro.ugh sp.am filt.ers, s.o it mak.es yo.ur mes.sage lo.ok spam.my i.f y.ou d.o i.t, to.o.

    Al.l th.e be.st,
    Mic.hael
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    "Ich bin en fuego!"
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