The Danger of Free Stuff

by tk226
17 replies
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Do you think that the free stuff (licensed or pirated) available out there on the internet in the form of eBooks, articles, softwares, etc, etc. is lowering or causing no sale of your online 'not for free' digital products ?
  • Profile picture of the author VictoriaXavier
    I heard it,not sure,also heard that free stuff is harmful for pc
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  • Profile picture of the author madzseo
    If you are selling rehashed ebooks then maybe yes. If you are selling something fresh and unique then I don't think it would matter too much. Anyway people don't give much value to stuff that they get for free.
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  • Profile picture of the author tk226
    Thanks for your response, it's really encouraging. I get discouraged and think - if there is a treasure of free information on internet then how come people will pay for something which I may create for them knowing fully that they may get this freely somewhere in bits and pieces if not in the form which I may create.
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  • Profile picture of the author Writing Block
    People generally don't give away things for free. I've seen a plethora of instances in which genuinely free content sometimes has cookie-stuffers attached to the site, or a required email entry which will then have you place on a mailing list, etc. etc.

    If you have a name for yourself, people who know the industry will come to you over free products. Trust is a highly-held commodity nowadays.
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    • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
      I gladly give away free stuff, have done it for 6 years or more and what it's done for me is given me thousands of natural backlinks, so pushed me up in Google ranks and Alexa, and given me lots of organic traffic, which in turn has resulted in me acquiring clients who purchase my services.

      My free templates and WordPress themes are available for download not just at my own site/sites, but also at WordPress.org and a several open source web design communities such as GFWD. Giving away free stuff builds trust and return visitors
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    • Profile picture of the author tk226
      Originally Posted by Writing Block View Post

      People generally don't give away things for free. I've seen a plethora of instances in which genuinely free content sometimes has cookie-stuffers attached to the site, or a required email entry which will then have you place on a mailing list, etc. etc.

      If you have a name for yourself, people who know the industry will come to you over free products. Trust is a highly-held commodity nowadays.
      You're right, certainly time is money and to free stuff too is not free of cost for the creator and everybody don't have time to create some free stuff, so as a alternative they must strike some deal with other free stuff provider. Thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author tk226
    Thanks Karen, we need to see the other side of the coin also.
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Almost any ebook or program can be found for free somewhere online. However, people like to pay for convenience. If they are searching for something specific, and you provide it neatly packaged and easy for them to find, then you'll usually have buyers that will snatch it up in a heartbeat.
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    • Profile picture of the author tk226
      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      Almost any ebook or program can be found for free somewhere online. However, people like to pay for convenience. If they are searching for something specific, and you provide it neatly packaged and easy for them to find, then you'll usually have buyers that will snatch it up in a heartbeat.
      So true sir, I too expereinced this feelings, usually before we make a buying decision we search if something alternative 'free' is available, but to save time and to have information in a packaged form we disregard the free factor. Thanks for your neat comment.
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  • Profile picture of the author medallion
    Hi there,

    Free stuff can be very good, from a marketing perspective. Think of it and use it like this...

    I always provide a teaser of free stuff, in the form of articles, a chapter from one of my books, and so on, or an audio introduction. I ensure I always provide the best quality available, as this will ensure my integrity is high, and people will appreciate my material. This way, they will be more inclined to see more of my products.

    Martin
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    • Profile picture of the author tk226
      Originally Posted by medallion View Post

      Hi there,

      Free stuff can be very good, from a marketing perspective. Think of it and use it like this...

      I always provide a teaser of free stuff, in the form of articles, a chapter from one of my books, and so on, or an audio introduction. I ensure I always provide the best quality available, as this will ensure my integrity is high, and people will appreciate my material. This way, they will be more inclined to see more of my products.

      Martin
      Thanks - really free stuff should be of high quality, if you provide the same recycled free stuff about which user is already familiar then as saying goes familiarity breeds contempt.
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  • Profile picture of the author jaya_allways
    It's called Placebo Effect..
    People will more give value to everything that cost you some thing..

    Example :
    If you get a Million dollars blue print for free..
    And you get a thousand dollars blue print for some price..
    You will get more successfull, in applying the thousand dollars blueprint you have bought..

    Most people are doing those things, so make sure you didnt do the same thing.. Analyze and gain the profit even from the crap things.. Dont go to the conclusion just because you see the price..

    Hope this can help.. Nice to meet you..
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    • Profile picture of the author tk226
      Originally Posted by jaya_allways View Post

      It's called Placebo Effect..
      People will more give value to everything that cost you some thing..

      Example :
      If you get a Million dollars blue print for free..
      And you get a thousand dollars blue print for some price..
      You will get more successfull, in applying the thousand dollars blueprint you have bought..

      Most people are doing those things, so make sure you didnt do the same thing.. Analyze and gain the profit even from the crap things.. Dont go to the conclusion just because you see the price..

      Hope this can help.. Nice to meet you..
      Thanks for posting a key principle of Placebo Effect. Truly related to my post. nice to meet you too.
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  • Profile picture of the author jgand
    Free stuff is never free, everything comes with a price there is some way to make money with it, even if you are using it free of charge. Usually its only free for a limited time.
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    • Profile picture of the author tk226
      Originally Posted by jgand View Post

      Free stuff is never free, everything comes with a price there is some way to make money with it, even if you are using it free of charge. Usually its only free for a limited time.
      Thanks, yeah some stuff is free for limited time and some for lifetime. And, often if not money you exchange it for your email, filling opinion survey, or some other way before ultimately you access the free-stuff. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author JustinDupre
    Yup! Free stuff have a catch to it. Be careful and do your homework before making any decision. Good luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author xInd
    people know you get what you pay for, so they like paying for stuff.
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