Where Does The Free Line End?
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I’ve been wondering lately. Well all the time actually. But for the past few weeks, about the Free Line.
I’ve talked about it with a lot of other marketing people and friends and asked the same question. Where does the free line stop?
How much can be given away and what purpose does it serve? Now some say it builds up reputation and credibility. After all, look at the amazing information that this individual is giving me. ( insert Rich Schefren here and the latest doctrine / manifesto.)
The question remains, for me at least. How much of this FREE information/product gets actually used. Granted it’s only a folder or two right. Yea, well I did a search the other day to grab some PDF files I new were on my hard drive somewhere. I came up with over 500. Looking through the titles most of them I didn’t even remember reading or using for that matter.
Yes I know that’s my fault. The free feeding frenzy. Still, I’m pretty sure I’m not alone. Please tell me I’m not alone.
I don’t remember it instilling more confidence about anyone or increasing their credibility. Some of it to be sure was worth the read/use.
Check your hard drive. How much do you have there that you could do away with and not be at a loss. Let me know.
April 3rd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I have tons and tons of stuff thats free that I never used. Occasionally I will be stuck on something and look for a program that fixes it and go looking and get to the download only to discover I had it already, but never installed! At least it’s proven it’s worth at that point though.
It would be an interesting experiment to give people a choice, or to track for instance how many downloads you get from a newsletter signup giveaway for a freebie or if people signed up of their own accord.
Or poll your audience to get feedback on a freebie, but they may not do it unless you bribe them with another freebie! LOL