Do Freebies Really Work?

Small Biz Q&A

I see a lot of the "FREE download" type of marketing, where something is offered free with the hope that it will induce people to then purchase the actual product. For example, someone may offer a free e-book and then send emails to those who download it, urging them to purchase the product / service that is actually on sale. I'm a tough prospect and selling me anything is never easy. Does this type of marketing really work?

Yes, freebies definitely do work. Do they work to sell a product? Sometimes. They work better to begin a relationship with a prospect so you can ultimately turn them into a customer.

I know what you are talking about with the barrage of messages after downloading a free ebook. It does get a little irritating at times, but that's the "cost" of free from those people. I don't agree with that approach.

The way I see it, those marketers are trying to go from "Hi, my name is ..." to "Would you marry me." And that's not successful most of the time. The relationship and trust needs to be built first. Then many of those who downloaded the free ebook turn into customers.