We are big believers in trying something new; anything creative.
We've all thought about marketing using freebies; but does it work? It worked for King Camp Gillette, so that's good enough for us.
Can you make it work, that's the question?
"If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door." - Milton Berle
Thanks Milton!
If business owner's structure an offer incorrectly, they give high value, but devalue their products and/or services. Please hold onto this point throughout the blog post.
Why Use Freebie Marketing?
Freebies can work. The business owner needs to make them work.
Our freebie was designed to create:
- Networking contacts, we'll take those
- Traffic, we'll enjoy that
- An outside-of-the-box promotion, we like that
- A cheap marketing campaign; yes please!
Other benefits for businesses might include:
- Building a list (email contacts and leads)
- Brand awareness
- Penetrating a new market segment
Here is what our offer provides:
- A promotional whiteboard video for their business, which we usually charge 59 for
- Our time
- A new business connection
Here is what we get:
- A project piece for our portfolio if needed
- A new business connection
- A link underneath the video, visible to all of their customers
To cut a long story short. It works for both of us.
What To Offer?
This is where problems occur for most businesses; they think giving away products and services is easy. Well, it is, but you need to offer value.
Now, let's go back to this point:
"Outside The Box, We Like That"
Don't give away...
- Free e-books - who reads them anyway, have you even read the one you are offering? How much would you pay to read it again?
- Freebies with strings attached - that's a whole different ball game, it is not free.
- Poor sellers - trying to get rid of stock as a marketing tool? People don't want to buy the items for a reason. They'll take them for free, but they won't shout about it!
Do giveaway REAL value...
- Your time
- Your experience
- Your products and service
How?
You need to package your deal to make it attractive.
- Exclusivity or limited time offers - these always work well. Our offer was for 3 videos. This also means we can easily re-establish the value, 59, after the offer and not de-value our service
- A product or service that you currently sell - like a video, at 59, for instance!
- A product or service that is equal to your current full price offering - don't cut corners because this is a freebie
Important points to take from this blog post:
- Find a platform to promote an offer: your website, Twitter account or a forum
- Avoid offering the obvious; think outside the box
- Use structure, limitations and exclusivity; retain value of your core products and/or services, but make an offer appealing.
Each niche, business and offer will be different to the next and last; take that into account when materialising ideas.
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy How to Build a Twitter Following for Your Business
