One way to get attention to your home business is to offer freebies. Or so they say. Freebies certainly get people’s attention, but are they doing what you want them to?
Only if you’re offering them in the right way.
Offer the wrong ones and you get lots of freebie seekers but not so many buyers. That’s not going to help you build a successful business. You need people coming to your site who are willing to spend money.
Some tactics are usually best avoided.
1. Giving away your services.
There’s a limited use to giving away your services. It’s a way to build a portfolio, sure, but once that’s done, get out of the freebie way of thinking.
This can be tough when someone’s asking you to give away your services to help them get started too, as often happens. However, you need to be firm. Your services are valuable, and people don’t take things they can get for free as seriously.
2. Giving away information you usually sell.
Giving away information correctly is a powerful way to show that you know your business. Giving away information you usually sell because someone says they can’t afford it isn’t your smartest business practice.
The main problem is that, once again, people don’t respect the things they get for free as much. Just think of all the free downloads you probably have on your computer. Would you have paid more attention to it if you paid for it?
3. When people say they can’t afford your services.
It’s hard to hear from people that they really need your help but can’t afford your prices, so they want them free. But if they can’t afford you, where’s the benefit to you in helping them? It may feel good for a time, but you’re trying to run a business. Giving your hard work away just to be helpful makes your life harder.
It’s not a bad thing to have simple freebies such as a PDF for those who can’t afford your usual services – they might be able to later. But don’t give away your best stuff.
When Should You Give Freebies?
Most of us like to be helpful in our businesses. That means we’re going to give away a lot of things. They can build your reputation and bring in paying customers when it’s done right.
You should give freebies when:
1. They help build your business.
Blog posts, free reports, teleseminars, videos, all of these are tools to help you build your business. They should be focused on the goal of building your business, either directly by offering a relevant product or by improving your reputation as a business owner.
Give away everything and what can you sell?
2. It doesn’t take more time than the potential return is worth.
A freebie that takes too much time away from paying work isn’t a good plan most of the time. A freebie which gets people buying from you without excessive effort is worth the effort.
Stephanie Foster blogs at http://www.homewiththekids.com/blog/ about running an online home business. Learn how to promote your online business with a free e-course at her site.
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