Apr 30

Why Would You Want to Give Something Away Free on your blog?

Blogs have certainly emerged as a very novel marketing solution in our times. You are running a blog and people come to it for getting more information. Now you are coming with an innovative idea of distributing free goods on your blog. So, you are avoiding large sources of income.

But there are other benefits of making use of such a practice. And those benefits are really great to ignore them at any cost. Free, if you ask is the most strong word in the language of any marketing expert.

Not a waste if you come to think of it

Things given free always serve a purpose and it is not that they are wasted. If a person is providing free Ebooks, then it leads to building a large number of audience for him in the long run. It is a great opportunity for the novel writers who want their work to be known and hence do so through high volume ad-containing sites where their work gets recognition.

Develop their addiction

Giving free things on the blog is essential for you to build up a reputation for yourself. When people visit your blog, after getting free content from it they are now under the impression that it is providing something of value. So, they are ready to shell money from their wallets for something sold on your site. You have made them so addicted to the use of your free goods or they have appreciated the quality that now they are preferring it more than the all in the rage and established brands.

Providing free of charge content on blogs has a mercenary value attached to it albeit realized in the long run. It is a perfect way for a site to build its brand and use the blog as a platform for launching important initiatives in the upcoming time. Free content is not done with the purpose of doing some philanthropic work of providing others with valuable information and ideas.

It is necessary for a person to understand what is the logic behind his provision of free content on the site. There can be many simple reasons behind it from getting traffic towards the site to eventually generate certain kind of a publicity. If the people tend to take notice of the site for any free content distributed by it, then chances are high that they may return to it for buying goods and services in the future and also content.

Build up your reputation for ever

In the initial days, free content simply helps you to perk up the reputation of the site. The word “free” has certain a kind of happiness factor associated with it that draws people towards anything. When they come in hordes, obviously your site gets famous. This reputation should be long lasting and more than what you are promising to the customers in your slogan or your email letter sent to them as such.

If something is given free today on a blog, then the owner is certainly trying to develop a business model of his own which will be utilized later.

Get influence all over the world wide web

If something is offered free today, then it is done with a purpose of getting something called influence in the language of internet marketing. This influence will be quite useful for you to establish your own brand equity and then going for the sale of products or services which will extract this brand equity and market trust.

The word free has certain attributes attached to it and one of them is to boost the sales along with generation of leads. Free content itself has a brand value which will give a certain idea about the site to the prospective customer.

You can simply say that monetization is the order of the day, and goods cannot definitely be sold for free. But if it serves the higher purpose of bring in more goods and generating reputation, then nothing can be like it. In this world of people with short lived attention spans, free can definitively help to draw attention although for some time.

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52 Responses to “Why Would You Want to Give Something Away Free on your blog?”

51 Comments

  1. KushMoney says:

    Great article, I have to agree with it all. I always try to find things to offer for free on my blog with a plan to get something in return in the long run.

    KushMoneys last blog post..How To Get Started With Affiliate Marketing

  2. himanshu says:

    Nice article, try to make it precise and add some images because visitor would find it attractive and interactive.

    himanshus last blog post..Bloglines : The ultimate news aggregator

  3. Raju says:

    Wonderful article. Probably you can talk about the difference between a contest and a give-away in your next post. Free suggestion ;)

    Rajus last blog post..Top 10 Must-Have Firefox Extensions for Daily SEO

    • salwa says:

      Raju,

      Thank you, glad you liked the article, and even more thank you for your free suggestion. In fact from your suggestion you just gave me another idea of a post!

      Regards
      Salwa

  4. Krish says:

    Good article Salwa. Very true the word “Free” has certain a kind of happiness factor associated with it that draws people towards anything.. Having said this it is also important that the free thing shared through your blog is useful for the readers. Once reader likes it then they will automatically spread this information to others bringing in more traffic for you blog along with loyal readers for your blog.

    Hey, thanks for your comments and wishes in my blog. Really appreciate it :)

    Cheers
    Krish

    • salwa says:

      Krish,

      Yup, that is the plan! To get your readers trust, and allow them to tell other’s about you.

      And no problem, you welcome. You run a nice blog :=)

      Regards
      Salwa

  5. Paul U says:

    Giving something for free is a great way to get a name for yourself. This is the reason why there are rich people who are giving away something for the charity. they are not doing that for nothing.

    Paul Us last blog post..Make money online from forum posting

    • salwa says:

      Paul U,

      Very true with what you are saying. Most people you see who gives free stuff, true they are doing it out of generosity but also hoping to get something in return.

  6. ediretnati says:

    nice to see you Salwa………. I’ll practise your tips to make my visitor enjoy…… thanks a lot Salwa……

    ediretnatis last blog post..Japanese Harajuku Style

  7. Firstly, great post, you have got your point across easily.

    And I am visiting your blog after a long time, and I must say the new design rocks!

    Farrhad A | The Dollar Diarys last blog post..Guide: Earn $1000 From Nothing In 30 Days Or Less!

  8. James King says:

    Giveaways are a great thing. On my blog for the top commentator in May, I have an advert on Blogriffic.com (thanks Salwa), 30 minute consultation from myself James King on enhancing your online presence. Plus a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad a number one best seller. The book covers passion income. Make money work for you instead of you working for money.

    • salwa says:

      James,

      Yeah the truth is, everyone absolutely love giveaways. Once someone here the word “free” you got their attention!

  9. priscus says:

    Really interesting article , i will surely use your tips.

    “If a person is providing free Ebooks, then it leads to building a large number of audience for him in the long run.”

    This is a really interesting point. Viewed from another angle it can be seen as a form of bribery . From another angle it is all about marketing a good blog.

    • salwa says:

      Definitely priscus. The practice of offering something is always an advantage to both sides.

      Thanks for your comment, appreciated!

  10. Dawn from Moms Inspire Learning says:

    It’s funny that you wrote about this today, because I am planning on giving away some children’s books and other related items in the near future.

    I think giveaways and contests can really help get conversations going on a blog, so that you don’t feel like you’re having a one sided conversation! No one person has all of the answers, and it’s always nice to hear other ideas and points of view. People will be more likely to make comments if they can win something in the process.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Dawn@Moms Inspire Learnings last blog post..Having Fun with Multiplication

    • salwa says:

      You’re right, Dawn. I love blogs with a community build in them, and this is what I am trying to achieve here also. Like you said no one has all the answers, and it is just great been able to share different opinions and views and learn from them along the way!

      Thanks for taking time to comment, appreciated!

  11. Cool post :D

    I personally give away free things sometimes, but I think you have to be careful not to give away rubbish, as you don’t want to get a reputation for that! ;)

    Simon | Teeniuss last blog post..Tips For Great Blog Content

    • salwa says:

      Simon,

      Yup, as I keep telling those who asks for my advice about giveaways that it is always great, in fact I will say recommended to give away free stuff but DO NOT make the mistake of giving out rubbish as it won’t do you any favours!

  12. whibb says:

    The word “free” has certain a kind of happiness factor associated with it that draws people towards anything … Very True

    For example -> Subscribe my RSS Feed and Subscribe my RSS feed for free can actually make a lot of difference according to problogger.

    The only thing you need to take care is that there shouldn’t be any false promises or *Conditions apply* for the freebie that you are giving away.

    thanks

    • salwa says:

      whibb,

      I very much agree with you. The word “free” always gets people attention, and I have seen this work to my advantage and yes you have to be careful. Your visitors are not stupid! and will tell if your making false promises.

      Thanks for your comment!

  13. Dennis Edell says:

    Always be aware of not overdoing it. You do not want a 10,000 person list of freebie seekers. ;)

    Dennis Edells last blog post..Who Wants To Sponsor May’s Comment Contest!

  14. I think giveaways are a smart way to expand marketing efforts. The idea is to give something away that entices people to want more. Maybe it’s a free ebook that makes readers want to subscribe to a newsletter. Perhaps it’s a free service that makes clients want to hire you. In any case, this approach has been used effectively and blogs are an ideal way to promote free offers.

    Melissa Donovans last blog post..Questions, Curiosity, and Writing Ideas

  15. Ricky says:

    Great article.

    In fact you inspired me to provide some give aways or contest.And you know what right now I am working on it(rapidshare premium account working till feb 2010 ;-) ).Why dont you also provide the format for such kind of posts which helps us to drive more traffic ;-)

  16. lazyking says:

    Very useful post. I’m really thinking about free stuffs for my readers.
    Free giveways or contests or give the free stuffs to my top commenters??? I dont know yet. Maybe you’ll help me find out in your next post

    lazykings last blog post..Hotel Oberoi Udaivilas

    • salwa says:

      Lazyking,

      Giving out free stuffs for your top commentors is an approach that has been used effectively and I definitely vouch for it! I will write more stuff about this topic and yes maybe I can give you more ideas on my upcoming posts so stay tuned!

      Thanks for taking time to comment, appreciated!

  17. When my other blog, Blogussion got a “design update”, people were asking me what I was going to do with the old theme. The old theme was very popular amongst a lot of my readers, so I think it would be a very smart move on my part to release that old theme for free on my blog.

    While I think it would make an excellent Premium Skin with some code touchups, I would rather release it for free for many of the benefits you have covered in this article.

    Great post!

    Alex | Asnio.coms last blog post..Thesis Thursday #1: All you need to know about Thesis 1.5

    • salwa says:

      Alex,

      Welcome to blogriffic, and you’re right giving out for free I think is more better. I am also planning to release my old theme for free as well.

  18. The word free has that special thing you cannot describe. It simply amazes people. “Is this for free? Are you kidding me?!”. I’ve seen that reaction many times during my career and let me tell you it had worked every time!

    By the way, your post kinda reminded me I haven’t given away anything on my site for a while xD I think it’s time :P

    PS: you’ve got one lovely theme, too! Great header!

    • salwa says:

      Hector,

      Yup people just LOOOVE, not love, but LOOOVE freebies! and it also makes someone thinks “i have nothing to loose”

      I am happy I have reminded you that you haven’t given away anything for sometime, and may i just suggest how about one cool wp plugin ;)

  19. Money4Invest says:

    Everyone is loving freebies, be it free ebooks or free gifts. It will definitely gains lots of attention and driving some traffic to your blog/site. And if your blog/website is providing really useful articles, these visitors will become your loyal readers.

    Money4Invests last blog post..Get Windows 7 Release Candidate For A Year, Free!!

    • salwa says:

      Money4Invest,

      You’re right, the very important thing when one decide to give out something for free that i keep reminding people is to make sure what you are giving free is not rubbish because if it is will give you a bad reputation for it, and that is certainly not good on your side!

      Thanks for your comment, appreciated :=)

  20. Ricky says:

    Even i haven’t given away anything and now I am giving away rapidshare account

    Rickys last blog post..Rapidshare Premium Account Contest

  21. Hi Salwa, great article enjoyed it a lot. When someone gives away something for “free” it let’s other people know that you are a person of “giving” and not always a person of “taking”. Many well to do people will give to other people or charities out of the goodness of their heart and expecting nothing in return. When you expect nothing in giving freely from your heart you will in return get back two-fold. I agree with one of your readers that you should be careful not to give away trash when you do give free!!

    • salwa says:

      Hi jj-momscashblog,

      You’re right, when you give out something out of the goodness of your heart, you will in return get back two-fold.

      Thanks for your comment!

  22. Hi Salwa,

    For what I know the word FREE sells more than any other word, and secondly it is the first name of your prospect.

    You are right it is the best way to make them come for more, the more FREE stuff they can get the more traffic you will have.

    Luis

    Marketing Business Reviews last blog post..How To Work Efficiently When You Are Your Own Boss

  23. When it comes to know that its free look at people reaction they want it as soon as possible. They don’t even think that why some one giving it free.
    This is great article with most suitable header and topic.

  24. Hesham says:

    you are right about the free word, it’s like magic!

    Heshams last blog post..Zebida Fridays – From Here and There

  25. simply to keep them coming back to read your post and for more, uhmm that’s how i think of it.

  26. richard says:

    hi,this is a good blog !!

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