Giving away something for free can make you money!

Hi all,

As some of you may know I was brand new to this exciting bizz earlier this year (I went online in Feb)

And as some others may know - I have recently started having my first $1000 days (only a few so far mind...) I do however regularly make $250+ per day.

I ONLY say the above to illustrate something I'd like to quickly share with you -- if you are new and keen to make money online.

I'm wondering if I can share this with you please.....

I see so many newcomers thesedays trying to SELL a product direct from their site IMMEDIATELY.

This is very, very difficult -- even more so in these tough economic days. 

A lot of newcomers believe that just HAVING a product on a site is enough. It isn't. 10 years ago maybe -- but not now.

A lot of newcomers will get all excited about having a shiny, sparkly product. Now I certainly am NOT crushing any passion or enthusiasm (as that's vitally important...)

...I am however saying that having a product on a site is not enough anymore. I see COUNTLESS newcomers believe that 'all they need is a product online.' (I hear this many times too...)

And this really does sadden me -- as when no sales come in (which invariably is the case) -- the initial all important enthusiasm gets slowly chipped away. Then over the following weeks, it's goodbye excitement and hello resentment. The final rampage is usually something like '...the web is a con, everyone on it is Beelzebub, you can't make money, I'm gonna set Vic Mackey on you...'

Well...the web is not a con. And I've met some of the nicest, generous people.

And - yes - you can make money. 

And this is from someone (me) who was COMPLETELY NEW this year -- AND I am in arguably the TOUGHESTniche.

ANY business - on or offline - needs time (a lot of time) spent upon it to build the foundations. 

Many newcomers believe the web is a magic wand.

It ain't.

Many people are selling products that made them money 10 years ago.

Those techniques don't work now.

I personally think the days of being able to sell something 'cold' to a visitor are almost over. You could do that 5/6/7 years ago -- but the web has changed a lot now.

I have been quietly watching over many years how the real pro's do it -- and they always do it the same way. I know MANY have said this before -- but it all comes down to building a list and nurturing a relationship with this list. Then - when a bit of trust is established - you introduce products that you know your list are interested in. But do this gently - don't stomp in with your size 9's screaming 'buy buy buy'

In fact - I even believe it's more than JUST building a list - you have to build a RESPONSIVE list.

Now -sure - building a list does take longer - but the results can be MUCH more dramatic.

Of course - this will mean you will need something of VALUE to give away for free - to entice people to sign up.

The problem is - so many newcomers are desperate to MAKE MONEY NOW - they will not or do not put in the time. It took me 5 months before I made ANYTHING.

 Allow me to give you an example to back up my claims

A few days ago - I conducted an experiment.

I sent a VERY SMALL mailing to my list (I have over 7000 subscribers currently). I sent 200 visitors to a new FREE eBook I've created- and I sent ANOTHER 200 people to my PAID product at $67.

Now - after someone signs up for my FREE eBook - they get the OPTION to purchase my paid product - at a 50% discount ($37)

Here are the results:

FREE EBOOK: Out of 200 visitors - 111 signed up (that's a 55% success rate - which is very good)

Out of these 111 - 8 bought the product at the discounted price of $37.

TOTAL of $296

PAID PRODUCT

I also sent 200 to my paid product site. 2 people bought at $67. So that's a TOTAL of $134

So that's $430 for a small mailing (before paypal fees)

But MORE importantly...isn't it interesting that I made MORE money by sending people to a FREE offer. 

If you are a newcomer -- please think about that. This is powerful stuff when done right.

Although it my offer was free (to entice people to sign up) I made more than trying to 'sell sell sell' to them immediately.

And that's the point of this whole post (yes there is a point.... )

I just wanted to say that you may want to consider using one of your products that you SELL - and INSTEAD -GIVE IT AWAY FOR FREE (if the license allows you to do this)

In return you get their email address - and then you maybe send a few more free bits - well written emails etc etc -- before you send details of a PAID PRODUCT (or the back end as it's known)

OK - I'm very aware I am in danger of this post rivaling War an Peace. So I'll stop here.

If this post helps just one newcomer - then I'll be delighted.

Kindest always

Chris