Give-aways: Good or Bad?

They aren’t for everyone.

“Basically” the way they work is that you give them some of your intellectual property (offer to give people an audio, ebook, report, etc) as a gift to post to a page on a website with other gifts. When someone joins the list of the creator of the give-away, they get the new subscriber. Then their new subscriber is taken to the gift page and hopefully decides they want your gift AND subscribe to your list. Then you send them the gift you offered or make it available as a download (easiest way to go about it)

MY HISTORY

I’ve joined a few that have brought me hundreds of new subscribers, 1 became a client.

Recently I participated in one because I have a long-standing relationship with the person running it. I was surprised to get 2 new subscribers because going into it, I knew that their ideal client was NOT my ideal client. 202 people I sent a message about their book clicked on the link to learn more. One of my clients bought the book because she wanted the book.

Some are set up as speaking engagements. I’ve been asked to participate in about 10 of these over the years. The way this type works is that you are interviewed or speak for an hour, you are allowed to market your website or offer a discount on your intellectual property. Hopefully someone clicks the link to join your ezine. I get between 2 and 200 new subscribers for each campaign, with most being closer to under 50 subscribers.

The best one I joined had a limited number of participants and gifts. I got lots of subscribers from this one. Many are still on my ezine list. Two contacted me for coaching, neither hired me. I purchased a CD.

Today I joined another one, and then left it a few hours later.

Lov’m or hate’m here are some things to consider before you submit your gifts:
– Is the audience THEY are reaching your ideal clients?
– What’s in it for you?
– What happens if you get NO subscribers?
– How much do you want to give away for free?
– Who else is a part of the event?
– Will the others who are involved boost your creditability or not?
– How many ezine subscribers that you already have would NOT appreciate learning about this offering? (i.e. they will unsubscribe if you send even one message about the program to them)?
– How much to you have to participate in time spent or money spent on your website in order to get something in return?

Giveaways are NOT for everyone.

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©2009 Maria Marsala, Strategic Business Coach,  Speaker and former Wall Street Trader at Elevating Your Business.  We help remarkable women CEOs get a life and future from their business by providing accountability, support and a (gentle) kick in the a$$ when needed. 
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