Forums

[Mark Harbert Company: MyLeadSystemPRO Contribution Level: 2]

This should be an interesting topic. I personally think "FREE" can be a good thing if the true value of something is perceived by the one receiving. However, rarely does that happen in my opinion.

I think FREE tends to attract people looking for a handout and people that will look to blame anything when it doesn't work out. I recently did a blog post on this topic, but I would like to know what some of your thoughts are on "FREE" market.....

[Lester Diaz Contribution Level: 2]

Hmm..I believe free is good only when is use correctly, when you provide true valuable free information
through blogs, articles or videos and receive nothing in return people will always come back for more..

My philosophy is set up a juicy bait, grab the fish, let it eat the bait and let the fish go, if the bait was good the fish will always come back for more..

[Mark Harbert Company: MyLeadSystemPRO Contribution Level: 2]

Hmm..I believe free is good only when is use correctly, when you provide true valuable free information
through blogs, articles or videos and receive nothing in return people will always come back for more..

My philosophy is set up a juicy bait, grab the fish, let it eat the bait and let the fish go, if the bait was good the fish will always come back for more..

Lester, this is a great way to look at it! I like your philosophy

[Joyce Penner Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 8]

You are a brave man Mark. I think there are several factors at play. Human nature is one of them.

There appears to be a pervasive attitude in our industry that providing "value" is equated to receiving info, tools or training for "free". No other profession expect free anything yet it's a rampant expectation online. (Note the headings on forum posts, you'll see the expectation everywhere)

Part of that is based on the whole business model. Grow and especially help your downline and you will benefit. Which is true, however what's gotten left behind is the realization each individual downline member is in, and responsible, for their own business growth. We are not their mothers, fathers, friends or guardian angels. We are there as a resource, a person who introduced them to a concept that could change their lives if they choose to embrace and pursue it.

The danger in the "free" philosophy is there are people out there, who have not actually achieved any level of success, positioning themselves as leaders who love everyone and are there to help anyone for free when they, themselves, using the very tools and training they are providing for "free" haven't provided any kind of income level to substantiate the claim that "free" will achieve financial success.

And people get sucked in.

Want to run a successful business? Seek out, pay for, sign up with the most successful business mentor you can afford.

Use free for what it is and get serious when this does become what it is - a serious business with endless possibilities.
Joyce

[Mark Harbert Company: MyLeadSystemPRO Contribution Level: 2]

You are a brave man Mark. I think there are several factors at play. Human nature is one of them.

There appears to be a pervasive attitude in our industry that providing "value" is equated to receiving info, tools or training for "free". No other profession expect free anything yet it's a rampant expectation online. (Note the headings on forum posts, you'll see the expectation everywhere)

Part of that is based on the whole business model. Grow and especially help your downline and you will benefit. Which is true, however what's gotten left behind is the realization each individual downline member is in, and responsible, for their own business growth. We are not their mothers, fathers, friends or guardian angels. We are there as a resource, a person who introduced them to a concept that could change their lives if they choose to embrace and pursue it.

The danger in the "free" philosophy is there are people out there, who have not actually achieved any level of success, positioning themselves as leaders who love everyone and are there to help anyone for free when they, themselves, using the very tools and training they are providing for "free" haven't provided any kind of income level to substantiate the claim that "free" will achieve financial success.

And people get sucked in.

Want to run a successful business? Seek out, pay for, sign up with the most successful business mentor you can afford.

Use free for what it is and get serious when this does become what it is - a serious business with endless possibilities.
Joyce

Joyce, if I could reach through this screen I would give you a major high five . I totally agree with you on what you are saying here. So much so that I about jumped out of my chair when reading. You are so right on!

The old saying "You get what you pay for" applies here. If you want the best, you must seek out the best, and be willing to pay for the best.

I have seen traditional businesses that pay millions to consultants to evaluate their business from a 3rd party perspective because they were qualified to do so. Those consultants commanded a high price because they were worth every penny, and got results for their clients.

As far as I am concerned catering to the weak minded does nothing more than help them stay right where they are, and that is not the goal I have or anybody should have for the people they work with. I have compassion for them as a human being, but if they are not willing to step up and make some changes, I can't do anything for them.

Being in business takes work, dedication, seeking out mentors of high value and latching arms with them until you get there yourself. The philosophy is simple, if I don't allow myself to get second rate, then I shouldn't let the people I work with accept it for themselves either. That is the mark of a true mentor, somebody that will tell you like it is whether it hurts or not.

Great comments Joyce!!!

[Joyce Penner Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 8]

Hey Mark. I too get really excited when I meet or see someone who's got that extra "?" I know they are going to make it.

I'm not opposed to free, I'm using lots of free tools and picked up some tips and training from a lot of different free venues. But to promote free as the avenue to riches, just doesn't cut it in the real world.
Rock on !
Joyce

[Richard Bravo Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 9]

.

Great topic - here's my thoughts:

Free is not a sign of weakness ... "free" is a gateway.
Free is an excellent way to gain exposure.
Free is a great way to give back.
Free, when used correctly, especially when implemented as the "freemium" model
is very effective in creating new business.

If you aren't familiar with the freemium model, basically it goes like this ...
I'll just grab it from Wikipedia for the sake of time:

Freemium is a business model that works by offering a basic product or service free of charge (such as software, web services or other) while charging a premium for advanced features, functionality, or related products and services. The word "freemium" is a portmanteau combining the two aspects of the business model: "free" and "premium".

In practice for example, let's say you setup some free training on the frontend of your funnel.
Let's say you'll be teaching new online marketers how to build a list.

You provide basic, useful information that they can literally walk away with and put to use, right now, today. And if they never come back, that information should be enough for them to see positive results if they put it to use. (freemium)

Once they've gone through that training you provide your upgraded "premium" training to help them move to the next level. This could be advanced training in the same format, or by providing a multimedia rich experience, one-on-one coaching, live events, etc.

The point with free as a gateway is to have your funnel progressively move from freemium to premium with fail safes along the way such as squeeze pages to sort the audience between spectators and action takes (i.e. paying customers & clientele).

~RB
.
.

[Mario Sanders Company: Life Force International Contribution Level: 6]

I have always wondered why if you get something for free, then why do have to pay for it?
There are people who are offering to show you a schedule or program to try out. They will set it up for you for free. When you sign up you are always offered to buy something else then they are pushing a whole new program or CD set and they say it is for free.
"Free" does not sound like a good thing. It sounds like another marketing tool to get you in the door.

[Roger Aburto Company: Talk Fusion Global Contribution Level: 4]

Mark and you all.Hi!

This is my humble opinion...sacatelas!! Now is no longer humble!I screwed it all!
Anyways this is my take:
People who sells services or educational material have at least two options :
1** Use all the tricks know under the sun to deceive their buyers...OR
2** Build trust...and become likeable...and gain authority through valuable interaction with your audience.

Of course I understand Mark and Joyce...both are backed for big brands (bigger than them)...but a simple christian like me or some other people that need to first build a relationship to convince people that you can really help them to solve their problems...we need a different approach...we need GIVE TO GET a universal law...that let me tell you...let me tell ya... for people from middle USA...that darn law really works wonder...if you have doubt ask people like Amish Shah Andy Jenkins and some others that have sold in the past three months five millions dollars in products and services to the weak people!! As Mark says.GEEZZ please tell me where to find a bunch of weak people like these that have bought 5 millions dollars worth of products and services...I really want a whole bunch of those weak people.

All kidding apart let tell you that the Social Media Revolution have change the way we do business...go ask printers and newspapers and yellow pages and advertising companies...but the biggest change is still on the horizon... would you like to know what it is?

Social Media will produce a special group of people Yes Leaders of Public Opinion...and people will follow their recommendation about which company to chose or what product to buy...Yes...this will revolutionize the AD INDUSTRY...in my world super human project site I will have a place where I will rate products and I will build a white list and a black list...I will become a recommend guy myself...and not the next year but NOW!!

I will start with the so call GURUS...I will rate base upon content quality...PHYSICAL PRESENTATION WHEN APPLY...and most of all for the real impact in their clientele...we will rate their performance base upon the real results their students get in the real world...so all the so call Gurus hold on to your hat... here I come to rate your crappy products! Just kidding I which is a win/win situation and the only mission is to rise the level of our industry.

Be well,

Roger Aburto
P.S. I do like all the comments but I do agree with Mr Bravo ( Mr MAD in Spanish)

[Better Networker Support Contribution Level: 3]

UPDATE: Spam Account removed and blocked from this Forum topic.

For more information on Betternetworker Site Rules and Guidelines:
http://www.betternetworker.com/page/bet ... guidelines