By Muyi Shogbuyi
The word "FREE" always has an innate attraction. It instantly evokes a desire in someone for the offered item, whether or not there is a need for it. Stand by the roadside and declare a free-for-all bonanza. Then watch as the traffic gravitates to your corner instantly. Young, old, average and even well-dressed professionals will drop by to take advantage.
Why? Because it's FREE!
At the grocery store where they're offering a free sample, there's never a shortage of people stopping by. You've got to taste the sausage, seafood, juice or whatever is being offered. And if you like it, you get a coupon to buy more. Does it work? Absolutely.
The desire for free stuff is powerful. That's why big companies and corporations use it to build a solid client base and amass incredible wealth. It's an offshoot of sweepstakes, giveaways and the Big Lotto.
You can use this same approach, in a smaller fashion, to make thousands of dollars in your mail order business. Offering a free product or information upfront lends confidence to your offer. You're actually saying, "It's so good that I stand by it. I'm willing to give you a free trial. And if you like what I gave you free, imagine how much you're going to like what I now offer for sale."
Used correctly, this technique can blow the roof off your sale and potential income. Here's how to make it work:
1. Zero in on a Target Market--The type of magazine or publication you advertise in must have an audience that you're trying to attract for your product.
2. Test Your Free Offer--Use a small-space, one-inch or classified ad to do your test. Be sure to key your ad to track your responses.
3. Offer Something of Value--Make your freebie so good that your responder can benefit from it. It must have enough perceived value in the eyes of your prospect to generate interest.
4. Tie Your Freebie to Your Product--Do this especially in mail order. You don't want to offer a free calculator to someone as an inducement to subscribe to your newsletter. Or a free report on gardening, when your main product is a book on how to get out of debt. Correlate your free offer to your main product.
5. Qualify Your Responder--Ask for a SASE, stamps or a small amount of money for shipping and handling of your free offer. The extra effort or expense needed to forward this item will discourage most "freebie lookie-lous" and the "something-for-nothing" crowd who aren't particularly interested in your offer to start with.
6. Send the Free Item With Your Sale Offer--Include a strong sales letter or literature with the free item to close the sale.
If you do the above correctly, you'll be amazed at the results you receive. You can turn a prospect into a buyer who will become a repeat customer. Establish the trust and keep the customers coming back!
Muyi Shogbuyi is a freelance writer and educator specializing in debt reduction. With 20 years of experience as a financial advisor, his concepts are simple to follow. Mention this publication and receive two FREE bonuses: A 12-page booklet titled, "How to Start Your Own Mail Order Business" (a $5 value) and a list of 276 publications where you can place your one-inch ads for $5 or less (a $2 value). Both bonus offers come with reprint and resale rights.
The time is now. Order your FREE SAMPLES LIST today and get these two free bonuses, plus more than $4,000 worth of free stuff. This is another money-making opportunity for you. RUSH your order in to:
- MAS Enterprises
- 4753 N. Broadway, Suite 618A
- Chicago, IL 60640
- (773) 728-7177
Return to Title Page 
Go to next article