Those that know the stores Costco and Sams Club should see where I’m going with this. We all know the booth’s offering free samples inside these and many other grocery stores. They are always stocked with great tasting mini croissant wrapped sausages, or some other delicious snack item and since its free, you can’t help but stop. I know I always do. This post will teach you how to apply this technique in the online world and get visitors to stop at your “online booth”, and how to optimize your free promos to bring more visitors.

Everybody likes to receive things for free, right? But as an online business owner, can doing this really make you more money? We believe it can and I’ll let you know why. Mixing in freebies with your regular contests is a great strategy for retaining subscribers and adding new ones. When we run a contest we like to mix things up. In the case of the link above, our latest contest involves giving away $150 cash, and a free review of your site, product or service by me (a $60 value). All you need to do is tell us your business goals and you’re automatically entered in the draw.

By adding on the review which doesn’t cost much more than my time, we are definitely able to sweeten the pot without directly digging into our pockets any further. Catch where I’m going with this?

Take Advantage of People Searching for Free Items

In addition to this, by optimizing your contest post for the word “free” you can take advantage of all those searchers who want to get something for nothing. Although many of them may not buy something, after they have visited your site, many will check back to see updates on your contests and even a few will become regular visitors.

Giving Away Free Items might Make People Feel an Obligation to Buy

For many people, once they have received something for free, they will often feel more obligated to buy in future. If, for example, you give away a free book on your website, and a little later approach them about buying another one they will be more inclined to buy the next one due to a sense of obligation. I call this the “COSTCO EFFECT” (which i will be trademarking ). Basically every time I go there I always want the free samples. Usually I make small talk with the sample lady, discuss the product whether its a little slice of pizza, sausage roll, new kind of milkshake etc., but maybe 10% of the time a feeling of obligation will stir up and I end up buying the product because I either feel bad about milking the free samples, or find myself needing a way out of an awkward conversation. This same set of feelings can be applied online. Set up your inviting booth to those browsing your site. Invite them to try it out, tell them how great the product or service is, make them feel good, then let them know how reasonably priced it is – You will make sales.

Give Aways = Greater Trust and Greater Interest

Ultimately giving away free products can also help to build trust and create an interest in your products. If you have given away a good quality item then people feel they can trust you to continue providing quality in the products that they purchase from you. In a very simple example if you give away a free chapter of a book you are selling, you could build their interest in the book so that they have to buy it in order to find out what else happens.

Giving away free items can be an excellent way to make more money online as it encourages more website visitors, makes more people feel obligated to buy from you in the future, and allows you to build trust and interest in your products.

Remember the COSTCO EFFECT and as twisted as it sounds, build up some guilt in your audience and you will see success!

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