What do you want for nothing? A Rubber biscuit?
As the Be Heard Day giveaway celebration continues without any major hiccups, I was a little surprised to receive an email from someone complaining that they thought the giveaway was a ‘classic bait and switch’ (her words, not mine).
Her reasoning was based on the fact that she would have to opt-in to each person’s list instead of just getting everything on a download page. She was also upset that each marketer involved in the Be Heard Day giveaway had a different process to collect the information. Some asked for just an email address. Others asked for more info. One is even asking for snail mail info.
A pain, yes. But a bait & switch? Really?
What took me by surprise even more was the fact that she said she knew I was going to share the email addresses with all the other participants so why would she need to do all this work to get a report or audio, or whatever other marketing and PR content they were giving away.
First, I DO NOT give away email addresses to anyone. That be against my own privacy policy. There’s a link to the policy right on the opt-in box at the Be Heard Day giveaway site, so I do take it very seriously.
Second (and this may hurt you a little), this little giveaway isn’t just fun and games. It’s serious business to me and to the other marketers who are participating. Many created brand new products to give to you. Why shouldn’t they ask for something in return, in this case, your contact details?
Let me tell you a story about a young, naive PR person, new to internet marketing… (Yes, I’m talking about me here.)
When I started on the Internet, I was told to give away something to help others so you can gain their trust.
So I did. I gave out tons and tons of very useful materials; all you had to do was click a link and it was yours.
People praised me for all my helpfulness. I got tons of thank yous from the coaches and consultants who used the information to get some free publicity. And I thought, “This is great! They like me and soon they will buy from me.”
But guess what? No one bought a darn thing from me.
And you can guess why… I couldn’t stay on top of their minds, so they forgot about me. Plus, with only one contact with me (that free stuff), they never got to know me, like me or trust me enough to buy from me.
Basically, I whored my talents out for nothing. (Yes, I’ll admit it!)
Once a very smart Internet marketer showed me that having people opt-in was a better approach, both the new subscriber got something and I did.
And guess what?!? It worked. I started marketing myself more and made more money. And the rest… is still going strong.
So I’m sorry if all the opt-ins offend you. It isn’t personal. It’s business. And frankly, part of Be Heard Day is about me being heard too!
So what do you want for nothing?
Well, how about a laugh from one of my favorite bands, The Blues Brothers.
And by the way, just because the stuff is free doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. I’ve learned a ton from some of the giveaway items I’ve gotten a chance to see already. So I know you can too! Visit the Be Heard Day giveaway site today! And yes, you need to opt-in!
I don’t think it was bait and switch at all :-/ The setup made plenty of sense and you can pick and choose which gifts you want and what will benefit you most. Of course, they’re all valuable gifts!
I also didn’t think it was bait & switch at all, although I do get overwhelmed as it is by my emails. I simply planned to set up a filter to send all their emails into a uber-cool file that’s called, “The Uber-Cool File!”
Then I can read their materials when I need a shot of Cool! (Unfortunately i was even too slow w/ my computer crash to Get Sandy Martini’s Cool Download – a sure sign that I probably needed her outsourcing team guide the most.)
I am such a fan of everyone on the list – in fact I feel like they’re all my friends. Great job.
Hi Shannon,
I don’t think it’s a bait and switch at all and you do get to choose which gifts resonate with you. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am one of the experts who contributed and yep…I asked for snail mail addresses and here’s why:
1. As Gina mentioned, we’re all overwhelmed with emails these days and one of the things I do for every sign-up to my list is send out a snail mail gift as part of our Extreme Client Care practice. Nothing huge, nothing being sold, just a simple gift with a letter detailing how to use the gift to move closer to their goals. Nothing salesy about it and I receive countless “thank yous” for this gift.
2. As much as I love email marketing, we can’t always count on it getting through and yes, there are times when I want to ensure something gets to you. During those times, I’ll buy a stamp and snail mail it to you.
Gina…you can still get the gifts. Shannon’s leaving the site up for a while longer (www.beheardday.com).
Shannon…thanks for a great opportunity to be heard and to help others in their quest to be heard. It’s all good!
With love and abundance,
Sandy
I’m a newbie, but even I know the difference between a “bait and switch” and good business. You run a clean ship, Shannon. I know you have great integrity and are honest to a fault. So, there. That’s my opinion.
I used to be on the Board of Directors of our county’s Humane Society. One of the things I learned from that stint is that everything (for this illustration, a kitten) has a perceived value based on price. We witnessed this phenomenon, unfortunately, when people gave kittens away for free. They often turned up at the shelter. Put a price tag on a kitten and the chances of it being abandoned or mistreated decreases dramatically.
Price your product, whether kittens or information, appropriately and it will be given the respect it deserves.
Take that silly analogy and do with it what you will… I just have to have a bit of fun with ya, Shannon! Take care and thanks for this great topic. It’s too bad some people just don’t understand.
Oh please! Bait and Switch this is not – it’s smart business and a tremendous value for those who opt in. It just takes a few seconds and if you want to opt out of any future emails it’s an easy process.
Shannon – thank you for speaking out and being heard!
Love & Success,
Jane
Thank you Shannon for Having Be Heard Day. Keep up the great work! It is standard procedure to opt-in to receive someone’s free taste. The internet marketers involved with this promotion are offering high value at no cost whatsoever. You get to choose only which offerings you want. If you don’t like what you get as your gift it is very easy to unsubscribe by clicking one link. Also, I can vouch that Sandra Martini does send a gift via snail mail if you give your address. That’s fun to get something nice in the mail and it certainly brightened my day!
It’s too bad that “Bait and Switch” is so cynical and jaded. The internet marketers that Shannon hangs out with are cream of the crop.
Being on a budget, I’m appreciative of this wonderful opportunity. Due to promotions like this, I get to know the quality of someone’s work so can make a better decision when I’m ready to actually purchase. I’m finally able to do that more now, and know who I want to invest with.