How to Use Freebies to Build Your List

   How many times have you tried to download a free ebook and discovered it was a ploy to sign you up for an opt in list? How many times did you actually sign up just to get that free book? I'll bet you've sold your email address for a few freebies in the past, I know I have.

   The fact of the matter is that everyone likes free stuff and most are willing to let you send them an ad or two in order to get the free stuff. The common mentality is "Oh, I'll just unsubscribe later!" But you'll find that if you are offering good information both in the freebie and in your emails to your opt in list, those people will be much less likely to unsubscribe.

   Freebies can be anything really, as long as it appeals to your audience. You'll find information products are by far the easiest freebie to give away. Information products would include ebooks, ecourses, reports, etc. The advantage to these is that you can produce them for little or no cost and they have a high perceived value.

   Also, info products are instant. Your subscriber can download the item immediately, no waiting for the mail to come. You save on postage and your subscriber gets instant satisfaction.

   Some other good instant freebies include services (like a website critique) or coupons and discounts for other products. These won't be as effective since people might not be interested in buying the product you're offering a discount on.

   If you want to use a discount or rebate as your freebie, then you would be better off offering it to people who are already thinking about buying the product. On your sales page you could let them know that the product costs $45, but subscribers to your ezine get it for just $35! Why wouldn't they sign up for the discount?

   Let's get back to the free ebook idea. You can write your own (always the best option) or get an ebook with resell rights and offer it for sale on your site, but for free if they sign up for your newsletter. This way you earn even if the person doesn't want to give up their email address. But most people will join your opt in list just to get the free book.

   You could also offer your ebook for free on not just your website but also in ebook directories. When the client clicks on the download link, it would take him to a page on your website where you require a first name and email address. Then you have your auto responder send the real download link.

   This is one of the best ways to build your list since anyone looking for a free ebook to offer on their site will be happy to advertise yours, thereby reaching potential clients that you would never have had access to. (just remember to give away all resell rights to your book).

    The same idea could be used with an ecourse or other information products. Offer them up free to your subscribers or just offer them for free as a viral marketing technique. Once your product has spread all over the internet, you'll find your opt in list growing at an exponential rate!