InfoPreneurs:
Are you ever in turmoil? Do you ever find yourself struggling with decisions that will either impact you for the better, or for the worse. I mean, in the sense of, what is most important to your life??
I know this is completely out of the blue, but as I spent a lot of time today preparing a release for a new info product, it has crossed my mind. I originally had thoughts on how this would be rolled out. My original thoughts were to offer it for sale for $XX amount of dollars, and then give a large portion of it to a good cause.
As I was driving tonight, thinking about the project, and what really matters to me in my life…It really hit me. As I was driving, the thoughts of whether to make some money for myself, or whether to offer this thing completely for free, etc crossed my mind. I also wanted to make sure it provided funding somehow for an important cause.
I know that free is not a business model that typically survives the test of time. If you do everything in your life for free, then it will probably come back to haunt you at some point. HOWEVER, I also believe that when you have something that can benefit people, and that you need to get it into their hands, even if it’s for free, then it can be a good thing, right?
When I look at my life, and what I want…it’s not money. Yeah, I want to be financially comfortable, etc. Doesn’t everyone? When I turn 80 (Lord willing), I want to be able to look back on my life and know I helped.
When I look at my life, I want to leave a legacy. I want to have been known for being a great father, a ray of hope and inspiration for many, and a leader in helping people change their lives for their betterment.
If you think that is just some sappy story line, it’s not. I know differently, and I also am a believer in actions speak louder than words. Anyone call tell you they want to help, but few people do. I know this email is vague, and I’m not intending it to be. I’m just not wanting to break the ice yet on what I have up my sleeve (though I will be shortly), but I also want to share with all of you some of the struggles that have been going through my mind?
Did Brandon Lose His Mind?
I don’t think so. Time will tell. 
Bottom line, I am considering offering something that I have put many hours into for absolutely free. I originally intended for it to have a portion go to the common good of a “particular fundraiser”, and the other half go to me to help offset some of my time into it.
I’m falling by the wayside though. I’m torn down the middle between providing some of my deepest, and best pieces of knowledge for free, in order to allow people to possibly make a contribution, in an amount of their own choosing, to a cause of which I’d receive none of.
I don’t know if that makes any sense. All I know, is if I go that route, I’ll be left with a larger email list, which should have hopefully built up a pretty trusting relationship with the readers. They will believe in my abilities to improve their lives. They’ll know I’m not trying to sell them something I don’t believe in. Yes, they’ll know I need to promote offers, and make money, etc, but they will have such a strong sense of trust in what I can offer them.
BUT, will they see there is really value in what I’m offering to them? I really believe that sometimes people need to pay for education, in order to finish completing the course.
Which are you more likely to finish the training of? Something you pay $1,000 for, or something you gave 2 Red Pennies for? Just curious. I really want the training I’m developing to be used, but I also want people to know it’s value, and to use it. I want them to consider to make a contribution for the good.
I know my life has reached the point that it is not about money. It’s about life. And that, is worth more to me right now than dollars. So, I ask you….what is your burning why? I believe that if the answer is MONEY, you are barking up the wrong tree. I really think that if you pursue things in your life that are passionate to you for one reason or another, all the true wealth you could ever desire will await you. The wealth may not be in the form of a currency, a dollar, a yen, or a pound (However, it May Indeed be). It may be in the form of relationships, and that my friends is worth far more than any currency in the world.
What are your thoughts on this? Please help me with my internal struggles.
PS. One way or another, this baby will be ready in about 1 week. Stay tuned. Time is of the essence and I’ve been working diligently to get this lined up.
Talk soon,
Brandon
TheInfoPreneur
PS. Also…don’t forget to shore your Autoresponders up this weekend. Contest will start on Monday.
Hey Brandon,
My two cents on this comes from getting a lot of awesome stuff literally handed to me over the past several months. I tend to look it over then forget it. Even the stuff that I KNOW I should start using some of the ideas from…Dumb but I think it is human nature.
I am going to experiment with myself. There is ONE major book/workbook I want, and–despite several very sweet offers of having it bought for me or given to me–I am going to pay the price for it and see if I actually use it. If my hypothesis is right, then I will go back and spend some dinero on other things that have been handed to me to make myself use them
Hope that helps you to make a decision. Though I’d love to see this project you’ve been working on, I think if I got it for free it would just sit on my hard drive gathering cyberdust rather than my implementing the things that would help me.
Gurl´s last [type] ..Announcing 200th Post Give Away Winners
Gurl,
Thanks for the great feedback. I too have had a lot of the same similar thoughts. I look at what I get for free and perceive it has little to no value, and then I look at what I pay for…and I tend to use it.
Really looking forward to what some others have to say.
Brandon
PS. Even if I don’t offer it for free, I will still plan on making it about as brain dead simple of a decision. I also want it to still be enticing to people to promote as affiliates, etc. Some of your comments have also given me an idea to make a hybrid model, at least for the launch phase of 1 or 2 weeks. Will see what others have to say also.
Thanks for taking time out of your Saturday to provide some feedback to me. It’s appreciated.
I am glad my comments were useful to you
Let me clarify something though. I’ve had what I KNOW is valuable as hell given to me (example, won Kiesha’s new book..awesome book, but I’ve not implemented the things I know will help me yet) but if I’ve PAID for something I have that incentive to get my money’s worth out of it… Does that make sense? I know Kiesha’s book and so many other things I’ve gotten are worth paying for…but because I didn’t, I don’t have that need to get my money back by doing what I know I need to do….Hope that helps even more 
Truly looking forward to seeing this…if I can help in anyway, feel free to email me 
I am a junior leader of a personal development course. The course costs some money but, as these courses go, is relatively inexpensive. The course was originally targeted at a business audience. The prices are being kept artificially low to encourage people to enroll. I think this has a two fold effect. The serious business people, who are already committed to moving their careers forward see the course as being too cheap to be valuable. The individuals who can now afford to take the cheaper course still feel it is too expensive, mostly because they are not yet committed to change in their lives.
The course content is valuable to all who take it. It’s intrinsic value is high. It is the perceived value that suffers when the price is reduced. Getting someone to change is always a hard sell. Seeing that they are ready for change is a gift and useful when selling anything. Selling something for less than its intrinsic value is often a disservice to those who are ready for something new.
That being said, moving someone from ‘unsure’ (or even scared) to ‘ready to change’ is most rewarding work.
Tim, consider charging what it’s worth. You will have fewer but better customers, and more time to develop your craft.
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Click
Tim,
I see where you are coming from. Thanks for inputs. I’m looking forward to taking everyone’s feedback here and seeing what the replies are.
B
“Moving the Free Line” is concept promoted by the very largest marketers, who can afford to “poison the well.”
This makes it increasingly difficult for up and coming business people to get traction.
I’ve been watching this space for years, in a number of different niches.
If you examine – closely – what they give away, for free, you will often find it’s strategy. High level advice. With few details on exactly how to execute or implement.
I’ve given away 400,000 words of WordPress, productivity, time management, project management and hard core programming advice over the last 3 years.
I won’t do that any more.
The time I spend giving it away costs opportunity keeping up with my peers who aren’t giving it away. That is, it takes food from my mouth in two ways.
What I will do is continue to collect, curate and sponsor good people (which is also surprisingly time consuming), and post much more motivational content. People pay more than anything else to feel good. The recent housing mania (and collapse) proves my claim.
At some people with real ambition figure out they need to execute, for real, and that costs real money.
I’ve already started re-orienting my site towards people who have money to spend. The free stuff remains, it’s a gift. Tactical, executable advice… hit that Paypal button, then we’ll talk.
And you know, honestly, it comes to “Why should I help someone for free when I could be surfing?” All the answers to this question, answers which I have executed on, have not increased my revenue.
Good luck with your launch!
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Click
Dave:
Thanks for the wisdom. I know you’ve been down the road also and appreciate your insights.
Gurl:
I see exactly where you are coming from.
Brandon
Excellent insight Dave. I share your thoughts.
Matthew Needham´s last [type] ..What books do you recommend reading this summer
Brandon,
I completely understand your struggle and truly appreciate seeing this side of you.
No matter how hard you try, you cannot please everyone; neither should you try.
For people like me, who see value in everything that can teach us how to better ourselves and our businesses, your book will be very welcomed, whether free or not.
Yet others will always whine that it’s not good enough.
Go with your heart on this one and whatever you decide just remember that many of us will greatly esteem your knowledge.
Best,
Ana Hoffman
Ana Traffic Generation Cafe´s last [type] ..Reciprocal Link Scams Claim Their Victims
Hey Ana,
Ahhh…yeah…I learned the part about trying to please everybody just a few short weeks ago, when I did a 180 with my life direction…my purpose. As soon as I get this next round launched…I’m planning on turning Pennsylvania upside down over the next couple years. And of course, it will be true to the heart, InfoPreneur based, with feedback coming right here for all of you folks.
Thanks,
B
Hi Brandon,
I’m with the people who say that if something is given away for free, it somehow discounts the value of the product and people don’t invest their time and energy into it as they would if they paid a premium price.
Also, Dave makes some great points about opportunity cost. I think the site has given enough for free and if you’ve invested a lot of hours into your next product and truly believe that it will help people, then those who are serious about making change will pay the money to buy it.
Good luck in whatever decision you make.
Thanks,
Karen
Karen´s last [type] ..An Important Exercise To Help You Create The Life You Want
Karen, that’s absolutely right.
My future very long and detailed posts will be targeting certain keyword and skillset demonstrations. Or they will be something that I was able to write in a few minutes to illustrate a specific point or provide a perspective. Net result: my time and effort go down, overall site value goes up.
Kelly and I just raised our consulting practice. Getting half the clients let’s us spend more time with each client, as well as continue our own development. Charging too little cheats everyone.
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Click
Karen,
Thanks, your advice is well received. I appreciate your dropping by …couple more comments to read through…and then back to InfoProduct Creation Mode.
I’m with Dave on this. My motto has always been “I don’t work for free and neither should you”.
I understand the concept of offering free stuff to build your list, HOWEVER, the ‘free-seeking’ joiners are NOT your target market.
I understand the need to feel as if you are doing good stuff and helping people that doesn’t change because you are charging instead of giving it away for free.
Free is not altruistic. Your free has a price, a sign up. So there’s a cost. This concept of giving things away for free…when is anything ever truly free? It is all a trade, a barter. I give you a widget you give me something in return. Even if I give away a report with no sign-up do you honestly think that’s free? Nope, I’m still asking for something in return even if it’s just your attention or that you forward it to someone.
So the better question to ask is not should I give it away for free or charge… it is what would I like in return for my offering.
I, like you, don’t need additional income from my website adventure because I run two brick ‘n mortar businesses that allow me to be happy and comfortable and work from home. And yet, I want to be paid for my work because I believe it has monetary value.
So, this is the question I pose to folks I work with the first time… what is th single most important thing? What do you want to accomplish with your business, widget, report… Most of the time when drilled down it is to get customers, sell more product, make more from their work. For some it is to build awareness, education, etc.
So I ask you…what do you want in return for your work NOT what you think you should get or what we think you should get.
And, what is the most important thing?
Whatever you decide we’ve got your back!
Yolanda Facio´s last [type] ..Marketing Basics- Are you a quitter
Yolanda…fantastic response. I love the last few paragraphs. Matter of fact…that IS the question I need to be asking and helps a lot.
Also…just so you, and everyone else knows…this is deeper than offering free to just build a list. You’ll see what I mean very soon. I have some awesome thoughts streaming into my crazy head based on everyone’s responses here. Keep them coming everyone!
You helped answer some of my internal struggles. What is it’s purpose? Yeahhhh. I like it.
Thanks!
Brandon
Incredible feedback so far…
Why not use a webinar similar to what Pat Flynn did on SEO Keywords Training, where he also showcased a product without directly marketing the product? Or if it is a digital product, how about a sneak peek inside at the contents page and the first chapter? Or how about a webinar showcasing contents page with some nuggets from inside? Or how about a follow up webinar offer included for anyone who purchases the product with a FAQ Q&A? (almost like a customer service follow up, yes?).
Brandon. You are already making videos, why not webinar more?
Or why not charge for a webinar (dimdim) and give the materials away as part of that?
Leon, I like this notion of a followup webinar. I don’t do webinars myself, but it’s on my list of things I need to master, post haste.
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Click
One of the skills the Navy taught me was I had to instruct and teach, especially during my 2nd tour of duty when I dealt with recruits. I didn’t lord it over them or use power methods. As an E-4 paygrade, I was selected to run a specific weekly training over several others who outranked me.
Again when I did sales at an electronics company (computers), I had to train other people product and sales techniques and as I don’t believe in ball-peen hammer to the forehead as effective sales, they learned finesse instead.
IMHO, webinars can and will be one of the most effective ways to connect with your clients or customers either before, during or after the sale. The ability to have a 1 on 1000+ session is the most effective use of our time, yes? Imagine the ability to respond and clear up any concerns or objections, or resolve challenges live in the here and now. A sale made from a webinar should have far less returns.
For the record, I was noted for having one of the lowest margins of return in the company and one of the highest percentage ratios of warranties. (Fun, sincere caring and technique) – those are my secret ingredients.
Leon,
I’m hearing you…I know some guys knocking down over $100K, 2 or 3 nights each week on webinars right now. Real deal.
I think they are very powerful, and have huge potential. You are right….I need to think outside of the box on this more.
Thanks Leon.
Brandon, I know you have a plate that is beyond full. You have already done ebooks, video, training – webinar is going to be a downhill stroll for what you have already mastered.
With that…I need to run to store for a 2nd litterbox as we rescued a kitten from the Humane Society today.
Oh and my Saturday doesn’t begin, until I can respond to the latest TIP.
Hey Leon,
Thanks…and also…thanks for the feel good vibes I get knowing your Saturday can’t begin til you’ve hit up TIP!
We value you and your inputs, and your massive business background you bring to the table.
Take care,
Brandon
Hmmmmm….good thoughts Mr. Webinar.
Brandon
Sounds like you’ve put a load of work in there Brandon and I agree with Dave, Karen and Yolanda, that hard work needs to be rewarded in some way. I also agree with where Jenn is coming from. I have a tonne of valuable ‘free’ ebooks sitting on my machine. I will read them, eventually, because I love to read and love to learn. But is that what you want for your hard work? For someone to read it eventually? Sounds like a poor deal to me.
If you don’t want the money but would like to see it used, why not charge and donate the whole lot to your favourite charity (and no, that’s not me pitching
) or local hospital or similar? Or even your children’s school? Just another thought to add to the mix.
El
Eleanor Edwards´s last [type] ..The Give A Brick Cocktail Thing
Hey El,
You’re right…and I think this is exactlyh how it’s going to go, at least for the first 2 weeks. We’ll see.
B
Hi Brandon,
Part of my why is also about providing a better life for my wife. (Having more stability on some things can be helped by money. It won’t bring love or kindness but we have those things.)
Free won’t make money of course. It may be very good advertising, marketing and a way of people getting to know you and the quality of your products.
For those of us who produce stuff for people’s wellbeing I think we do need to provide useful stuff for free. We also need money – so either a product funnel or giving away the principles and selling the personalisation (one-to-one, consulting etc) can be ways to go.
Hope you can sort it out – it is an important issue to consider.
Evan,
Thank you SO MUCH for your inputs. It’s great to have your response. I’m actually very touched at how many people have indeed taken a few moments out of their Saturday to provide some very important deep thoughts on this for me. Believe me, I’m digesting it all….and I’m liking a hybrid of several different responses I’ve heard so far…at least for the first week or two.
Ahhh…product funnel…more on that next week.
I’ve reread this because it’s important.
In my experience, 99% of people simply do not value anything they get for free.
Frankly, you should make it expensive enough that people need to *just* pinch a tiny bit to purchase, provided the value is there. You will get fewer buyers, but they customers you get will be much better customers.
I wish it weren’t this way. I could have saved a lot of time and made a lot more money had I not truly believed otherwise.
Also, don’t be afraid to bark at that list of yours. Every, single person on your list KNOWS that they are on it because you intend on selling them something at some point. So get to it, man!
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Click
Hah! Thanks for the info.
Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm. The ponderings of life.
B
I’m very inspired by this post. Well more the comments really Brandon!
When I was reading the post, I thought all the responses were going to be give it away – basically because I thought everyone wants something for nothing. But as the commentators say, because it’s free it’s not valued.
Options that I thought of if you want to ‘give it away ‘ is to have a ‘donate’ button for the charitable bit, but then I’m with Dave.
It basiclly poisons the well for everyone. Charge a proper price and donate what you will, invest the rest in the site.
Matthew Needham´s last [type] ..What books do you recommend reading this summer
Hey Matthew,
Yeah, lots of good stuff and I think Yolanda hit it out of the park with what is the purpose? If it’s to build an email list…giving away free is the way to go. If it’s to make money that second…then don’t give away. That’s definitely a strategy I’m now looking at this whole thing with and will have everything ironed out soon.
B
You could easily extract a section of the product – a good section – as use that for increasing signups to your list.
That way, people get some really good stuff for free, but they’re not getting the maximum they would get when they purchase.
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Getting in the race – Olympic Blogging Part III
yeah, that’s sort of what I’ve been doing with the WordPress Training Videos and the TIP Traffic Nuke. Offer a freebie and then make an upgrade offer.
Right now, I’m definitely into building list mode. That is my number one priority…build trust and repertoire with people.
Talk soon,
Brandon
I started Website In A Weekend exactly for this same market. Soon after I started, Yaro S launched a major product right in that space, and since then, all the A listers are playing in it as well. My idea was a really good one. My execution was wrong. And now, the competition is really intense. I’m not exactly sure where I’m going from that, but it will involve numbers.
The cool thing about doing something with numbers is that the competition decreases and the remuneration increases. Because it’s hard.
Dave Doolin´s last [type] ..Getting in the race – Olympic Blogging Part III
Not knowing what the product is, maybe these two questions are relevant?
1. Will the product directly help people to make money?
2. Will the product do more about changing mindset, teaching skills, etc. which would lead to lots of indirect benefits?
I’d say you should charge money if the answer to #1 is YES.
I’d consider not charging money if the answer to #2 is YES.
If you can answer YES to both questions, then I’d look at your short term vs. long term goals and see which works better.
Mind you, I’ve never really been in your position before (yet, anyway) so this is an uninformed opinion. For what it’s worth.
Mark Dykeman´s last [type] ..Notes from twchat – Bringing Ideas to Completion
Mark,
You know, even though you haven’t been in the position, it’s actually best oftentimes getting the feedback from your readers and viewers. I’ve learned to value every single response from all of you. It’s great getting feedback from a wide variety of folks. Users/Providers, newbies, and pros, it doesn’t matter. Everyone can contribute from their own unique perspectives.
So, I thank you for taking the time to provide some thoughts.
Brandon
Hi Brandon,
I’m sorry I’m late replying. But, for what it’s worth I think you need to sell the heck out of it. I don’t think people value things that are free either.
Besides you’ve put your heart into creating something wonderful that will change people’s lives; if they’re willing to get off the couch. By charging people for your product; it will in a sense qualify them.
I understand that you want to make your life about more than just money. But, you can do a lot more for charity with money than you can by giving away your products for free.
I hope this helps you in some way.
Have a great day,
Jazz
Jazz Salinger´s last [type] ..Finding Your Passion
Jazz,
Thanks for the reply, and it is never too late. I appreciate your getting back on it and your inputs.
Thanks!
Brandon
I’m sensing a re-occurring theme.