Now that's a title to ponder. And I only ask it because lately I have bumped into some really great stuff - and all of it was free. Things in fact that enriched my life. Added value so to speak. And it made me wonder why I don't tap into these 'free' resources more often.
Case in point is CBC radio. When I was growing up - you had to be a fuddy-duddy to listen to CBC radio. Or live in the north. I know because at one point I lived in a town called Blue River BC (pop 400) and the only radio station we could get was CBC radio. And I listened once or twice. I may have fallen asleep to a CBC talk show occasionally because I was living alone and afraid of my own shadow - that and "Three Paw" - the bear that roamed the property.
Anyway - back to CBC. Totally free. Except that in some way our taxes support it. (I think) I started tuning in about 2 months ago - and was intriques by the intelligent conversation. And then - the early adapter and explorer that I am - I stumbled across a brand new program. Terry O'Reilly hosts a show called the "Age of Persuasion". It's not a call in show - more like a monologue filled with great history, opinion, intelligent thoughts, brilliant observations and the like - all around marketing.
As far as I am concerned the government could simply stop throwing good money after bad into small business programs and simply support Terry's program - and businesses in Canada would be better served! Yes - it is good.
Back to "the best things in life are free". Is this really true? Well think about it. Hand holding. Hugs. Someone opening a door for you. Laughter. Good advice. But these are more ethereal in nature. How about more free stuff for your business?
Have you checked out Google lately? Google offers so much for free that we forget the benefits even exist. Free document storage. Free document sharing. Free email for your web site. Free calendars. FREE FREE FREE. In fact when they actually ask for your credit card for something because it costs money - we seem shocked! What? It's not free?
Chris Anderson penned an insightful look at FREE in his book by the same word. (Unfortunately the book was not free.) It examined the give-away strategy to get someone to buy a product. He cited many many examples including the Google business model - and it prompted me to ponder how I could use this same strategy in my business. We had marginally explored free and offered up sporadic 'freebie' strategies but did not have in place a good product ladder - starting with free.
This is why we came up with the Free Membership level at Roaring Women. Do you get good stuff for free? Yes!
The question now is how can you use FREE in your business? What thing of value can you give away for free? And let me stress the value part - because all of us have drawers - and might I offer - boxes of free stuff that is literally junk that people have given us for free. No free is only good when it is of value to you. So what good things can you give away?
Well let's start with your expertise. And I will go back to Terry O'Reilly. His radio show or podcast is free. He gives away his expertise. I laugh - I think and I am inspired by his knowledge. So much so - I now am looking for what else I can buy from him. And if I cannot find anything to buy from him - I will likely tattoo his name on my arm. (really?) He does have a book - and I am looking to see where I can get it for free (ha ha).
Yes the best things in life are free. And next in line - are the things that people who give free stuff away - have for sale. Are you thinking yet?
BTW did you know we offer Free Coaching to members. And free tips?
Anyway - back to CBC. Totally free. Except that in some way our taxes support it. (I think) I started tuning in about 2 months ago - and was intriques by the intelligent conversation. And then - the early adapter and explorer that I am - I stumbled across a brand new program. Terry O'Reilly hosts a show called the "Age of Persuasion". It's not a call in show - more like a monologue filled with great history, opinion, intelligent thoughts, brilliant observations and the like - all around marketing.
As far as I am concerned the government could simply stop throwing good money after bad into small business programs and simply support Terry's program - and businesses in Canada would be better served! Yes - it is good.
Back to "the best things in life are free". Is this really true? Well think about it. Hand holding. Hugs. Someone opening a door for you. Laughter. Good advice. But these are more ethereal in nature. How about more free stuff for your business?
Have you checked out Google lately? Google offers so much for free that we forget the benefits even exist. Free document storage. Free document sharing. Free email for your web site. Free calendars. FREE FREE FREE. In fact when they actually ask for your credit card for something because it costs money - we seem shocked! What? It's not free?
Chris Anderson penned an insightful look at FREE in his book by the same word. (Unfortunately the book was not free.) It examined the give-away strategy to get someone to buy a product. He cited many many examples including the Google business model - and it prompted me to ponder how I could use this same strategy in my business. We had marginally explored free and offered up sporadic 'freebie' strategies but did not have in place a good product ladder - starting with free.
This is why we came up with the Free Membership level at Roaring Women. Do you get good stuff for free? Yes!
The question now is how can you use FREE in your business? What thing of value can you give away for free? And let me stress the value part - because all of us have drawers - and might I offer - boxes of free stuff that is literally junk that people have given us for free. No free is only good when it is of value to you. So what good things can you give away?
Well let's start with your expertise. And I will go back to Terry O'Reilly. His radio show or podcast is free. He gives away his expertise. I laugh - I think and I am inspired by his knowledge. So much so - I now am looking for what else I can buy from him. And if I cannot find anything to buy from him - I will likely tattoo his name on my arm. (really?) He does have a book - and I am looking to see where I can get it for free (ha ha).
Yes the best things in life are free. And next in line - are the things that people who give free stuff away - have for sale. Are you thinking yet?
BTW did you know we offer Free Coaching to members. And free tips?
1 comment:
i have been a CBC fansince my youth when listening to it for an hour a day while milking the cows at the family dairy helped me to A's in Social Studies. Terry O'Riley program has been on my radar for several years and have learned lots from it , thanks for passing it on and keep up the good networking Mandie.
sincerely Heather
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