FREE VS PAID CONTENT (Are You Giving TOO MUCH Away For FREE!)

If you are a blogger, digital entrepreneur or online business owner, I’m sure that at one point or another you’ve asked yourself…

Am I giving away too much content?

Or better yet, what content should I be giving away for free and what content should I be putting a price tag on.

And…

“If I am giving away all of this free content in the form of blog posts, lead magnets, content upgrades, youtube videos, podcast episodes, and FB lives then who will actually buy my signature products and services?”

That’s why in this video, I want to break down the key differences between free content and paid content, and when you should be using each to maximize your profits.

Now regardless of how you feel right now about “FREE CONTENT” there are some major benefits to giving away some of your best tips and training for FREE.

The benefits of FREE content include:⁣⁣

1. FREE CONTENT helps you grow your influence and authority as an expert in your niche and it also positions you as a go-to resource.
2. FREE CONTENT helps you to attract your target audience, boosting your traffic and email list.
3. FREE CONTENT leads people into your paid products and services where you can provide a comprehensive solution that helps them achieve their desired outcome.

Now THE PROBLEM that most online entrepreneurs and content creators face is that most of them don’t really know how to masterfully balance free content and paid content. So, if you want to create content that can help you get more sales, engagement, and traffic, make sure you check out today’s video.

The purpose of your free content is to lead people into your paid products and services, and your paid content should be a comprehensive solution that helps them achieve their desired outcome.

People not only want solutions, but they also want structure. They want someone to hold their hand and walk them up and over the mountain. Yes, technically if you search far and wide, browse forums, read blogs, watch youtube videos, listen to podcasts, I guarantee that at some point you will find the answer you’re looking for.

However, people don’t want to spend tons of time piecemealing together a bunch of random sources they found for free on Google. People want a step-by-step process that gives them all the details they need to get the results they want.

When you take the shortcut approach, there is no one really telling you what step comes first, what order you should be doing things in, what you should prioritize, and what you should or should not be doing based on your unique circumstances.

And because no one is enlightening you on this information and you don’t know what you don’t know, then 99% of what you consume goes right over your head because you don’t know how to implement and apply the information in the right way.

People also want convenience. Can they come to you and get the information they need in an easy to consume manner? Because people want structure, and they want to know how to do things in the right way, they are willing to pay for a coach or a mentor, trainer, or instructor who can break everything down step by step.

Like I said before, people don’t want piecemeal solutions…they want microwave solutions. Figure out how to give that to your audience and you’ll never have trouble making money.

In addition to paying for structure and convenience, people will also pay for a unique one of a kind personal experience that they can’t get anywhere else. How you position and deliver your content is important in making people feel special, exclusive. Being able to ask questions, get personalized feedback, and get a full assessment of something you are working on is something you can’t necessarily get with free content. People will pay for a product or service just to be able to say they were able to “experience” something others can’t.

Listen to my Oprah example in the video to see EXACTLY what I am talking about when it comes to paying for “the experience.”

There is always a fear that people will take advantage of your kindness, so when giving away so much value for free it’s important to set boundaries and let people know that, “Hey I’d love to answer your questions and you can find those answers, here in my paid course or program.” And you give them the link to your paid resource.

There has to be balance.  It’s okay to say that you reserve the right to only share certain information for the students and clients that have invested in your programs and services. Anyone else who is asking for personalized feedback but has not invested in your premium offerings can make do with the free content you provide from your freebies, blog, or Facebook group.

So, what have we learned today?

1. Free Content when used in the right way, is key to attracting your tribe, building influence, and positioning you as a go-to resource your fans can trust.
2. Free Content should be valuable, high impact, and make people want to take the next step with you. While your paid content should offer, step by step, structured processes that are not only convenient and easy to consume but offer a unique one of a kind experience as well
3. Don’t be afraid to give value by way of a freebie, content upgrade, FB group, live steam, youtube video, blog post, or a Pinterest pin. BUT, keep in mind that you reserve the right to limit access to the complete details so you can provide this to the people who have actually invested in your products and services.

Remember, the Internet is a never-ending source of leads and prospects and on social media, we start to hear the same content over and over and over again where certain topics and know-how become common knowledge.

That’s why, when putting together your freebies and content upgrades, you should always do your best to go above and beyond what everyone else is doing, because that way you know that people will not be able to get the type of information from anyone else. #positioning

That is what will make you unique and that is what will help you to stand out because you are not just putting the same old regurgitated content out there as everyone else. And as a result, this helps you to boost your influence and authority as an expert in your niche and it also positions you as a go-to resource.

This way, when you put a paid product out there you will already have a loyal fan base of followers that you’ve built up who can trust that you are giving them solutions that get them the results they expect!

So as always I hope this video was helpful. Let me know if you found this post helpful. And if you haven’t already, make sure you check out our FREE resources!

• Follow me on Pinterest to discover more amazing content more
• Check out my YouTube HERE for more tips
• Come say hi on Instagram
• Join my FREE Facebook Group for WomapreneuHERs

xoxo

Andrea Bolder | Creator of WomanpreneuHER University

WHAT ARE YOUR BIG BUSINESS GOALS?

Share your vision inside of the WomanpreneuHER community and let us know the #1 goal you want to achieve with your online business!