Retail Blog

Let’s face it- everybody likes free stuff. So, why not use this to your advantage- and use freebies to boost your business? Giving away something for free can really give you a competitive edge- IF you use them properly.

There are many reasons to consider using freebies with your business, such as the following:

An Incentive to Buy More

Offer a promotion that states that if the customer orders X number of product (or over a certain $ amount), they receive a free (insert product here). Try testing this promotion- does it lead to a greater number of sales than when you don’t have the promo? Another way to encourage a customer to buy more is to offer them some type of coupon with their order, stating that they will receive a free (whatever you choose) with their next order. Remember to track this type of promotion as well to see if these customers are more likely to repeat purchase than customers who do not receive this offer.

To Keep You In Mind

Include small items with your orders that a customer may likely hold onto and USE on a regular basis- they are more likely to remember you and keep you in mind when they need your product/service. An example of this would be when you go to a trade show, and you receive that little pad of paper, pen, or magnet printed up with the company’s logo. These items are often overdone though, so beware of this, and make yours somehow stand out. Try to make the item as valuable to THEM (your target audience) as you can so they won’t just get tossed. If you offer weight loss products, consider having a magnet printed up with an inspirational message and re-ordering information -something that entices them to keep the magnet and put it in plain site.

To Boost Perceived Value of Their Order

Simple additions can be added to a purchased item to give it that “WOW” factor when a customer receives it. The specialty bookstore that includes the fancy little bookmark, or the gift shop that includes (for FREE) the gift wrap and card is often held in higher regard because of the “extras” that come with your purchase.

To Boost YOUR Business Reputation

Offering a decent give-away serves to build your businesses reputation. If someone receives an item for free that they value, they will not only be impressed by the act, but are more likely to recommend your products or services to others, to return as repeat customers, etc. You may also add something like a free ebook for website visitors to download if they sign up for your newsletter. Not only will they sign up for your newsletter, but they’ll also gain a very valuable resource free of charge.

To Get Press or Peek Interest

No one said you had to give away one free product to each and every customer. Why not offer a larger item as part of a contest? Consider offering contests regularly, even include them in your newsletters or spread the word online. Or, you could offer the contest as a one time thing. Is the give-away item really special? This is a time to try to gain some press for your contest, and in turn, your business.

To Make Them Aware of Other Items You Sell, and Gain Repeat Business

For an example, if you sell books and other stationery products through your business, and someone orders themselves a set of new journals- why not include a few cards or small sample package of stationery with their order? The customer will get to experience your stationery face-to-face, hopefully use it and think it is of value, remember it (and the fact that you were kind enough to include it) and perhaps order it themselves.

Some things to keep in mind:

Try to keep the freebie to a manageable cost. You don’t want to go in debt offering free things to all your customers.
You can offer a FREE incentive in the form of an INFORMATION product- which is essentially free (besides paying to have it written) to you.
Keep the product relevant to the customer. Try to offer something complimentary to what they have previously purchased, as an “educated guess” that the freebie is of importance to them as well.

As you can see, there are many ways to use freebies in your business. It can be an effective way to strengthen your reputation, gain new and loyal customers, and get yourself noticed. And, importantly, using incentives in this way needn’t be an expensive endeavor. Overall, offering freebies can be a great way to market your business in a very positive way.