|
Home::Other
Are All The Free Things In Life Best? Not On Your Net, They'
Author : Roger J. Burke
Here is my latest article. It may be freely used in ezines, on websites or in e-books, as long as the Resource Box is left intact.
I would appreciate notification of where it was used, and if possible, a copy of the ezine or newsletter that it was used in. Please send notification mailto:webmaster@online-wealth.com
-------------
The best things in life may be free, but the headline above brings into focus a pervasive and invasive trend on the web.
We all know what free means; I shouldn't have to drag out a dictionary definition to spell it out (no pun intended). It looks like, however, that the generally accepted meaning is being twisted into something that's not quite free.
Let me explain...
You're at a website and you find a free e-book you like...you click the link and up pops another annoying box asking you to send a viral email to some of your friends or associates; or...
You want to subscribe to a free ezine, so you click again...but, again another popup box, please send a viral email to your friends; or...
You're offered a free trial of a piece of software, but before you can get it, there it is again...another box soliciting a viral email to your friends.
So...what's wrong with all that, you ask?
Let me answer that with a question: When that telemarketer offered you a free trip to Florida, for a week, and all you had to do was listen to a sales pitch for land, what did you do? It's OK...you don't have to answer that.
Some take up such an offer, of course, but I'll bet most don't. Why? Because it's not really free! It's what I call "free...but".
The point has now been reached, I think, where few "free" offers can be trusted. And, I think it's about time that marketing pundits particularly took note of the fact that free really does mean free.
Oh...there are no free lunches, you say? Apart from the creation of the cosmos perhaps, you're right. But, if a seller insists on offering a "free...but" product, that seller should make sure the prospect knows that before the prospect clicks through. What's so hard about that?
Look, it comes down to this: If a seller wants me to do a sell job, then pay me. Don't offer me a book, software or whatever "free", and expect me to blab about a product or offer when I haven't even read or tried it yet.
Now, if you think I'm wrong, then go ahead...keep doing the other guy's job and keep running the risk of being accused of SPAM. It's your website and reputation that's on the firing line...not mine.
As for me...I don't buy that type of "free" anymore. It's getting to be too expensive. ;-)
About the Author
Roger Burke has been involved with computers since 1967, and has managed to break quite a few, over the years. He, and his wife Sherry, are now actively engaged in online self-publishing and promoting specific affiliate programs at http://online-wealth.com . If you have any comments or questions about this article, please send emails to mailto:webmaster@online-wealth.com .
Copyright 2001, Online-Wealth. All rights reserved.
Spam emails More free articles Related articles
|
More related feeds |
stageleft:. life on the left side : To Prorogue, Or Not To Prorogue
If the Conservatives prorogue and an election is not called. The coalition might fall apart and Harper lives another day. But this would be the end of the oposition Parties. Oposition Parties all know if they let Harper live, ...The Work Week Ahead - Boing Boing
Author Timothy Ferriss, not to be confused with Timothy Ferris, the science writer, considers himself a "lifestyle designer." He reveals how to cut your time at work by 80% and spend more time doing things you really enjoy such as ... 'The Religion of Peace Strikes Again' by Alan Caruba, Canada Free ...
Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, animists and all others are the legitimate targets for Muslims because they are not Muslims or refuse to submit to Islam. The 21st century is now challenged by the 7th century and, everywhere, ... Libertarian Republican: Apparently, not all Bollywood Actors are ...
They want to: force your girlfriend to wear an ugly burqa from head to toe; push you down at the point of a gun to kneel to Allah five times a day; cut off your Gay friend's genitals; censor your free speech; stone to death loose women ... Make Money Online 1201 | Make Money Online
You can build your make money online MLM network free of cost or at a low cost through internet and it need not be expensive at all. If you make diligent efforts you can certainly see results though it would take some time, ... Playing Sports To Relieve Stress
Our novel way of life also tends to be sitting, and the meals we eat are regularly not very healthy. Exercise is a very important module in renewing us. So, sports recreation activities are some of the best recreation we can take. ... Eye-Poppingly Bad Bills From Texas | RHRealityCheck.org
But Feminists For Life doesn't do these things for women. They do these things to take away your so-called excuses for not having babies in college. Notice that they don't go out of their way to make sure that university health coverage ... What’s the Best Way to Help Someone? | AllFinancialMatters
I couldn’t do that either. That being said I think the best way to help people is with things they really need - clothing, shoes, toiletries, food. Basic things. This way they can take the money they earn and perhaps use it for ... Scott Adams Blog: Black Friday Sales Reports 12/01/2008
First, to not believe that the media/government/retailers/whatever are not trying to "mislead" you would make you extremely naive. This is marketing in and of itself. "People are buying things! Feel free to come out and spend your money ... Wonderful Things In Life: Top November Droppers
If you want to exchange links just grab my code and tell me if finish pasting in your site and i will link you back.
|
|
|
