FREE vs. FEE
There was a great article in the October 2009 issue of Entrepreneur magazine titled “Radicals and Visionaries” where Chris Anderson editor of Wired magazine and author of Free: The Future of a Radical Price
In this article Chris stated his premise as “finding ways to make money around what you give away via a third party such as advertising or premium strategies.”
On the flip side Jason and David’s premise was more in line with the traditional business model of making a profit by providing “a real product that customers will spend money on.” Their theme is “don’t risk it all, start small, charge for value, free is stupid.” You can read more at their blog Signal vs. Noise blog.
My ideas about FEE vs. FREE fall somewhere in between.
Before I buy a book on Amazon.com or B&N.com I expect to be able to read a FREE sample chapter or two the same way I would if I were in a bookstore and could hold the book in my hands.
I sample FREE blogs, e-zines (email based newsletters), and reports and become acquainted with a person, their business, philosophies or beliefs before I ever pay a FEE for their products and services.
There is also the value of FEE vs. FREE.
I know from my own experience that if I pay a FEE for a teleseminar I am more likely to dial in and listen and/or download the audio later and listen to it again and again versus a FREE teleseminar I’ve signed up to attend. I may or may not make it a priority to dial in and listen to a FREE teleseminar.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve participated in numerous FREE teleseminars that were informative and useful.
FEE vs. FREE doesn’t always mean one is better than the other. But, most people do put a higher value on something they’ve paid for.
Think back to when you were a kid and wanted a new skateboard, video game or some other game or toy. If your parents made you work for it and save your own money to purchase what you wanted, it often held a much greater value than something that you were given as a gift.
Why? Because, it wasn’t FREE. You paid a FEE for it. You placed a higher value on it because you worked for it and paid for it with your own money.
At The Dreaming Cafe I freely share information, stories and resources for FREE here on my blog. I also offer FREE reports (see below) and provide a FREE, weekly newsletter.
Why?
Because, it is important to me that you get to know me, my philosophies and my beliefs. I want to build long term, authentic, honest relationships and build a community, a tribe, of like-minded, but independent people. I provide FREE information and resources because I want to inspire you to embrace your creative journey to self-discovery.
I also offer information and resources for a FEE. These are products and services I want you to place a higher value on. Products and services I have designed and developed based on my own creative journey to self-discovery. These products and services are desgined to help you as you travel your own path; to help you, and empower you, to creatively solve problems in your personal and professional life and to help you create a life on your own terms based on who you are and what you want.
One such FEE service is The Dreaming Cafe’s 4-week online Journaling for Self Discovery workshop. You can find out more information, see what past participants are saying and register at this post Journaling for Self-Discovery (2).
But, like I said The Dreaming Cafe also offers numerous FREE resources in addition to this blog.
Newsletter…
Reports…
