Re: Free Information

From: Ramon Ray <ramon_at_smallbiztechnology.com>
Date: Thu 16 Dec 1999 09:59:00 -0500

LORI FAUNCE WROTE:
> I am really interested in hearing comments on giving
> away free information. More specifically, if someone
> owns a consulting business, does informative web site
> content and e-mail newsletters that give tips, links,
> and editorials hurt or help a consulting business? Is
> there a limit on how much free information should be
> given? Any comments will be really appreciated.

The ONLY way to make money on the Internet is by
developing a relationship with your customers - either
a) spending millions or hundreds (depending on you
target) to brand your product to them or / AND (and is
better) b) have them want to receive information you
send on a personal level - then when you PERSONALLY
sell them something, they will listen much more easily
for sure.

The only example I can give to this, is my Small
Business Technology Report, I have no advertisers, no
editorial calendar, no strict publishing date, but I
dispense info to my audience from my heart. From this
one ezine, I"ve made literaly thousands of dollars in
income - again, not from advertising, but from things
that have come about due to my audience knowing ME and
loving my content.

Folks this is the ONLY way to do it. I"m not saying
that if you sell widgets and advertise a lot in the
widget newsletter, you won't make money. But when your
competition advertises they'll just go to him and you,
or him and NOT you.

However, if they know YOU, really know about you. You
know them. You provide them tips, they feed you tips,
you help them, they help you, you email about other
things and etc - who are they going to buy widgets
from!!!

Ramon Ray - ramon_at_smallbiztechnology.com
http://www.smallbiztechnology.com
The OASIS of small business technology......
Tel: 212.894.3797, x0016, (voice mail to pager - please call ONLY if
needed, I prefer email)
Fax: 815.371.1052




Received on Thu Dec 16 1999 - 08:59:00 CST