Rachel Goodchild Writes

I’m going to tell you a little story- but because it’s kind of sorted and I don’t want to RUIN the business I’m talking about it’s not going to be specific- I’m not into making people destitute through my writing!

A few weeks ago I was talking to someone who had a new product that I thought was cool. Now like many freelancers I do get alot for free. People often thank you for help with a treat here and there. But I don’t expect it, or request it (Unless anyone out there has a free laptop? I’d whore myself out for a free laptop….)  But this person said if I met and talked through a few ideas, sharing my connections, then he’d give me a sample.

I thought that sounded fair. After all I was going to sell the concept of it over and over again to my contacts- not for any financial reward at all- just because it really was something quite special. So I agreed and met him a few hours later.

I spent around half an hour giving him ideas and connections. They he told me that he couldn’t afford to give me one, but I could buy one. I was a little surprised, and in fact a little disappointed- only because it felt like he was reneging on his original deal. I bought one anyway- and I passed it along to a few major contacts- only as they were friends. I was admittedly not feeling in the least obliged to do a big sell. I would have if he’d given me the product- just out of gratitude (it cost under $30 so there wasn’t a huge ticket attached to the item)

Fast forward to this week. I was talking to one of my contacts who suddenly thanked me for finding this cool product. He was so sold on it he wanted to buy a very large quantity. As we talked I told him the story of the “once was free but then I paid for it” item and it all suddenly turned around. ‘The deal was off all for the sake of someone not giving away a sample.

Now that wasn’t my intention. But it was the result.

There are a few things from this….

1. If you say you are going to give something away and then don’t it doesn’t create a good impression

2. Free can pay.

It doesn’t stop there. I realised it was unfair to have this happen without the person knowing, so I rang to explain. To be honest I probably should have done so earlier. We talked about the impact one little free thing does, and we worked through it – though he still may have lost the contract, it’s probably a very important lesson to have learnt. Free can go a long way to building your business if used correctly.