It’s really time to stop the nonsense. Is it that marketers are so desperate to pocket a buck that they’re willing to overlook the possibility of damaging their online reputation?
Deceptive Marketing
I cringe when I get email after email about a free gift only to find out it’s not really a gift – it’s a discounted offer. In my opinion, that’s a form of deceptive marketing and one I’m sure many people hit the ‘unsubscribe’ button when they see them.
About three months ago, I wrote a post on ‘Empty Promises’ talking about a very similar form of deception being filtered all over the Internet.
When you tell your subscribers and customers that you’re giving them something free – then by all means, give it to them free.
If you look at the definition of the word ‘free’ at dictionary.com, you’ll see numerous examples of what it means – these two stood out the most:
- provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
- given without consideration of a return or reward
There is nothing attached to free, no discount, no rebate, nothing… it’s simply free.
My good friend Shannon Cherry, the Power Publicist, shared why this is potentially bad PR for marketers:
“This type of ‘marketing’ can backfire. The gift bait and switch will only tick off potential customers.”
One of the best ways to keep a steady flow of people subscribing to your newsletter, blogs and or ezines, is to say upfront what you’re offering. If it’s a discount, tell them that. If it’s free – then give it to them with NO hidden agendas.
Take it from a Publicist who knows what she’s talking about and check out her post here: ‘When Free Isn’t Free.”
keeping it real
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