If you are new online or new to the world of e-commerce, you might be surprised to learn what people are willing to give you in exchange for your ear... that is, in exchange for your email address and for your permission to allow emails to be sent to you.
I've seen offers for products, with suggested retail values ranging up to $997, given away for free! No money changes hands.
Most reputable offers include a promise not to rent or sell your name and email address. They also include a statement explaining how you may get your email address removed from their list.
What's the catch? (Isn't there always a catch?)
The only catch is that you get your name placed on their list, which means that you will receive a minimum of at least one email from them. The other catch is that your name and email address are only as safe as the trustworthiness of the person at the other end to whom you have given them.
In most cases, these list-owners understand what is at stake for them in keeping a trustworthy reputation. After all, they have given you - their list subscriber - a valuable product. They do not simply want your name and email address; they want you to learn - over the course of receiving their emails - that they are knowedgeable people who can be trusted. Over time, they want you to learn to believe that they have the answers which will solve your problems. They hope to convert the free gift that they gave to you into future sales. They hope to do this with emails which range in quality and quantity - daily, weekly, monthly, once in a blue moon; simple emails, newsletters, or full-blown ezines - oftentimes continuing to deliver valuable information to you... for free.
They hope - that if they can give you something worth $997, if they can continue to give you valuable information - that you will eventually be convinced to make a $10,000 purchase from them somewhere down the line... and feel completely satisfied at having gotten your money's worth.
So what is this blog?
As a subscriber to many different lists, I have received lots of valuable information for free. And the goal of this blog is to organize a list of links to help you find access to similar information and products.
What's the catch?
I'm doing this to make money. I have advertisements that pay me for my visitors. But what actually brings home my bacon are the links that direct you to all sorts of free and paid products. These links are coded to let the seller know that I sent a potential customer in their direction. If a sale takes place through one of my links, they will deliver a portion of their sale back to me.
Now, you will find many links which I post that I have not personally investigated. Some of these products are outside of my interest and area of expertise. I make no guarantees about what you will find on the other end of the link.
What I do attempt to provide for you is an accurate report of what the person on the other end claims to be offering.
And by putting these posts up in a blog-style format, I also offer you the opportunity to comment back - saying whatever you like about these various products. As this blog grows in popularity, it may even happen that a number of the product owners begin to stop by and drop a comment or two in response to your comments.
So, if you're looking for something free online in exchange for your email address, I invite you to browse and see what you can find. Best wishes! - N.W.
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