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Blog » February 2012 » Do you value what has been given for free?

Do you value what has been given for free?

In the film I watched last week, a large piece of real estate was left for the family that George Clooney starred in.  All the family wanted to sell so they could make fast cash but they appeared to appreciate its meaning and real value.

I made a list of all the things I have done for free. In some instances, there was a real purpose of doing a free presentation.  This may have been purely altruistic to help a charity for example.  Other times there has been a pure commercial reason - to get the word our for what business stands for and create potential clients.  But to my surprise, more than half had no thought given to this.  This really frustrated me and I need to change this.  Get clear why I am doing each presentation and if it has no meaning, then letting it go.

in 2011, we bought a day spa business.  The same thing may apply here.  When someone buys you a voucher and although that is great for sales, are we really creating a customer long term?  I believe that the person that buys the voucher or treatment for themselves will come back if they value it.

Do you give away things for free?  Do people value it?  And if so, how?  What are you going to shift?  Let me know your thoughts?

Posted: 7/02/2012 1:22:58 PM by Shivani Gupta | with 1 comments


Comments
From Adam Price
Good post Shivani,

I really think that the way you give things away and telling the story behind it really helps people see that value in "freebies".

For example, as you already know I used to run my own boutique internet makreting consultancy called Nett Knowledge. I used to give free sessions to people, sometimes just because I liked that person and wanted to help, which funnily enough turned around into paying consultations (sometimes immediately, other times, many years down the track).

The reason I liked doing freebies back then was to purely and simply "make friends" with my prospects, colleagues and clients (yes, even clients I would sneek in little delights of freebies they didn't expect and they loved it).

Now, after going through Leukaemia in July 2010 to November 2010 and being over 1 year now in remission (thank god) I've changed track and am now a country singer... Which leads to my PASSION and PURPOSE in life.

I don't run Nett Knowledge any longer, I'm a country music singer and enjoy my days filled with honing my guitar skills, stage presence, vocal ability and much more.

But my purpose behind my music and selling my CD's and other merchandise all over the world is to hellp the Leukaemia Foundation and the Newcastle Mater Hospital Heamatology Ward... WHY?...

Because they saved my life!

So when I do the little freebies of singing spots for them, and other charities, I believe they do really value my time (due to the sheer amount of album sales I make from it) and the fact that I passionately get excited when I see them selling because I can give more money back to help the people who saved my life.

I think the value to people who hear a song I co-wrote about my journey through tough times called "Faith, Hope & Love" by myself and country music great Gina Jeffereys really helps connect people to their centre, whatever that may be and it helps them stop and think about life, amongst the RUSH that most working souls go through.

So for me, I have a precise, pre-thought out intent for every gig I sing at, whether it be free or a paid one, and it has to be in alignment with my passion and purpose, otherwise I knock it back... It's like the example you gave "Sell the house for fast cash", while a lot of us work "to pay the bills" after nearly dying, you change your perspectives massively and do things that energetically, help you vibrate on a level that is "your purpose" and nothing else.

What this does is allow you to open up MASSIVE doors which were almost (seemingly) impossible before, and certain strings of events just fall in your lap, you attract all sorts of good when you have a purpose and pure intent behind your actions, whether in business, dating, spending time with your friends and life in general.

I've made so many beautiful friends through business and met absolutely delightful souls through music, all of which has culminated in giving more away for free and thus getting much more back in return, often through means I never would have thought of.

Would love to catch up with you at some point and share a cuppa :-)

Warm Regards,
Adam
Posted: 7/02/2012 5:25:53 PM
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Shivani Gupta

Shop 1, 47 Glebe Road
The Junction NSW 2291

PO Box 125 The Junction NSW 2291

+61 2 4929 5888