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The Hidden Psychology of Free Stuff
Do you know freebies are essentially a reciprocity trigger?
Remember that friendly salesperson from a nearby eatery with a tray full of bite-sized samples of a delicacy stops you on a busy street, hands you one piece (with a fresh toothpick) to try for “free.” You visit a supermarket, and the store personnel offers you some free candy or small chocolate. Have you signed up to someone’s mailing list to get a free SEO checklist or a workout planner, or any such freebie?
Who doesn’t love freebies? We know there is absolutely no free food, but we queue up at any sign of a freebie. Buy one, get one (free) pizza, anyone? But what if a freebie tricks you only to be their captive? Oops! OK, lifelong customer.
Why We Give In to the Temptation of a Freebie
Freebies serve as delicious bait-cheese to get people to buy a new product or service. People give in to freebie temptation because they are not risking anything after all — or are they?
In his book “Predictably Irrational”, Dan Ariely says people change their behavioral patterns and are more willing to comply when something free comes along. “Free” is a powerful emotional trigger that’s often irresistible; it makes people hoard countless mugs, key chains, or discount coupons for their next shopping.
How Freebies Help Businesses
Freebies are like a foot in your door for businesses. You know how? Would you have tried that new restaurant if they did not offer you a free bite from their kitchen? Or considered signing up for that new course without the free ebook (lead magnet) the course creator created to give you an idea of what you can expect? Or do you know why the yoga guru offers a free trial class?
Freebies work because they leverage the power of reciprocity. In reciprocity, whoever offers something first, for free of whatever value, wields the power of demanding back something of a (mostly)bigger value.
Reciprocity is sometimes a double-edged sword one cannot escape. Even if you do not subscribe right away to a paid subscription, you would have noticed you keep receiving valuable snippets of helpful information weekly or…
