They say that if you want to truly get on the digital map with your business, you’re going to have to entice your customers (well, your audience in general) with freebies. And yeah, honestly, that’s totally true, it’s something you definitely need to do, be it a home based business or even a physical business (like a storefront). Besides, everyone loves a freebie, but not all freebies are built the same.
Just be honest, what’s more exciting, a boring discount code sitting in your inbox or a fun little extra turning up in your delivery box? Actually, it’s not just about getting something for free, it’s about that whole feeling of, “Ooh, what’s this?” that comes with it.
Well, for starters, digital freebies feel a bit flat. Like, there’s nothing wrong with them of course, everyone can enjoy and appreciate it, yeah. But at the same time, well, they’re there, sure, but you forget about them in five minutes. But for physical freebies? Well, those hang around. They get used, they get shown off, and they make your brand stick in people’s minds way longer.
People Love Stuff they Can Actually Hold
It’s simple really, people are just wired to love stuff they can hold. Something physical feels more real, more exciting. That’s why you can go to an event and everyone’s running to grab a tote bag, but nobody’s queuing up for a downloadable PDF. Yeah, it’s harsh, but this really is the truth.
How about a free ebook? Well, that’s lost in your inbox before you’ve even opened it. Okay, but a tiny free sample? That gets tried. A free digital wallpaper? Maybe it gets used for a day. How about something like a branded sticker? That sticks around on someone’s water bottle for months (or even they slap it on their laptop). But yeah, there’s just something about having a real, touchable thing that makes your brand feel that bit more special.
Physical Freebies have that Surprise Factor
Well, this part is super harsh, but everyone’s used to digital freebies now. It’s just routine. Just think about it; you sign up for a newsletter, get 10 percent off, who cares? But a physical freebie… that actually feels like a treat. These aren’t around much nowadays anyway. So it catches people off guard in the best way. You open a package or show up at a market stall, and there’s something extra waiting. It turns a normal purchase into a little happy surprise.
It doesn’t even need to be anything massive. So, circling back to the branded sticker example mentioned above, yeah, something small like that works like magic. Besides, loads of businesses use sticker printing to pop a little freebie in with orders, and it works because it’s low-cost, easy to personalise, and it shows people you’ve actually thought about them.
It Works for Every Type of Business
There’s this idea that only big brands can afford to do physical freebies, but that’s absolute nonsense. Maybe thirty years ago or something, that might have been true. But no, not nowadays. It doesn’t matter if you’re running a tiny side hustle or a full-on company; there’s always something you can give that makes your customers’ day better.
It could be a simple thank-you card, a branded coaster, or a little free sample of something they didn’t expect. It’s not about spending loads, it’s about making people feel like they got a little something extra. People notice that, and that’s exactly what you’re after.
