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It's Free So There's Got To Be A Catch, Right?

By Renae Bolton

Services for Real Estate Pros with Marketing 4 Realtors

March 20, 2009 05:34 AM

I went to Giant Eagle last night to pick up some more Similac, 2% milk, and salad fixings. I got my purchases, got in line to wait, got my items wrung up at the cash register then the clerk hands me a piece of paper and ays "here's a coupon to get a FREE movie rental from our Redbox service."

I looked at the coupon. I looked at the girl. I read the coupon. I looked at the girl. I replied, "What's the catch? Do I have to sign up for something to get the free movie?" "Nope," she says. "Giant Eagle is offering a free movie rental to get you to try out the service. Just swipe your credit card and put in this promotional code and you'll get the movie free."

I looked at the coupon. I looked at the girl. I responded, "So when I put my credit card in the machine, will they bill me for something else?" In an exasperated tone, the clerk replied "Nope. It's just a free movie. Trust me. It really IS free."

Looking back on the experience, it brings to mind just how wary we are of offers. No matter how good it sounds, there's got to be something behind the scenes, in the smallprint... You get where I'm coming from.

Recently, I offered to give people free publicity on my blog by being my featured Twitter Friend of the Week. It wasn't specific to real estate agents, either - anyone could be my Twitter Friend of the Week as long as they followed me on Twitter. After about 10 or so folks, the well dried up. It seems no one else wants to be featured. I've been approaching folks and practically begging them to let me feature them, to no avail. I sent an e-mail out today offering to feature professional stagers for free on my blog, thinking I'd get a nice number of responses. So far, only one!

Does no one else out there in social networking land realize the value of cross-promotion? It is priceless, I tell ya! Priceless!

So many people think that if it's free so there's got to be a catch somewhere, right? Not always, folks. Not always!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Winston Westbrook

Westbrook National Real Estate Co - Victorville, CA

Good blog Renae. Like how you set it up. By the way here is my free comment to you and you don't have to swipe a thing, lol. Maybe I should start charging to leave comments, lol

Mar 20, 2009 05:40 AM

Maggie Dokic /Indialantic | 321-252-8696

Magdalena Dokic - Indialantic, FL

Selling the beach in Florida's space coast

Renae, that's a good one. We really are a wary bunch, aren't we?

Winston is a funny one, isn't he? He gets 25 points for commenting on your post and he's thinking of charging you? ha ha He should be kicking back a percentage of the points to you for allowing him to do so. =)

Mar 20, 2009 05:45 AM

Dan Callahan

Callahan's Home Inspections - Casper, WY

My wife loves Redbox. It has saved us a whole bunch of money. Wish they would let you keep the movie a little longer, but then again its only a dollar!!!

Mar 20, 2009 05:47 AM

Judy Schneider

eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA

I have to tell you Renae,

I am feeling a bit worried about commenting on your blog what is the catch!!!

lol, HEE HEE

Mar 20, 2009 06:00 AM

Jeannette Neerpat

CondoDomain.com - Coral Springs, FL

e-Pro Coral Springs/Parkland Real Estate

Renae I am always FREE to talk to you dear!!!

Mar 20, 2009 06:04 AM

Renae Bolton

Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH

I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Thanks Winston! I'm learning how to better transition a story into a valid point. I hope I get better at it! Can you charge to leave a comment, considering you're getting paid (25 points) to do it? hahahaha

Oooohhh! A point kick-back! I like that idea, Maggie!

I haven't had an opportunity to try Redbox yet Dan, so thanks for letting me know that your wife loves the service. And you can't beat a dollar, can you?

The catch, Judy, is that...um...well...let me think on that for a bit. I'll get back to you with the fine print!

I know there are no catches with you, Jeannette! Some folks you just know you can put your guard down with.

~Renae

Mar 21, 2009 09:25 AM

Sheldon Neal

Bergen County, NJ - RE/MAX Real Estate Limited - Maywood, NJ

That British Agent Bergen County NJ

... so what free movie did you get ???

Mar 21, 2009 01:23 PM

Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

Tell me more about your "twitter friend fo the week" project. Do they follow you or do you follow them? Somehow I'm always wary about freebies. Is n't there always a catch?

Mar 21, 2009 05:47 PM

Tara Camp

Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA

Renae,

I'll be your huckleberry. I follow you, but you've fallen off my radar as of late. Where have you been, or is it, where have I been? I've kinda, sorta been in twitter rehab...as it's been a time warp for me:)

Mar 24, 2009 05:12 PM

We decided to save it until something good came out, Sheldon. I'll let you know once I get a free movie if it really is free!

Lora, it's really simple. If you follow me, I'll feature you. That's all there is to it. Most of the time, if someone follows me, I follow them back in case we need to send direct messages or something. That's it! I'm @renae_m4r on Twitter!

Oh my gosh, Tara! That is one of my favorite movies! Doc Holiday saying "I'll be your huckleberry" and then the guy looking like he just saw a ghost when he realizes what he just stepped into! Anyway, I kind of fell off the radar, you're right. I've had some really major projects to handle for clients so I had to severely limit my time networking. But I'm getting back into the game so I'll see you soon!

Mar 25, 2009 06:50 AM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

Some people also think that if it's free, you get what you pay for. My wise old grandmother taught me never to turn down something that's free. If I took it home and decided I didn't like it, I could throw it away, give it to someone else, sell it, or return it.

Mar 27, 2009 03:05 AM

Ginger Harper

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC

Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

I have always heard that if it is free...it is probably not worth having. Hope this is not so.

Mar 27, 2009 11:38 AM

Ken Kelly

Benchmark Mortgage - Chesterfield, VA

Great post - cross promotions is one of the best marketing methods out there, but few people rarely seem to use them. Their loss.

Mar 29, 2009 04:53 AM

I'll try the free thing first before I start paying

Mar 29, 2009 09:40 AM

It's Free So There's Got To Be A Catch, Right?

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