by April Robins
Member since:
October 15, 2007

Would a "freebie" make you come back to a website?

June 05, 2008 09:27 AM EDT
views: 64 | comments: 41
 

I have been reading a book on ways to market your website.  One of the things they suggest is to offer free games on your website.  Being that I believe everything I read (LOL), I added a page for what I call "Freebies":   free games, free printouts, and free on-line books.    It includes individual games with their charming pictures.  Actually, you can only play a preview of the game; but the preview is free.  I would offered a whole game but got stuck trying to add them to my website.  So much for having a degree in computer science you might say.  I will try to add them again later.  However, this "Freebies" page has a large list of links to websites with free on-line games such as Disney, ABC Teach, Surfing the Net with Kids, Tree House Kids, Noggin, etc.

This new "Freebies" page also has links to free on-line books and coloring sheets for kids.  There are over 1,000 free printouts that you can reach off this links page.  Please remember this page relates to the interest of children ages 2 to 10.

I added the free games, free printouts, and free on-line book links because the "How to" book said that it would cause viewers to return to my website.  Now, I am wondering if that works.  I do not run statistics to see who views my site. 

So please tell me, what makes you go back to a website over and over again?

Thanks,

April

P.S.  If you are interested in seeing my new "Freebies" page, it is at http://www.robinfalls.com/freebies.html

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Comments: 41

Lydia (part of the solution) Shelley Jun 5, 2008, 9:31am EDT
I don't know about anyone else, but even more than freebies, I like contests and sweepstakes. If you are posting freebie links, please check them and make sure they're not bogus... those can be annoying and may p.o. someone enough that they'll scratch your site from their list of bookmarks.
; )
Alex In Wonderland Jun 5, 2008, 9:37am EDT
A contest to win one of your books.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 9:40am EDT
Lydia, I certainly don't want to p.o. someone. I do check out all my links to see that they work and are what I want to show my friends. The problem with links not working is often only visible a month or two after you add the link. I admit that every quarter I should check out my links but I don't always get around to it.

OK, you like contest and sweepstakes. I read a very interesting contest the other day where an author was offering 1 million dollars to the person who bought his millionth book on-line. That got my attention.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 9:41am EDT
Alexandra, thanks so much. I will have to give that thought again. How would you word the contest?
Dawne Joy Jun 5, 2008, 9:44am EDT
Yes, but only if they are legit freebies. I am not like some who expect freebie links to stay open indefinitely though. Here is a tip from a good sight I frequent. Check back on the freebie at least once a day. When it is dead, place EDIT : DEAD after it. If they missed out they know they just did not get there in time, instead of thinking you are scamming them or not paying attention to what you type.

Instead they might think.....I know I can get "good" freebies there. After all, if it's not good anymore I won't have to waste MY time to figure that out.
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Jun 5, 2008, 9:47am EDT
Cold hard ca$h!
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 9:49am EDT
Thanks Dawne! Good advice.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 9:51am EDT
Moggy K., I caught myself laughing when I read your post, but I started to do that. I told my husband, F. Jay, that I was going to hold a contest and offere a $25 gift card as the prize. He went through the roof. He actually does that alot. I think your idea is great!
Donna Hammett-Tooker Jun 5, 2008, 10:04am EDT
How about a contest inviting one of your young readers to write a book WITH you two? And the winner gets x number of copies and their name as an author - you get to receive lots of ideas and the kids get some recognition for their creativity. Some children out there are tremendously creative and beautifully so. Maybe a favorite pet, animal or relative that will tie in with your style. Nice certificates for the competitiors who do not win and perhaps a special deal to buy the winning book - $5 or something less than list price co-sponsored by your publisher - great PR ploy.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 10:13am EDT
Donna, that is a great idea! I have been thinking of creating my own free on-line books. It could be a dual contest with a writer and an illustrator as winners. A word of caution in that there are so many "don'ts" in working with children such as asking for their address in order to send them a prize.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jun 5, 2008, 10:21am EDT
Yes, I will come back to a site it I find that the freebies and links are reliable. That means when it says free. It means free. No buy one to get something free or pay shipping and handling. To me that isn't free. It is a deal.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jun 5, 2008, 10:23am EDT
Just make sure you get the parents permission first. I have signe dup both of my younger two kids up for surveys. The site actually called my number and confiirmed it was okay before they sent anything. I was real happy with the site and recommend to my friends.
Christopher K. Jun 5, 2008, 10:33am EDT
personally,i go back to certain websites for a variety of reasons..getting one freebie is not one of them.I get tons of freebies in my mailbox weekly.so no matter what website i get freebies.
flit . Jun 5, 2008, 10:51am EDT
I am interested in why you wouldn't run stats to see who visits... seems like you're missing out on some potentially valuable info
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 11:04am EDT
Sandy,

I have heard that if you give out your phone number that person can then get your address. I am not sure how you would give a child a prize. Maybe the prize would be in having their work shown on a website.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 11:05am EDT
Christopher thanks. The real draw to my freebies is the coloring sheets, especially to teachers.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 11:07am EDT
Flit, I don't run stats because some of my affiliates won't allow you to join them if you do so. I also don't have music on my site because of the same reason.
Donna Hammett-Tooker Jun 5, 2008, 12:01pm EDT
As for the getting the prize to the winner - why not let the prize be like the galley proof I read of yours for comment on Amazon? The contestants and the winner could download and print their own copy and if the idea works, it could be an annual event.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 12:14pm EDT
I will look into that Donna. Thanks!
Larry H. Jun 5, 2008, 1:58pm EDT
I don't go to other web sights.
jenny b. Jun 5, 2008, 5:31pm EDT
the freebies and coupons and games and info
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 11:26pm EDT
Larry, you are missing out. I bet you would enjoy Facebook. I would even send you a potted plant.
April Robins Jun 5, 2008, 11:28pm EDT
Jenny B, thanks so much! I do think that along with the freebies you have to add new content regularly.
April Robins Jun 6, 2008, 12:36pm EDT
Maybe I can do my own analysis for a moment. I keep coming back to Gather because I gain so much helpful information from its members on my questions and I love all the varied articles that other members write. I recommended Facebook to Larry because it is just fun. I check it daily to see if anyone has sent me a new video, a slap on the face with a sheep, a new plant, or an invitation to an event. I really like the free fun interaction. I keep looking for new links to add to my website so that I can offer information to my webiste visitors. So new articles, games and free videos keep me coming back to my favorite websites.
April Robins Jun 6, 2008, 11:45pm EDT
Angela M., OK what would you need to bring you back to a website over and over again?
Elaine B. Jun 7, 2008, 4:48pm EDT
Contests, freebies, friends.
April Robins Jun 7, 2008, 6:12pm EDT
Thank you Elaine. I am working on an attached blogsite so that friends can comment on my Writers' Corner articles.
suey v. Jun 7, 2008, 8:54pm EDT
Usually promises of free things bring me to a site only to be dissapointed once viewing. I have stopped doing this and mainly go to sites recommended by friends.
Jerri H. Jun 8, 2008, 1:40am EDT
Freebies and how tos are a very good incentive :)


Thanks for posting to
I was REALLY bored ;)
April Robins Jun 8, 2008, 11:23am EDT
suey v. I know what you mean.
April Robins Jun 8, 2008, 11:24am EDT
Jerri H. you are welcomed, and thank you for adding a comment.
Elizabeth Madrigal Jun 9, 2008, 12:50am EDT
I don't usually like games or anything like that, but 60% of the population does... I also like sweepstakes, but something really big has to be in it or I won't bother.:)
April Robins Jun 9, 2008, 10:51am EDT
Thank you Elizabeth. Your statistics is why I just added the games to my Freebies and affiliates.
Debra C. Jun 9, 2008, 8:41pm EDT
I'll do freebee's on occasion, but I'm more interested in content. What you are suggesting is likely, however, directly related to the content of your page ... if I had kids it probably would keep me coming back as long as you updated it from time to time.
April Robins Jun 9, 2008, 8:58pm EDT
Thank you Debra C.
Chana M. Jun 12, 2008, 7:42pm EDT
It would depend on what the freebie was and how good it was. If you are trying to sell books you might want to check out http://www.bookreporter.com/index.asp , http://www.oncewritten.com/ or http://writerspace.com/ to use as resources. I like the idea of reviewer copies which I see as prizes on many author websites. I get the Book Reporter e-zine and actually do read most of it (and like it!), so I think that would be a good resource.
April Robins Jun 12, 2008, 7:44pm EDT
Chana M. I will look all those sites up. Thanks!
Jenna is around here somewhere s. Jun 13, 2008, 8:59pm EDT
Games are a nice touch and print out's for the kids, I would say freebies,I would try to attract a different crowd, like free learning/printouts..ect..

I think it's all in the website is made to attract atten., and keep someones atten.people and most children/adults bore easily. so grafics are a good plus ++
Jenna is around here somewhere s. Jun 13, 2008, 8:59pm EDT
Sending a 10 your way for triple points week....
Thank you for taking the time to post to the group: Kids....kids.....kids.....anything to do with kids...




http://kidskidskids.gather.com/
Elizabeth V. Jun 25, 2008, 5:24pm EDT
Sites that I go to again and again offer free books, points to use toward the purchase of books, ability for me to get my email from any computer, ability to chat with an author I like, comments on books by regular readers rather than professional reviewers and publishers, and ability to get my work email when I'm not at work and to do my timecard when I forgot to do it at work.

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