Do you offer free and paid courses? They are both important and each have a different purpose.

There is a lot of disagreement and discussion in internet marketing circles about the value of freebies, particularly free courses.

The Free and Paid Course Debate

One side of this discussion says that there is no reason to give freebies away. While others encourage creating free courses, PDFs, checklists, masterclasses, etc. to provide pure value.

And if one of your fundamental values is to be of service to those you help, creating free offers is a way to contribute to others.

Fall in Love with Free Courses and Masterclasses

Here's why I love offering freebies and encourage you to do the same. Freebies . . .

Creating Free and Paid Courses Creates Transformation for Your Audience AND Your Business

To keep your audience informed and coming back for more it’s important that you set up both free and paid courses.

Whether you choose to create a free or paid course will depend on its purpose and where in your attraction, nurture or marketing funnel it will be used.

Both free and paid courses can be leveraged to generate money, but the strategies are different. 

Paid courses or other types of offers can be a direct sale. Someone sees your offer, they know it's what they're looking for, and they buy right away.

Freebies can help you earn money in a similar way as paid offers, however the freebie journey is often a multiple touch point.

First, they opt-in to something free, then they take the customer journey from freebie to enrollment. The steps in the middle depend on how you set-up your funnel. Usually, this consists of an email series that ultimately invites the subscriber to purchase your course.

For some subscribers, the freebie funnel can be a longer, slower journey to purchase. Many of them will become buyers through this type of funnel, but they want to get to know you more before they commit to an investment.

Your Two Types of Decision Makers Need Two Choices

Audiences typically have two types of decision makers, 1) the fast action-taker, and 2) the thoughtful more discerning investor.

Chances are you have both types of buyers in your audience too. Having a direct path to purchase, a.k.a. purchase a paid course from a sales page, is great for your fast action-takers.

Then, having a free course funnel is the perfect fit for your more discerning buyers. 

So, be sure that your freebie funnel nurtures people through your customer journey by building relationships with them and helping them come to the right decision for them. Those who are more discerning with their investments will be grateful that you've taken the time to coach them through the process. 

The Benefits of a Free Course Provides the Opportunity for Your Subscribers to Get to Know You

As mentioned, free courses or info freebies can build your list. They can also:

• inform your audience about their problems and the solutions available to them, 
• help them get to know you more, and trust your expertise and experience,
• guide them through their first challenge or have a breakthrough (and therefore, they'll want to work with you more),
• show them their greatest potentials are possible,
• earn affiliate income using your affiliate links,
• introduce them to your other offers, programs, products, and services,
• and more.

With the right freebie, you can help them reconnect with their aspirations and goals. Using a free course funnel you can guide them through an experience, a transformation so they can remember what their dreams are and get in touch with their life's purpose.

Paid Courses Go Deeper for Real Transformation

Paid courses and programs give them a deeper dive into the content. They often offer a group experience so the participants feel supported. Paid courses take them on a journey so when they've completed the program, they are transformed.

The internet offers a wide variety of free information for your audience.

They can find answers to almost any question or challenge they have. The skill of showcasing your expertise and your USP (unique sassy perspective) is how you stand out from the crowd. It's also how she/they know that you're the right fit for her/their needs.

Let’s look at some other freebie examples:

Free Checklist vs Paid Checklist 

Insert a checklist PDF download within your blog post content as a content upgrade. Set it up so they need to submit their name and email address to have it delivered to their email inbox. This will move them to your email list where you can communicate with them regularly.

Once they receive the checklist start emailing them tips, techniques, insights into how to best use the checklist.

Then invite them to take the next action.

What do you have to sell? What offer do you have that's a natural next step after the checklist?

Be sure your free checklist and your offer connect and make sense.

Free eBook vs Paid eBook

Offer an informational book that teaches your audience about their problem to get them to sign up for your email list. 

Then send them a follow-up email series which includes an invitation for them to buy a “how to” eBook that will solve their problem. In one instance you’re acknowledging the problem and letting them know they're not alone. Then in the second step, the CTA (call to action) to buy the eBook is helping them solve the problem. 

Free App vs Paid App

Often when it comes to apps there will be free versions and full paid versions. The free version does just enough to make it useful, while the paid version unlocks all the other benefits.

You can also use this method with information products. When you make the free version a "taste" of the paid version you're able to establish a natural customer journey from the "appetizer" to the "main course".

Build Your Free and Paid Course Funnels

When you build your funnels remember to match the content you create to the stage your customer is in (and make sure that stage relates to the customer journey you've created for your funnel). 

If it’s the awareness stage, that’s a good time for a freebie. If it’s the decision stage, it’s a good time to offer your solution.

And remember to offer both free and paid courses, masterclasses, checklists, templates, etc. to serve your fast action-takers AND your more discerning customers.