Yours FREE — My Gift to You!
August 3rd, 2007 by Bob Bly
In the mail today I received a bright red Monarch envelope.
The teaser — in large boldface all-caps — simply read:
“LIMITED TIME FREE GIFT OFFER.”
Would that make you want to open the envelope — either because it makes you curious or you like to get free stuff?
Or would does it instantly warn you “this is advertising mail,” causing you to throw it away unopened?
In short, is “LIMITED TIME FREE GIFT OFFER” a good, bad, or terrible headline … and why?
This entry was posted on Friday, August 3rd, 2007 at 1:00 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Hi Bob,
I think it’s a terrible headline,
1. because it seems to read oddly. Maybe it should read, “Free Gift for a Limited time!”
2. It sounds like garbage. Why would someone go through the expense of sending something valuable to you for free.
This brings me to my third point: It isn’t really a gift is it? We’ve all gotten these letters in the mail and what happens is you get a free gift after you sign up for something you don’t even want.
I think the creator of this piece is banking on the limited amount of people who’ll do anything for something free, but that isn’t a whole lot of people and those individuals aren’t going to stick around. I posted on my blog about what it really means to offer something free. Check it out if you’d like.
Good Luck,
Katie
August 3rd, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I’d throw it away. It sounds like a gimmick.
Not long ago, I received an offer from a very well known marketing guru who claimed in bold print there is a free ticket to a pending live event inside the mailing. It turned-out that to get the free ticket I had to buy nearly $300 worth of information products.
The headline you mentioned makes me think it’s an offer of the same ilk. A gimmick of some sort.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I think it’s a bad headline.
The “limited time” part is to make people feel like they must open it immediately; however, the copyrighter should have realized that people would either open it as soon as they saw it or trash it immediately. So the “limited time” is not appropriate, and is a waste of two precious words.
A better headline would hint at the kind of gift it is. Assuming you picked your free gift properly to match your target audience, the hint would trigger curiousity and a sense of mystery and even excitement.
For example, if the free gift is a coupon for a free issue of “Knitter’s Weekly,” and you’re sending to the subscribers of “Knitting Magazine,” a headline like “Free knitting gift inside!” would be along the right lines (adapt this for whatever target market you are striving for).
I think the free gift has to be tailored for a target audience, otherwise it’s a waste of time.
August 5th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Bob;
Is it good or bad??
Depends what you are selling…
If it is a consumer type product, like vitamins, perhaps it might work (especially if there was an image on the outside of the envelope).
I would open or not open based on those words AND the look of the envelope.
We know free still works!!
After all Bob, you still use it 🙂
Mike
August 5th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
I think it’s horrible. “Free Gift”… what other kind of gift would there be?
Straight to the trash it would go. It screams advertising and mass market advertising and makes me think that the sender isn’t really giving me a gift, but a gimmick.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:30 am
Heather, while “free gift” may be a redundancy, it works.
A direct marketer did an A/B split test where the only variation in the copy was (a) “free gift” vs. (b) “gift.”
Not only did (a) “free gift” pull more response, but a number of people who got (b) called and asked, “Is the gift free?”
Grammarians hate redundancies, but there is a reason to use them: if you just say something once, many people won’t get it. Say it 10 times, though, and you eliminate any doubt.
August 6th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Doesn’t really send me as a headline. It sounds like advertising hype. Plus, the bright red envelope repels me. It’s like a used car salesman with a sly grin, a really loud sports jacket, and neon tie approaching me in a used car lot. I see him and immediately brace myself for a sales pitch.
I got an envelope with the teaser on it once that read: “Odds of finding a free gift inside? 100%
You could see through the envelope and the only thing in it was a credit card sized card. No letter or anything. This was interesting enough for me to open it. It turned out to be a promotional card for an online casino for $50 in free credits. Not my type of thing, so I tossed it. But, the teaser did get me to open it.
August 6th, 2007 at 10:45 am
Good question. I would open it if I knew who sent it and if that firm sold products I was remotely interested in. We all know that ‘free’ is usually a gimmick, but sometimes, if we already wanted the product, we’ll open, read and (gasp) respond.
August 8th, 2007 at 4:58 am
Wouldn’t OPEN NOW — FREE GIFT INSIDE work better? More intriguing?
August 8th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
I don’t like it because it screams; “Sales Gimmick!” and says a little less loudly; “For some kind of crap you don’t want.”
August 8th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
I’d open it, but I would do so over an open trash can. The moment I felt it was of no use to me, I’d relax my grip and let gravity take it’s course.
August 9th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I do a bit of direct mail. I want the receiver of my piece to read it. Hopefully they will retain it for some time. I would rather not have the addressee go through any exercise to get my message. A 5.5″ x 8.5″ postcard has worked very well for me.
The life of a limited time mysterious envelope is over as soon as I see those or similiar words.
August 11th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Jack, I don’t want my recipient to retain my piece. I want him to RESPOND to it, right away — whether he has an immediate need for my product or not.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:11 am
Any time someone says “free gift” or free anything — I will at least taka a look. There have been enough times where I have, indeed, gotten something valuable or something I wanted, for free.
I’m reminded of a friend of mine who received notification that he had won a timeshare down in Mexico. And, in fact, he had.
However, I don’t believe the folks who tell me they’re going to split millions of dollars with me because the money, for whatever reason, now seems to be ownerless… 🙂
August 16th, 2007 at 10:06 am
I think it’s not so great. As a consumer, I know that “free gifts” are rarely ever free–you usually have to buy something first, or at least agree to be on a mailing list or something. I’d probably throw an envelope like that out without looking.
What works for me best in terms of direct mail are the plain, white envelopes that say nothing but my address and something like “time-sensitive information” on the front–not in large, flashy letters, but in small, official-looking print in the upper left corner. I open those because I think they may be important. Gets me every time.
August 17th, 2007 at 6:42 am
Based on your description of the envelope I’d say I’d open it just to see who was trying to sell me something. And to give them a mental critique on the rest of their attempted selling job. To me, it’s an obvious gimmick.
I prefer your headline: Yours Free–My Gift To You! It’s what got me to read the blog entry. If I got that, handwritten on a plain white envelop with “Bob Bly” on the back, I’d rip it open in a flash to see what I’ve gotta do to qualify for the free gift you’re gonna send me!
Cheers Bob. You’re the greatest. Well, one of the greatest (depends on my mood! ;-)). You’ve got all my respect. I appreciate your work and the value you deliver free… and… for a fee! Thanks, Mike
August 25th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
The longer I write copy, the less I find myself attracted to the screamy hypey stuff. I find that soft-spoken yet attention-grabbing is a very powerful combination, and that it attracts * a better class of prospect* than the traditional hype.
Furthermore, I go for specifics, qualifiers, that tell me I am indeed the audience. Too general, and I assume it’s not directed at me and don’t waste my time with it.
Thus, this envelope wouldn’t get much attention from me, as a copywriter OR as a customer.
–Shel Horowitz, award-winning author of five marketing books including Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:38 am
send me some mobiles
October 30th, 2007 at 2:39 am
If you love to travel you should check out Mexico and also for the investment you owe it to yourself to look at the Cancun Riviera Maya Mexico real estate boom. This is the fastest growing area and best return on investment in all of Mexico.
December 19th, 2011 at 3:00 am
sales process…
[…]Yours FREE — My Gift to You! – bly.com blog – bly.com direct marketing blog[…]…
March 12th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
i just thought that queen latifah is one of the best comedians out there, she is really funny’
October 20th, 2019 at 2:22 am
In my opinion, on https://pro-essay-writer.com/blog/successful-essay-writer-is-a-productive-essay-writer you can find really useful info about becoming successful writer. It’s quite important to know
November 26th, 2019 at 3:56 am
UPSers manage a large number of commodities, in various countries all over the world. upserscom today has developed into an international firm consisting of various well-known popular brands.
May 5th, 2020 at 11:02 am
I feel that you’re on the right course with your blog. You’ve got a great deal of intriguing information that new visitors are going to enjoy.
May 5th, 2020 at 6:01 pm
You bear an exclusive talent. Your scribbling skills are really great. Many thanks for posting web content via the internet and educating your subscribers.
May 6th, 2020 at 3:08 pm
great post, how much time did it take you to write this? preorderjunky
May 21st, 2020 at 10:16 pm
Any time someone says “free gift” or free anything — I will at least taka a look. There have been enough times where I have, indeed, gotten something valuable or something I wanted, for free.
E22 ultipro login
June 11th, 2020 at 4:01 pm
I get a kick out of dropping by your blog. You are truly good plus compose so properly. Many thanks with regard to striving on this specific wordpress blog.
September 7th, 2020 at 2:26 am
I like the convenient services of this section very much. It also provides so many discussions of different FAQs. Good section for pieces of information regarding advertising mail. “LIMITED TIME FREE GIFT OFFER” is a tempting headline, it can attract the customer’s attention. Is CBD Legal
December 18th, 2020 at 8:00 am
Your free gits to you, such a different post. I really like it and I would like to share it with my friends as well.
Please keep posting the same as this post.
2 bhk flats for sale in south mumbai
piramal aranya byculla
January 1st, 2021 at 11:30 am
Hi Sir,The Content Of Your Web Site Is The Best,I Like Your Site,Please Visit My Site,The customer you can get relief from carrying money while shopping and traveling. The customer expected to go throughout the whole post in order to collect Key Bank Card Activation information.
January 1st, 2021 at 11:31 am
Hi Sir,The Content Of Your Web Site Is The Best,I Like Your Site,Please Visit My Site,The customer you can get relief from carrying money while shopping and traveling. The customer expected to go throughout the whole post in order to collect Key Bank Card Activation information.
See here:rak bank customer care
March 17th, 2021 at 4:17 am
Excellent post. Thanks for sharing this helpful and informative blog. This helped me to gain more information to learn. I also want to mention here another site, I hope it helps. Check here: Milestone Credit Card Cancelation
April 7th, 2021 at 5:01 am
I loved you one more time standard deviation calculator good tools
April 12th, 2021 at 8:47 am
why this Limited Time Free Gift Offer? You should think again.
June 12th, 2021 at 12:50 am
We all immediately recognize the flat snoot, wrinkled face, and large expressive eyes of the loveable Pug. The Pug breed’s roots can be tracked back to Imperial China id with alerting Holland’s William I, Prince of Orange, to an assassination attempt by Spain. Over time, pugs have been the favored breed or both royals and celebrities—from Napoleon and Queen Victoria to Andy Warhol and Rob Zombie.
https://pugslandbreeder.company.com
June 28th, 2021 at 10:53 pm
https://savannahbengal.company.com/
July 7th, 2021 at 1:04 pm
Have you ever enjoyed the Chequers Seafood Grill product? How was their service, product, or more? What is your opinion about Chequers Seafood Grill’s service, product, and atmosphere?
July 7th, 2021 at 1:06 pm
Chequers Seafood Grill Guest Satisfaction Survey
https://mysurveys.onl/www-chequersfeedback-com/
August 4th, 2021 at 12:02 pm
So let’s check out this post and complete your City Barbeque Survey in a few minutes.
August 4th, 2021 at 12:03 pm
So let’s check out this post and complete your City Barbeque Survey in a few minutes.
https://mysurveys.onl/www-tellcitybbq-com/
September 24th, 2022 at 7:00 am
Shop best quality sneakers from Ndure. Ndure Men’s Casual Shoes and Sneakers are made from best quality materials, with soft sole. Style a handsome look in Ndure Shoes. At Ndure, we have fashion for every one of You.
Shop top quality loafers and Slipons from Ndure Shop from a wide range of colours and styles, available exclusively at Ndure. Style a handsome look in Ndure loafers and slipons At Ndure,
Shop best quality athleisure shoes, Sports Shoes online from Ndure. Our Running Shoes, Training Shoes, Hiking Shoes and Joggers Shoes are made from the best quality materials, with soft sole.
October 16th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Stock footage is short clippings of fast-flying images which either haven’t been filmed with any particular production in mind, making them fit for any type of program or are taken from previously broadcast programming since they can be used in new productions ??
March 10th, 2023 at 11:43 am
Perfect
https://gospelshiftng.com/category/gospel-songs/
April 11th, 2023 at 4:44 pm
However, Satta matka 143 guessing. guessing forum is a world-popular gambling platform. These both are gambling platforms satta guessing , kalyan matka guessing. matka guessing
April 18th, 2023 at 1:41 pm
On the other hand though, it will also be something that will be the source of a lot of pride if you get it right. dekoracyjne drewniane panele ?cienne 3d
July 19th, 2023 at 12:01 am
Let me refer to your blog. It’s so perfect. It shocked me. If I had one-thousandth of your knowledge, I wouldn’t be able to write such a bad article. Can you come to my blog to see? The following is my blog.https://www.totochips.com
October 9th, 2023 at 12:33 am
IhostVPS is a premier VPS hosting provider in the USA. Our cutting-edge infrastructure ensures lightning-fast performance and unparalleled reliability. With our user-friendly control panel and expert support, we empower businesses and individuals to harness the power of USA VPS hosting for their online ventures.
October 10th, 2023 at 3:15 am
A baby girl gift hamper is a delightful way to welcome a baby girl into the world. These hampers are filled with a variety of baby essentials and adorable items designed to make the baby girl’s early days as special as possible.
November 28th, 2023 at 5:14 am
An inexpensive virtual private server hosted in Canada. The cheap VPS canada option provides users with a reliable and affordable hosting solution within the Canadian hosting infrastructure. It offers a balance between cost-effectiveness and performance, making it suitable for individuals or businesses targeting a Canadian audience.
November 29th, 2023 at 5:27 am
BSNS Consulting offers top-notch Taxation Services in Pakistan, catering to businesses of all sizes. Our experienced tax experts navigate the complexities of the tax landscape, ensuring compliance and optimising your tax strategy. Trust us to handle your tax planning, filing, and reporting, so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.
December 14th, 2023 at 12:32 am
A Maniküre Tisch is a manicure table. It’s a dedicated piece of furniture used in beauty salons and nail studios for performing professional manicure services. These tables are designed for the convenience of both the technician and the client.