Cost-Benefit Analysis

[pekkathes]

I've been doing some cost-benefit analysis on whether I should continue with trying to get even my 3-referral freebie, not to mention an Xbox360 or something better.

Warning: the following will include bitching (don't read, if you're not interested)

It seems that if I don't want to pay for referrals or trade green for green or do congas, correct me if I'm wrong but my only other option is to build a great website, which will get billions in traffic every day , and put my referral link there . If that works, and with my website-building skills taken into account, it very unlikely will, I will finally gain the benefits I seek (xbox360, wii, macbook?). So I need to make a huge investment in time and effort (and perhaps pay something as well) for the website, with virtually no guarantee of getting greens. Sure, I do appreciate learning new skills etc., but I'll do that some other time with a better website concept than "GetFreeStuff4U" or something similar.

I might be willing to pay for referrals, but only for a very small number of freebies: I consider the consoles and ipods such "luxury" products that I wouldn't normally pay 30-50% of their price to get one. Also, I'm not so sure paying for referrals will work well if I need 50 referrals for a laptop, for instance.

Trading green for green or joining congas, goes in the same category as paying for referrals, since when I'm referring someone I will, at the end of the day, lose money, or NOT if I do the Lovefilm offer (but then it will take 2 weeks ) before the other person can see my referral.

Let me guess: I just have to persevere, right? Spend money for my 1st (non)freebie, then get other people excited (what if you don't have friends with whom this would work ). Get a website, post on youtube, harrass all friends & relatives? There's no easy way to do it, and even if there was, nobody would tell me?

[messyhead]

I've not harrased friends or family, or paid for referrals. All I did was build 2 websites, one for ipods and one for Wii. A few years ago I was a complete Noob to building websites, but my friend was starting a company so I said I'd do his website. I read everything I could and learned what is meant by good web design and how to code a website. There are plenty of free resources online to help you learn.

It does mean investing a bit of time, but I now have an Ipod Touch in the post (my first freebie), and I'll soon have enough referrals for a Wii once my pendings on Kudos credit.

I suppose the saying, 'Nothing in life is free' applies, but if time is all you have to invest, then that's not too much.

[the_icks]

www.hosting-cow.com free hosting
NVU free web software

now all you need to invest in is time!!

[the_saint]

Exactly as said above, you can get a website for very cheap - just pay for a domain a couple of quid a year. It is all about whether you are prepared to invest the time or not.

If you are then you will succeed i'm sure, if not then you won't.

Read around, research and spend some time doing it properly and you will get your freebies soon enough.

[djerwood]

I think it all depends on your "method". I have been on the freebie scene for about 14 months. The 1st year was a little slow but still got about £1800 worth of gifts. However this year have already got £2000 worth of stuff. This in total has only actually cost me about £40 in total for £3800. And obvioulsy a little time. I find the actually time needed is low, about 30mins a day.
My advice would be to stick with it, be patient and creative. If like me you will soon get a method that works for you.

[FurbtasticM]

Originally Posted by pekkathes

So I need to make a huge investment in time and effort (and perhaps pay something as well) for the website, with virtually no guarantee of getting greens. Sure, I do appreciate learning new skills etc., but I'll do that some other time with a better website concept than "GetFreeStuff4U" or something similar.

If you are not prepared to devote time to the cause, then the freebie scene is not for you. None of us got things handed to us on a plate.

[free4fun]

Couldn't agree more with the above replies My freebie didnt cost me a penny & I didnt harrass anyone for it either. Personally, I traded for the greens I needed, used only free trial offers (only went for a 3 referral gift) & got my gift. The fact that you have joined this forum puts you ahead in the game because the people here are friendly & will answer lots of questions.

[mwoody]

Originally Posted by pekkathes

I need to make a huge investment in time and effort

You cant expect it all to be just handed to you. Sure setting up a website is a big task for some people but once its done its done and you can then work on promoting instead.

I take freebies as a hobby really, I enjoy the fact I can promote a website that gets me free things, I enjoy thinking of new methods of driving traffic to it and getting greens etc

And in terms of cost, you can get webhosting + domain for like £15 a year

[pekkathes]

Thanks, all.

I'll think about what you said... (Pondering)

[ultimate1]

Hosting-cow is not opening for me.

[Crostini]

You can't go wrong if you literally have the time and energy to put in. Like some have said 30 minutes could be all you need.

[olibomb]

Originally Posted by mwoody

You cant expect it all to be just handed to you. Sure setting up a website is a big task for some people but once its done its done and you can then work on promoting instead.

I take freebies as a hobby really, I enjoy the fact I can promote a website that gets me free things, I enjoy thinking of new methods of driving traffic to it and getting greens etc

And in terms of cost, you can get webhosting + domain for like £15 a year

i feel like you do, it's a challenge with an amazing outcome... so it just kinda comes easy

no you really do need to work hard, be inventive and possibly think of something that hasn't been mentioned before