{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"Smart Tan News","provider_url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com","title":"Giving Away Freebies? Make Sure It\u2019s Worth It - Smart Tan News","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"mseskMrsBX\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/giving-away-freebies-make-sure-its-worth-it\/\">Giving Away Freebies? Make Sure It\u2019s Worth It<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/index.php\/giving-away-freebies-make-sure-its-worth-it\/embed\/#?secret=mseskMrsBX\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Giving Away Freebies? Make Sure It\u2019s Worth It&#8221; &#8212; Smart Tan News\" data-secret=\"mseskMrsBX\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","description":"Occasionally giving away free products or services can be a solid business strategy, but make sure you\u2019re getting a return on your investment, the Inc.com article \u201cHow to Give Away Freebies\u2014and Not Bankrupt Your Business\u201d explains. Offering freebies for contests, charities, press or special events can be beneficial, but first ask yourself these questions:   Will giving away this freebie threaten your profitability?\u00a0Even if it has great potential for return, don\u2019t offer anything too valuable without a contract or guarantee that you\u2019ll recoup your investment.  Will you get something valuable in return?\u00a0If you\u2019re holding a raffle or contest, make sure you\u2019re getting some promotional value outside of your current customer base. There\u2019s no reason to give something away if only your current customers will know about it. If you\u2019re donating products or services for a charity, don\u2019t be afraid to ask them for something of value in return \u2013 like official sponsorship or some sort of promotional display.  Will this meaningfully help raise your company\u2019s profile?\u00a0A perfect example of a freebie that will raise your company\u2019s profile is donating products and services to bloggers or media personnel willing to plug your business. If done right, this type of marketing can be more cost effective than traditional paid advertising. Giving away coupons for free samples or sessions at women\u2019s exhibitions, bridal shows or community events is another good way to raise your profile. By providing incentive to visit your location, you\u2019ll make your effort far more effective than just having a table at the event.  Is it the right thing to do?\u00a0Sometimes donating to a cause you believe in is just right thing to do. If that\u2019s the case, and you can answer no to question 1, then it\u2019s probably reason enough to give something away even without a return on investment. But choose wisely \u2013 unfortunately there\u2019s no way you can afford to support every cause.\u00a0  Click here to read the article from Inc.com.","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/news.smarttan.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Smart-Tan-Logo.jpg","thumbnail_width":520,"thumbnail_height":200}