How to add value to your offers

There’s a theory that you should offer value (pure content) in 3 out of 4 emails and only then make an offer. The idea is that you give, give, give, and only then do you ask.

I’m totally against this theory! 

It sets up a false contrast between offers and content, as if offers can’t be valuable. But actually, the word “offer” means you’re giving something.

And when you set pure content as separate from your offers, subscribers learn to read your “value” emails and tune out your offers.

Add value to your offers

Instead, add value TO your offers. Educate as you promote. Add tips. Explain what the technical words mean…

Here are some ways I educate my readers:

• I recommend reading a sales page just to learn from it.
• I explain how to get more out of an offer.
• I explain the context of why an offer is useful — who it’s most useful for or at what stage of a business it’s useful.

Add your own experience, too. I might tell a story of how I used the information in the offer. Or how I struggled and wish I’d had this information earlier.

Of course, make sure your offers are valuable. If you’re promoting one of your own products or services, make sure you’re giving the best possible value. Explain the benefits. Say why you created the offer. Maybe you discovered that your clients needed this. Maybe it answers questions that people keep asking.

If you’re promoting someone else’s offer, be sure to vet the person and, if possible, the offer. Only promote people you know and trust. People you’ve bought from and partnered with before are excellent choices. And the offer must be relevant to your audience.

When you approach offers in this way, you can make them as often as you want. Your subscribers think of them as resources. Here is how 2 of my subscribers have expressed how they feel about my emails, which are always full of offers:

“Your work impacts me every time I make the time to read it!

You always have helpful ideas and resources to help me, both now and in the future, and you introduce me to your cherry-picked, amazing colleagues, who are doing the best practices you choose yourself. I would recommend you and your brilliant services to anyone in business. What you have achieved is remarkable.

I would recommend you and your brilliant services to anyone in business. What you have achieved is remarkable. Thank you for your faithful outreach, delivered in an unassuming ‘You-can-do-it, too’ manner!” – Peggy Carr

And here’s another one…

“I love being one of your lucky subscribers.

Almost every day I learn something (or want to buy something). Thanks for all you do to help us be better.   – John Knox

These are spontaneous emails, not testimonials I requested.

So you see, you don’t have to be afraid of making offers!

Next steps

Look for partners to work with. A freebie swap (cross-promoting each other’s freebies) is a great way to start. Make sure the freebie you’re promoting is valuable. Make sure the other person has a similar target audience.

Then promote the freebie (or any offer) and add value to it. Think of your subscribers and how the offer can help them. Make its value clear.

And think of the offer as having value. Sometimes, the problem is your mindset. Once you’ve convinced yourself of the value of the offer, you’ll feel more comfortable making it.

If you are looking for an easy and effective way to find partners, consider Freebie Swap Network. It’s a monthly networking meeting during which we break up into groups by niche and list size, so you’re MUCH more likely to meet the right partners compared to other networking events.

You need a working freebie (with an opt-in page) and you need to be willing to promote others when they promote you. It’s a great way to grow your list of subscribers and find great partners.