It seems that this is the time of year for nonprofit organizations to campaign for contributions. My mailbox is full of envelopes with letters suggesting that I make a donation. Not only am I receiving letters, but often I also receive address labels and notepaper, and yes, both do come in handy from time to time, but I have been receiving these labels for a long time now, and I have way more than I need. The “gifts” are starting to get better. Just last week, I got a pair of socks, gloves, ink pens, markers, and a calendar. I was thinking, Why am I getting so much all of a sudden? And then I remembered that I volunteered for a nonprofit a few months ago, and it seems that they have sold my information. I am wondering how these non-profits can spend so much on these free items. And yes, I realize that this is all a business. I’m thinking that the rationale is that I’ll feel guilty about the “gift”, and I will open up my wallet and give something back. I wanted to see if I was right, so I went to the internet to see if I was on the right track. Here is what I found.
According to a Forbes article, giving away free products can benefit businesses in several ways. Here are some of the benefits:
- Attention: Offering free products can attract attention to your business and increase brand awareness.
- Opportunity to educate: Free products can be an opportunity to educate potential customers about your business and its products.
- Reciprocity: By giving away a free product, you create a sense of obligation in the recipient to reciprocate by buying something from your business.
As you see in number 3, I give you something for free in the hopes that you will make a donation. I have yet to make a donation based on a packet of free stuff arriving in my mailbox. As for the mailing labels, I have enough mailing labels to supply the entire city.
Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com
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