Teaching Sells will make a million dollars on their last launch. That’s because they gave away a ton of free material that showed the reader exactly what to expect. I learned more from those free samples than I do from most blogs. I wasn’t one of the buyers, but I was really close.

We have a great opportunity to reach buyers directly. This was never in our reach before. We needed book and music publishers to reach the masses. Now we can entice them directly with free samples, earn their trust then sell them products that will help them solve a problem.

We are lucky to live in this age of “Free”.
.-= Karl Staib – Work Happy Now´s last blog ..Career Renegade Interview =-.

You make my philosopher’s heart go pitter-pat! Thank you for drawing some much-needed distinctions in this discussion. Whenever things start to become polarized in this way, chances are we’re missing something important.
In particular I appreciate your analysis of the distinction between ‘commodity’ information/products and ‘custom’ information/products. This is where the little guy or gal can rock his or her little corner of the world.
Similarly with your claim that people intuitively recognize the difference between a person and a corporation. Interactions with people are meaningful in a way that interactions with corporate entities are not. Doing business with a real, live person (even one we only ‘know’ from their blog, twitter and perhaps a personal email or two) lets us be part of their story, and they get to be part of our story.
And in my view, the search for meaning is part of what we’re all about as human beings.
Thanks for a thought-provoking and enlightening post!
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Back in the saddle again…. =-.

Wonderful to read a post that doesn’t fall into the trap of ‘either, or’ like so many other writers. I’m most inspired by your easy to understand outline of the critical mass required by corporations, and how that benefits creative entrepreneurs.

Freemium is a concept I’m interested in as well — that is, creating a free download (like a ‘free chapter’ for book sellers) to entice someone to buy into your ideas before committing to buy your high concept product.

Moreover, the recession is likely creating many thousands of new creative entrepreneurs to test and refine these business plans.

Great post Charlie, hell of a good start to my day!
.-= Social Media Commando´s last blog ..Brand in a Box =-.

Don’t seek refuge in scarcity.

Every era is marked by the wealth of those who figure out what the new scarcity is. There will certainly be scarcities in the network economy. But far greater wealth will be made by exploiting the plentitude. To make sure you are not seeking refuge in scarcity, ask yourself this question: Will your creation thrive if it becomes ubiquitous? If its value depends on only a few using it, you should reconsider it in light of the new rules.

I have no idea what KK means here, but it sure seems important!
.-= Duff´s last blog ..Which Video of Me is More “Authentic”? On the Style of Authenticity =-.