IMPORTANT - Never click on freebie links... always copy the link

[freebiemama]

I found this on another site, but I figured it was worth posting..
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Some of the companies giving out freebies track which website the user came from and if it's from a freebie website they will not send out the freebie. To avoid this situation always copy the link and paste it into the address bar at the top of your web browser.

Some of the long links are automatically shortened. You can't just copy these links and you need to right click on the link and then click on "properties", highlight the link in the new window that pops up, right click and then click on "copy"

[ami]

thanks for the info.i'll have to try it out.

[HappyCappy]

Ummmmmmmm....................

Not True. I also seen this at RedFlag Deals. Which then the RFD wanna bee's also posted it.

I'm sure Marty can help me out here. ...... He runs a contest, and its a form, so he'll be able to help out.

THe only way this works IF EVERYONE copy and pasted. So there was no tracking to a freebie website.

This doesn't mean if I copied and pasted the link in another window, and you didn't, that I'd get a freebie and you wouldn't.

What u see in stats is a list of websites that link to you. Bingo We're all caught anyhow.

Then Next you'll see a list of IP addresses which basically tells people where you are Telus (BC.Alberta) Bell Ottawa, etc.

It doesn't show..... freebieforme came from canadianfreestuff.com and asked for a sample. There for they'll skip you and give it to ami whom "copy and pasted it)


A Good Example is with Bann Wristbands. He couldn't figure out why all this people from Ontario were wanting these. And asked several people here if there was a major advertising nearby or something. Then He got snoopy, went to his Stat's Checker, seen a bunch of freebie boards, and he quit giving out the freebie.

Bottom line is Either the company can Handle the freebie requests or they can't. Can u imagin how many requests these companies get daily? Probably a few thousand if not more, Trust me they aren't stupid, they know something is up, and they are either happy for the free advertising, or their not. And when someone goes from 0 sample requests to a thousand, Something is up. Regardless of where they came from, And you'll never convince 10,000 freebie hunters around America to do it, even if it did make a difference.

So I'm not sure why the fuss, but I do know they can't see "YOU" in particular came from a freebie site and asked for a freebie.

OK here is the link RedFlag Deals gave: Someone's stats:
http://www.akpetcare.com/free_dog_toy.html

http://www.mvtracker.com/stats.php?l=akpetcare&pp=1


This is what they see:
bas5-toronto12-1167889451.dsl.bell.ca
http://www.redflagdeals.com/

Now Times this by 1000 or whatever for the day. Now No where does this information say 1. Whom it is. All it gives is a computer address.

Now Lets say a Merchant is motivated, and doesn't want to give out to Freebie Hunters. Now how are they going to do .......... I"ll post more.... I have company.

[freebiemama]

Thanks! That would have been a bother anyways, always having to copy and paste it in the address!

[HappyCappy]

now a motivated merchant that would want to exclude freebie hunters, would need to compare each ip address with the log as seen in above example from Red Flag Deals, and compare it with the LOg if one existed with each ip address on the form. Most of the time they don't put one on, but if even if they did, you'd still have to compare.

This would be do able on 10 even 100 requests but not even a thousand a day. Just not worth the time.

[martyp]

Cappy, somehow you made that so complicated you even confused me, and, (as you point out), I'm on the side of the fence that hosts these things.

I really can't understand how any company can decide to host a freebie without limitations. In the Internet age, it only takes days for word to spread globally and you're over-run. I can sympathize with them that gets stampeded, but I also marvel at how little they understand todays consumer toolkit.

As for us, I'd never run a freebie that didn't have a "while supplies last" or "with minimum purchase" or some such condition. Actually, I'd never really lean towards a freebie at all. I'd much prefer to host contests or run a series of gift certs for you guys. ;)

[thenationalghost]

I agree with Cappy...it's just not worth the time. If they don't choose to send it, they don't choose to send it. How many times have we all said "I hope it comes!!!" anyways?

[martyp]

Ahhhh, now therein lies the rub! In days gone by, a contest winner won in relative obscurity... the point of sponsoring a contest was to get lots and lots of people to take notice of a particular brand. Today, there's definately still that element, but with a twist...

THE WINNER IS NO LONGER OBSCURE!

This board is an ideal example. Let's say my company hosts a contest and a winner is drawn BUT that contest was held only for members of a certain bargain-hunter forum. Now, the winner will happily proclaim they've won and all the 1000+ members of the forum will know a) that winning with company KoR is possible, b) that company KoR is real and fun and perhaps worth trusting. EXCEPT... and here's where we stick our necks out, once the prize is received, the winner in an ideal marketing world will log in to the forum and proclaim "I got my prize and it rules!", but they could just as easily claim "The prize sucks" and ruin your whole approach.

That, in a nutshell, is what I think is what many e-marketers are overlooking (but I could be naive). In the past, brands sponsored sports teams hoping to convert the fans into consumers. In this day of digital social networking, why not sponsor social networks, like this one, and try to win their trust?

I think I've rambled a bit, sorry, but I hope I've not been incoherent. The neat thing about a brand/sponsor/network approach is that every now and again the the brand representative will find himself genuinely enjoying the connection he's forming with the network. Cheers. :cool:

[thenationalghost]

I suppose that explains the idea behind the king of rocks contest?

Marketing genius. I'm very impressed.

[itzzaangel]

Originally Posted by thenationalghost

I suppose that explains the idea behind the king of rocks contest?

Marketing genius. I'm very impressed.

Yes you are right it is great marketing, but for both parties invovled. Its great advertising for KoR and its also great for our board. Both sides win. MartyP gets the advertising, plus word of mouth advertising (which is overpowering) and therefore more potential customers. Where as the board gets more action and excitement and the potential for more members.

[martyp]

Plus I enjoy the added bonus of displaying my extraordinary wit and undeniable humour to an adoring crowd who constantly count the minutes until I post again!

[Annchan]

so bottom line, to C&P or not to C&P?

I drag and drop the url into the url bar sometimes, does that make a difirence?
-^_^-

[martyp]

my 2cents on whether or not to C&P...

if you want to run little or no risk of being turned down then:
-click to contests
-click to coupons
-click to freebies from major brands
-type url in new window to freebies from small stores

IMHO

[Annchan]

I was on another freebie site and they said that if I just click the link I will ruin it for EVERYONE on that freebie site. I dont think that's true
I get a lot of freebies and I never c&p the link so I think you dont have to do it all the time

thanks for the advice marty.
-^_^-