How Much Does Free Cost?
WordPress is free. Facebook is free. Twitter is free. If I can do or get it for free why should I pay you? 
The most frequently asked question I hear — often not verbalized aloud.
There are a host of responses. Here are a few…
As easy as some aspects of WP are, there’s no way somebody could set up a site like this without a good knowledge of html to start with. The navigation links, tables, bookmarks and IDX would drive anyone else insane. -Linda Slocum
Social media is not free or easy, but if you employ the right people who can utilize these tools effectively, it can be an efficient choice to augment your other efforts. We should focus less on selling people on shiny new tools and more on building strategic plans and how tools can help us achieve the goals we have established. -Cara Keithley
I tell clients that I conservatively think I spent well over 500 man-hours learning Social Media and that was just to get started. I probably spend 2 hours a day learning each and every day… so at their salary, what is all that time worth? Funny how it makes the large number I just slid across the table seem not so large anymore. -brandmarken
If you want to trust your brand with someone who’s spammed their way to 100k Twitter followers in the last 6 months, then you weren’t the right client for me anyway. On the other hand if you’re serious about exploring the possibility of entering the social media space and are willing to dedicate the resources to ensure success, then we’ve got something to talk about. -Scott Schablow
Social Media isn’t free–depending upon the goals and size of the brand, executing Social Media strategies and programs may require monitoring, research, third-party software and services, development, planning, and resources to work effectively. – Augie Ray
Those “inexpensive” efforts take specialized knowledge and a lot more time to manage and execute. Things like public relations, guerrilla marketing, event marketing, and viral have always been more labor intensive and require a special kind of daily hands-on management. Same with social media. -Michelle Tripp
Wondering… How do you, as a buyer, determine the value of a service? Is it monetary? Time saved? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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RT @kdrewien: How much does free cost? http://ow.ly/UQsv
RT @kdrewien: How much does free cost? http://ow.ly/UQsv
How Much Does Free Cost? http://bit.ly/6Ovw6J (RT @kdrewien)
Great points! Everything costs something.
Usually you are just choosing time or money!
I work with a lot of folks who don't want to spend time, so they will spend money. Many people don't want to do either & complain that nothing is working!
I am comforted to be finding more people who don't have a LOT of money, but are willing to pay to learn, and recognize that they have to spend some time! (yeah! angels singing!:)
I too spent and spend more hours than I can count learning social media and keeping up with the constant changes! Many don't see why they would pay someone to teach them and many others that gladly will so that THEY don't have to spend all that time!
I would add that many of those 'free things' come w/hidden prices! Those 'free sites' like ning and others (I love ning, don't get me wrong!) make advertising MONEY from the traffic that comes to the site that YOU put the TIME into building. In many cases, they own your content too! (that pesky little terms of service nobody reads!).
Those free apps and games on facebook? they are not created by developers sitting around wanting to give you something to do for fun because they like you! They get valuable information from you. About you and your friends.
I'm not saying that these are BAD necessarily, but certainly not free!
No more free than a website that requires your email address in return for a 'free' MP3 or Ebook.
That's not free, that's a trade. Just be clear in what you're trading, then decide.
Time for money, money for time, or whatever.
Thanks for the discussion Kathy!
Thanks, Heather. Value is decided by the buyer, and buying decisions are emotional decisions; always been that way.
More often than not, I make buying decisions to save time. It's cheaper to wash my car myself. Instead, I pay someone to do it faster and I'm willing to pay for extra space in my calendar. I like eating out. Costs more, but I'm buying the service and/or the experience.
When it comes to technology I pay more to be the newest and shiniest. And yet, I paid someone else to design and move one of my websites even though I know how to do it myself. The problem was the site was not getting completed. I was stuck. Paying someone enabled me to move on… I bought freedom, creativity and motivation.
Social media is low/no cost. Some buyers choose the do-it-yourself route to save money; learn; avoid success or any number of emotional benefits.
I wonder how many of us stop to answer the questions, “What are you buying?”
you hit the nail on the head Kathy!
Thanks for the quote! I appreciate your opinions here.
Thanks, Cara, for your insight on “bright and shiny!” Chasing the next shiny tool is a way to avoid responsibility for creating change.
I'm always open to your thoughts...