“Free is such a powerful force in innovation”

Think about it…the financial risk is removed when something is free. Removing risk is powerful! We are much more easily motivated to take action when there is nothing to lose. But have you ever thought about how if something is free it encourages us to be innovative?

It intrigued me because although I know the word “FREE” is a proven motivating word in sales, I never looked at the fact that FREE is one of the great motivating factors behind the innovation of the Internet.

Now, FREE is one of those words that sets off the SPAM filters. The word is WAY over-used at this point and has become one of those words that sets off the skeptic in all of us…and yet:

FREE “giveaway” promotions are the latest and greatest in getting people to subscribe to your list. People sign up by the hundreds or thousands.

FREE information, free entertainment, free phone calls across the world, free software, free graphics, free hosting, free consultations, free samples…Just about everything that exists is given away FREE these days.

FREE helps “newbies” get started in the learning process of creating and interacting on the internet. FREE helps “intermediates” grow and start to compete with the “experts”.

FREE helps the Mom & Pops compete with the Mega Corporations.

FREE helps the “experts” create their Maven status, warp speed their viral marketing and position themselves as generous “good guys”.

FREE lets us spend our money on other things like gas & food

FREE makes us crazy when we’re on the other end of the deal…trying to make money.

Never-the-less, below is a list of some “freebies” I’ve used myself and like or have had other GutZy Women tell me they like.

 Check them out! And if you get some value out of these FREE tips, feel FREE to subscribe to our FREE RSS feed, or our FREE newsletter, or FREE social networking site for more FREE tips, strategies and valuable information.

1.   Website builders:           

      http://www.weebly.com

      http://www.webnode.com/en

2.   Resize & Optimize pictures:         

      http://www.shrinkpictures.com

3.     Public domain image resources:

       http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Public_domain_image_resources#General_collections

4.   Cover generator for ebooks, CD’s etc.           

       http://www.groundbreak.com/graphics2.html 

5.   Internet Calling:     

    http://www.skype.com 

6.   Live Video Broadcasting:      

      http://www.mogulus.com                        

      http://www.ustream.com 

 7.   Podcasting:    

     http://www.talkshoe.com     

Obviously this is a very short list compared to what’s out there, so why don’t you ADD to the list with YOUR favorites in the comments section below. I can just feel the Innovation coming on! For MORE innovative articles and videos click here:

The NEW FACE of  “Do Gooders”:

One of my fellow Next Internet Millionaire contestants, Jason Marshall,  is getting ready to do an online fundraising for his student, who is confined to a wheelchair, in order to buy a wheelchair accessible van to drive him around. He is doing this by holding a product launch where many internet marketers are donating the products to be sold and  promoting to their lists. (You’ll hear about the details soon as I’ve agreed to help.)

Another woman I met, Joanie Winberg,  has just launched a membership community site for women going through divorce. As one of her “Panel of Experts”, I agreed to be a resource for women on her site who may need some direction in building in some income from internet marketing to help them not only survive, but thrive!

On April 5th, GutZy Women will be holding a special educational event specifically to share valuable pointers with women artists on how to better market and sell their art or artistic services. The event is in conjunction with SWAN Day (Support Women Artists Now) a grassroots effort that is being coordinated by The Fund for Women Artists through its websites. This Nonprofit has provided me with a national website and promotional tools already in place so that we can co-promote, me to my list and them to the world.

Hayley Solich from Australia, a gal I met through the “Virtual GutZy Women Clubhouse“,  just launched her Women Can International, Inc. As I have been asked to be featured in her next newsletter, GutZy Women LLC will gain the attention of other women who are passionate about helping us all be the best we can be as we offer our gifts and talents to the world. We in turn will reciprocate…probably by holding a teleseminar interview with Hayley.

These are just a few real, close to home examples of how this new way of “cause marketing” is being created by possibility thinkers online.

This really got me thinking…

WHAT ARE THE STATS?

I used the study titled “Blogging for Donor’s Hearts” done by the University of Massachusetts in my research for this article that analyzed social media use in the largest charities in the United States.

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In part 3 of a series of videos where Debbie Ducic of GutZy Women engages in a conversation with David Skul and Frank Klein of Relativity, the question is… “Is Web 1.0 Really Dead?”

This series of videos can  be used to glean knowledge and know how from two very qualified and experienced technology guys. In part 3, we have a great discussion about how web 2.0 capabilities have affected positive change in the education world by offering students a NEW and DIFFERENT way to learn for that 30-40% who don’t do well in “traditional” schools.

Deb and David talk about ways business marketers can leverage the capabilities made possible by web 2.0 platforms to encourage their clients and prospective clients to create the marketing message for them. A whole NEW way of approaching business which simply makes more sense than the traditional approach and was not an option just a few years ago.

You’ll enjoy the unique perspectives of each…

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Debbie Ducic, founder of GutZyWomen.Com and Diane Corriette of WomenInternetMarketers.Net get together on a teleseminar with Jaime Luchuck, WINNER of the Next Internet Millionaire competition. I produced this teaser video to show how visuals added to audio programs to get more results. More of the teleseminar can be heard at http://gutzywoman.com/DianneCorriette.html

The matching article I wrote is about the power of using ALL MODALITIES in presenting your message.

We are naturally conditioned to be more responsive when we not only read a message, but we hear it and see it as well.

So when we communicate through audio, video, and text …it creates more of a sense of trust and bonding. We get to “know” each other better and we like to do business with people we know and trust.

Take a look at this first “teaser” video I produced featuring Diane. I bet you’ll get to know her ALOT BETTER after just 2 minutes.

Keep an eye out for more video presentations like this one and see for yourself how this “modality” is creating a more effective “relationship building” strategy for YOU in YOUR online marketing efforts.

This is the second part of my article about the beauty of Web 2.0 capabilities when you want to engage YOUR customers or potential customers in your brand, your website, your cause.