Free Download after leaving email Address?

[lostmykeys]

Hi, can anyone tell me,

what would be the best way to make a free download available, but only after leaving contact details, ideally with the ”Please confirm your email address” first.
A zipped pdf of no real value so security would not be an issue, And no need of a check out and ecommerce stuff, but would be interesting for future reference
or any one of several but not all.
Is there a good place to go to find out more than I need to know.
Thanks.

[Eidolon]

Personally I wouldn't touch any 'free download' which required me to provide personal details such as an email address, or if I had to I'd leave false details.

If you're trying to prevent automated/bot download I'd suggest using a HRI plugin or a field where the user has to answer a sum on screen (ie. enter a value).

[DPS Computing]

Eidolons implementation is probably the best way to go about it however I am with him on this one - I doubt I'd enter my details for a free download.

I do have to ask the question though - if the download is a "zipped pdf with no real value" then a) why would I want to exchange my details for it and b) why would I want to download it at all?

[ZekeBolton]

This is actually quite a good email collecting strategy. The best way i've found is to have a link to the download you want (pdf of zip) as a link on the "thank you" page.

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by ZekeBolton

This is actually quite a good email collecting strategy. The best way i've found is to have a link to the download you want (pdf of zip) as a link on the "thank you" page.

But again I ask the question - why would you provide your e-mail address for a "zipped pdf with no real value". Irregardless of whether the link didn't require an email and was thrown in my face I wouldn't download something that is worthless!

[Eidolon]

If you wish to collect email addresses I suggest using software such as phplists, or even the mailing list facility in cPanel. These alllow users to subscribe & unsubscibe easily, thus hopefully avoiding accusations of send spam as well as using (or even passing on) their email address without consent.

[DPS Computing]

I think just setting up the mailing list with no preconceptions or promises is the best thing.

After all it will lead to unhappy customers if you say you want there e-mail address and you'll give them something and the something is no use and wasn't worth it. That will make people unhappy .

[ZekeBolton]

If you have an opt in check box on the form page, theres no issues there. If you actually provide some information of use in the download, people will just fill in the form because the want info, especially if it gives them the answer and they can't be arsed to look elsewhere!

If you don't like it you can always put a fake email :P

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by ZekeBolton

If you have an opt in check box on the form page, theres no issues there. If you actually provide some information of use in the download, people will just fill in the form because the want info, especially if it gives them the answer and they can't be arsed to look elsewhere!

If you don't like it you can always put a fake email :P

But hes already told us the download has "no real value".

[ZekeBolton]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

But hes already told us the download has "no real value".

Unless he writes "this download has no real value, I just want your email address" in big letters, people aren't going to know, are they? Its the way you sell it. Give it a snappy title like "top 10 mistakes made when cooking eggs, the secrets revealed" (just an example!) but make it really specific to your target audience.

Even if its just rehashed, public domain info thats of "no real value" The title will have got the user curious, and want to indeed know the "secrets". Having a book will also give you weight behind your claims of being an expert. It just seems more impressive than having a web page with it on.

[eukrobert]

Originally Posted by ZekeBolton

Unless he writes "this download has no real value, I just want your email address" in big letters, people aren't going to know, are they? Its the way you sell it. Give it a snappy title like "top 10 mistakes made when cooking eggs, the secrets revealed" (just an example!) but make it really specific to your target audience.

Even if its just rehashed, public domain info thats of "no real value" The title will have got the user curious, and want to indeed know the "secrets". Having a book will also give you weight behind your claims of being an expert. It just seems more impressive than having a web page with it on.

Yes the sad fact is the majority of internet users are still unaware of the many illegit scams occuring on a daily basis and tend to let their curisoity get the better of them which profits alot of people.

Don't get me wrong though there is many legit services going on it just takes time to investigate for e.g. i would not purchase from a website less then google Page Ranking 5 just a personal preference.

[ZekeBolton]

I think he just wants to get some leads for his product / service which is not a scam.

But I see what you are saying about scams. Almost all of these "get rich" e books promising you'll make $1000's in a day are scams. They are just readily available info, mostly just common sense really just dressed up by some marketer.

It is a shame people fall for these, hell, i've even bought an ebook (thankfully it wasn't very much!) but the big "secret" was, to write your one ebooks! so he was making money with an ebook telling people to write ebooks!

Thing is, if these methods were so good, no way would they be selling them for $20 or whatever. They'd be doing it non stop and making a fortune. People generally seem to want the easy route, and want it all without any work. The people that write the sales blurb know this, and play on this making out they will get rich by just buying whatever it is. You can't achieve anything worthwhile without hard work, simple as that.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! (apart from eUKhost!)

[eukrobert]

Originally Posted by ZekeBolton

I think he just wants to get some leads for his product / service which is not a scam.

I just meant in general because the majority come across that way.

Basically make sure your end user knows it is no way a scam which is harder said then done with some visitors like i would be lol, but it could very much be a success wish you the best!

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! (apart from eUKhost!)

you know!

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by ZekeBolton

Unless he writes "this download has no real value, I just want your email address" in big letters, people aren't going to know, are they? Its the way you sell it. Give it a snappy title like "top 10 mistakes made when cooking eggs, the secrets revealed" (just an example!) but make it really specific to your target audience.

Even if its just rehashed, public domain info thats of "no real value" The title will have got the user curious, and want to indeed know the "secrets". Having a book will also give you weight behind your claims of being an expert. It just seems more impressive than having a web page with it on.

Then if it is information of no value but implied that it is I would count it as obtaining personal information by deception.

However you like to word it, it will lead to degredation of your reputation, personally and professionally, and will lose you more visitors - you may have their e-mail address but after you've annoyed them there likely to unsubscribe, junk it and possibly refer it to someone like SpamCop!