You know what happens to most freebies people download? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. They die quiet deaths in the inbox underworld, right between that 10% off ASOS code and an unread email from their dentist.
I should know. I used to make them.
I used to treat freebies like party favors at a networking event. Cute, helpful, and completely forgettable. And for a while, they did their job. They grew my list. They brought people in. They let me feel generous. Like a good little online business owner giving away value for free.
This is where I will make the disclaimer that I appreciated the heck out of business owners who actually make the effort to give away free value. It's just that, I don't think it works anymore.
Like I said, I used to do it too. But then something shifted.
My audience started ghosting the freebies they signed up for. People would opt in, never open the email, and definitely never use the thing. Engagement dropped. Sales didn’t go up. And my best work - work that actually helps people write better copy, sell with more ease, and sound more like themselves - went to die in the Freebie Graveyard.
That's when I realized that freebie fatigue is real. People are tired from everyone and their nephew's dog clamoring for attention on the internet.
So I made a change.
I stopped doing freebies.
Except one.
The only freebie I’ve kept is my absolute favorite PDF downloadable 7 Quick Steps to Better Copy. I promised my audience early on that it would always be free, and I meant it. It’s short, punchy, and actually helps you write better, more candid, more you-sounding copy without needing a whole degree in marketing.
But everything else now lives behind a tiny paywall. Low-ticket offers. Affordable, accessible, and infinitely more effective.
Here’s why:
1. Freebie fatigue is real.
The internet is full of free PDFs no one asked for. Attention is scarce, and freebies have lost their shine. People are tired of downloading yet another checklist they won’t read, or a swipe file that gathers dust in their "Downloads" folder.
When everyone is giving away something for free, your freebie doesn't feel special. It's just more noise.
2. Free means no commitment.
There’s actual buyer psychology behind this. When people pay, even a tiny amount, they are more likely to engage. This is known as the endowment effect - when we spend money on something, we perceive it as more valuable simply because we've invested in it.
A related concept, the IKEA effect, shows that people place disproportionately high value on things they have partially created themselves. This is why cake mixes didn’t become popular until companies changed the formula to require customers to add an egg. People felt more ownership and pride in the final result.
In short, effort and investment breed attachment.
And that same logic applies to your digital offers.
So if I offer you a workbook for free, you might skim it. If you pay even five quid for it, you’re more likely to read it, use it, and come back for more. It shifts your mindset from "maybe later" to "I want to get my money's worth."
3. Low-ticket offers attract high-intent buyers.
I want to create a space for people who are genuinely interested in learning how to write their own copy. Whether you're just starting out or already deep in the game, I want you here because you see the value in showing up for your words. I want people who are actually interested in learning to write their own copy, who want to build a business that sounds like them, who care enough to take action.
Low-ticket offers are a great filter. They let the curious commit. They create a pathway from first contact to paid client, one tiny step at a time.
4. If you're a coach or course creator, this matters even more.
You are your own brand. If you’re constantly giving away your best stuff for free, you teach your audience to expect you for free. And that expectation? It’s hard to undo.
Your pricing sends a message. When you charge for your work, you’re not just making money. You’re modeling boundaries. You’re teaching your audience that their own expertise is worth charging for, too.
5. People don't need more freebies. They need more follow through.
Most people don’t have a knowledge problem. They have an implementation problem. The best content in the world means nothing if it never gets opened, read, or used.
That’s why I put my best stuff inside low-ticket offers. Because people show up differently when they invest. Even just a little.
So no, I’m not anti-generosity. I’ll still be participating in summits or bundles from time to time, and when I do, you’ll likely get access to my paid content for free through those. And I’m not saying freebies never work.
I’m saying I want to create stuff that actually gets used. That helps. That lands. That changes something for you.
And if charging a few pounds makes that more likely? Then that’s what I’m doing.
I'm still committed to keeping my offers affordable, though. I’d rather give you exactly the bits you need, than trap them inside a £2000 mega-course that you'll never get through. That price tag is enough to buy your first car, and frankly, it shouldn’t be the barrier between you and better copy.
But if you still want to try something free first, grab my ebook 7 Quick Steps to Better Copy. It’s short, easy, and wildly helpful.
And when you’re ready to take things further, check out the rest of my offers. They’re affordable, impactful, and designed to help you write story-driven copy that feels like you.
Start here.
You’ll find tools that actually get used - and results that don’t die in the Freebie Graveyard.