I use both free and fee teleseminars. The difference is whether or not the call is the product. In some cases, I use the call to promote a service, in which case the call is a lead generation effort and is given at no cost. In other cases, the call is the product and as such attendees pay a fee to attend.

I don’t see a conflict between the two and to date have not experienced any confusion among attendees. The key I’ve found is how we build up to and position the event. Likewise, the same applies to our blogs and the information we make freely available. If we use our free information to establish a position of preeminence, giving some things away is justified and expected.

I think a problem some people have is losing sight of how they make money and forget their online efforts are to support that.

I’m not lamenting the internet. Like you, I’d be hard pressed to compete if it weren’t for the net due to the cost of reaching and influencing prospects through older marketing media. I just wonder not so much if we’re giving too much away, although I do wonder where it will end, but is our hype doing more damage than good? It doesn’t take two minutes to find numerous sites hyping their free webinars, white papers, ebooks, blogs, podcasts, and videos as the best training or business advice one will get when in fact it is nothing but a well crafted marketing pitch.

I agree that many seeking a ‘free lunch’ probably wouldn’t be viable clients under any circumstances. But to what extent do we give ourselves away and to what extent are we training even good prospects that paying is not necessary?