“Free” Is Often Just the First Step of the Funnel

Milos Stankovic

3d • General

“Free consultation.”

“Free website.”

“Free setup.”

It sounds generous. And sometimes it genuinely is.

But more often, “free” is not the final offer — it’s the entry point.

Many businesses use free services as a marketing strategy. The goal is to reduce friction, build trust, and create a relationship that later transitions into paid maintenance, add-ons, upgrades, subscriptions, or long-term contracts.

That model itself isn’t unethical. It becomes problematic when people misunderstand what “free” actually means.

And here’s something worth noticing:

If someone repeatedly posts the exact same “free” offer over and over again — especially packaged as a limited-time “gift” for holidays like Valentine’s Day, New Year, Black Friday, or other special occasions — it’s usually not generosity.

It’s a campaign.

Seasonal urgency is one of the oldest marketing triggers. When the same “gift” appears every holiday, it’s rarely spontaneous kindness. It’s a structured acquisition strategy.

Before accepting anything labeled as free, ask:

* Who owns the final product?

* Are there ongoing fees?

* What happens after the initial period?

* Is there vendor lock-in?

* How easy is it to walk away?

Free can be smart — if you understand the long-term structure behind it.

In business, awareness protects you more than excitement ever will.

Have you ever accepted something “free”

that later turned into a long-term cost?

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