The Membership Blast — 004
What a Free Flying Hotdog Taught Me About Marketing
Happy Tuesday ☀️
I’m writing from the (hopefully) warming streets of Chicago.
Ever been to a ballgame where they launch free t-shirts into the crowd? Or seen someone dive headfirst for a foul ball like it’s a winning lottery ticket?
I once watched a game at the old PNC Park in Pittsburgh where they literally shot free hotdogs out of a cannon. The crowd went absolutely nuts.
People will run, jump, and risk bodily injury for a double-XL shirt with a team logo on the front and a Big Mac ad on the back.
That’s the power of free.
And it’s a power you should be using in your marketing.
Why free matters
If you run a subscription business, you already know how tough it is to get the right people in the door. Retention is critical (we’ll get into that in a future email), but you can’t retain someone who never signs up in the first place.
That’s why you need a hook — a lead magnet. Something valuable. Something your audience actually wants. And something that’s free.
A quick story
Years ago, I was running a lead generation software company for SEO agencies. I created a free download called:
“The Killer SEO Contract”
It was a plug-and-play client agreement template made specifically for SEO agencies — my ideal customer.
It brought in over 5,000 downloads. That’s 5,000 warm leads introduced to my product automatically. It ended up being my top-performing marketing asset — and I didn’t spend a dime creating it.
Why free works (especially with ads)
- It’s easier to advertise — people are much more likely to click on a freebie than on a sales pitch.
- It’s a lighter lift for your customer — entering an email to grab a free template or tool feels easy.
- It has a much higher conversion rate — you’ll get more leads for less money.
- It creates a low-risk entry point — which builds trust and opens the door for future sales.
When someone’s scrolling through Instagram or Reddit, they’re not ready to commit to your software. But a free resource that solves a real problem? That’s an easy “yes.”
So, what could you give away?
Here are a few starter ideas:
- ✅ A free mini course or tutorial
- ✅ A downloadable sample from your content library
- ✅ A live online event (like a Q&A or webinar)
- ✅ A spreadsheet or tool your audience would actually use
👉 Download my free list of 40 lead magnet ideas.
👉 Watch this new video of 30 lead magnet ideas with examples.
Pick something useful and specific to your target customer — that’s the key. Make it good enough that they’d pay for it, then give it away.
Take your time with it. This could end up being your #1 source of new leads.
Until next time,
Marvin
Chief Growth Officer
MemberSpace