Before I dive into this topic, I want to mention that I'm not referring to product previews when I use the term free (example: the playtest classes). I'm referring to complete products made by third party publishers that are given away for whatever reason.
I would also like to state that this thread is intended to be about the users and their perspective. If we could keep specific names, companies, or products to a minimum I think that it will help to keep this thread on track. :)
I've asked several people one-on-one recently of their perspective on the subject and receive a pretty diverse array of answers. If a product is independently functional, would you use it?
The most obvious is that the product is free and there's nothing to lose. The second most popular answer is that it's probably too little to be of use. The most puzzling answer is that some people wouldn't bother looking at it (why give good product away?) unless it was a preview.
So what do you think? Free good? Free bad?
Agreed on all points. Gaining face seems like a reasonable motivation to give away a solid product.
My initial experience with websites offering free stuff was to delve into it. In the end their was so much of it, it was more work than it was worth in many cases to separate the wheat from the chaff. I guess that is the cost of free in a way.
I think it is a good idea. I think some of the bad third party stuff for WoTC(3.5) has made people wary. A company gave me a free product and I now own several of their books.
Categorically speaking, here's no difference between paid product and free product. Some of it is good, some of it is bad, regardless of which you're talking about.
Shrug.
I suspect I'm not grasping the purpose behind the question being asked.
I think "free" has had a certain stigma attached to it that, potentially for some, is difficult to get around. "If it's free, it must not be that good" is a mindset that many folks have (and I'll freely admit, the thought does cross my mind at times).
Much like "crippleware" or "trialware" computer software, there's been some material that was released free, not advertised as a preview, but seemingly intended as such, but was poorly done so that it was frustrating to attempt to read/use, and in general, a turn-off to both the publisher and to other free material.
Fortunately, we've got a fair amount of publishers that have released free content that is incredibly complete and usable (the Free RPG day content is a big example).
To me, the best thing to give away is either a new module in order to generate buzz about it, or something that's been very well received in the past in order to get new customers.
For example, if you're planning on a series of expansions, such as racial books, each taking an existing OGL race, giving some new options, some new racial feats, and some new racial arms and armor and racial magic items, the best thing to do is give away the first one to generate buzz about the series. BUT! Make sure it is GOOD! Nothing will kill your future sales worse than giving away a first module that everyone hates or finds cheesy. Put 3 times the effort into the first one. Not because you are trying to 'bait and switch', but because it's the first one, you won't have past lessons to learn from on it. And, it's going to make or break your whole series, so pay extra attention. I really liked a book I bought for PF called the Tome of Secrets. However, there were SO many spelling mistakes and glitches in the book, things that were easily noticeable, that it was hard to see how it got past proofreading. They fixed it, but I haven't really looked at anything else the company did since then, mainly just because I hate getting 5 pages of errata on a book. It means it was rushed to publication, and it is especially bad when compared to Paizo's core books, which generally have much greater production values than most RPG companies.
As a different example, let's take the same 'races' series. Let's say you've got 8 of them out, and sales are slowing. The 2nd book in the series was generally acclaimed as the best so far by your marketing research. So, go over that book and fix any errata issues, maybe add 2 pages of additional items or feats (things you didn't have ready for production, but wish you'd been able to include), and give away PDFs of that book. This generates more buzz, you keep your existing customers happy because they get 2 new pages of stuff too, and you can attract new customers who look through it because all your existing customers are raving about how good it was. If they like it, more than likely they'll buy more of the series.
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I think it is as it should be, it shows they are make right and proper tributes to my greatness. The only puzzling thing is why more companies don't do it and all of them do it more. :D
On a only slightly more serious note. I think in general it is a good idea. But what ever is free had best be some of the companies best work. For good or ill that free product will form a lot of peoples opinions and word of mouth about the company as a whole.
So I think it is a bit of a gamble more so than selling products. If you sell them x number buy them. If it is bad they say bad things but still only x number. If a free product is bad, then x is typical a much much bigger number. On the flip side is true as well. Give away a really good product for free and likely more people will check out other stuff.
So I see it as a risk vs reward deal.
@ Wraithstrike - Indeed. I found a few free things I liked, but had to trash a lot of stuff that had major power creeping. It was like they wanted to use it to promote their stuff, but instead of buying the product, their stuff got banned. :p
@ Megan Robertson & Dark Mistress - First off, I'd like to thank both of you for your reviews, I read them quite often and find it very helpful in selecting products! :D I like the concept of using the free products to say thank you. I'm grateful for the time people take to read over products and give critical feedback. I'm sure many other publishers feel this way as well.
I think the risk is ultimately worth it though, because in your heart of hearts, as a creator one knows if the stuff their putting out is just crap slung together or something crafted with artistry. It's disheartening when someone leaves a review with one star and "didn't like it" without anything they can grow from, but thankfully most people ignore cheap shots like that. In the rare cases that it was bad work thrown together apparently hastily, I guess it's kinda karma.
I like free stuff, and I don't judge a PDF subpar based only on price. Content is more important. Every now and then, I check the on-line stores for free items. They often contain useful content, and they can serve as an appetite whetter to get me more interested in what else a publisher might be doing.
I also second what Wicked K Games said about reviews.
@ Brian E. Harris - I LOVE the concept of Free RPG Day! I really want to get onboard in 2011. The deadline is in February, so I got a while...
I'm not sure why companies put out products that are unusable and free, paranoia or stinginess? This stigma IS one of the thing's I'm curious about. When I download a product (a pdf reader for example) and it does everything advertised, I'm quite pleased. If they have an advanced version with more functions, I'll probably buy it knowing they're upfront about it. I used the "tryout" demos to make my first product. I liked it so much I bought it (albeit an older version I could afford). :)
@ Anguish - Sorry if it's a bit vague... basically the point of asking this hopefully answers the questions:
Slightly off subject, but still related:
Overall I find this kind of conversation invaluable and hope that other 3PP find it helpful as well. ;)
To me, the best thing to give away is either a new module in order to generate buzz about it, or something that's been very well received in the past in order to get new customers.
For example, if you're planning on a series of expansions, such as racial books, each taking an existing OGL race, giving some new options, some new racial feats, and some new racial arms and armor and racial magic items, the best thing to do is give away the first one to generate buzz about the series. BUT! Make sure it is GOOD! Nothing will kill your future sales worse than giving away a first module that everyone hates or finds cheesy. Put 3 times the effort into the first one. Not because you are trying to 'bait and switch', but because it's the first one, you won't have past lessons to learn from on it. And, it's going to make or break your whole series, so pay extra attention. I really liked a book I bought for PF called the Tome of Secrets. However, there were SO many spelling mistakes and glitches in the book, things that were easily noticeable, that it was hard to see how it got past proofreading. They fixed it, but I haven't really looked at anything else the company did since then, mainly just because I hate getting 5 pages of errata on a book. It means it was rushed to publication, and it is especially bad when compared to Paizo's core books, which generally have much greater production values than most RPG companies.
I think you hit the nail on the head with this.
I've been very pleased and in some cases impressed by companies that have come back and edited the original work AND included the changes in errata pages. With Paizo being the publisher of the Pathfinder RPG core rules, the core rules were my first impression and the first errata motivated me to subscribe.
I understand for many publishers errata DOES equal free work in a way. It's improving the product, but there is no new money from existing customers and it is time consuming. While I am sympathetic to this, the obligation for product quality has already been purchased. The real bait and switch is not doing the errata after purchase.
I've had to slow my pace due to family issues myself, but I'm still plugging away at updated...but I digress. :p
As a different example, let's take the same 'races' series. Let's say you've got 8 of them out, and sales are slowing. The 2nd book in the series was generally acclaimed as the best so far by your marketing research. So, go over that book and fix any errata issues, maybe add 2 pages of additional items or feats (things you didn't have ready for production, but wish you'd been able to include), and give away PDFs of that book. This generates more buzz, you keep your existing customers happy because they get 2 new pages of stuff too, and you can attract new customers who look through it because all your existing customers are raving about how good it was. If they like it, more than likely they'll buy more of the series.
Again, spot on. The web enhancement with the errata would also possibly spark a renewed interest in the product. If the additional free new content went over well enough, it might pave the way for a sequel!
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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I'll look over free stuff that's tossed my way, and it can encourage me to buy products from that company, but a) not always and b) depends on what the product is.*
For example, I'll likely snag a copy of 'Free Pathfinder Dungeon Delve' but won't buy '2.99 Pathfinder dungeon delve' unless the free product is awe inspiring. I have my modules subscription, my Dungeon a Day subscription, and my Tsar subscription, which means I won't be suffering for adventures anytime soon.
Now at the same time, new themes interest me. Freds Really Exceptional Elves might snag my interest to buy Fred's Radically Awesome Kobolds. I've bought Ironborn of Questhaven and, when finances get settled, I'll likely pick up some of their other questhaven books.
So free will get me to look over it, but won't guarantee that I won't overlook paid products.**
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Honestly, I think it's really no different than any other business. Sometimes it makes sense to give something away for free in order to increase traffic and, hopefully, business.
As others have said, as long as the free product is the BEST you can produce and really showcases what your company can do, I think it's a great idea!
I know a number of the companies I have worked with / for have released free PDFs and I'm willing to bet they feel it was beneficial.
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As a consumer, I almost always take a look at a company's free offerings, and use them as data points when buying materials later. A good free product can win me over, a bad free product makes me leery of giving my money away for more of the same.
As a company, Super Genius has found giving material away to be very profitable. We have a few free PDFs designed as enhancements for fans who already buy our stuff, but we have also had giveaways of entire PDFs. Indeed, last month we allowed anyone who wanted to to tell us what one PDF they most wanted for free, and we gave it to them.
And total sales spiked significantly. Some people stated they were buying things from us just as an incentive for us to give things away again in the future. Others told us point-blank they liked the free item they received, and started buying more of our back list as a result. And of course it got a fair amount of publicity, which helped new customers find us.
On a much smaller scale, I regularly give away tiny bits of content on my twitter account (@Owen_Stephens). these are mostly just simple re-skinnings of existing spells to make new options (I tag them as #Spelltweets to make them easy to find). A number of fans have gotten interested in my twitter as a result, and thus know when SGG releases a new PDF, which is a different use for free product.
As a 3PP, it is something I have have to do AND like to do, for good and bad.
The good way is that interested people get an opportunity to "try out" a products or company. This is very helpful for small start up 3PP who wants to bee seen.
On the bad side, you have to think about how much you want to give away and better yet how can you make back the money you spent on doing a free product (if you are not doing the work youself writing and art wise). No cashflow can kill a 3PP quickly and silently.
Free products are the best way to build a fanbase grassroots-wise with a little to no cost. Free is hard to beat, no matter what you do.
FREE...GOOD.
As many others have said, I've given lots of things a look I wouldn't have otherwise, and it's resulted in some sales. In other cases, it's hastened my buying of fuller or related products.
I have NEVER say, "Arrgh, this fell below my expectations/wasn't what I was looking for and you have lost my good well for wasting my time... with your freeness." I HAVE said, "Arrgh, etc" and added "and MONEY with your non-freeness."
I've worked on a couple of the free web enhancements that 4WFG has available to add to our print books. I developed the "Reborn Soul" bloodline for the Book of Arcane Magic, and the Relics for the "Book of Divine Magic". Don't really know how either have been received...
This thread has led me to create this. :) Thank you all for the wisdom given in this thread.
Very nice, I like the layout. I still prefer the one that was put out by Neceros (mainly because it auto calculates all the skills/etc), but this is designed to be a simple 2 page sheet for quickly filling out and using. Honestly, I think I'd use it for important NPCs more than PCs, as I don't need to be so careful with them and double check numbers, and this keeps all the data in a nice two page bit thats easy to keep track of.
Very nice, I like the layout. I still prefer the one that was put out by Neceros (mainly because it auto calculates all the skills/etc), but this is designed to be a simple 2 page sheet for quickly filling out and using. Honestly, I think I'd use it for important NPCs more than PCs, as I don't need to be so careful with them and double check numbers, and this keeps all the data in a nice two page bit thats easy to keep track of.
I like that! That's something I hadn't honestly thought of. I may try making a set of NPC sheets in the future. ;)
Something that I would like to see from free products is how it can tie in with other products from the same publisher. So if you give away a free race PDF, I would like to know how it ties in with other products you have.
Example, let's say you make a product that shows how to use minotaur as a usable PC race for level 1 characters. At the end, you mention that some other products that the reader may be interested in are: an "ecology" article that has a few different variants, an adventure that has minotaurs as it's primary enemy, a mini-book of feats some of which are minotaur related, etc. It doesn't have to be anything major, just one or two more things that can steer me to buy from the publisher.
This would allow you to have some interesting things and tie those things to your other products. Sometimes I see something neat but I don't see any other support for it. If there is support, I don't know which products to find that support in.