Written and originally posted October 12th, 2005
I really want to vent, but I realize that I have to understand that some people either get confused, or simply don’t “GET IT” when it comes to getting something for free. Is it REALLY free? Think about it. SOMEONE is paying for it to become available to you for “FREE” somehow!
Let’s look at newspapers or magazines that you receive for “FREE.” These publications are supported by advertising that is built around the content. The more advertising dollars the publications gain, the more they can grow. Some publications will charge you AND place advertising around their content. So, you should feel lucky that SOMEONE is paying for you to get the “FREE” version, which isn’t really free because they are “BUYING” space for your eyeballs to see their products or services. Same with television.
Now, why would I vent about this? Perhaps it is because I offer free printables on a website that is built upon the same premise. Chart Jungle has printable charts, schedules, checklists, etc. available for free. Let me tell you, it isn’t free for me to run the site and it isn’t free for me to send out a newsletter to let my subscribers know that there are more free printables, articles, etc. available. Every time that someone loads each printable image, my bandwidth gets used and the price for it is paid for by me. I use a third party host to send out my newsletter and they charge me too.
To offset the costs that I have to pay each month, I build advertising around the content areas, just like I mentioned the newspapers and magazines do. I get TONS of nice letters from thankful individuals and families each month. However, I get a few of the selfish and mean messages too, which I don’t understand. For heaven’s sake, these printables are free!
I received messages like:
” I don’t want the advertising, I just want the free printables ”
” I feel like I was duped into signing up for what I thought were charts and helpful tips and stuff. What I got from your site is advertisements ”
” Remove me from your “Club”. I joined by lure of “free printables”. However, it’s a scam like everything else. You should be ashamed of yourselves luring in desperate parents. ”
Hmmm… wow. A scam, they were duped, they don’t want advertising. Those types of messages make me think about charging subscribers a monthly cost and remove the advertising. However, that wouldn’t be fair to the parents who can’t afford it and really rely on the charts that I provide. I use these charts myself, and found that sharing them helped others.
So, maybe they just misunderstand, or got confused. I am not sure. But, one thing is for sure… NOTHING is REALLY free. SOMEONE is paying for it and for a reason.
I am sure that my fellow friends in the media online and offline understand this view.
Article Copyright © Wendy Shepherd – www.wendyshepherd.com
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#1 2005-10-13 @ 7:10:24 am From: NightOwl
Tens of thousands of page views per day and the fact that you get emails like this infrequently sends a clear message to me that 99.9% of your following loves what your doing for them. There’s always going to be an occasional whiney baby so don’t take it to heart dear. I know you’re a perfectionist and you want to make everyone happy but you always are going to have at least one knuckle-head out of ten thousand! 
#2 2005-10-13 @ 10:10:49 am From: Ken
Wendy,
Sorry that you are frustrated and dealing with this right now. Hopefully, your readers will realize that advertising is better than being charged for your content. The free printables are a bonus and they should be thankful you offer that. You are not giving them worms or trojan horses just advertising. What’s the harm in that? If they don’t want to buy the product they don’t have to. It’s a choice. I hope you are able to continue providing interesting content and points of view to your readers. Some ethos for you: I work for The Palm Beach Post so I totally understand the situation.-Ken
#3 2005-10-13 @ 11:10:59 am From: Stephanie
Hi Wendy,
Some people are really thick arent they???? I love your sight and have been a subscriber for years and I for one love the different things that you offer on your sight I have never thought it was to much I love your sight for what if is and what it offers isnt that the purpose of going to a websight???
The printables are great and so helpful and your right alot of homeschool families dont have alot of money so your sight is a real blessing for them as well. If the others dont like the way your doing things they can make there own charts or just get the charts they want and make copies and dont bother coming back it they dont want to be bothered!!! Another idea I know your real busy but maybe you could make a CD of your main helpful charts and sell them for a set price and the complainers can get their charts that way and you could make some extra money as well…I am also a stay at home homeschooling Mom and maybe I could be of some assistance?? I love your sight and would hate to loose it because some people dont understand the concept of free stuff..Know what I mean?? You and Mike have some awesome sights keep up the good work and dont let a few bad apples ruin the whole basket for the ones who really appreciate all you do and all your hard work. Your the best and so is your sights…. :>) Have a good one Stephanie
#4 2005-10-13 @ 1:10:41 pm From: Xerraire
Hi Wendy
I was thinking what Mike said.
You already seem to have a working forumla (for your visitors and for yourself). I hope you don’t stress on the few who write in negatively.
#5 2005-10-16 @ 1:10:32 am From: Joni Pipkin
Hi Wendy!
Have loved your site for a long time now and could really relate to your frustration. As an online entreprenuer, I have come to believe that there is a weird little group of aliens that get paid big bucks to harass all the rest of us and make us feel as low as possible~ maybe so we quit and they can take over the whole cyber space universe for themselves! Anyway~ I say “Keep up the good work” and don’t let the little depressed cyber-whiners get to ya~