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Does Free Comic Book Day Help Retailers? (freecomicbookday.com)
An anonymous reader writes:
Today comic book stores around the world celebrate "Free Comic Book Day," offering free comic books to anyone who pays them a visit. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the event is offering 50 free titles this year, including Doctor Who, Serenity, The Simpsons, Love and Rockets, and a brand new comic from Stan Lee. Marvel is giving away both an Avengers/Civil War comic and a separate one featuring Captain America, and there's also comics with Grumpy Cat, The Tick, and even a Street fighter V comic.
But the Los Angeles Times notes there's different opinions about whether the event creates repeat business (though one comic shop owner told them "as far as that one day goes, it's a great day.") Another store owner says he even stopped participating temporarily because "It's just the hyenas looking for free stuff," while a third described it instead as a way to give back to the community of comic book readers.
But the Los Angeles Times notes there's different opinions about whether the event creates repeat business (though one comic shop owner told them "as far as that one day goes, it's a great day.") Another store owner says he even stopped participating temporarily because "It's just the hyenas looking for free stuff," while a third described it instead as a way to give back to the community of comic book readers.
Just getting people in the door once is a tried and true strategy for businesses. The other day I got my vehicle's state emission tests done at a local gas station that's a lot closer than the one I used to go to (thanks Google!). They gave me a free car with it, and I may go back there every once in a while to get my car washed now, as I discovered the basic wash is only three bucks. I'm certain I never would have discovered or used that place otherwise.
Online retailers or services use the same principle - they'll give you a free gift just to get you to sign up and go through the checkout or purchasing process with no risk to you, just to get you comfortable with the process.
Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.