By Cherrilynn Bisbano @bisbanowrites

As a child I would hear my babysitter say, “It’s always better to give than receive.” In my head I’d say, yeah but it’s not your chocolate bar your giving away.

Even as an adult, no one touches my chocolate without my permission. All kidding aside,  How do we  give while trying to obtain the most coveted and needed email list for our platform. I know the word platform evokes anxiety, go ahead, reach for the m&m’s, I’ll wait.

Now that the chocolate has kicked in let me share with you how giving can increase your email list thus increasing your platform.

First, we must have the mindset that we are serving our reader or client.

If you want your message to spread, you need people’s permission to communicate with them. The best way is to give them something of value for free.

I created a new author website and desire more traffic. I decided to give away something I feel will be beneficial to my audience—a prayer booklet entitled, God, Can You Hear Me? I know some of you have a different message at your blog or website. You still have something of value to give your website visitor and make them a subscriber.

I’ve learned from some of the best marketers that it is better to give than receive, and the word, “FREE” is an emotional magnet to drive people to your site. Here are a few tips for an irresistible giveaway.

• Ask your readers what they need
• Make giveaways relevant to your blog or website
• Promote freebie over promoting blog or service.
• Acknowledge all who download the free give. Give them a shout out.
• Offer a solution to people’s problems with your gift or download.

Always remember, you are serving your reader or client. It’s not about you but how you can be the conduit to enhance the lives of others.

When people know you care they will flock to your website. Even if your free gift isn’t chocolate.

Do you have a gift to generate traffic to your website? Join the conversation.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is a coach, editor, and partner at The Write Coach Team.

As former managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers ACFW.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah nominated, Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the Navy and Air National Guard, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years.

Cherrilynn loves Christ, Chocolate, coffee, and Cats.