The Business of Freebies

Today is “Free Cone Day” at Ben & Jerry’s locations across the country, and Brad Tuttle examines what’s in it for businesses when the give something away for free:

Free Cone Day usually marks the kickoff to the warm-weather season for all sorts of freebies. Free Comic Book Day is always celebrated on the first Saturday in May — May 4 this year. Like it sounds, this is the day that comic book stores all over the country give away a select variety of free comics. Why are stores and comic book makers willing to hand over merchandise free of charge? The event draws in crowds of people, some of whom are young (or just immature) and impressionable, and who very well may turn into loyal customers for years. It turns out that Free Comic Book Day also tends to be a huge day for selling comic books, with loads of thankful, excited customers buying while picking up their freebies.

The free publicity is also valuable to businesses (which is what I’m doing with this very post). I’m happy to do it for a scoop of mint chocolate cookie (my favorite of their flavors). Who wants to come with?

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