As a content creator, one of the most significant challenges is expanding your subscriber base and gaining the attention of new audiences. In the competitive landscape of online content, it’s crucial to employ effective strategies that entice potential subscribers to take the leap and join your community. One such strategy, which you may have not tried yet, is free trials.
If you have an account on any content-selling platform, chances are that you have the option to activate a free trial promotion for new users. However, it’s not as simple as just running a promotion. You need to know the right carrots to dangle, and then follow up with a strong content release schedule. That way, you’ll totally crush those free trials and make them convert at a higher rate, ensuring it’s less of a giveaway and more of a savvy investment in gaining new subscribers.
Demonstrate the value and uniqueness of your content to leave a lasting impression on potential subscribers, compelling them to become dedicated members of your community.
Put the Word Out There
First things first, you must let the world know that you’re offering a free trial. This means that you should leverage all channels: inform your followers and nonpaying members on your platform, but also leverage the power of social media. A stellar move would be crafting an attention-grabbing landing page dedicated to your free trial. Keep it visually appealing and user-friendly, with persuasive copy that clearly outlines the benefits of subscribing. Link aggregator sites are excellent for this.
Limit Your Free Trials
There are three distinct approaches to implementing limitations on your free trials. These include limiting the number of trials available, the amount of time the trials remain claimable and the length of the free trial itself.
The number of free trials depends on the size of your following and how much FOMO (fear of missing out) you want to generate. For example, a creator with 3,000 social media followers may want to offer fewer free trials compared to one with 30,000 followers. As the free trials are quickly claimed, your account appears more popular, which encourages more followers to also claim their free trial. Be sure to tout how many free trials are left as the number ticks down.
You can also limit the time that free trials are available to claim. Ideally, you want to set the right number of free trials so that they are snapped up within 24 hours or less. If you’re unsure about the number, make the promotion available for two or three days. This elevates FOMO and encourages followers to sign up immediately, since waiting could mean missing out.
Once they do sign up, a seven-day trial period is common, as a week allows customers to explore previous content and see the consistency of your content releases during that period. This way you don't give away too much, or risk customers taking the access for granted or getting bored. Free trials exceeding seven days should only be used for specific targeted promotions or as prizes for giveaways, and so on.
Achieving the ideal equilibrium among these factors may require some experimentation, as finding a good balance can be a gradual process. Additionally, it is important to limit the frequency with which you offer free trials. Running them too regularly can diminish the perceived value of your account and potentially deter customers from becoming paid subscribers, since some will be inclined to wait for the next free trial promotion.
Showcase Your Best Content
During free trials and promotions, it’s essential to showcase your best and most engaging content. Offer a variety of content types, such as exclusive videos or behind-the-scenes glimpses. Demonstrate the value and uniqueness of your content to leave a lasting impression on potential subscribers, compelling them to become dedicated members of your community.
Use a Hook to Prompt Conversions
If you limited the time frame for claiming a complimentary trial, make sure all trials are set to expire within the same 24-to-48-hour period. Inform your trial enthusiasts that there is something extraordinary coming up — but that their trial will expire just in time to miss out via DMs.
To achieve this, use a blend of discounted monthly subscription prices and vanishing content that disappears like Snapchat messages after being opened, if your platform allows it. The day before the initial free trials expire, send a message to all your fans, revealing that you’re about to unveil something special within 48 hours after the final free trials expire.
Craft a unique, exclusive video that will be available at a premium price. Add a preview and inform fans that it will only be accessible in your feed for a specified number of days before disappearing.
By creating a sense of urgency, you compel free subscribers who may be undecided to make a choice, rather than passively allowing their free trial to expire. Combine this strategy with discounted subscription prices for new and returning subscribers, and you’ll be sure to attract legions of new fans.
Eva is an industry insider who helps performers make money on their own terms. When she’s not writing a blog post, poking around online or networking, she is practicing yoga or doing Netflix marathons. Contact her at eva@stripchat.com, visit Stripchat.com and tap into subscription-based platform My.club.
