Getting Clients out of Free Offerings

[Cognition]

I'm an officer of a international honor society chapter at my school, and I thought about offering free online-based technical support to our members (of 300+). Our members are hardworking, high GPA college students.

My offering of free technical support to our members' benefits package is one way I though about getting the word out about my little startup.

How can I gain some clients out of this free offering?

[Encrypted]

What exactly are you trying to do here? Get clients from those you are offering free tech support to? I suppose you could offer free tech support up to a certain level of difficulty and then charge for the more technical stuff. Another idea is to offer up to 5 free tickets, after those 5 tickets are used up they need to pay. Hopefully that helps.

[Cognition]

I'm trying to use this large pool of individuals to further promote my little startup and acquire clients. So, I'm offering (limited) complimentary technical support to my club members (300+).

I like the "ticket" idea. Perhaps you get no more than 3 tickets with us, and then afterwards, you get discounted services.

Each subsequent ticket item (of the initial three) should require something that helps me acquire more clients. What do you think that should be?

[CorporateFilibuster]

what is the business? online tech support?
and for what...

[JenniferEscalona]

Word of mouth has always been one of the best ways to market your business. I imagine that you are offering your services free because you don't have any word of mouth going on yet?

You could offer a "First time's free" deal, and then give club members another free support session for every referral they send your way.

Also, if you're suffering from no word of mouth, you can change that. First, get testimonials from people you have previously helped. It shouldn't be mom and dad, but it can be friends or other family. Instead of just having them write something up for you, ask them specific questions like:

What problem did you have that Cognition helped you with?
Why did you choose Cognition to help with your problem?
What was the result of Cognition's help?

People are surprisingly willing to answer these types of questions and give you testimonials when they were happy with your service. And by asking this way, instead of just saying "Hey, can you write up some nice things about me for my website?" then you get more enlightened feedback.

Now, the reason I'm asking you to get testimonials is twofold. First, they are "social proof" that other people have used your services and found them great. Second, you will be top of mind again with the people who were happy with you before, and if they hear of someone else who needs tech support, they will likely recommend you.

Another way to get word of mouth referrals is by offering a referral fee. In this case, yet again, you could offer people who refer your services a free tech support session up to a certain dollar amount.

Finally, I don't recommend giving away too many free rides. You offer a valuable service that people are willing to pay for. It's generous of you to offer to give it away at all, but be careful and don't work yourself to death without compensation.

[DayTrader]

Jennifer is right.
Marketing through word of mouth is always effective. Make sure the free service you offered is very good so that those who availed and are contented will spread the news on to their family and friends, thus enlarging your network of potential customers.
Good luck!