Free vs. Paid: Where to Draw the Line
One of the most important business skills is knowing where to separate free content from paid content.
Give away too much, and people have no reason to buy.
Hide everything behind a paywall, and no one discovers you.
The goal is balance: share enough to build trust and curiosity, while saving your premium systems, shortcuts, and deeper insights for paying students.
Read next: Don’t Give the Whole Cake, Just a Slice explains how to give value without overwhelming or undercutting your paid offer.
Free Content: Build Trust and Reach
Your free content should:
Prove you know your stuff with tips, insights, or examples.
Answer the “what” and “why” behind the problem.
Be easy to share: posts, short videos, podcasts, or blogs.
Give people a taste of the paid experience so they know what it feels like to learn from you.
The goal isn’t to solve every problem. It’s to make people think:
“This person understands me, and I want more.”
Go deeper: Free vs. Paid: The What/How Rule shows exactly how to split your teaching so free content sparks interest and paid content drives results.
Paid Content: Deliver Transformation
Your paid content should:
Show the “how” in detail with steps, templates, and systems.
Organize everything into a clear start-to-finish path.
Share personal insights and shortcuts they can’t just Google.
Provide access and support, like coaching, Q&A, or community.
People don’t pay for more information. They pay for clarity, speed, and certainty.
Free is the appetizer. Paid is the full meal.
See also: Free Content, Paid Path to learn how to connect your free work directly to your course.
The Simple Rule
Free = Inspiration + Awareness
Paid = Step-by-Step Implementation + Support
When you strike this balance:
Free content drives interest.
Paid content drives results.
Together, they grow both your audience and your income.
Check out: How to Create a ‘Tease and Teach’ Content Plan for a practical way to design free and paid content that work together.