That aside, I also realized how tricky these reward websites are. This particular page (GadgetsBonus.com) has absolutely no affiliation with the Apple company or iPad distributors, yet I am almost convinced that it is. That is because of the design and layout of the page. Notice the slate-grey background and the neat, modern font. Is it me, or do these very closely resemble the iOS design of all Macs, iPods, iPhones, and iPads? Also, notice the high-resolution photo of a small girl. These kinds of images are found in nearly every iPhone ad on TV. Before I got to this screen, the "Congratulations" area was replaced with a small survey that wanted to know if I qualified for the free iPad. But the only questions were "what is your gender?," "how old are you?," and "how often do you use Facebook?" I personally think that any combination of answers would lead to the same "you qualify" response. The website simply uses this to appeal to our need for autonomy. We want to feel special and distinguished, and GadgetsBonus congratulates us for being special and qualifying for a prize. It is hard to notice, but very effective.
One of these days, I might sign up to get something free of charge. Even if I know that I am becoming a pawn of marketers; I just want to test it out. The biggest question I have is whether I would really get an iPad when all is said and done. For know, I can't say.
I do agree with you. I see these types of things all over. And, at first, when I saw your picture, I thought you were doing your media log on something having to do with something you saw on the Apple website. Almost every Apple ad you see has that hand that is holding the product, and majority of the time, the product has some picture that would appeal to parents. I was very close to signing up for one of these types of things, before seeing Frontline. But, then I thought to myself, how does the company even get the product. Are they just going to take your info and stalk you? When you first brought up getting an IPad for free, I thought of Mr.Wong and how he was talking about that kid in China, or wherever it was, that gave away a kidney(i think) to get an IPad. That is just going to extremes. Thinking about this, I think that this ad uses the need for affiliation since they make it seem like all Apple products are the new thing, and you have to have them in order to be a part of the crowd.
ReplyDeleteHi there.
ReplyDeleteI came across this article when doing a bit of brand matching for my website, which actually shares the same name of your article (iPaidNothing).
I set up the website(iPaidNothing.co.uk) in 2010 in order to promote the websites similar to those that you are talking about.
There are alot of sites out there that will offer you free iPhones and iPads, but in reality will just steal your personal information.
I make money through my sites, by sending visitors to sites such as FreebieJeebies, Kudos Network and Xpango. Now, I should make it clear that these three sites are completely legit. Apart from proof videos/pictures, I do understand that there is little to distinguish them from the fake sites.
I'm not really sure what point I'm trying to make in this comment, but if you do ever consider signing up to a reward site, make sure that it's one of the three that I mentioned above.
Just out of curiosity, how did you come up with the title for your article?!
, Alex James (Founder of iPaidNothing)
alex [at] ipaidnothing.co.uk