I remember one of the first freebies I ever requested:  A Louisville Slugger baseball pen.   I was just a kid, and I’d found the offer in a book called “Free Stuff for Kids” that I checked out of the library.  I sent out dozens of requests for things, but that’s the only one I remember getting.

Of course, now when you request freebies you don’t have to use a postage stamp. I’m a regular reader (and huge fan) of numerous freebie hunting sites like Freebies 4 Mom and am amazed at what you can get for just a few clicks of the mouse.

I recently got a chance to read Mike Essex’s e-book Free Stuff Everyday Guide: How to Get Products for Free. Essex offers some decent advice for new freebie hunters under this guiding principle:  “It doesn’t matter who you are, your job title, personal status or age there is a company out there who will want you to have their product for free.”

Companies want to create consumer loyalty, and if they’re able to earn that loyalty with a free sample and a coupon, they’ll do it.

Free Stuff Everyday Guide outlines how to get free stuff and how to do it ethically.  But unlike a lot of other “get free stuff” resources, Essex focuses his book on getting larger-scale freebies simply by contacting companies.   He writes about creating a persona that will make companies want to give you their products.  The book gives advice for deciding what freebies to go after, which definitely makes it a more serious endeavor than just stumbling across a free sample on Facebook.

Essex reminds readers that even free stuff isn’t truly free – there’s usually some level of work that needs to be done such as giving product feedback or sharing information about yourself.  He talks about finding legitimate offers so that you don’t fall prey to scams.

As a seasoned freebie hunter, I found this book a little basic for me, but I did think the slightly different angle taken in the book (developing a “persona” and making a plan to get freebies) was interesting.  If you’re new to getting stuff for free, Free Stuff Everyday Guide is worth a look.

Note: While I was provided a complimentary copy of this book for review, the opinions expressed here are 100% my own, honest thoughts on the book.  This post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.