I get what you are saying; I even suggested that a free post be allowed, just to point people in the direction of a new paid business account. I don't think I've been here long enough to understand the "gatekeeping" comment?
If you start your new business and want to generate traffic, do you just sneak up a ladder and paint over an existing billboard with an announcement? No, you must make a reasoned decision to buy advertising space of your own. Testing the waters...i.e. a fishing expedition...still requires buying some bait and renting the boat for the day...which will cost a few bucks.