Free Product Sample Strategy

Free product samples are a major way that manufacturers effectively promote products and encourage sales. By giving consumers an actual- or trial-sized product, the consumer has the chance to actually try out the product. This is something they otherwise would not have experienced unless they had purchased it. It’s a way to get people to try something without risk, so that they will then continue to purchase the item after the sample is out.

When samples are distributed, it is generally to accompany a new product launch. For other products, the manufacturer will distribute samples in order to increase market share. When samples are distributed, the product gets into the hands of more people. This is accomplished in many different ways.

Sometimes free sample products are mailed directly to a consumer’s home. When these mailings are done it is called direct mail sampling. The mailings are not haphazard; in fact, they are targeted based on demographic characteristics. You can also use newspapers to sample to everyone in an area, and enclose samples with delivery.

For a quicker turnaround and closer targeting, door-to-door sample delivery may be used. This can mean fewer samples delivered but it also saves on costs for postage and packaging.

Sometimes samples are included in packages of other products. This piggyback sampling is an easy way to get the attention of consumers. When product samples are distributed via this means, often the samples are distributed in high traffic areas like theaters or shopping malls.

Free samples are most frequently given out via in-store sampling. When this means is used, shoppers are offered a free sample of a product while they are in the store.

When manufacturers use free sampling, this often encourages consumers to make more purchases. Consumers can also request samples, often, at a company’s website.

There are limited stocks of samples for free giveaways. Consumers who hope to get samples of products with coupons or via Internet request should try to do so as early as possible.

Whenever a company is not getting the appropriate amount of advertising or pr from ads alone, they may choose to distribute product samples. When people try a product, they are more likely to be willing to buy it because they know they like it.

By: Val McQueen