Put simply, product sampling works. Whether you’ve been in business for years or you’re just starting out, handing out free samples of your products can grab the attention of consumers.

In this post, we look at six top reasons to consider running a product sampling campaign.

1.    To raise awareness: People who have never encountered your brand before can experience it directly with a product sample. Once they’ve tasted, touched, smelled, seen, or heard your product, they will develop an affiliation with your brand.

Product sampling

2.    To create reciprocity: Most people feel a closer connection to a company once they’ve sampled a product. It can create a law of reciprocity whereby, even if they can’t use your product, they may think of someone who can. Everyone loves getting a free gift. Let it be from your business!

3.    To get feedback: Whether you need feedback about a new product line, or testimonials for your website, product sampling helps get the word out. Be transparent and let recipients know you’d appreciate their feedback.

4.    To test your Product: A product sampling program is a great way to test a new product before it goes into full production. Product sampling feedback can shed light on potential issues with your product, or suggest small tweaks that may turn your product into a best seller.

5.    To thank existing customers: Pop a product sample or two in with your customer’s orders as a surprise — along with a note explaining that you’d like their feedback. Or encourage customers to spend above a certain threshold, to receive a free sample. Or why not send samples to your highest-spending customers for their birthday to make them feel special?

Product sampling

6.    To help public relations: Sending free product samples to editors and bloggers is an obvious way to get your brand seen by the media. Food and beauty products are usually winning sample types, but it may be also appropriate for items that people can’t quite imagine without seeing in real life. You could run a product sampling campaign on social media – offering free samples to loyal Facebook fans or competition winners. And don’t forget there are many expos and shows that are always looking for samples for attendees’ show bags. Choose a couple of samples that fit your customer demographic.

Hotcow is a non-traditional creative agency that specialises in experiential marketing that goes viral. Our campaigns generate buzz through crowd participation, PR and content sharing. Contact us on 0207 5030442 or email us on info@hotcow.co.uk.