Product sampling marketing campaigns provide immediate value. They also have a long-lasting impact on sales compared to other sales promotion techniques.

You can track the value of this type of campaign for a year or longer. Compare that to a coupon campaign that you can track for only two to four months. Sampling gives consumers the chance to experience the product quality firsthand.

They do not have to rely on your sales pitch or marketing to find out about the product. They can discover it on their own, which provides a more powerful impression.

Product sampling may be the most effective sales promotion technique to get a consumer to try a new product. However, it is also one of the most expensive. Producing sample sized product and paying for the sample distribution process adds up fast.

This means you have to plan your sampling campaign carefully to get the most from it. Developing your plan requires paying attention to certain aspects of the campaign. These include identifying your objective, customer, and sampling techniques. Plus, you have to figure out your approach and how you will monitor the campaign.

First, though, you need to make sure that you are prepared to launch such a campaign. Sampling works best for a new or improved product. It allows you to introduce the product and get feedback from consumers quickly.

The technique is also effective when introducing a different use for an established product or to reach new geographic areas. Before you begin a campaign, you have to make sure your target market has adequate access to your product.

You may need to takes steps to push it to the areas where you will run the campaign. You must ensure there is enough product for the demand that will occur after your sampling event.

If you are reaching the right consumer, they will seek your product out and be turned off if it is not immediately available to purchase. So, make sure distribution channels are ready. Identifying the ideal customer and the best way to deliver your sample are important first steps in deciding your sampling approach.

The term psychographics is used to identify the demographic group that buys a product and the things that influence their behavior to make them want a product.

You need to figure this out. This will give you the optimum environment and most solid message for your sample delivery. When sourcing sampling companies or agencies for your campaign, provide them with the psychographic profiles of your target consumer segments. This will assist them in recommending a strategy for your campaign.

Sample delivery methods include special events, in-store or near store distribution, newspaper or magazine inserts, and direct mail. Samples may also come as on-pack promotions, such as a sample of toothpaste fastened to a mouthwash brand, or as near-pack promotions, such as the free sample of laundry detergent that comes with a new washing machine purchase.

Sample distribution through a related industry partner is also effective and cost-efficient. There are several ways to go about creating a targeted list.

Here are two of the simplest and most efficient ways to start your sampling marketing strategy:. First, look at the top beauty and lifestyle websites such as Bydie, Allue. Vogue, etc. Then see who has written product round-ups and beauty features in the past six months.

Those are the people you should target. If a writer's email isn't listed on their author bio page, that information is likely available on social media or their personal website. If not, there are lots of ways to find journalist email addresses.

This aspect of PR is covered in depth in our online public relations course , Pitch, Please! You may also want to consider investing in a journalist database such as Muck Rack or Cision where you can search by topic, publication, etc.

You will also have instant access to email addresses and physical addresses. Keep in mind that these subscriptions can cost thousands of dollars per year. While these tools can be helpful, they may be cost-prohibitive for a new startup or solopreneur. But if you want to simplify the process of reaching out to journalists, the cost may be worth it.

These databases and similar journalist directories may also list physical addresses to send packages to. That address could usually be found on the masthead of the website or print publication.

But most people are still currently working from home and likely will be for a long time. If you are targeting influencers and bloggers for coverage, their email addresses should be connected to the contact button on their Instagram page, bio link, or somewhere on their blog.

You can also try and reach them through DM, but it is probably best to send an email. Sending out unsolicited samples is risky, especially if you are a small business. These generally land somewhere between humorous and bizarre. Many of these packages contained products I don't even write about tangentially such as spicy mustard and anti-fungal foot powder.

While these products never got coverage, I got a got laugh. Here is an email I recently received about sending a sample. Keep in mind that it was written by a publicist, but it is a great template for anyone to use. If you want some more email pitch examples, read this blog post.

Happy New Year and hope you had a safe and relaxing holiday season! Excited to share the newest launches from BRAND REDACTED , NAME OF PRODUCT REDACTED, launching early and get on your radar for any upcoming stories that you may be working on.

Would love to get samples your way for testing, so please let me know if you would like to opt-in to receive and the best address to send to.

See below for additional information and let me know of any questions you may have! A 3-in-1 hybrid lip treatment gloss, that provides immediate and long-term benefits to lips. A clean, sustainably sourced, vegan lip liner that delivers rich, highly pigmented payoff in one smooth, tug-free stroke.

Missing product sampling that generates 70%+ marketing opt-in rates. Engage consumers anywhere online through data-driven digital sampling. Let's talk Find out more Not only does online sampling afford brands a chance to deliver samples, but it offers and more sampling! Dove is a great example of a brand doing an

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Sampling promotions online - Product sampling may be the most effective sales promotion technique to get a consumer to try a new product. However, it is also one of the most expensive Missing product sampling that generates 70%+ marketing opt-in rates. Engage consumers anywhere online through data-driven digital sampling. Let's talk Find out more Not only does online sampling afford brands a chance to deliver samples, but it offers and more sampling! Dove is a great example of a brand doing an

Allocating too many samples to these cohorts will negatively impact the campaign ROI. To get the best out of your campaign, keep it limited and exclusive. One of the biggest downfalls of any sampling campaign is having it posted to freebie websites or blogs.

Whilst the CPL Cost Per Lead will be lower, so will the longer term benefit. Instead, be stricter with your targeting. Both with immediate metrics related to your campaign, but also beyond as you drive repeat purchases through your CRM program. Your consumer will likely have been making purchasing decisions from way back in October.

com and we at Sampl. can support you in making the best of your sampling campaigns, or follow us on LinkedIn for more inspiration. Wade Frith. Wade is the Head of Campaign Success at Sampl based in bustling London.

A go-to expert in social media strategy and CRM marketing, he loves guiding our clients through setting up a campaign and coming up with new Marketing Strategies. You can usually find him reading, at the gym or listening to a vintage vinyl record.

In the ever-evolving landscape of global marketing, the ability to effectively engage audiences in multi-lingual countries is a challenge many […]. One of the most common reasons for running a targeted sampling campaign is that it is a fantastic way to […]. Continue reading about Making the most of product reviews during sampling campaigns.

Starting your first digital product sampling campaign is an […]. Take a look at your sales data to see the average time period between someone taking a free sample and buying the full-priced version. Therefore, a few days before that two-week trial period is the perfect time to send a reminder email to make a purchase.

Make sure you ask customers for reviews , and provide a way to gather important feedback from them. What did they think of the product sample? Product sampling is a great way to give people a meaningful interaction with your product, to raise awareness of your brand with audiences you may not have come across before, and to gain valuable feedback about your products and services.

But if done well, with clearly defined and measurable goals, product samples can be the key to attracting more customers to your online store. Written and researched by:.

WBE Staff Writer. On this page What Is Product Sampling? Benefits of Product Sampling Types of Product Sampling Product Sampling Tips Summary FAQs. Receive Valuable Feedback In the world of digital marketing, data is king. Traditional Sampling Traditional product sampling works by giving shoppers miniature versions of full-size products when they visit a retail store.

Digital Sampling For ecommerce businesses who want to incentivize online shoppers to try new products — digital sampling is a great way of getting sample-sized or even full-sized products in the hands of buyers. Take a look over the following tips to set up your own product sampling for your online store: 1.

Define Your Target Audience This is, broadly speaking, one of the golden rules of digital marketing, and one that you should consider every time you start a new campaign.

For example, ask yourself: Where do they spend most of their time? What kind of sample would be most useful to them? Why would they be hesitant about buying your product in a traditional setting?

Utilize Social Media Free product samples are intended to surprise and delight — so make sure you encourage recipients to show their appreciation by sharing the news with friends via social media. Find the Right Time As with any campaign, timing is key. How can I best convert product samples into purchases?

Take a look over our tips above to see how best to set up product sampling for your online store. Are product sampling campaigns expensive?

Always think about your cost versus budget — is it affordable for your business? And does it meet your overall goals for your online store?

For example, if your goal is to attract new customers to your online store and build awareness of your brand, then product sampling can be a really effective way to do this.

Ultimately, only you will know what is affordable and financially feasible for your business. Written by:. Found this article helpful? Share this article or comment below!