You don’t have to be a marketing whiz to know that sampling works. In fact, all you need to do is set foot in your local Costco. Costco is a beacon of free samples and it’s not so it can regularly feed a family of four dinner on a toothpick. Rather, it’s because sampling works. People try. People like. And people buy.

There are all sorts of ways you can add sampling to your advertising regiment and they don’t all involve sitting at a table and asking passerbys if they have a few minutes. Creativity, innovation, and thinking outside the box are all your allies. You can use dispenser units in high traffic locations, you can use brand ambassadors and street teams. You can also switch up what you give away, from the actual product to coupons and free-trials, from energy bars and drinks to candy.

The Benefits of Sampling

As mentioned above, one of the biggest and most obvious advantages to sampling is that placing your product in the hands of the consumer gives the consumer a chance to see if they like that product. The old saying, “You never know until you try?” That could be the tagline of this type of marketing.

Product Giveaway

But that’s not the only advantage. Sampling also provides analytics and allows you to track what you give out and what you get in return. In short, it tells you if you have a product that works or if your idea is more “My Space” material – bound to be replaced by something better.

Nationwide Sampling Opportunities

You can set up sampling opportunities anywhere, but areas with lots of people – of course – make the most sense. Atlanta, for instance, provides all kinds of opportunity. The city life is vibrant and areas downtown and near Mercedes Stadium make ideal places to set up shop. Denver provides similar opportunity – sampling is best done near places with lots of action (like Coors Field and Mile High Stadium on game days). Both the neighborhoods surrounding Atlanta and Denver – because they’re highly populated and filled with diverse crowds with diverse tastes – also make strong choices.

If you’re interested in sampling opportunities or other types of marketing, we can help. Contact us today and check our website at www.TheAdFocus.com. We are happy to design great programs for doing product giveaways, sampling, couponing and takeaways.