The No.1 thing that brands overlook and why they shouldn't

Sampling is the No.1 thing that

businesses overlook.

So, when you should use sampling?

- If you are struggling to sell a product.
- To get customers to try before they buy.
- To encouraging customers to return.
- When you need/want to increase sales?
- To pre-launching a new product
- To raise brand awareness

How you could use sampling in your business?

Try before you buy 
 

The beauty and food industry can do this type of sampling with ease. How often have you seen a pop-up stand in the supermarket for you to try products? Or may be you are a self-published author, if you have written a book, you can share the first chapter to hook the reader in.

If you can't make a physical product sample can you produce a look book, with a collection, this could be to pre-launch a new collection or to showcase a specific product type.
 

Online beauty company Feel Unique allows customers to choose two samples for orders over £40 they also have a pick and mix service that your pay for a selection of sample and charge you £3.95 to cover the postage and then give you a voucher for £3.95 for you to use when purchasing the full size version.

Gift with purchase 

Gift with purchase AKA GWP can be used if you sell skincare products, producing smaller size versions of your products for customers to try is a great way to increase customer spends. Customers get to choose 2 deluxe size samples with a spend over ‘x’ value. You often see fragrance and skincare brands do this. 

Fresh offer two type of GWP one for a lower spend value and another for a higher spend threshold. As a brand this is a great way to encourage customers to spend more with you, to try more and new products.

Bundles
 

Add some full-size products together and some sample deluxe sizes together to make a bundle offer. Bundle offers are great for clear high volumes of stock, helping to clear slow sellers and introducing new products to customers before they launch.

Travel or discovery sets. 
 

Depending on the products your produce, spring and summer is a great time to sell limited edition discovery or travel size sets.

This is great for getting multiple products in the hands of new or existing customers. These sets are also great for skincare brands to take customers through a skincare regime at a lower cost.

Multi-brand gifting or subscription services

As part of a multi-brand gifting or subscription services. Often brands work with retailers or influencers or 3rd party brands who put together boxes or bags with multi brands included.

Why you shouldn’t overlook sampling

 - Sampling is the best way to get customers to try the products you want them to try. 

- You should include your sampling programme to coincide with your marketing calendar and focuses of your business.

- You can build demand for a new product before it has launched.

- Sharing and sending out deluxe samples of a new products can make customers feel important and help to build a waitlist before launch.

- If used correctly sampling can have a great return on investment and increase sales in your business plus build customer loyalty. 

Do you use sampling in your business?