From perfume sachets to tubes of toothpaste, chances are you’ve experienced product sampling first-hand as both a consumer and a business.

Traditional product sampling is a powerful marketing tool. It increases the exposure of your brand and boosts consumer awareness of what you have to offer.

It’s also an opportunity to give your potential customers a tantalising sample of your product, which will leave them wanting to buy more.

Everyone appreciates a free product, and if the sample is successful, it can lead to an increase in sales – win-win all round!

In this comprehensive guide, the experts at Fillcon explore what product sampling is, what makes it such a successful marketing tool, and how it can be used for your brand.

 

What is Product Sampling in Marketing?

Product sampling simply means that your business offers a miniature version of your manufactured product for consumers to try before making a purchase.

The small size of product samples allows for versatile distribution, meaning that it can reach far more people.

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How are Product Samples Packaged?

All a product sample needs to contain is just enough of your product to allow it to be sampled adequately.

If your business has never considered making sample packs before, you’re probably wondering how your product could be transformed into a sample packet.

The good news is that there are a multitude of packaging options for you to choose from, meaning that there will be an ideal solution out there for your product. Some of these options include:

  • Liquid sachets
  • Tissue sachets
  • Tubes
  • Pouches
  • Jars
  • Bottles
  • Tins

These creative packaging methods mean that many products, from beverages to shower gel, can be made into a sample.

If you have any doubts about the limitations of your brand for product sampling, it helps to consult an experienced and expert sampling company, who will be able to find a solution for you.

 

Which Industries Benefit from Product Sampling?

Due to the versatility of sample packaging, there are a variety of industries that can utilise sample products as a marketing strategy.

These industries include:

  • Personal care
  • Cosmetic
  • Food & beverage
  • Medical
  • Household
  • Automotive
  • Industrial

 

Why Does Product Sampling Work So Well?

While you may think that the buzz of receiving a free product is the sole reason behind the success of product samples, think again. There are also psychological factors for why product sampling works so well.

When we make our consumer choices, we often prefer to purchase products that are familiar to us. These are products that we have tried and tested, and go on to purchase again and again because we know they satisfy our needs.

Product sampling is therefore the perfect way to tempt a new customer. The size of product sample and the fact that its free, allows the consumer to try your product without having to commit to paying anything for it, removing all risk of wasting their money.

Another reason why product sampling works is that it makes a great impression on consumers. By creating this unique experience, you’re encouraging the consumer to have a positive association with your brand, which could lead to them buying your products in the future (even subconsciously).

Simply put, consumers are more willing to be experimental and try new fragrances or flavours if they know they can put it in their basket at no extra cost.

Learn more: How to Use Cosmetic Samples to Grow Your Business

 

5 Tips for a Successful Product Sampling Campaign

Before you begin to plan your product sampling campaign, we’ve compiled 5 things you should consider to ensure that you achieve the best results.

Know Your Target Audience

Just the same as with any product, sample or not, you need to make sure that the group of people you are aiming your marketing campaign at are the right audience.

You don’t want to spend time and money on a sample campaign only to discover that you have targeted the wrong individuals.

Make sure you’re 100% sure on your ideal consumer, and adjust your packaging to meet their unique requirements.

Distribution

It’s important that you know the best place to distribute your samples. Certain locations will mean that your product samples will reach a wider audience.

Whether it’s between the pages of a magazine, in stores distributed face to face by a member of your team, or in an end of aisle display, your method of distribution is essential to get right.

Timing

The timing of your campaign is crucial as there may be key dates and holidays which would emphasise the aesthetic of your products and boost its appeal to consumers.

Examples of this are perfumes for Valentine’s Day, or food products for Christmas or Easter.

If your product sample release is centred around a particular day or event, you should ensure that you have everything in place to distribute the product samples at the right time, or you may end up with a whole lot of rebranded sample bottles, but the event has passed!

Follow Up

Product sampling cannot stand alone as a marketing campaign. If your brand goes silent after you distribute your sample, you’ll see significantly less success.

It’s important that your product samples are followed up by relevant advertising, messaging, and more to help boost the sales of your product and solidify your market presence.

Market Research

It can be extremely valuable to review the results of product samples for future marketing campaigns. Use the campaign as an opportunity to reflect on what worked and what could be improved to ensure further success with your next product release.

 

Cosmetic Sampling Solutions from Fillcon

At Fillcon, we draw from years of experience to work with some of the UK’s leading brands, creating high quality samples for various industries, from cosmetic to medical.

Our passionate team operate with a level of care and expertise you won’t find anywhere else. We work tirelessly to ensure that we offer the best quality and service, continuously striving to exceed your expectations.

If you have any further questions about our specialist services, or need any advice on product sampling, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly team.

Read next: Everything You Need to Know About Sending Free Samples to Influencers