For a very long time, brands have used free samples to place the product in the hands of their customers. However, giving away your products for free can seem counterintuitive. Free samples have been demonstrated to increase sales by up to 2,000%.  
A well-thought and executed product sampling strategy can help you to:
 

• Introduce your brand to new, untapped markets with your product.

• Foster connections with current clients and encourage adherence

• Increase consumer awareness of the things you sell

• Encourage recurring purchases and new product sales

• Gain visibility for your company at or before an event

 
Product sampling can happen in shops and supermarkets, in strategic places, or as part of partnerships with other companies. Additionally, brands are delivering samples online more frequently via their own or other websites.
 
Customers will be more inclined to write product reviews and talk about it on social media if you allow them to try your goods before they buy them. From the 6,000 individuals who participated in sample campaigns:
 

• 97% of those who tried the product also bought at least one other item from the brand

• 87% said they'd suggest the brand or product to friends and family

• 63% purchased the product they sampled

 
Overall, product sample programs increase the awareness of your brand and goods while giving potential customers a taste of what you're selling.
 
We’ve gathered great ideas from our community of creators to help you start implementing product sampling marketing strategies in your own business.
 
 
 
Disclosure: This content includes affiliate links, which means that if you click on them, we will get a commission (without any extra cost).
 
 
 

Wondering what Product Sampling Marketing Ideas to achieve your business goals?

Let’s take a closer look at the best product sampling marketing ideas to boost positive reviews and sales

 
 
1. A hidden mural that must be wet with your water-based product to be revealed
 
Idea by Gabriel Lacour

Is your product a water-based liquid? If so, create an interactive mural people will be lining up to use your product for an exciting reveal. The mural has two layers, one of which is painted with regular paints and one on top painted with hydrochomic ink. To unveil the artwork behind the hydrochromic surface, participants must use your products to wet the top layer and reveal the art that hides behind it. When the ink dries, the artwork is hidden once more and able to be activated again. See full idea
 

 
 
2. Create an app that let people exchange demo products to test out at home
 
Idea by Muneeb Mcknight

Create demonstration versions of your products that customers can bring home to test out before making a final purchase. An online or mobile app will be used by potential customers to reserve these demo products and find out which customers they can pick them up from. These exchanges among customers will serve as a platform to share their reviews of these products, providing pieces of advice that are more reliable than what a sales representative might say. See full idea
 

 
 
3. Have only one demo unit in store and showcase all models & colors with an AR app
 
Idea by Unity

Reduce your square footage and carbon footprint while also saving money by showcasing your range of products through an AR app. Consumers can see your main demonstrator in-store and must use the app to see all available models, colors, features, etc. They must simply hover the demo with their phone to see in AR the model or color they've selected in the app. See full idea
 

 
 
4. Create an immersive audiovisual tasting experience for your customers
 
Idea by Ashley Brett

Working in collaboration with a VJ, design and create a completely immersive, multisensory tasting experience for your current and potential customers. This experience will take the form of a special tasting room in which videos are projected on each wall accompanied by sounds and music all surrounding the participants while they test your different products. The videos that will be projected are all inspired by and help to tell the story of each product’s history, ingredients, and benefits. See full idea
 

 
 
5. Capture passersby's attention in the evening with fluorescent painting
 
Idea by Kristie Carlson
 
Working with a local artist, host a nighttime sampling event that features the live creation of a fluorescent mural. Passers-by will all be exposed to the exciting announcement and promotions that your company has to share while taking in this truly unique mural and being offered a fluorescent face paint makeover. Increase your exposure by asking people to share their best fluorescent makeup looks for a chance to win free products or services from your company. See full idea
 

 
 
6. Show the invisible damage of the sun through a live painting event
 
Idea by Niyah Hines

Demonstrate just how effective the SPF of your products is in protecting your customers from the harmful UV rays of the sun by having an artist paint on a white canvas using a white paint that has had an SPF agent added to it. A UV camera films the painting process and allows the audience to see the work-in-progress, while the artist still remains unable to what he is painting; a representation of the invisible damage the sun is doing to our skin. See full idea
 

 
7. Host a movie night at your dealership where cars are your drive-in theatre seats
 
Idea by Fionn Trujillo

Host a movie night at your dealership where the cars you have on display become the seats at your makeshift drive-in theatre. Attendees will be able to come in and select the car that they think they’d be interested in buying, and spend the night getting to know the interior and added features while they watch movies. This campaign can be used to promote a big sales event, or even as an activation at a trade show as a sponsorship opportunity or to announce a new product. See full idea
 

 
 
8. Host a pop-up shop with no inventory by redirecting clients to your online store
 
Idea by Shopify

Create a pop-up shop without the need for an on-site inventory by showcasing your products with a QR code that customers can simply scan to be redirected to your online store where they can buy the product and get it delivered home. You can now sell your products wherever you want no matter the space you have. See full idea
 

 
  
9. Host a marketplace where customers can meet your food and beverage providers
 
Idea by Amy Howell

Increase both the traffic in your establishment and your sales by creating an inviting new event that allows customers to come and meet your food and beverage providers. This event takes the form of a marketplace outside of your establishment, with each supplier creating their very own booth where they can provide samples of their products and answer customers’ questions. Attendees are invited to purchase the products they sampled at your location or order them off a special menu. See full idea
 

 
 
10. Let online shoppers try on your product before purchase through an AR app
 
Idea by Keziah Mackenzie

Anybody would agree that online shopping is a much easier and more enjoyable experience than in-store shopping until they receive the items they’ve ordered, and nothing fits because they weren’t able to try them on. Your company can solve this problem by designing and creating an augmented reality app, hosted on your company’s website, that allows your customers to see themselves wearing your products and assess whether or not they fit their style. See full idea
 

 
 
11. Let clients sample your products along with your competitor products and decide

Idea by Terry Spooner

Leave it up to your customers to decide whose products are truly better. Offer both current and potential customers the chance to sample your products along with your competitor’s products and decide for themselves which they prefer. Add a technological spin to the sampling and put a live counting system on your website that is activated when the participants of the sampling push a button to vote for their favorite products. See full idea
 

 
 
12. Host a blind tasting event where consumers sample products in complete darkness
 
Idea by Effie Beaumont

Launch your new products with a sampling event that will be sure to get attention from consumers and allow them to experience the flavor in an exciting new way. Host a pop-up blind-tasting event where attendees will be able to sample your new products in complete darkness with a newly heightened taste and smell, allowing them to taste the true flavor of your products. See full idea
 

 
 
 
 
FAQ
 
Q1. What is product sampling?
 
A. Giving free samples of a product to clients is a technique known as product sampling. The theory is that when consumers have a free sample of the goods, they will be more inclined to spend full price for the same thing.
 
Q2. Are free samples worth it?
 
A. Simply said, absolutely. Free samples can increase your sales by more than 20 times. It establishes a genuine connection with a customer even before they make a purchase.
 
Q3. What is the objective of product sampling?
 
A. The primary goal of product sampling, or the act of providing free samples, is to boost future sales. Giving out something for free gives potential customers a taste of your product and increases the likelihood that they'll buy from you again.
 
Q4. What are the product sampling methods?
 
A. There are various techniques for product sampling, including:

• Traditional sampling entails providing customers with free product samples so they will feel more comfortable making a purchase.

• When customers use a coupon to purchase a product in-person or online, or when they upload a receipt to collect cashback, this is known as cashback sampling.

• Smaller or trial-size goods are included in sampler packs. Customers are more inclined to purchase the full-sized goods if they enjoy the sample.

• When you send free samples to clients' homes directly, this is known as a mail drop.

• Samples that are only available temporarily are free for a set period of time, such as three days, a week, etc. This heightens the anticipation and plays on people's psychological fear of losing out (FOMO).

• Virtual sampling is when customers may test a product without going to a store or receiving anything in the mail by doing so online. An app or artificial intelligence is used in this kind of product sample promotion.

Ready to incorporate Product Sampling Strategies into your overall plan?

The right Sampling strategy can undoubtedly assist you in getting positive reviews and boosting sales. Search for more Sampling ideas to differentiate yourself and unleash your maximum potential on Wittycloud.