The Secrets of Sampling

If you have a product, you have likely done some sampling. You may have given products to your friends. It could have been an event, conference, handing out in your building, or even a farmer's market. I'm grateful for all of the products that have been sent to me to sample as well. Thank you!

Getting your products out there into the right hands (or mouths) can be an extremely powerful approach for your business. No matter the reason you are considering sampling your products (maybe they’re expiring, maybe you’re trying to donate them, or maybe you just need to get rid of excess), I wanted to share a few things you need to know about sampling.

First, know why you are giving?out samples.

1. Do you want to tell friends about it??(Make sure you let them know what to say.)
2. Do you want them to share the products with their friends? (Give them extra to share the love.)?
3. Do you want them to try it and then be sold and need to buy more? (Create sample size vs full size.)
4. Do you want to create a video for your brand? (Make sure they know this.)??
5. Do you need feedback on flavor or smells? (Create a survey for them to fill out.)?
6. Are you building out your email list?

Second, are you giving out samples at the right place/event? In other words, be sure this is the right time and the right audience to distribute samples to.

1. Is your audience in the right mindset and ready to try your samples? (Handing out ice cream at 10am in your apartment building may not be appealing.)?
2. Does your product make sense for the event??
3. Will the audience remember your product from this event??
4. Will the audience be able to purchase your product afterward??

Make sure to capture email addresses! If you're at a sampling event (or honestly anywhere), PLEASE PLEASE? just ask people to pop in their email addresses so you can stay connected.?

The time and cost of sampling stations add up! Your time, or paying for someone’s time, at these events can catch up to you. (Do you want to spend your weekends at these events?)

Besides live sampling, did you know there are other ways to sample?? It’s a lot less personal since there are so many other products out there, but depending on your objectives, it could be a great solution.?

1. Boxes such as Hey Milestone, Birch Box, and more.?
2. Getting teams (street team or event planners) to hand out your products instead of you.
3. Office sampling, if you are a baby product or skin care product, having doctors, doulas, teachers, etc receiving your products from third parties will work great too!

If you have questions or want to kick off your sampling program then be sure to set yourself up for success:?

Book a Brainstorming Session

Opportunity?

Are you looking to connect with 2.5k parents? Sprinkles Parents has an engaged group of families from pregnancy up until 5 years old. They love sampling and giving honest feedback!

Through sampling with Sprinkles Parents, you can get real-time product feedback, testimonials, reviews, and more!?

If any brands are looking to sample at baby/toddler events feel free to email: [email protected].??