Marketing Buzz 08/03
Giving out free samples to attract more business
Worth a Try
For years, cosmetic companies have used sampling as a way to build
their businesses. But have you ever thought about stealing this
technique from their makeup bag? Don't be afraid to offer a free sample, even in the service
arena. Maureen Murphy, president of DirectEffectz, a
direct-marketing consulting firm in San Diego, offers a free
marketing audit. "It gives them a taste of what I can do for
them," she explains. And Monika Meszaros of Sweet
Reflections Inc., a custom-chocolate company in Carlsbad,
California, distributes boxes of chocolates at networking
events. Insperience Studio, an appliance showroom in Atlanta, lets
consumers wash a load of laundry, chill a bottle of wine or even
cook a meal. And Coffee Ambassador, a B2B coffee delivery service in
San Diego, has its salespeople brew a pot of coffee for potential
customers as an introduction to the product. "It lets
prospects experience our product firsthand," says CEO Sean
Curtis. Content Continues Below
Even at charity events, it makes sense to let people sample your
product or service. And at larger events, a free sample of your
product or service can be a raffle prize.
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47%
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SOURCE:
PlanetFeedback
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26
is the age at which most Americans believe
adulthood begins.
SOURCE: The University of Chicago's
National Opinion Research Center
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Marketing consultant and speaker Elizabeth Goodgold is the
author of Duh! Marketing Awards (www.duhmarketing.com).
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On the HorizonThe economy may be down, but the expansion capital outlook remains positive in 2008.
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