Freebies and Free Samples
Free samples of products are by no means a recent phenomenon. Supermarkets have been giving them for years, and so have companies that distribute samples of products via the post office. you can also find, pens, mouse mats, and key rings being given away at exhibitions. Companies do this in an attempt to enhance brand image, and “get the word out”, about their products in an attempt to increase their sales, and they can also use these products as bait for other commercial products.
Some people collect freebies as a hobby, and it’s difficult to differentiate between people that are genuinely interested in trying a product sample, and somebody that just wants to add the product sample to their collection. However, the vast majority of people are selective when they are choosing a sample to obtain, and then there are that will take anything that doesn’t have a price tag attached to it. So how can a company guarantee that their samples are being used, and that their investment is paying off? When you get down to it, it’s a balancing act. Companies take the rough along with the smooth. They hope that if they distribute enough free samples, their product will reap the rewards.
When freebies are combined with other marketing activities, they can increase sales, raise awareness, and create a buzz around products that might have gone unnoticed. One thing is for sure: free samples are here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future anyway.
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