There’s no word that customers love more than the “free”! And while your small business can’t exactly hand out free samples outside the store, there are many ways to incorporate free trials or samples into your marketing strategy. Remember, the price you pay to give away something small will come back ten-fold for your long-term revenue. Keep reading for some great ideas!
Figure Out What You Can Give Away
The first step is to figure out what exactly you can give away. Never offer free trials or samples for something too expensive that will lose you money in the long run. It’s also important to consider how much of it to give away. Remember, give away a sample of the milk, not the whole cow. So, if you are an attorney, you can offer a free consultation, or if you are a beautician, you can offer samples of lotions and skin care products. These two options will pique peoples’ interest but ensure that they come back to you for more.
Reel ‘Em In
Once someone has signed up for a free trial or sample, this is your opportunity to win them as a customer. Don’t just let them take the product or service and leave. Think about any time you have signed up for a free trial, like with Hulu or Netflix. When you go to cancel your subscription, they typically make you an offer you can’t refuse, and this is exactly what you want to replicate in your process. At this point in time, the prospective customer knows your product, how well it works, and the pricing; it’s your job to reel them in on the sale!
Reap the Benefits
Last but not least, enjoy the benefits of your free trial or samples. By offering these handouts, you are creating brand awareness, building trust, fostering customer loyalty, and crafting business relationships. While you don’t want to constantly be giving away free things, it’s a great way to gain new customers or even promote your company during a slow week. Just think of how many customers enter Costco simply for the samples! Free sample marketing is a great idea and can work across almost any industry.
If you are looking for a way to boost sales or even get your name out there, consider offering some free trials or a gift. Do you have any questions about our previously mentioned tips? Ask away in the comments below.