Product sampling is a tried and tested way to sample product directly with customers, so it is no wonder that many brands run sampling campaigns to raise awareness, grow sales, test a new product in market and gather valuable customer insights.

As an agency that specialises in sampling, at Kreate we work with brands to get their products into the hands of consumers via a variety of methods and have put together our top 5 tips for the delivery of a successful sampling campaign.

Clear Objectives – Setting clear objectives from the start will help you plan a successful sampling campaign, keep your campaign on track and help you evaluate your return on investment (ROI). Thinking about who you want to target; how you want to engage with them (mass sampling or one-on-one interactions; and how much product you have available will help you identify and set clear objectives for a successful sampling strategy.
Perfect Timing – Once you’ve identified the right location for sampling, choosing the right time for your sampling campaign is paramount to its success. The choice of day of the week to the time of day that your product is sampled will impact the success of your sampling campaign. Be aware of special events in the calendar, such as Valentines Day or Mother's Day and select the right time of year that aligns with your product strengths for sampling activity. You want to ensure that it will be busy enough to distribute all your samples and that the product is in consumer’s hand at a time they will also purchase.
Branding & Presentation – Creating an engaging, eye-catching activity will help draw attention to what you are doing, but also to your brand. Having clear branding and a call to action will ensure your sampling campaign stands out and customers have a clear direction to follow. This might be a creative approach to a sampling stand or eye-catching uniforms on the street.
The Right People – Making sure you have the right team of people representing your brand on the ground is incredibly important. These staff are your latest brand ambassadors, so ensure they have the right knowledge and tools to do the best job they can. Start by making sure they have been provided with clear product knowledge and brand training and that they have the right equipment to do the job.
Test & Measure – Setting performance goals ahead of your start date will create a measurable campaign and ensure that staff know what information to gather whilst out in the field. With real time reporting you can make informed decisions during your campaign and adjust the strategy if required. This detailed reporting will also provide valuable insights on your campaign, product, and audience, which will help inform your next sampling campaign.

If you are looking to get your product out there through a sampling campaign and need some support, then please get in touch. As a Sampling Agency Kreate can help you from end to end providing strategic planning, store engagement, creative and design, sourcing and production, and staffing services.

Say hello@kreate.com.au

You can see some of our previous sampling work by clicking the images below: