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Have you ever thought about what you could get for free? How do marketers benefit by giving something away for free?
Well, let's consider for a moment if a company has just developed some contraption called a Microwave Oven. At that particuliar time in history Microwave Oven wasn't even in the dictionary. New technology results in new terminology. So, what is one of the best ways a company can involve the public in the company's campaign to advertise and sell its microwave ovens?
One method is to offer limited amounts of the product free to the general public, where benefits of the product spread by word of mouth advertising resulting in increased sales. Let´s say that you are the publisher of a city newspaper, or even a reporter, or how about the manager for a supermarket. The microwave company sends you a microwave oven as a free sample. You plug it in and set the timer to heat a frozen dinner or a cup of coffee and within seconds your meal or drink is ready for consumption. That is something to talk about. The rest is history. Most homes in the developed world now have microwave ovens.
So, the power of the free sample for advertising purposes and market expansion is beyond a doubt a powerful and useful tool, especially benefiting the consumer. Now, thanks to the Internet, consumers can try free samples of existing and brand new products, some of which may help them in their daily lives.
I think one of the primary powers of the free sample is brand name familiarity combined with customer satisfaction.
When a consumer is satisfied with a free sample it is likely that he or she will purchase the product the next time the product is needed. For example, let´s say a company that manufactures tooth brushes invents a new material which is more effective for removing dental plaque and food from teeth. One of the ways the company can help change the consumers habit of buying from the former brand name manufacturer is provide a free sample of their newest innovation, the new tooth brush containing the special material used for helping to maintain healthy dental hygiene. A satisfied customer with a great smile is almost sure to buy that brand of toothbrush in the future, not only for his or herself but for the entire family.
So, next time you see an advertisement for a free sample, it could be a product that could be a great benefit to you and your family. Companies and marketers are striving hard to demonstrate the results and benefits of the millions of dollars they invest annually in research and development, and all of this for you, and for free.
One method is to offer limited amounts of the product free to the general public, where benefits of the product spread by word of mouth advertising resulting in increased sales. Let´s say that you are the publisher of a city newspaper, or even a reporter, or how about the manager for a supermarket. The microwave company sends you a microwave oven as a free sample. You plug it in and set the timer to heat a frozen dinner or a cup of coffee and within seconds your meal or drink is ready for consumption. That is something to talk about. The rest is history. Most homes in the developed world now have microwave ovens.
So, the power of the free sample for advertising purposes and market expansion is beyond a doubt a powerful and useful tool, especially benefiting the consumer. Now, thanks to the Internet, consumers can try free samples of existing and brand new products, some of which may help them in their daily lives.
I think one of the primary powers of the free sample is brand name familiarity combined with customer satisfaction.
When a consumer is satisfied with a free sample it is likely that he or she will purchase the product the next time the product is needed. For example, let´s say a company that manufactures tooth brushes invents a new material which is more effective for removing dental plaque and food from teeth. One of the ways the company can help change the consumers habit of buying from the former brand name manufacturer is provide a free sample of their newest innovation, the new tooth brush containing the special material used for helping to maintain healthy dental hygiene. A satisfied customer with a great smile is almost sure to buy that brand of toothbrush in the future, not only for his or herself but for the entire family.
So, next time you see an advertisement for a free sample, it could be a product that could be a great benefit to you and your family. Companies and marketers are striving hard to demonstrate the results and benefits of the millions of dollars they invest annually in research and development, and all of this for you, and for free.
