Try it You’ll Like it

We are a society that likes free samples.  We like to try it before we buy it.  We test drive cars; we lie down on mattresses; and we accept food samples from the lady in the grocery store.

Yet many direct sellers do not embrace this concept.  I contend that free samples are the number one way to attract new customers.  Websites, catalogs, brochures and verbal promotion are all well and good (and needed). However, generally it’s not until someone can smell, taste, feel, hear or see the product offering are they really sold on it.

Most of us have read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham book at one time in our lives.  If not, here’s a sampling of the text:

You do not like them. So you say. Try them! Try them! And you may. Try them and you may, I say.

Sam! If you will let me be, I will try them. You will see.

Say! I like green eggs and ham! I do! I like them, Sam-I-am! And I would eat them in a boat. And I would eat them with a goat…

And I will eat them in the rain. And in the dark. And on a train. And in a car. And in a tree. They are so good, so good, you see!

So I will eat them in a box. And I will eat them with a fox. And I will eat them in a house.

And I will eat them with a mouse. And I will eat them here and there. Say! I will eat them ANYWHERE!

I do so like green eggs and ham! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!

What could you do for your business with regard to free samples?

Make candle wax samples out of candy molds; Herb and Spice packets, Lotion or Cosmetic samples.  But what if you don’t sell a product that is conducive to sampling? It may not be cost effective to freely give away jewelry, kitchen gadgets or storage containers.  Consider a loaner program. “Take this home, try it for a week and if you don’t love it, just return it, otherwise if it’s everything I said, and more, just pay me after you try it.”

I have seen some pretty awesome product catalogs, but almost 100% of the time, the photos still don’t justice to the actual item.

Take some time today to think about how you can get your customers to say:

Say! I like [insert your product here!] I do! I like them, Sam-I-am! And I would [insert verb here] them in a boat. And I would [insert verb here] them with a goat… I do so like [insert your product here!]! Thank you! Thank you, Sam-I-am!