Emma runs a small artisanal soap business, crafting handmade soaps with natural ingredients. Her products are gentle on the skin, beautifully packaged, and infused with scents like lavender, eucalyptus, and vanilla. Emma has worked hard to build a loyal customer base, but as she thinks about expanding her reach, she realises she needs a way to introduce her products to people who may not be familiar with her brand. After some thought, she decides to experiment with free product samples.
Emma hopes that by letting people experience her soaps first-hand, she can connect with new customers and show them the care and quality that goes into each bar.
Designing the Perfect Sample Strategy
Emma starts by selecting her best-selling soap as the sample product. She knows that the lavender-infused soap, with its calming fragrance and luxurious lather, has always been popular among her regular customers. She believes it will make a strong first impression on potential new customers as well.
To ensure her samples represent her brand, Emma packages each mini soap bar with the same care as her full-size products. She wraps them in her signature eco-friendly paper, adding a small card that explains the natural ingredients and benefits of the soap. The card also includes a discount code for first-time buyers, encouraging those who enjoy the sample to make a purchase.
Reaching the Right Audience
Emma decides to distribute her samples at a local farmers' market and a nearby yoga studio. She knows that both places attract people who care about natural, sustainable products, making them ideal locations for introducing her soaps. She sets up a small basket of samples at her booth at the farmers' market, inviting people to take one home. At the yoga studio, she arranges with the owner to place a small display near the entrance, allowing clients to pick up a sample after their class.
The response is immediate and positive. People are curious to try the soaps, and many stop to ask her questions about the ingredients and the different scents available. Emma takes the time to chat with each person, explaining the benefits of using natural ingredients and the care she puts into each bar. She’s thrilled to see people’s reactions, and she feels a deeper connection forming with her potential customers.
Seeing the Impact of Free Samples
In the days following her sampling effort, Emma notices an increase in online orders. Many customers use the discount code from the sample card, and she even receives emails from people who mention they discovered her soaps at the yoga studio or farmers' market. They share how much they loved the scent and the gentle feel of the soap, and they’re excited to try more products from her range.
One customer tells her that she usually struggles with sensitive skin but had no issues with Emma’s soap, and she’s now eager to make it a regular part of her routine. This kind of feedback reassures Emma that her sample strategy is reaching the right audience—people who genuinely value natural, skin-friendly products.
Building Long-Term Connections Through Sampling
Emma doesn’t stop at just offering samples; she follows up with those who received them. She sends a friendly email to those who used the discount code, thanking them for trying her soap and sharing a bit more about her brand’s story. This personal touch makes her customers feel valued, turning a simple sample into the start of a lasting relationship.
To keep the momentum going, Emma also introduces a referral programme for her new customers. If they refer a friend who makes a purchase, both the original customer and the friend receive a discount on their next order. This approach turns her satisfied customers into advocates, helping her reach even more people through word of mouth.
The Long-Lasting Benefits of Free Product Samples
Through her sampling strategy, Emma has found a way to connect with new customers in a personal, impactful way. By offering free samples, she allows people to experience her products directly, creating a sense of trust and authenticity that traditional advertising can’t always achieve. Her samples not only introduce her soaps to a wider audience but also help her build meaningful relationships with customers who appreciate the care and quality behind her brand.
For small business owners, offering free samples can be a powerful growth strategy. When customers can try your product with no risk, they’re more likely to give it a chance—and if they love it, they’re likely to return and recommend it to others.
Want to explore strategies like free samples to grow your customer base? Mark A Preston, a Customer Growth Coach & Speaker, can help you create a sampling strategy that connects with new customers and drives meaningful growth. Reach out to Mark today to discover how free samples can help your business make a lasting impression.
