Live brand experience: Free samples are still an effective form of field marketing

Giving away free samples is still one of the most effective forms of field marketing, according to a study carried out by BDRC Continental, reports Marketing Week.

Despite many companies engaging in social network campaigns, the study shows that sampling with an element of live brand experience still works.

What is more this type of marketing is more likely to create loyal customers even though it may seem less targeted.

The study showed that the likelihood of a potential customer purchasing the product increased by 91 per cent through direct exposure to it from a sample handed out.

This can be made even more effective by some sort of live or experiential aspect, including a demonstration of that product.

Experiencing a product is the best way of persuading someone that they need it as it shows them exactly what that product does.

Rebekah Reynard, research manager at BDRC Continental, told the news provider: “While a TV campaign reaches a huge number of people and experiential is limited because of the footfall, but the latter is worth the investment because the results of experiential work are so much higher.”