“freebies”- perfect for brand visibility or not?

Free sample or "freebie" is a portion of product given to consumers in shopping malls, supermarkets, retail stores, or through other channels. Recently the samples are given to consumers via Internet and this market is growing huge every day. The main purpose of distributing free samples is to acquaint customers with new product, so that they can test product in terms of quality before purchasing it. Although it is very expensive method to attract customers towards a particular brand and create brand loyalty among them. Conversions to sales can be as high as 90% making it one of the main marketing strategies for certain markets.

Today, the word has fiercely evolved in terms of Internet and online Medias. There would be no wrong in stating today’s world as "Internet era". Those time have vanished when marketing of product only takes place via Word of mouth, paper or television. Every single second, Modern generation wants to explore something new and try out different unexplored genres. This is a very effective way to attract the potential consumers towards a particular product as there are lots of options in the giant Internet Pool with the exact and similar interest linking to particular domain as that of your product. However distributing free samples to consumers is not easy way to build your brand reputation as along with popularity it also demands huge expenses, that too on your own Risks.

Well the Risk that engages with this type of promotion is primary, as once the popularity of your product reach its peak there would be no head back and customers will definitely buy your product. Free samples are great way to attract lots of customers towards your product and once you have set the standard this will definitely pay off.

There are many companies out there that try to build their consumer database by offering free samples in India online through their websites and this has done no harm to them. This only has lead to brand visibility, product loyalty, consumer satisfaction and long term engagement in overall. Online marketing has boomed many markets and so far it has proven that Internet indeed is a best platform to reach out to market that specifically pays interest towards your services, leading to customer market that will be automatically driven in the direction of your-" self structured Market".

Some product sample offers may require consumers to complete a survey or refer a friend in order to qualify for the freebies. When all necessities are fulfilled, the product samples are shipped to the consumer. Some sample products might be digital goods, where sample might be closely related to a product trial. Hence either way it’s about customer satisfaction, as long as your customers are happy with the quality and services of your product till then your product will stand out in the market and generate Revenue in return.

Alia Gupta is managing brand promotion of free samples In India and managing overall operations for this website.