Freebies and Free Samples
The Internet has changed the way that free samples are obtained, today companies no longer need to bombard thousands of mail boxes in an attempt to get somebody, somewhere, to purchase their products. It is not uncommon for companies to offer freebies in an attempt to obtain your personal data. Dissemination of a persons personal information, with or even without permission, is a huge business. Think about this: when you request a free product sample, especially over the internet, you are commonly asked to provide personal information about yourself, such as your name, e-mail, your home address, and age. In some case online freebie request forms will even ask you to state your monthly income.
Some people collect freebies as a hobby, and it’s difficult to differentiate between people that are genuinely interested in trying a product sample, and somebody that just wants to add the product sample to their collection. However, the vast majority of people are selective when they are choosing a sample to obtain, and then there are that will take anything that doesn’t have a price tag attached to it. So how can a company guarantee that their samples are being used, and that their investment is paying off? When you get down to it, it’s a balancing act. Companies take the rough along with the smooth. They hope that if they distribute enough free samples, their product will reap the rewards.
When freebies are combined with other marketing activities, they can increase sales, raise awareness, and create a buzz around products that might have gone unnoticed. One thing is for sure: free samples are here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future anyway.
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