Posted on:
March 14, 2022
Being sustainable is perhaps the most important goal for many businesses right now. With 60% of consumers globally rating it as an important factor in purchases it clearly makes business sense, but even more so itâs all of our moral imperative to look after the world and those around us. A teacher of mine once told an assembly that, âwe donât own the world, we just look after it for the next generationâ (and no, she wasnât paraphrasing Patek Phillipe. Or maybe she was. Who knows?!). Being about 10 years old it really didnât mean much to me at the time, but it now seems like one of the most important lessons we were taught at school.
So, whatâs this got to do with sampling? Sampling is a proven way of bringing new customers to a brand. Let someone try your product and see how wonderful it is, and surely they will be tempted to part with their cash. Right? It is, but unfortunately sampling, especially when done en-masse, can also generate a lot of waste and inefficiency. This creates conflict with the sustainability pledges and net-zero goals that many brands are working towards. So what can you do? Well, here’s how to develop a sustainable sampling campaign…
Getting your samples into the right hands is one of the first steps in developing a sustainable sampling campaign. But what does this mean? To us, it means a few things:
When deciding on the strategy for your product sampling campaigns you should consider how each option ensures that it is addressing these three points. Sampl does so by integrating with your digital media to target relevant consumers and inviting them to request a sample. Every request runs through SamplMatch, our unique algorithm. Individual requests are approved or filtered based on each consumerâs suitability to your product.Â
Part of the issue with traditional sampling is that often you end up reaching the same people over and over again, and you donât even know youâre doing it. For a more sustainable sampling campaign, ensure that you know exactly where and to whom your samples are going. Use a sample to connect with someone and bring them into your ecosystem through the request process and you know who they are. With their consent, youâre able to nurture them and develop a proper relationship over time.
Using this data-driven approach you can introduce people to new products you know they are likely to be interested in. If they donât bite straight away then offer a sample to get them over the line. Conversely, being more in control you can choose who not to offer samples to, helping to ensure your sampling campaigns are efficiently aligned with your goals and youâre reaching more of the right people.Â
Weâve already covered how to ensure youâre getting samples into the right hands and the benefits of creating long-term relationships through sampling. You also should be thinking about the sustainability credentials of your partners. Sustainability isnât just about being âgreenâ or âeco-friendlyâ but also about acting in ways that are moral. From treating staff fairly and encouraging employee ownership to minimising travel and increasing the availability of vegan options within catered facilities, there are many things companies can do.
When considering your options, explore what your potential partners are doing across their businesses. How do they treat their staff? How are they managing their supply chains? Are their suppliers acting sustainably and making a conscious effort to achieve net zero? Is all their packaging sustainably sourced? How green are their delivery options?Â
Also consider how you currently measure the environmental impact of your sampling campaigns. Once you know the impact you can start to work out what steps you can take that will have the biggest impact towards reducing it.Â
Weâd love to talk to you about your sampling campaigns and what you can do to make them more sustainable. Drop us a line sayhello@sampltech.com or get in touch via our website to find out more.Â
Matt is known for his role as Sampl's CEO and for cracking a few jokes in his spare time (and to be fair, he also does it in our daily meetings, too). You will not be surprised to see him playing golf with his friends or walking his dogs when he is not working. Fun fact: his favourite dish is a yummy curry - We feel you, Matt! đ„
September 25, 2023
In today’s digital marketplace, user reviews are gold. They act as beacons of trust, guiding potential customers towards making informed […]
September 18, 2023
In a world where digital rules and the traditional touch-and-feel approach takes a back seat, Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands are rewriting […]
Continue reading about What is D2C sampling: how to cut through the digital noise
September 11, 2023
In today’s digital age, consumers are more discerning than ever. They rely heavily on online reviews, user-generated content (UGC), and […]
Continue reading about Social proof: using brand activations to build your product’s sales