If you’re planning a product sampling event, then there'll be lots to think about. You could run into stock issues, storage problems and logistical challenges - and that's to say nothing of venue restrictions.
In this article, we'll look at what issues can arise, how a sampling service can help, and the alternatives available. You'll then be directed to our professional service, just in case you want to talk to someone who knows what they're doing!
What are the challenges of sampling?
Sampling doesn't just happen. Instead, it takes a concerted effort and careful planning to get right. Anything less and your campaign could fail to resonate with your audience.
Challenges include:
- Getting the volume of your samples right
- Branding your samples effectively
- Finding a place to store your products safely
- Moving stock between venues on time
- Getting power to your sampling vehicle
What does a sample and fulfilment service do?
If you are running a big campaign requiring large quantities of samples for a prolonged promotion, a sample fulfilment service will take care of the whole process for you. This works well when samples are not manufactured in-house but have to be outsourced.
A sample fulfilment service will:
- Provide cost effective warehouse storage for big campaigns requiring large stocks of product samples
- Provide refrigeration when required for perishable samples such as food
- Maintain an inventory of sample supplies
- Look after stock tracking and order processing
- Provide transportation of samples to product sampling events.
Are there alternatives available?
It’s possible to run a campaign without using a specialist sample fulfilment service. Here are two other ways to ensure you have the samples you need for your event:
Take a chiller van
You could take a separate chiller van stocked up with samples on the campaign trail if you’re doing a nationwide tour over a prolonged period of time. If your budget permits, the chiller van can also be wrapped to complement the branding on your main promotional vehicle.
You also need to ensure that the supplier is updated with your new delivery address if you have changed location since the previous delivery.
Lease warehouse space
If you want to store all the samples needed for the whole campaign under one roof, you could lease space in a warehouse. Samples can then be loaded directly onto the promotional vehicle itself, or the support vehicle, before setting off for your first event.
Using a warehouse works well if your campaign is made up of individual events where the vehicle can be restocked before each promotion. If you’re taking your campaign on a tour, you will need to send your support vehicle back to collect more samples, when needed, or use a delivery service.
Read our article to learn more about how to run your promotional campaign logistics and route planning.
See Promohire's sampling and fulfilment service
At Promohire, we offer a range of additional campaign services. One of these is sampling and fulfilment, which includes storing your items at the perfect temperature until the time's ready. We can then shift these products via support van in chiller fridges and chest freezers.
You can also visit our guide to running a sampling campaign, and see our list of the top product sampling locations around.