Recently, my 8 year old son Jack, came running into the house with the Sunday paper exclaiming, “Look, they gave us cereal!” And sure enough, there was not one but three mini boxes of cereal included with the newspaper—all sugar cereals they had never tried. My children were jumping up and down begging to try these cute little conveniently packaged products. This got me thinking about how Smart Women understand the power of sampling.
Sampling or giving something away for free is still one of the best marketing strategies that you can use to grow your business. Why? It gives your ideal client an opportunity to experience your product or service before they make a decision to become a customer. We are living in times where trust has been lost, in part due to the economic financial crisis. Sampling is a simple, easy way to create trust. Women create relationships easily with others and build trust quickly. Sampling or giving something away for free is a natural marketing tool for women.
Who do you sample? The perfect person to share your product or service with is your ideal client. Do you know who your ideal client is? Can you get a quick snapshot of that person in your mind right now? This is essential to the success of your business. Everything you do in your business should be geared towards crafting your message or marketing strategy so that when your ideal client reads it, she says, “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!”
Here are a few smart solutions that you can use to “sample” your own product or service:
1. Share your Product with your Ideal Client – If your business is a physical product that people can use or consume, why not offer free samples? Think about all of the times you’ve been given a “sample” of something and you made a decision to purchase it once you tried it. A few days ago, I was at the grocery store and there was someone in the produce department offering samples of Ambrosia apples. I have never had an Ambrosia apple before and I had no intention of buying one. I took a bite of this apple and it was delicious. It was bursting with flavor. What do you think I did next? I went right over and bought some of those apples! Think about how you might share your product in order to gain more interest.
2. Share your Service with your Ideal Client – In my Women’s Success Circles, I offer a “Sample Circle” before the actual Success Circle begins. It gives women the opportunity to experience me, my process with them, the material that I share, and the environment where the Circles are held. I also offer a complimentary service to women who are interested in working with me on an individual basis. I have found that my clients love sending me referrals because they feel secure in knowing that I will offer a sample session.
3. Share valuable information with your Ideal Client – A very effective tool is to share your expert information learned in your field with others. For example, I offer a complimentary report to every woman who signs up to receive my enewsletter. I have several reports and audios that I give away as bonus gifts to allow women access to information that will take their life and their business to the next level. This gives women an opportunity to learn more about the services that I offer in a safe, secure way. I invite you to think about ways you can share your knowledge with your ideal client so that they can experience you and your service in a way that feels good for them.
Notice that I used the word “ideal client” in each solution. It’s essential that you determine who your products or services are for. Ask yourself a question: “Who receives the greatest benefit from my product or service?” Then think about how you can offer your product or service in a sample setting so that those people can gain knowledge and interest in what you have to offer that will change their life or improve it in some way.
My children did enjoy the free cereal that morning. Me? I enjoyed a delicious Ambrosia apple.
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Copyright 2009 Joy Chudacoff
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Joy Chudacoff is the founder of Smart Women Smart Solutions(tm), a Certified Professional Coach to 1000’s of women, Motivational Speaker, and Entrepreneur. She publishes a weekly buzz generating ezine, Reflections On Life and Business for Women Entrepreneurs. If you’re ready take your life and your business to the next level, get your FREE Tips, FREE Report and FREE MP3 now at http://www.ProfitsWithPassion.com.
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