Free Product Samples Your 2017 Guide To Brand Freebies And Trial Offers

Free product samples have become an increasingly popular marketing strategy for companies across various industries. In 2017, consumers had numerous opportunities to try products before purchasing, ranging from beauty and personal care items to household goods and food products. This guide explores the landscape of free samples available during that year, detailing how consumers could access these offers, what types of products were commonly available, and the various programs that made these samples accessible to the public.

Understanding Free Sample Programs

Free samples serve as a mutually beneficial marketing tool for companies and consumers. Companies distribute samples as a way to attract customers to their products, with the understanding that the more people try a product, the higher the likelihood they will make a purchase. This strategy has proven effective for increasing sales and brand awareness across multiple sectors.

The sample distribution landscape in 2017 featured several models:

• Direct mail samples sent to consumers' homes
• In-store sampling events
• Online request systems
• Product testing programs requiring reviews
• Membership-based sample clubs

Each company had its own specific process for distributing samples, with varying requirements such as completing profile information, signing up for newsletters, or providing feedback on the products tried. Some companies offered samples on a first-come, first-served basis, while others implemented lottery systems or limited distribution to specific geographic regions.

Beauty and Personal Care Samples

The beauty industry represented one of the most active sectors for free sample distribution in 2017. Several major brands and retailers provided consumers with opportunities to try products before committing to full-size purchases.

Sephora maintained a dedicated page for free beauty samples, updated periodically to offer consumers a rotating selection of products. The retailer also provided shopping codes, such as FREESAMPLE, which granted access to free sample bags containing various beauty items like concealers, facial creams, and makeup kits. These sample bags allowed consumers to experience multiple products from different brands without financial commitment.

SkinCeuticals Serum offered free beauty samples to interested consumers, providing an opportunity to test premium skincare products before purchase. However, these samples were in high demand and often depleted quickly due to the brand's popularity. Consumers were encouraged to regularly check the website for new sample availability.

Makeup.com presented two distinct pathways for obtaining free samples. The first involved direct mail samples of makeup products, available during limited-time events. The second option involved participating in sweepstakes held every couple of months, with each contest running for 28-30 days. Winners of these sweepstakes often received packages containing over $500 worth of beauty products from various brands, requiring only website registration and newsletter subscription for entry.

For skincare enthusiasts, the No7 Beauty Panel provided an opportunity to receive the latest skincare products for free. Panel members were expected to share their feedback to help No7 refine their product offerings and ensure quality customer experiences.

Baby Care and Family Products

Parents with infants and young children had access to specialized sample programs in 2017, with several companies offering baby-related products through free sample initiatives.

Similac operated a Similac Club program that provided members with product samples, coupons, rebates, and guidance resources for parents. The program offered potential value reaching up to $200, though the actual value and specific products received varied depending on the member's location. This program represented a significant opportunity for parents with newborns to access essential baby care products and savings.

Other baby care sample programs operated through similar models, requiring registration and profile completion to match appropriate products with the specific needs of each family. These programs often included not just samples but also valuable coupons and resources for new parents.

Health and Wellness Samples

The health and wellness sector offered several sample opportunities in 2017, allowing consumers to try various health-related products without financial risk.

Breathe Right provided consumers with the opportunity to request free samples of their Extra Strength Tan Breathe Right® strips, designed to help with nasal congestion. These samples were delivered directly to consumers' addresses within one to two weeks. Additionally, the company included a $2 coupon with each sample, encouraging subsequent purchases of their full-sized products.

Other health and wellness companies operated similar programs, often requiring consumers to complete health-related questionnaires to ensure appropriate product matching. Some companies specialized in specific health concerns, offering targeted samples for conditions like allergies, pain management, or nutritional supplementation.

Food and Beverage Freebies

Food and beverage companies employed sampling as a key marketing strategy in 2017, allowing consumers to taste products before purchasing full-sized versions.

Doritos promoted their Nacho Cheese flavor through a free sampling initiative, encouraging consumers to experience what was described as an "irresistible combination" of flavors. These sampling programs often coincided with new product launches or promotional periods, creating buzz and driving trial.

Other food companies utilized different approaches to distribute samples, including in-store demonstrations, mail-in offers, and online request systems. Some products required consumers to cover shipping costs, while others provided completely free samples with no purchase necessary.

Household and Cleaning Product Samples

Household cleaning companies recognized the value of allowing consumers to test products on their own surfaces and in their own environments before making purchasing decisions.

Resolve Carpet Cleaner promoted their stain-fighting products through free sample initiatives, targeting consumers dealing with "stubborn stains and dingy carpets." These samples allowed homeowners to test the effectiveness of the product in their own spaces before committing to full-sized purchases.

Other household product samples followed similar distribution models, often requiring consumers to specify their household size, cleaning challenges, or product preferences to ensure appropriate sample selection. Some companies offered sample kits containing multiple products, allowing consumers to experiment with different formulations within a product category.

Product Testing Programs and Review Opportunities

Several companies in 2017 operated product testing programs that required participants to provide reviews in exchange for free products. These programs served dual purposes: companies received valuable consumer feedback, while participants gained access to products at no cost.

Influenster operated a product review program that sent "VoxBoxes" to selected members. After signing up, answering preference questions, and meeting eligibility requirements, members received boxes containing products across various categories including beauty, groceries, sports, toys, personal care, beverages, and pet care. In exchange, members were expected to provide honest opinions about the products they received.

TryProducts partnered with more than 300 individual brands to supply over 400 different products for members to try. The company required participants to share their thoughts on the products they received, with thousands of products distributed monthly to qualified members.

SampleSource.com functioned similarly to other product testing platforms, sending out free sample boxes to registered members. The company offered samples across various categories and allowed members to select which samples they wanted to try when available. Members received email notifications when new samples matching their profile became available. Sample distribution occurred during Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons, with limitations of one request per offer period and one package per household.

Tips for Maximizing Sample Opportunities

Consumers seeking to maximize their access to free samples in 2017 could follow several strategies:

1. Complete detailed profiles on sample websites to increase the likelihood of receiving samples that match personal preferences and needs.

2. Register for multiple sample programs to access a wider variety of products across different categories.

3. Regularly check sample websites for new offerings, as availability often changed with seasonal promotions and product launches.

4. Participate in sweepstakes and contests hosted by sample providers, as these sometimes offered higher-value packages than regular sample distributions.

5. Provide thorough and honest feedback when required, as this could lead to future opportunities for premium samples or full-sized products.

6. Take advantage of both direct sample offers and coupon combinations, as some companies provided samples along with money-saving incentives for future purchases.

7. Be aware of geographic restrictions, as some sample programs limited distribution to specific regions or states.

8. Act quickly when samples become available, particularly for high-demand products that might deplete their inventory rapidly.

Conclusion

The landscape of free product samples in 2017 offered numerous opportunities for consumers to try products across various categories without financial commitment. From beauty and personal care items to baby products, household goods, and food items, companies utilized sampling as an effective marketing strategy to introduce consumers to their products.

While each program had its own specific requirements and processes, the core value proposition remained consistent: consumers could test products in their own environments, make more informed purchasing decisions, and potentially discover new favorites. For companies, samples represented an investment in customer acquisition and product trial, with the understanding that positive experiences could lead to brand loyalty and increased sales.

As the market continued to evolve, both companies and consumers benefited from the growing availability and accessibility of free samples, making 2017 a notable year for product trial opportunities across multiple sectors.

Sources

1. Super Samples

2. Companies That Give Free Samples

3. Product Testing Opportunities