---

Guest post by: John Clark Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

Statistics report that digital retail sales have been trending upwards in 2011. While there are variable factors causing this trend, one main reason is the certain marketing methods used, though convenience is also a main contributor. Some marketing methods are very effective, others are not. One very successful marketing method that has survived the test of time is free sample marketing, also known as freebie marketing or product sampling. This marketing method is used so much that business owners have developed other ways to use free samples to improve their conversion rates.

Digital retail businesses, however, utilize free samples slightly differently than brick and mortar stores. Additionally, they also utilize coupons more frequently in their marketing strategy; mostly because it is easy to digitally distribute. Regardless, the way digital retail stores use freebies is similar to other conventional marketing methods.

For example, a blog owner who sells ebooks on his site may give away the first few chapters to potential buyers, hoping they become interested enough to purchase the rest of the ebook. Obviously, this strategy is not truly tangible because it is purely a digital product, unless the ebook is printed off of the computer, of course. However, it is still effective because it gives something of value to the customer.

If business owners give something of value to the customer, the customer will feel compelled to return the favor. Some psychologists call this a persuasion technique called reciprocation, and business owners have use persuasion techniques like this for years.

Like other marketing methods, such as Pay Per Click campaigns, freebie marketing must be tested. Some business owners do not find product sampling effective for their business, and that is why you must test it on a small-scale basis before you use it on a large-scale basis. Start with small, inexpensive items that won't cost your business a lot of money, in case you don't improve your conversion rate.

Related Articles

  2011 Consumer Retail Trends
  Top trends from 2010 that will continue in 2011
  Original Footage Vs. Digital Video Copies
  PoP (Point of Purchase) Visual Merchandising
  For Retail Franchises, the Back-to-School Shopping Season Spells Sales
  5 Digital Marketing Advantages
  QuickBooks 2011: Improvement to Closing Date Functionality
  Find Career in Retail
  RETAIL SALE BOOSTER MODEL (RSBM)
  Music Industry Jobs? Here is the Ugly Truth!
  Franchising Outlook Report Offers Further Proof 2011 is the Year to Become a Franchise Owner
  How to find perfect retail jobs tips
  How can POS Software Ally in Preventing the Problems of Sales Return Fraud
  Creating The Perfect Holiday PR Pitch: Tapping Into The Billion $ Spending Season
  Use Digital Signage to Do More with Less
  Planning for 2011
  Is Your Website Visitor Ready?
  Indicators of retailers’ health improving
  5 reasons to automate your Retail
  Career in Retail – Finding a job in Retail

Referred by: http://www.saveonquotes.com

Related Forum Posts

Happy Worker as of Dec 31 2007
Picking an external hard drive to backup my files
Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional
Re: What's 1 word to describe what your business will be in 2012
Re: Online Sales and Marketing vs Traditional

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Top Ten Tips for Negotiating a Job Offer

Why Use an Advertising Agency

** The Passion of the Resume**

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.