Try tryvertising online via Sampleandtry.com

Sampleandtry.com is based on a marketing concept called tryvertising, according to which consumers become aware about a product by actually trying/using it. In the case of Sampleandtry.com, the site will tie-up and source products directly from brands/manufacturers to display it on the site. Consumers, who will like to try the product will be required to register with Sampleandtry.com, provide essential details and surf the website to place the trial request. Based on it, the sampling website --which has tie-ups with courier companies--will dispatch the product on the location/address mentioned by the member. Usually, sampling sites send small sized packages of the product to its members. The company will not be be charging any money to consumers for delivering the samples. After trying the product samples, users can also post their review of the product on Sampleandtry.com.

To begin with, the company will offer its services in more than 2,500 small and big towns/cities across India. It will provide samples for four categories of products -- foods and beverages, health care, personal care and home care. Some of the brands available are Bournvita, Maggi Masala, Dabur Hommade, Pepsodent, Colgate, Zandu Balm, Dabur Red, Ponds, Fair & Lovely, Lux, Head & Shoulders, Vim, Scotch Brite and Ariel. The online firm has plans to add telecom services and automobiles categories soon.

Speaking to afaqs! the spokesperson from sampleandtry.com claims that sampleandtry.com is India's first online tryvertising or sampling platform. He says, "We figured out that it is very difficult for marketers to do targeted sampling to their potential consumers. Marketers have been doing sampling through various means like road shows, events, mall activation and even door-to-door. However, all these methods do not ensure that the samples reach their target audience. Thus, the objective behind launching the tryvertising portal is two-fold. First, to give a platform to marketers to do targeted sampling, based on parameters like age, gender, city and interest, to reduce wastage, and in return provide them with real consumer review about the sampled products. It also gives a platform to users where they can order free samples of products they wish to buy in the near future."

On the business model, the spokesperson mentions, "We plan to charge manufacturers for using this tryvertising platform to distribute their products as samples. We charge on the basis of number of users. Currently, the cost of sampling in India ranges from Rs 4 to Rs 400, depending upon the target audience, product, city and other factors. We have plans to make it very cost-effective for marketers by making it slightly organised than its current state."

He further adds that the review received from users about the products will also be a property of manufacturers/brands. They can use this data in any form they wish to."

The company claims that it has already acquired 15,000 users within three weeks of its launch. It has started a search marketing campaign and is planning to use display and social media marketing to create awareness about Sampleandtry.com.