When marketers use coupons, rebates, and free samples, they are using tools to reach consumers.

Samples, coupons, premiums, contests, and rebates are examples of consumer sales promotions. Do you like free samples? Most people do. A free sample allows consumers to try a small amount of a product so that hopefully they will purchase it. The strategy encourages trial and builds awareness. You have probably purchased a product that included a small free sample with it - for example, a small amount of conditioner packaged with your shampoo. Have you ever gone to a store that provided free samples of different food items? Although sampling is an expensive strategy, it is usually very effective for food products. People try the product, and the person providing the sample tells them about the product and mentions any special prices for it.

In many retail grocery stores, coupons are given to consumers with the samples. Coupons provide an immediate price reduction off an item. The amount of the coupon is later reimbursed to the retailer by the manufacturer. The retailer gets a handling fee for accepting coupons. When the economy is weak, more consumers cut out coupons and look for special bargains such as double coupons and buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) coupons. They may also buy more store brands.

While many consumers cut coupons from the inserts in Sunday newspapers, other consumers find coupons online or on their cell phones. Point-of-purchase displays, including coupon machines placed next to products in stores, encourage consumers to buy a brand or product immediately. When a consumer sees a special display or can get a coupon instantly, manufacturers hope the sales promotion increases sales. Stores may also provide coupons for customers with loyalty cards to encourage them to select particular brands and products.

Mobile marketing and the Internet provide consumers in international markets access to coupons and other promotions. In India, the majority of coupons used are digital, while paper coupons have the largest share in the United States. Over 80 percent of diapers are purchased with coupons; imagine how much easier and less wasteful digital coupons scanned from a mobile phone are for both organizations and consumers.

Other sales promotions may be conducted online and include incentives such as free items, free shipping, coupons, and sweepstakes. For example, many online merchants such as Shoe Station and Zappos offer free shipping and free return shipping to encourage consumers to shop online. Some firms have found that the response they get to their online sales promotions is better than response they get to traditional sales promotions.

Another very popular sales promotion for consumers is a premium. A premium is something you get either for free or for a small shipping and handling charge with your proof of purchase (sales receipt or part of package). Remember wanting your favorite cereal because there was a toy in the box? The toy is an example of a premium. Sometimes you might have to mail in a certain number of proofs of purchase to get a premium. The purpose of a premium is to motivate you to buy a product multiple times. What many people don't realize is that when they pay the shipping and handling charges, they may also be paying for the premium.

Contests or sweepstakes also attract a lot of people. Contests are sales promotions people enter or participate in to have a chance to win a prize. The Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes and the Monopoly Game at McDonald's are both examples. The organization that conducts the sweepstakes or contest hopes you will not only enter its contest but buy some magazines (or more food) when you do.

Loyalty programs are sales promotions designed to get repeat business. Loyalty programs include things such as frequent flier programs, hotel programs, and shopping cards for grocery stores, drugstores, and restaurants. Sometimes point systems are used in conjunction with loyalty programs. After you accumulate so many miles or points, an organization might provide you with a special incentive such as a free flight, free hotel room, or free sandwich. Many loyalty programs, especially hotels and airlines, have partners to give consumers more ways to accumulate and use miles and points.

Rebates are popular with both consumers and the manufacturers that provide them. When you get a rebate, you are refunded part (or all) of the purchase price of a product back after completing a form and sending it to the manufacturer with your proof of purchase. The trick is completing the paperwork on time. Although different types of sales promotions work best for different organizations, rebates are very profitable for companies because many consumers forget or wait too long to send in their rebate forms. Consequently, they do not get any money back. Rebates sound great to consumers until they forget to send it back.

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A coupon is a ticket or document that can be exchanged for a financial discount or rebate when purchasing a product.

Show how and why coupons are used as part of sales promotion methods

Coupons gain popularity during tough economic times.
Coupons are an inexpensive form of marketing.
Coupons offer marketers both advantages and disadvantages.
An effective coupon program can be measured and entices consumers to use the coupons.

brand awareness: Brand awareness is the extent to which a brand is recognized by potential customers and is correctly associated with a particular product.
up-sell: Upselling (sometimes "up-selling") is a sales technique whereby a seller induces the customer to purchase more expensive items, upgrades, or other add-ons in an attempt to make a more profitable sale.
discount store: a type of department store which sells products at prices lower than those asked by traditional retail outlets

Coupons are hot and the state of the economy has much to do with their popularity. Article after article about saving money mentions using coupons. And consumers are following their advice. You don't have to look any further than the Promotion Marketing Association (PMA) Education Foundation, Inc. for proof that coupons work for consumers. Their figures show that in the first half of 2011, consumers saved a whopping $2 billion though the use of coupons. The NCH Vice President of Marketing backs up this figure. According to him, coupon redemption volume continued to show a marked increase in the first half of 2011. A coupon is a ticket or document that can be exchanged for a financial discount or rebate when purchasing a product. Coupons offer instantly redeemable savings on certain products. That means that consumers get an instant reduction on the price at the point of purchase. They don't have to send anything to the manufacturer, they don't have to enter any type of contest. They walk away from the store with the satisfaction that they have saved money. In 1887, the Coca-Cola Company was incorporated in Atlanta with Asa Candler as one of the partners. He transformed Coca-Cola from an insignificant tonic into a profitable business by using innovative advertising techniques. The key to this growth was Candler's ingenious marketing, which included having sales representatives distribute complimentary coupons for Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola Coupon: Believed to be the first coupon ever, this ticket for a free glass of Coca-Cola was first distributed in 1888 to help promote the drink. By 1913, the company had redeemed 8.5 million tickets.

Coupons were mailed to potential customers and placed in magazines. The company gave soda fountains free syrup to cover the costs of the free drinks. It is estimated that between 1894 and 1913 one in nine Americans had received a free Coca-Cola, altogether totaling 8,500,000 free drinks. Why would a company let consumers walk away paying less for their product than the displayed price? Peer pressure may be one reason. Coupons are an inexpensive form of marketing. Due to this fact, almost half of all retailers say that they use some type of coupon program. If a company's competitors are doing it, the company will most likely consider doing it as well. That's not the only reason, however. Coupon programs offer a host of benefits. They can:

Increase the number of new customers - A customer may try a product just because they have a coupon for it and like it enough to continue to buy it.
Help move a specific product
Build brand awareness - A consumer sees the brand name on the coupon even when the coupon is not redeemed.
Reward current customers - Customers are delighted when they receive the gift of savings from the manufacturer of a product that they buy regularly.
Entice former customers to return
Create the opportunity for the marketer to up-sell a more profitable product
Provide the marketer with a highly measurable marketing program

The idea behind a coupon program isn't simply to get consumers to buy your product. You want them to notice your brand. Well-designed coupon programs accomplish that goal. In addition, retailers will benefit from such programs as it will drive traffic to their store. Coupons, though, can have both advantages and disadvantages. The optimal scenario for marketers is that coupons create brand awareness without consumers using the coupon. In fact most coupons are never redeemed. This makes marketers happy as there is no reduction in revenue. A reduction of revenue, however, is just one of the disadvantages of a coupon program. Others include:

Mass-cutting
Counterfeiting
Misredemptions.

You probably run across coupons on a daily basis. Open your mailbox and you'll see direct mail containing coupons. Look on the Internet and you'll see coupons that can be distributed electronically. A product that you buy may actually have a coupon on the package or you might go shopping and be happily surprised to find a pad on the shelf containing product coupons.Creating Effective CouponsEven though marketers may be happy to not have coupons redeemed, that is not the objective of issuing coupons. You do want to lure consumers to redeem the coupon. That's how you get noticed in the sea of other offers.To accomplish that goal coupons must be created with clear, precise text that shows the:

Face value
Product image
Bar code (if needed)
Legal copy
Expiration date
Company name and address.

You will not be able to judge the effectiveness of your coupon campaign without testing and measuring it. Tracking codes let retailers know not only who redeemed the coupons, but also where the coupons were found. This data can help you decide which coupon is best for your target audience.

A rebate is an amount paid by way of reduction, return, or refund on what has already been paid or contributed.

Examine the rationale behind and the use of rebates as part of sales promotions

The mail-in rebate (MIR) is the most common type of rebate.
In some cases, the rebate may be available immediately, in which case it is referred to as an instant rebate.
New companies that want to break into a market can offer substantial rebate savings on their new product as a means of capturing a customer's attention.
Even though rebates provide savings to customers, getting their money back requires a lot of work and may not be worth it to some.

mail-in rebate: A MIR entitles the buyer to mail in a coupon, a receipt and barcode in order to receive a check for a particular amount, depending on the particular product, time, and often, place of purchase.

A rebate is an amount paid, by way of reduction, return, or refund on what has already been paid or contributed. It one of the sales incentives promotion marketers use to supplement product sales.

The mail-in rebate (MIR) is the most common.

Rebates are offered by either the retailer or the manufacturer of the chosen product. Large stores often work in conjunction with manufacturers, usually requiring two or even three separate rebates for each item. Manufacturer rebates are sometimes valid only at a single store. Rebate forms and special receipts are sometimes printed by the cash register at time of purchase on a separate receipt, or available online for download.

In some cases, the rebate is available immediately, in which case it is referred to as an instant rebate. Some rebate programs offer several payout options to consumers, including a paper check, a prepaid card that can be spent immediately without a trip to the bank or even PayPal payout.

Rebates are heavily used for advertised sales in retail stores in the United States. In the UK, rebates are less common, with manufacturers and retailers preferring to give discounts at the point-of-sale rather than requiring mail-in or coupons. However rebates are sometimes given in the form of "cashback offers" for mobile phone contracts or other high value retail items sold alongside a credit agreement.

Beer Rebate: Unlike coupons, customers must mail the rebate to the manufacturer to get their money back.

Rebates are arguably more effective selling tools than sales or instant discounts because with rebates consumers pay the full price for the product up front and associate the higher price product as one of greater quality.
Rebates are more flexible and can be turned off and on more easily than a sale or instant discount which tends to lower the perceived value of a promoted product.
The information given in the rebate form, such as name, address, method of payment, can be used for data mining studies of consumer behavior.
The information can be used as evidence of a pre-existing business relationship for marketing purposes, such as 'do not call' lists.
Rebates offer retailers the benefit of giving customers a temporary discount on an item, to stimulate sales, while allowing it to maintain its current price point.
Rebates allow companies to "price protect" certain product lines by being selective in which models or brands to be discounted.
During the turnaround time, the company can earn interest on the money.
If the turnaround time crosses into the next fiscal year or quarter, a rebate offer can inflate sales in the current period, and not have to be accounted for until the next period and then it could be attributed as a cost reducing sales or expense for the next period.
Not all buyers will meet the criteria to receive the rebate. Companies often require the original UPC barcode, receipt, and additional information, which a buyer may forget to include when redeeming the rebate. Companies almost always add other caveats to the rebate as well, such as the redemption having to be postmarked by a certain date. It works in the company's favor if buyers do not act quickly to redeem.
New companies that want to break into a market can offer substantial rebate savings on their new product as a means of capturing a customer's attention. Zeus Kerravala, vice president at the Yankee Group, has said "For companies that haven't been in a particular market, the rebate that essentially refunds the customer's money is a great way to get people to pay attention to them. This is especially true in consumer electronics, where brand name does matter. It's a good way to get customers to take a chance on a new brand. "

Rebates may seem to offer customers lower pricing. Deal hunter sites frequently tout the benefits of rebates in making technology affordable. According to 2011 research, 47% of consumers submitted a rebate within the past 12 months; whereas similar research conducted in 2009 showed that only 37% of consumers had submitted a rebate in the preceding year. Still, rebates take a certain amount of time and effort from the consumer - figuring out the rules, filling out the forms, preparing and dropping off the mailing, cashing in the check, keeping track of the paperwork while this is being done. Thus, a rebate can be thought of as being paid to do this paperwork and provide one's personal data to the company. Chances of rebate mailing being lost or failing some criteria may further reduce the expected return on this effort. Consumers who are aware of this, and who value their time, effort and opportunity costs above the value of the rebate, may choose to ignore a non-instant rebate that requires such procedures and assume the out-the-door price when considering the purchase. On the other hand, if the consumer does not mind these obstacles and is more concerned with the price than their time for any reason, the rebate may be seen as a deal.

Premiums are prizes, gifts, or other special offers consumer receive when purchasing products.

Identify the rational, types and use of premiums from a sales promotional and personal selling perspective

Premiums fall into one of two categories: free premiums which only require the purchase of the product and self-liquidating premiums which require consumers to pay all, or some, of the price of the premium.
Premiums can actually enhance an image and were, in fact, the basis of of the first loyalty marketing programs.
To insure a successful program, match the premium to a target market by selecting one that reinforces the firm's product and image. Integrate the premium with other marketing tools such as advertising and POP displays.

Self Liquidating Premiums: require the consumer to pay a designated amount of money for the gift or item.
In-or On-package Premiums: usually small gifts, such as toys in cereal or candy boxes
Free Premiums: a sales promotion that only requires buying the product to receive the free gift or reward.

Another form of consumer sales promotion is the premium. Premiums are prizes, gifts, or other special offers received when a consumer purchases a product. When a company presents a premium, the consumer pays full price for the good or service, as opposed to coupons that grant price reductions or to samples, instead of receiving the actually product. One of the first loyalty marketing programs ever offered was a premium in which proof of purchase was redeemed for prizes or gifts. Some marketing experts believe that coupon over-use damages a brand 's image, while premiums can actually enhance it. The key is to match the right type of premium with the product and a predisposed buyer. Though not as successful as coupons, premiums can be used to boost sales and remain a valuable consumer promotional tool. In the United States, each year over $4.5 billion is spent on premiums. Premiums fall into one of two categories: free premiums which only require the purchase of the product and self-liquidating premiums which require consumers to pay all, or some, of the price of the premium. Free-in-the-mail premiums are gift that individuals receive for purchasing products.

Free In-The-Mail Premium: Such premiums are gifts individuals receive for buying a product.

The marketing objectives of such premiums are to:

Promote multiple brand(s) purchases;
Increase brand recognition and customer awareness;
Encourage new or additional brand use;
Make brands more user-friendly; and
Reward loyal consumers.

The benefits of Free-In-The-Mail Premiums are that:

They add value and are brand related;
There is no need for elaborate packaging; and
They allow larger premiums to be offered.

In-or On-package Premiums

are usually small gifts, such as toys in cereal boxes.

The marketing objectives of such premiums are to:

Increase brand visibility and customer awareness;
Revitalize a mature brand;
Promote multiple purchases through continuity premiums;
Encourage new or additional uses for a brand; and
Reward customer loyalty.

The benefits of In- or On-Package Premiums are that they:

Impact at point-of-sale due to their visibility;
Offer immediate consumer gratification;
Have no redemption or couponing cost;
Provide added value.

Store or manufacturer premium are gifts given by either the retail store or the manufacture when the customer purchases a product.

The marketing objectives of such premiums are to:

Increase brand visibility and customer awareness; and
Encourage consumers to try a brand.

Marketers benefits from store or manufacture premiums as they add value to their brand. Self liquidating premiums require the consumer to pay an amount of money for a gift or item.

Getting Double: Self-liquidating premiums require consumers to pay an amount of money for a gift or an item.

The marketing objectives of this type of premium is to attract more customers with low prices. The benefits to the manufacturer is that they receive additional revenues. Successful premium programs require that marketers:

Match the premium to the targeted market;
Carefully select the premium ( avoid fads, try for exclusivity);
Pick a premium that reinforces the company's product and image;
Integrate the premium with other IMC tools ( especially advertising and POP displays); and
Don't expect premium to increase short-term profits.

Loyalty marketing is an approach whereby a company focuses on growing and retaining existing customers through incentives and rewards.

Discuss the basis, use and impact of loyalty programs as a personal selling and sales promotion tool

Some loyalty marketing industry insiders, such as Fred Reichheld, have claimed a strong link between customer loyalty marketing and customer referral.
In recent years, a new marketing discipline called "customer advocacy marketing" has been combined with or replaced "customer loyalty marketing".
The early part of 2010 saw the rise of Card Linked Offers (CLOs) as a new loyalty marketing technique for brands, retailers and financial institutions, stemming from a rise in popularity of both mobile payment and coupons.
Many consumers in the US and Europe have become quite accustomed to the rewards and incentives they receive by being a "card carrying" member of an airline, hotel or car rental program.

Card Linked Offers: Card Linked Offers connect offers or discounts directly to a consumer's credit card or debit card, which can then be redeemed at the point of sale.
customer advocacy: Customer advocacy is a specialized form of customer service in which companies focus on what is best for the customer. It is a change in a company's culture that is supported by customer-focused customer service and marketing techniques.

Loyalty marketing is an approach to marketing, based on strategic management, in which a company focuses on growing and retaining existing customers through incentives.

Various Loyalty Cards: Loyalty programs are structured marketing efforts that reward, and therefore encourage, loyal buying behavior.

Branding, product marketing and loyalty marketing all form part of the customer proposition – the subjective assessment by the customer of whether to purchase a brand or not, based on the integrated combination of the value they receive from each of these marketing disciplines. The discipline of customer loyalty marketing has been around for many years, its value as an advertising and marketing vehicle have made it omnipresent in consumer marketing organizations since the mid- to late-1990s. Some loyalty marketing industry insiders, such as Fred Reichheld, have claimed a strong link between customer loyalty marketing and customer referral. In recent years, a new marketing discipline called "customer advocacy marketing" has been combined with, or replaced, "customer loyalty marketing. " To the general public, many airline miles programs, hotel frequent guest programs and credit card incentive programs are the most visible customer loyalty marketing programs. Frequent Flyers

On May 1, 1981 American Airlines launched the first full-scale loyalty marketing program of the modern era with the AAdvantage frequent flyer program. This revolutionary program was the first to reward "frequent fliers" with reward miles that could be accumulated and later redeemed for free travel. Many airlines and travel providers saw the incredible value in providing customers with an incentive to use a company exclusively and be rewarded for their loyalty. Within a few years, dozens of travel industry companies launched similar programs.

Card Linked Offers

The early part of 2010 saw the rise of Card Linked Offers (CLOs) as a new loyalty marketing technique for brands, retailers and financial institutions, stemming from a rise in popularity of both mobile payment and coupons. CLOs connect offers or discounts directly to a consumer's credit card or debit card, which can then be redeemed at the point of sale. To receive and use CLOs, consumers must willingly opt in to a CLO program and provide their credit/debit card information. When consumers see relevant CLO-enabled advertisements and product offers while browsing online, using a mobile device, watching TV, reading a newspaper or magazine or listening to the radio they can click, text or scan a QR code to link the CLO-enabled ad directly to their credit/debit card. After consumers make a purchase at the designated retail location, the savings appeared are credited directly to their bank, credit card or PayPal account. As such, CLOs eliminate point-of-sale integration, mail-in rebates and paper coupons. Offers are typically based upon consumer preferences and previous purchase history. Prior to 2010, static CLOs existed for many years in the form of bank-issued loyalty offers, such as points or savings on travel purchases.

Consolidated Loyalty Programs

Recently there has been a move away from proprietary loyalty schemes to a more consolidated approach, where a single registered account can link a consumer to any number of participating merchants. The principal advantage of this approach is that it minimizes the number of discrete relationships between consumers and merchants and only requires a one-off registration.

One prominent example is the US-based Punchd, which became part of Google in 2011. Others, like MazeCard, have offered consolidated loyalty marketing schemes in other continents.

Many loyalty programs have changed the way in which consumers interact with the companies that they purchase products or services from and how much the consumers spend. Many consumers in the US and Europe have become quite accustomed to the rewards and incentives they receive by being a "card carrying" member of an airline, hotel or car rental program. In addition, research from Chris X. Moloney shows that nearly half of all credit card users in the US utilize a points-based rewards program.

In recent years, the competition for high income customers has led many of these loyalty marketing program providers to provide significant perks that deliver value well beyond reward points or miles. Both American's AAdvantage program and Starwood Hotels' Preferred Guest program have received industry awards, called "Freddie Awards" by Inside Flyer Magazine and its publisher Randy Petersen for providing perks that customers value highly. These perks have become as important to many travelers as their reward miles, according to research.

In his book, Loyalty Rules!, Fred Reichheld details the value of customer referral on the growth and financial performance of dozens of leading US firms. Reichheld purports that the measurement of company advocates, or promoters, is the strongest single measurable correlation between customers and corporate performance.

Similarly, Chris X. Moloney has presented new findings (Loyalty World London 2006) that showed a magnetic value to a company to promote and measure customer referrals and advocacy via research and marketing.

Contests and sweepstakes are two forms of sales promotions which attract consumers by offering them the chance to win a valuable prize.

Discuss the characteristics of contests and sweepstakes and how companies benefit from their use

Contests normally require the participant to perform some type of activity and the winner is selected based on who performs the best or provides the most correct answers.
Sweepstakes entice consumers to submit free entries into drawings of chance (not skill) that are tied to the product or service wherein the featured prizes are given away by sponsoring companies.
Sweepstakes and contests both allow marketers to interact with and gain a better understanding of their target audience and leave customers with a positive image of the company and its products.

sponsor: One that pays all or part of the cost of an event, a publication, or a media program, usually in exchange for advertising time.
buzz: Major topic of conversation, widespread rumor, or information spread behind the scenes.

Consumers tend to like sales promotions because they get something for "free. " If you as a marketer really want to get their attention, however, give a select few of them the chance to receive something with a high value. Marketers who want to use this type of sales promotion have two options to choose from: Contests normally require the participant to perform some type of activity. The winner is selected based on who performs the best or provides the most correct answers. No purchase is required to enter a contest and a panel of judges determines the winner. Consumers can enter as many times as they wish, although it is permissible for firms to restrict customers to one entry per visit to the store.

The Best Quote Wins: Contests require skill; sweepstakes generally only reward luck.

There is another consumer sales promotion known as a sweepstake (also known by its inflected forms which are both single and plural: sweepstakes and sweeps). These have become associated with marketing promotions targeted toward both generating enthusiasm and providing incentive reactions among customers. A sweepstake entices consumers to submit free entries into drawings of chance (and not skill) that are tied to product or service awareness wherein the featured prizes are given away by sponsoring companies. Prizes can vary in value from less than one dollar to more than one million U.S. dollars and can be in the form of cash, cars, homes, electronics, and so on. In Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, a sweepstake is known as a competition. Sweepstakes frequently have eligibility limited by international, national, state, local, or other geographical factors. Sweepstakes are often referred to by marketing promoters as second-chance sweepstakes when utilized in conjunction with the awarding of unclaimed prizes during instant-win promotions. Almost every sweepstakes in the United States offering prizes valued at 600 dollars or greater will typically follow the following structure:

Sponsor

promotion

Creating the sweepstakes promotion for a sponsor or sponsors;
Advertising the sweepstakes, prize structure, and the official rules;
Opening date for receiving entries;
Closing date for receiving entries;
Drawing date to judge winning entries.

Winner notification

Sweepstakes promotion judges contacting the prize winner;
Winner filing publicity release with sponsor's sweepstakes promotion agency;
Winner filing affidavit of eligibility (compliance with official rules) with sponsor's sweepstakes promotion agency;
Winner filling any required federal or state tax forms with sponsor's sweepstakes promotion agency;
Winner receives prize.

By law, the sponsors of sweepstakes must not require the prize winners to pay any shipping or handing charges in order to win or receive their prizes. Sweepers frequently send out SASE (self addressed, stamped envelopes) to receive free game pieces, official entry forms, and copies of the official rules that are unique and pertain to individual sweepstakes promotions. Marketers have a lot to gain from giving away valuable prizes to consumers. Contests and sweepstakes allow them to:

Create a buzz about the product -- With the rise of social media, word-of-mouth marketing can help make or break a product. Exciting events, such as contests and sweepstakes, encourage people to talk about the company and its products. It is a great, cost-effective way to extend your advertising reach.
Draw traffic to their website or store -- Some consumers may never have heard of your company before. So contests and sweepstakes offer these companies an opportunity to build brand awareness with such consumers.
Build an e-mail list -- Marketers usually give contestants a newsletter or mailing list opt-in option when they enter the contest or sweepstake. New names mean new potential customers in the long-run.
Perform marketing research -- Marketers can easily add a survey to a contest or sweepstakes entry form. The information gathered is just as valuable to them as the prize is to the consumer because it can help marketers better understand their target audience. This better understanding can lead to better marketing campaigns.
Strengthen their relationship with their customers -- People buy from people they like. Contests and sweepstakes allow consumers to interact with the company in a fun way and creates a positive image of the company and its products.

A free sample is a portion of a product given to consumers at no cost for their trial with the aim of driving product adoption.

Describe the characteristics and proper methods of sampling

The purpose of a free sample is to acquaint the consumer with a new product.
Small "trial size" containers of products are also classified as samples.
Samples may also be loaned to the customer if they are too valuable to be given for free.

social graph: The social graph is a term used for sociograms in the Internet context. A sociogram is a graph that depicts personal relations. It has been referred to as "the global mapping of everybody and how they're related. "

In 2000, best-selling author Seth Godin released a book entitled "The Idea Virus" and then proceeded to give it away for free. Was Seth, who has sold tons of books, suffering from temporary insanity? No, quite the contrary. You see, Seth knew that if he gave the book away for free, people would read it, and if they liked it they would help create a buzz about the book.That's exactly what happened. In less than a month, 400,000 copies were downloaded for free and even though the downloads were free, people bought the hardcover. The book ended up being #5 on Amazon.com's best seller list. The promotion strategy Seth Godin used is called sampling and when done correctly it can be one of the most effective ways to market your product. A free sample or "freebie" is a portion of food or other product (for example, beauty products) given to consumers in shopping malls, supermarkets, retail stores, or other venues. Sometimes samples of non-perishable items are included in direct marketing mailings. The purpose of a free sample is to acquaint the consumer with a new product. It is similar to the concept of a test drive, in that a customer is able to try out a product before purchasing it.

Try it, You'll Like it.: This free wine tasting allows potential buyers to try, or sample, the wine before making a purchase.

Many consumer product companies now offer free samples through their websites to encourage consumers to regularly use the products and to gather data for mailing lists of potentially interested customers. Food courts, grocery stores, and companies such as Costco and Sams Club routinely give out free samples to customers to persuade them to buy the product. Paint chips are samples of paint colors that are sometimes offered as free samples. The expansion of online marketing with regard to promotional giveaways has facilitated the rise of "Freebie sites" that seek to aggregate all promotional free sample offers in one place. These sites will often compile free product samples from all over the web and categorize them by type. Some product sample offers may require consumers to complete a survey or refer a friend to qualify for the freebies. When all requirements are fulfilled, the product samples are shipped to the consumer. Additionally, the advent of the social graph and the realization that consumers take more and more cues from each other's reviews, has opened up a new branch of sampling called social sampling. Soap manufacturer Benjamin T. Babbitt in the 19th century was one of the first known, though almost certainly not the first ever, people to offer free samples of his products. It is also possible to purchase products in small "trial size" containers. This is common with toiletries such as shampoo, which are useful for vacations or other travel, where large bottles or other containers would be impractical (or more recently, not permitted for air travel). These are also often provided in hotel and motel rooms for the guests. Samples may also be loaned to the customer if they are too valuable to be given for free, such as samples of a countertop or of carpet to be used for remodeling, or tasting samples as in the Scream Sorbet stand at a farmers market. Sampling has been around for ages. So it obviously works. But like other promotional programs, bad implementation will lead to bad results. Here are some tips marketers use to create successful sampling programs:

Find ways to drive new users to your company: Simply giving samples to people who already love your brand or your product is like preaching to the choir. They've already got the message.
Get permission: You may think that you would never turn down something that is free. But how many free samples of perfume or cologne do you have stuffed in the back of your bathroom cabinet? Taking a sample doesn't turn people into customers unless you have asked permission to give them the sample.
Encourage trial: To do this, you need to give your samples as close to the point of need as possible. People who are your target audience, but in the wrong setting, will not pay any attention to your samples.
Start a conversation: Be like Seth Godwin who gave away free copies of his book "The Idea Virus. " Create a buzz.
Measure your results: Sampling results might not be as easy to measure as other promotional strategies, but they can be measured. It would be mistake not to do so. Seth Godin saw the results of his sampling program not in the number of downloads, but in the number of people who bought the hardcover version of his book.

Point-of-sale displays are sales promotions that are placed where they can easily draw customer attention and trigger impulse buying.

Illustrate the rationale and use of point of purchase promotions

In smaller retail outlets, POS displays are supplied by the manufacturer of the products, and are sited, restocked, and maintained by one of their regular salespersons, but this is less common is larger supermarkets.
Point-of-purchase displays are intended to promote new products, make special offers, and/or capitalize on special events, such as holidays.
POS displays are usually provided by product manufacturers for smaller stores while larger retail outlet with strong purchasing power, prefer to use sales material designed in-house to keep store layout and corporate themes consistent.

Light Box: A box like point of sale display using florescent bulbs to illuminate a poster inserted from the side or rear of the box.
Impulse Buying: Buying prompted by an emotional reaction to an item that is strategically placed and designed in such a way as to motivate and cause a consumer to take action.
Disposable Displays: Displays made of cardboard or other inexpensive that can be discarded after use.

At some point in your life, you have been motivated and stimulated to buy something on impulse: an unplanned and somewhat emotionally driven purchase. Don't be ashamed. You aren't alone. According to research, almost 66% of all decisions to buy something are made while people are in the store shopping. What's more, 53% of these decisions are classified as impulse buying.

Point-of-Purchase Display: A point-of-sale display selling products related to the Easter holiday.

Point of purchase promotions offer marketers one of the most effective sales promotion tools included in the "promotional mix." Point-of-sale displays (POS) are a specialized form of sales promotion found near, on, or next to a checkout counter (the "point of sale"). They are intended to draw the customers' attention to products. These may be new products, a special offer, or may promote special events, such seasonal or holiday-time sales. POS displays can include:

shelf edging
dummy packs
display packs
display stands
mobiles
posters
banners.

Note that POS can also refer to systems used to record transactions between the customer and the commerce, such as check-out registers, which are used at the point of sale. Don't get confused if you see it used in this context. In smaller retail outlets, POS displays are usually supplied by the manufacturer of the products, but sited, restocked, and maintained by in-store salespersons. This is less common in larger retail outlets with strong purchasing power, because they control supplier activities and prefer to use sales material designed in-house to ensure that store layouts and corporate themes are consistent. Common items that may appear in year-round POS displays are:

batteries
soft drinks
candy
chewing gum
magazines
comics
tobacco
writable CDs and DVDs.

POS displays are also useful in outlets with limited floor space, as a way to utilize the much wasted space around counters. The disposable displays are usually covered with product branding. They are usually made out of cardboard, foam board, or Perspex/Plexiglas stands covered with plastic,and are easily replaceable. Displays are visually appealing because designers are able to make full use of color and special printing processes. Non-disposable displays may include lighting for more visibility or include a cooler for drinks or ice cream. Some are as simple as a metal baskets that are easy to refill or re-stock, with a price sign and no design on the outside. A light box is the advertising industry term for a lighted POS display. These are similar to ones used by photographers, and use fluorescent bulbs to illuminate a poster that has been inserted into the light box from either the side or the rear. Setting up a display at a cash register, though simple in theory, requires planning and knowledge in order to deliver desired results. Poor results may be caused by:

Failure to adhere to retailer 's size/space limitations. Proper fit, within the allotted space, increases chances for success.
Failure to understand the store's clientele and their true needs -- Your product may have a multitude of benefits, but if the customers don't need those particular benefits they won't buy your product.
Placing the display in the wrong location -- Different areas in a store prompt different shopper responses. Not even a great display will stimulate a sale if the product is not in sync with the mind of consumer as the display is approached.
Over design-- Displays should be creative but simple, without encouraging consumer questions or objections.
Not considering where consumers look when they shop -- Displays should be designed with a shopper's line of sight in mind. They won't buy what they can't see.

Online sales promotion can create personal relationships, channels of communication, and an exchange of information regarding a product.

Discuss on line sales promotion as a sales promotion method and relative to personal selling and sales promotion

Online offers and giveaways are simple and enable marketers to cultivate and gather valuable sales information such as demographics, statistics, and consumer buying habits.
The Internet allows sales representatives to reach exponentially more potential buyers.
Interactivity is the key to site stickiness.

Search Engine Marketing: Search engine marketing promotes websites by increasing their visibility on the search results page, usually through paid inclusion.
search engine optimization: Search engine optimization offers a more organic, natural, and free way to garner a desired ranking on a search results page through the use of keywords.
Affiliate Programs: Affiliate programs transform site visitors to business partners by offering rewards for referral business.

Sales promotion techniques are certainly not new but they have been revitalized through new media and technology, especially as it relates to online usage.

Internet Marketing Plan: Some of the same promotions that work offline also work online.

Online sales promotions are meant to turn site visitors into consumers. The objective is to get the visitor to take action by contacting a sales representative and ultimately buying the offered product. The methods to accomplish this goal are diverse and include:

Advertising
Loyalty and rewards programs
Contests
Search engine usage and optimization
Social media
Email blasts
Referral marketing
Affiliate marketing
Inbound marketing
Videos
Coupons, premiums, rebates, and other discounts

The personal touch often makes all the difference when selling. The development of a relationship with a sales representative created by a personal referral often makes the difference between an inquiry and a sale. Interactivity is the key to site stickiness. Through online sales promotion, relationships are developed, channels of communication are opened, and an exchange of information regarding a product's benefits and a consumer's needs occurs. The Internet allows sales representatives to reach exponentially more potential buyers. Emails blasts can reach thousands of potential buyers at one time. Videos posted on websites like YouTube have the potential to go viral. Through content and inbound marketing, a sales representative is capable of offering specific, expert, and personalized information to site visitors. Social media enables a company and its sales team to make contact with like-minded individuals and to convert those who are unfamiliar with the product or service being sold. It adds new meaning to the phrase "cold calling", which refers to a personal selling technique whereby a sales representative contacts people who are not expecting a call or sales pitch. Affiliate programs transform site visitors to business partners by offering rewards for referral business. Search engine marketing (SEM) promotes websites by increasing their visibility on the search results page. Placements can be purchased as "paid inclusions" or the value of website content can be increased by including keywords that are most often searched and used by individuals. The latter, also referred to as search engine optimization (SEO), offers a more organic, natural, and free way to garner a desired ranking on a search results page. Online offers and giveaways are simple and enable marketers to cultivate and gather valuable sales and demographic information. Personal likes, personal experience, email addresses, payment information, and addresses are needed in order to deliver gifts, product samples, free information, or other "value added" items. Software companies do this all the time when they offer free downloads, stripped down versions of the software, or trial periods. Online sales promotions enable you to obtain measurable results. Online sales promotions also enable you to see what the competition is doing. Most importantly, online sales promotions enable you to identify what works and what does not, thereby saving you money and delivering you much more "bang for your buck. "