How Free Samples Trigger Curiosity and Drive Brand Loyalty
The allure of free samples is hard to resist. Who doesn’t love single-serve cups of chips and salsa at no charge? Hands down, the big dog of the free-sample world is Costco, which has reaped the scientifically proven benefits of free samples for years. Though the company primarily is known for its wildly successful membership program and bargain-basement pricing driven by massive economies of scale, its sample game is what keeps many customers returning … and buying. So settle in with a five-dollar rotisserie chicken while we uncover insights from Costco’s signature marketing play and explain why pre-rolls can act as your company’s little paper cup of goodness that boosts lifetime customer value. If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent enough time grazing Costco on a Saturday to loosen your belt a notch or two (or three). You might be tempted to feel a little guilty, but don’t. Those tasty morsels are scientifically proven to make you more likely to buy , thanks to a psychological p...