Would you offer your goods and services as a sample? Is it a good advertising method?

If I understand the question right, it depends on the industry norms and culture. In certain industries, it's totally normal to practice such tools of promotion and if you do not, you may miss lots of business for the sake of competitors. My point is that marketers always seek ways and tools that differentiate their brand and product from their rivals. The issue is not whether good or bad. For example, in automobile industry you can not gift customers BMW car for free, whereas it is crucial to send free samples of decorative products for architectures to recommend your quality for owners of projects rather than those of competitors. likewise cheese and juice samples are always given as taste samples especially for new flavors and tastes. Finally, free sample is good method only to differentiate your product from that of competitors, otherwise it is a only a routine to do just to keep the pace with competitors.

Likely yes, presuming it is cost effective. Think of it as an investment, a marketing tool that may or may not have a return on that investment. It therefore must be tracked; you cannot just give it to someone and expect them to call or write you........be sure you have a feedback approach/loop to determine whether it worked or not.......and in an efficient, productive manner. Obviously what one puts into it, (labor, materials, cash) must be matched against any output derived. So-called "Goodwill"or occasional giveaways to generate customer interest/intrigue, does have meaning.......but be sure to track it or you may quickly "get taken for a ride" with zero returns!!!!

Your product is your marketer

Indeed it is... Your product should be the top marketer of your brand, it is the real brand ambassador for your business when you share a sample of it with the right customer, he should come back to you and ask for more...I believe that advertising comes after.

I think it is always advisable to demonstrate but not offer as a sample. 

Maybe not & it will differ from product to product.

But if our product quality is master class then our brand will talk on behalf of us.

The main key for providing samples are to see the physical appearance & testing their quality. 

Dear Tamara,

Samples or gratuities are one of my best techniques to push the sale and even to safeguard customer loyalty.

In many  sector activity, thecustomers are very sensitive to this technique and their buying decision are based on the apreciation of the product that they want to buy: food (tasting), cars (test drive) Perfume and beauty products (free sample,

Hi

Hopeully Fine and Happy

to ofer   services and goods as a Sample    advertisement for sales of Goods and up gradation of business  is a papular and very intresting / low cast method that likes by the clients and a easiest way to understand about the quilty of brand and product .

Thanks

Although it is not compulsary to give totally free the idea of discount should not hurt the minds of the decision makers as it is keeping up with the trend of mutual benefit I suppose.

'Sampling' of your Product or Service induces consumption & as such based on the Product performance or Service delivery meeting or exceeding expectations stands  better chance of occupying consumer behavioural space vs plain advertising which atbest occupies mind space  not behavioural space in terms of consumption

When the item is consuming and recent to the market, offering a sample would be a good idea