Month: September 2009

Sampling

Sampling products at trade shows and markets. Suggestions as to what to do and not to do.

My wife and I are regular vendors at a local Farmers’ Market.  We also enjoy working trade shows and similar events.  Since we sell food products, we often have samples available.  A recent guest interaction has prompted me to change my plan regarding sampling.

Recently at the local Farmers’ Market I am approached by a young lady who seemed interested in Verve, a healthy energy drink, that is on my table.  She is unsure and asks if she may have a sample of the sugar-free version.  I wasn’t set up for sampling that day but since I had the sample containers with me I obliged.  She had a sip of what I had to offer and that was it.  No purchase.

I felt ripped off as I realized this lady had no intentions of actually buying anything.  She was curious as to what the product tasted like and that was it.  Now I was left with an open can of product that eventually got tossed and out the cost of a can of Verve.

Later on I was discussing this with a buddy who I have partnered with to promote functional gourmet coffee.  Beau sends out samples all the time but not necessarily to anyone who asks.  He tells me that it is his gut feeling that decides.  Beau knows a fellow who never sends out samples and, if asked, will tell you that if you want to try his product you can buy a box.

While contemplating this blog post I decided to consult my favorite book on working trade shows, Guerrilla Trade Show Selling (by Jay Conrad Levinson, Mark S. A. Smith, and Orvel Ray Wilson).  On Page 120 is a blurb that describes sampling and exactly what happened at the Market.

If your product is edible, you obviously want people to sample your wares.  But keep in mind that classic trade show sales story:

Simple Simon met a pieman going to the fair.

Said Simple Simon to the pimean, “Let me taste your wares.”

Said the pieman to Simple Simon, “Let me see your penny.”

Said Simple Simon to the pieman, “I fear I haven’t any.”

Before offering a sample, the pieman qualified his prospect, checking for economic buying power.  Applying this idea to your samples, always ask for something in exchange for giving your sample.  Get information.

Bottom line is I had not qualified the lady at the market who wanted a sample.  Going forward, some options I am considering are:

  • Shoot videos of people sampling my product.  Those less interested may back away.  Those that are interested are helping me with promotional material.  (Yes, I will post a video even if the person is not pleased with the taste.  The occasional grimace on video lends more credibility and is funny too!)
  • When asked for a sample, respond, “If you want to try the product, it is $4.95 per can.”
  • Money back guarantee.  Tell the person asking for the sample that if they buy a can, drink it, and are not completely satisfied that I will refund their money.

I look forward to your comments.

Problems with Intense Debate Plug-in

Problems with Intense Debate. Plug-In removed.

Today I discovered some glitches with the Intense Debate Plug-In I was using on this site to help moderate comments.  As a result I have had to remove Intense Debate.  Your comments have been retained though the posting date may be changed as I had to manually re-enter them.  If I have missed a comment you posted, please accept my apologies; you will have to re-post.

Hidden Sources of MSG

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) hides in many common grocery items and is listed under many different names.

Recently I discovered I am sensitive to monosodium glutamate (MSG).  The discovery came as the result of doing some research on the artificial sweetener known as aspartame.  Aspartame and mononsodium glutamate (MSG) are both excitotoxins.  Excitotoxins are chemicals that trick our brain into thinking something tastes good.  These chemicals are ultimately poison.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is found in more foods than I would have imagined.  The part that bothers me most is that by law in Canada and the United States, food manufacturers do not have to directly reveal the presence of MSG on labeling.  Unlike aspartame, monosodium glutamate (MSG) does not have to be labeled as  clearly.

Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG

  • monosodium glutamate
  • hydrolyzed protein
  • plant protein extract
  • sodium caseinate
  • calcium caseinate
  • yeast extract
  • textured protein (including TVP)
  • autolyzed yeast
  • hydrolyzed oat flour
  • corn oil

Food Additives that FREQUENTLY contain MSG

  • malt extract
  • malt flavoring
  • bouillon
  • broth
  • stock
  • flavoring
  • natural flavors / flavoring
  • seasoning
  • spices

Food Additives that MAY contain MSG

  • carrageenan
  • enzymes
  • soy protein concentrate
  • soy protein isolate
  • whey protein concentrate

Today marks Day #7 without knowingly consuming MSG.  My symptoms, which were mainly diarrhea and and difficulties with focus, have been cleared up since Day #3.  I am planning a future post that contains a list of common grocery items that contain MSG.

Sources

Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by Russell L. Blaylock

Migraine-Free Cooking!

Migraine headaches can be affected by what we eat and drink. Learn how to reduce the effects of a migraine through diet.

My wife occasionally suffers from migraine headaches.  Doctors usually recommend certain medications which deal with the symptoms.  The problem with medications is drugs only mask symptoms.  Drugs do not cure disease or deal with the root cause of the problem.

Recently I discovered a web site called “Migraine-Free Cooking!” written by Heidi Gunderson.  Heidi is focused on dealing with migraine headaches by being careful about what we eat and drink.  For a long time I have believed that 80% or more of our health is based on what we eat, drink, and breathe.

For some people, tomatoes are a trigger.  As are onions.  What about sugar, salt, and milk?  Click here and find out; scroll to the bottom of the page.

Heidi is working on a cookbook, also titled Migraine-Free Cooking! dedicated to sharing recipes for those who suffer from migraine headaches.  I look forward to writing a review.

Two good ways to make me leave your site

Two very annoying web design tactics.

Some Internet marketers get it.  Some do not.  Today I wish to tell you about two tactics that, if used on me, will absolutely guarantee I will never visit your site again.

Tactic #1: Let me start reading what looks like quality information then display a pop-up that demands my contact information or displays an ad.  This is extremely annoying.  If you want a capture page, put the opt-in box beside or below the information I am reading.  If what I see is quality and I like it, chances are I will opt in.  Be in my face and chances are I will click the X, close the window or tab and never be back.

Tactic #2: Have some JavaScript set up so that when I click the X to close the window or tab I get a pop-up that asks if I REALLY REALLY want to close.  This is the equivalent of a car salesperson running after me after I have already told him I am not interested.  Chances are if I have clicked the X, I want to leave the site.  Hound me like a desperate car salesperson and I will never return.  This one is even more of a nuisance when used with Tactic #1.