- Why should you do a tasting?
- Events are the be-all and end-all
- How do you organize a successful tasting?
- The experience counts
- Tips from our tasting professional Max
Tastings are a proven method to convince customers of the quality of your products. Whether you're at an in-house exhibition, a garden fair or a weekend event, a well-thought-out tasting can make all the difference. In this post, you'll learn how to create a successful tasting that wows customers and puts the spotlight on your products.
Why should you do a tasting?
Tastings offer an excellent opportunity to come into direct contact with potential customers and make your product come alive. Particularly at events such as in-house exhibitions, outdoor weekends or garden fairs, visitors' curiosity arouses great interest. Through tastings you can specifically address different aspects and present your product range.
This marketing tool creates an immediate connection with customers and makes it possible to obtain direct feedback. Therefore it is often used at trade fairs. Customers often make their decisions more easily after trying the product, as the free tasting greatly increases confidence. Through their own experience, the customer can form their own opinion about the product, and who do they trust more than themselves? Personal opinion is always of utmost importance and you should take advantage of that.
Events are the be-all and end-all
To successfully convince customers of the quality of your products, you need to choose the right events. There are of course different types of events at which you can be present, popular events to organize include:
In-house exhibitions: An in-house exhibition in your own shop or in an event room offers an optimal environment for tastings. Here you can present your entire range and welcome customers in a familiar environment.
Weekends outdoors: Whether at a farmers market, a street fair or an outdoor festival are perfect for appealing to a wide audience. The relaxed atmosphere and the curiosity of visitors make them ideal tasting spots.
Garden fairs: At a gardening trade fair you have the opportunity to connect your product portfolio with the topic of gardening and outdoor living. Here, customers are particularly looking for products that enrich their outdoor or barbecue experience.
How do you organize a successful tasting?
The success of your tasting depends on careful planning and execution. There are important aspects that you should consider:
Standee - front and back: It is important that your stand is attractive from all sides. This means that not only the front but also the back of the stand should be attractive. Use large, highly visible banners and signs that promote your products and the tasting. These should not only be informative, but also attractively designed to attract visitors' attention. Make sure the message is clear and easy to understand so customers immediately know what to expect.
Tasting container: The selection of tasting containers is crucial. Offer small bowls or containers that are easy to handle. The packaging should be attractively designed to grab the attention of your future customers. Avoid excessive waste of packaging materials to appeal to environmentally conscious customers. Make sure the products are clean and well-filled next to the tasting bowl to create a professional impression. Also place small stands or cards next to the products so that you can give the customer the information if they are interested.
Getoastetes toast or Cracker: To optimize the tasting, offer customers something for dipping, like toasted bread or crackers. These neutral companions enable customers to experience the different sauces in their full range. Make sure the bread or crackers are fresh and crunchy to maximize enjoyment. Display them in attractive containers or baskets that enhance the overall look of your stand.
cleanliness: The cleanliness of your tasting stand is of utmost importance. Keep the stand clean and tidy throughout the event. Provide paper napkins so customers can feel fresh after tasting. Place waste bins near the stand so customers can easily dispose of their used napkins and packaging. A tidy stand signals professionalism and contributes to the overall satisfaction of customers.
The experience counts
Ultimately, tasting is not only an opportunity to showcase your products, but also a way to create a positive experience for your customers. Customers appreciate the willingness and effort you put into your tasting. Tasting gives confidence, and many customers will be convinced of the quality of your sauces and take a bottle home with them.
In fact, statistics show that about 80% of those who participate in a tasting are convinced of the quality of a product and make a purchase.
Therefore, a well-planned and professionally conducted tasting is an investment that will pay off in the long term. Overall, the art of tasting is a powerful way to convince customers of your product quality and build long-term customer relationships. By choosing the right events, the right themes and careful planning, you can make your tasting an unforgettable experience for your customers and at the same time put your products in the spotlight.
Tips from our tasting professional Max
Placement of the stand
Stands far away from the catering/immediate consumption or serving counters:
"It is advisable not to place the tasting stand in the immediate vicinity of the food service or serving counters, as customers there are often too focused on the food and pay less attention to the tasting."
Not directly at the store entrance either:
"Avoid placing your stand directly at the store entrance. Customers who are already ready to enter the store often do not pay attention to such placements as they are concentrating on their purchase."
Make products easily accessible:
"Ensure that customers can easily find the sales units, either by placing them directly at the tasting stand or by using clear directional signs. Customers don't want to have to search for long."
Presentation of the stand
Only small quantities and only a few (ideally just one) products at a time:
"Don't advertise too many products at the same time with open samples. Only offer a few products at first and only make additional products available during customer discussions or when asked directly."
Cover exhibition areas with neutral documents:
"Use neutral pads to avoid splashes. If they are dirty, replace them quickly and make sure they are as inconspicuous as possible."
Bowls & Co.:
"Use clear samplers instead of white, as white can appear dirty or smeared more quickly. Offer smaller bowls to encourage customers to sample more without appearing overwhelming."
Provision of utensils
Always keep clean
"Provide sufficient disposable utensils and advise customers of a clear disposal location/process to avoid unnecessary waste. Replace misused samples as quickly as possible and empty waste baskets regularly. Optionally, provide napkins or wet wipes for customer use to provide a pleasant tasting experience."
Sales strategy
Use of advertising materials
"Use displays and promotional materials to grab customers' attention, especially when there is a lot of traffic. However, personal advice is always crucial, especially for products with complex names and ingredients."
Don't focus on price
"Avoid displaying the price of your products too prominently, as this can deter customers, regardless of the price. Make sure that if customers are interested, however, they can quickly and easily determine the price, either through discreet display or through well-placed advertising material."
Products maintenance
"Pay attention to the care of your products. For example, aiolis should be stirred regularly to avoid oxidation and unsightly appearance when in constant contact with air. Alternatively, you can change samples regularly or keep them constantly cool to maintain quality."
Sales arguments for price questions
"When customers ask questions about price, emphasize the quality of ingredients and finished products, the careful selection of manufacturers and the authenticity of your products. Make the customer feel like they are getting a high quality product for their money."