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Each month the Sampler sends out sample Samplers to writers, editors and other super people from the Sampler's Media Contacts list.
Media Samplers consist of regular samples from each month's pool of contributed samples. This way, each Contributor has a chance at getting into a media sampler. However, since media Samplers are put together just like regular Samplers -- more or less randomly -- there are no guarantees that any particular items will be included.
The Sampler is now offering a Media-Only option in which businesses are allowed to send in samples specifically for inclusion in media Samplers. Media-Only samples are contributed in addition to your regular monthly samples. Media-Only samples can be completely different from the samples you're sending in for the regular samplers -- larger, more complex, editorial-quality items -- and Media-Only samples are guaranteed to be received by a member of the media.
Interested in the Media-Only option? Please read this page carefully! There's even a "Points to Consider" section at the end to help you determine whether this option is right for you!
P.S. Regular samples will still be included in media samplers! Media-Only samples will be included IN ADDITION TO the samples from the regular monthly contribution pool normally in a media sampler. If you find that additional Media-Only samples are not an option for you, please don't fret. Just by being a Sampler Contributor, you are likely to be included in a media sampler eventually! I'm doing my best to make sure everyone is included at least once!
The Media-Only sample option is available to Sampler Contributors and non-Contributors alike, but contributing to the Sampler is highly recommended. For more information on Contributing to the Sampler, please Click Here.
Media-Only participation in the Sampler is subject to certain fees and guidelines...
- - - - - - - - - fees & numbers - - - - - - - - -
for non-contributors: $75, for 3 media-only samples. Inclusion of additional items will be subject to an additional fee on a sliding scale. Please contact for more information.
for Sampler Contributors: No Fee! The number you can send is dependent upon the number of samples you are contributing to the current month, or in the last month of your participation. Here's a handy breakdown:
- 25-item contribution category: 5 Media-Only samples
- 50-item contribution category: 10 Media-Only samples
- 75-item contribution category: 15 Media-Only samples
- 100-item contribution category: 20 Media-Only samples (and no fee!)
- Super Mega (200+) contribution category: 40 Media-Only samples (and no fee!)
- - - - - - - - - guidelines - - - - - - - - -
All Media-Only samples must be approved before they are shipped to the Sampler, regardless of previous participation in the Sampler. Any Media-Only samples that are received without prior approval will be returned. Please send an email to Alison at contribute@homeofthesampler.com regarding your potential contribution and include the following information:
- number of samples you are currently contributing or contributed the last time you participated in the Sampler. Each time you contribute only counts once towards Media-Only sample participation. Media-Only participation doesn't affect your ad discount, though!
- number of Media-Only samples you would like to contribute. Although the number of items you're allowed to contribute varies according to the number of samples you contributed, you are in no way obligated to contribute that number!
- detailed description(s) of your samples and their packaging, including their approximate dimensions
- image(s) of your samples (a link to the item's page on your site is perfect!)
- your business name and URL
- month you intend to send in your Media-Only samples
- email address to which a paypal invoice may be sent for your fee. if you prefer to make payment via check, please mention this in your email.
- and please be sure to specify that you intend the samples to be Media-Only!
Upon approval, you will be emailed a link to a little form to be included with your Media-Only samples. Invoices will be sent via paypal to the email address you've specified, unless you have chosen to pay by check. Please be sure to let me know which option you've chosen. If the fee is not received before or when your media-only samples arrive, your samples will be held until payment is received.
Once your samples have been approved for submission and you're ready to ship, please be sure to do the following:
- make sure your fee payment via paypal has been received or include your check in your package. Please be sure to check the appropriate box on your slip regarding your payment.
- include some indication either inside or outside your package that the contents are intended for Media Samplers
- if you are sending in your media-only samples in the same package as your regular monthly sample contribution, please separate the media-only samples from the regular samples and clearly label them "Media Only".
- make sure that all scented or liquid samples are securely and safely packaged to prevent spills or any damage to other samples. It's recommended that scented samples be double-wrapped, as recipients may be sensitive/allergic to fragrance.
- include your completed media-only slip along with your media-only samples
If you'd like, you're also welcome to send in extra promo materials for Media Samplers. One thing that I would recommend would be something like a condensed, mini press/media kit! If you'd like to send along a media kit with your samples, please be sure to mention its dimensions in your contact email if you think they'll be a bit on the large side!
Media-Only samples are due by the 20th of the month prior to the month in which you'd like to participate.
There's also a super little page with Tips on Contributing -- featuring some input from some of the recipients of Media Samplers.
There are a number of things to think about when considering the Media-Only option. Let's make sure this is the right option for you!
Cost-effective promotion of your small business can be difficult to manage. It's important to keep your advertising/promotions budget in mind when considering this option -- not only the fee involved, but also the cost of your samples, your time, materials, your creativity! Is it more effective for you to market directly to the consumer or to the media? It's tough to decide!
Please remember that just because a member of the media receives your item, it doesn't guarantee that he or she will chose your item for a write-up. If your item is chosen for a write-up, it may be weeks to months after your item was received.
However, there are a number of reasons this option might work for you! The Media-Only option is appropriate for businesses...
- that would
like the assurance that their items are going directly to the media
- whose
sample quantities are limited -- whether by materials or expense
- who would like to send a different sort of sample for editorial consideration
then they'd normally send for the regular Sampler
- that are about to release a new or extra-special product they'd like to promote to the media
- who feel as though media attention might be more effective for their businesses than marketing direcltly to the consumer.
Since Media-Only samples will not be photographed for the Sampler site's Sneak Peeks, there are a few extra days available for the due date. Media-Only samples are due by the 20th of the month prior to the month in which you'd like to participate.
Payment of fees is also due by or upon the receipt of your samples. Samples will be held until payment is received.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this little page. If you find that the Media-Only option is right for you, please feel free to contact us at your convenience.
Even if you are not a regular contributor to the Sampler, your participation in the Media-Only Samplers will help support the Sampler's efforts to promote small, independent businesses. Your fees will help pay for our daily operations and will hopefully keep the Sampler alive for as long as possible! It's been a struggle so far, but every little bit helps SO MUCH!
