It’s side-hustle season! If you’re saving up for; an epic overseas trip, to pay off debt, or to amp up your savings-you’ve probably spent some time checking out side-hustles. The best side-hustles fit your personality, pay well (and on time), and aren’t too stressful to do. Check out the following list of 101 Fun, Crazy, and Weird Side-Hustles for some ideas. But, one of my favorite side hustles is getting paid to hand out samples for $20 an hour. Huh? Let me explain.
In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please read my disclosure here.*
Hand Out Samples
There are several types of sampling jobs that you can do. If you’re interesting in becoming a brand ambassador click here. For those who are wondering, brand ambassadors are usually those cute and perky people handing out free food, prizes, etc. at races, on college campuses, and other places where people congregate. These gigs can be a lot of fun if you’re working with a great crew.
In-Store Demo Rep
This post will cover how to become an In-Store Demo Rep. You know, one of those people who hands out food samples at grocery stores. You may think that it’s only older ladies who do this, but, I’ve found that stores are looking for demo reps to represent specific food brands. Since there is a huge push to market to Millennials and to a lesser extent, GenXers, demo reps reflect those demographics.
In-Store Demo Reps hand out samples, engage with customers, and share product specific talking points with the people that they are in contact with. The goal is to help would be customers:
- Discover the product
- Taste the product
- Love the product
- AND, know where to find the product in the store that you happen to be working in.
What You Will Need
There are a few items that every demo repo will need to purchase as most companies do not provide these items. Also, once you begin doing demos, it’s easy to pick up additional gigs so you’ll need these items either way.
Black Ice Bucket for Sampling Drinks
(it should NOT have decorations on it like the one below)
Small Folding Table WITH Handle
48″ x 12″
Small Trashcan
Black Tablecloth
Additional Items:
- A car-seriously, you’re lugging around stuff from store to store. It would be extremely difficult to do this gig without a car.
- Comfortable black shoes, maybe sneakers. This depends on the brand and how they would like their Demo Reps to dress.
- Plastic Gloves-Typically these are provided by the company that you’re working for and will be sent with the “Demo Kit”
- Demo Kit-Basically includes all of the brand specific items you may need including (but not limited to): branded t-shirts, hats, tubs for ice, and usually a black tablecloth.
Some companies may reimburse reps for certain items that they’ve purchased in order to work the gig (like the table). But, that reimbursement may only happen after completing a certain number of gigs.
How to Find a Job
If you live in a mid/large sized city, these gigs are advertised pretty frequently in the following places:
- Brand Ambassador Facebook groups-In Denver there are two really large groups on Facebook focused on sharing Brand Ambassador and Demo work. These groups typically would be called something like “Brand Ambassadors of Denver/Cincinnati/Chicago” You get the idea
- Craigslist-Yep, they have a ton of listings under the Gigs/Events tabs. You DO have to be careful on Craigslist because sometimes things can go “left” Don’t give out any information until you verify that the company is legit. You will need to do some research and check with other BAs to see what their experience was like when they worked with whatever company you’re checking out.
Yep, it’s that simple. You will need a basic resume highlighting the skills needed to be a great demo rep:
- Have worked with people
- Comfortable following directions
- No discomfort sharing information about the company that you’re repping.
- You will also be required to provide photos! Yes, it’s a thing. Remember when I mentioned the demographics that companies are trying to reach with certain brands. Just know that you may need a full body shot and a head shot (not professional) but nice.
Positives
There are a lot of positives when it comes to doing Demo Rep work.
- Short-Shifts-typically the shifts are no longer than 4 hours. BUT, you may also need to factor in driving time and time to do the Demo Report (how much you sold/how many samples given out).
- The pay seems to range between $20-$30 if you’re demoing non-alcoholic items. Alcohol demos always pay more.
- You get to work by yourself and talk to people
- Taking home free product that wasn’t used up during the shift. Since no one touches it but YOU, with gloves, there’s no issue eating it. Also, other demo reps may give your their product too (because after awhile they have a ton in their home and don’t need to bring more home.)
- It’s easy to pick up shifts depending on how long the program (or “activation” in demo lingo) is happening. And, once you start demoing it’s easy to find other companies to work for.
- The busy season is from March-December. A huge chunk of the year seems to be dedicated to marketing products. The dip seems to happen during the middle of December and then picks up in mid-January.
- Many companies pay bi-weekly via Direct Deposit.
Negatives
- If you have several gigs (usually 2-3) in one day, plan on driving around a lot. You will also add to the wear and tear to your car and pay for more gas as a result of all of the driving.
- Demo recaps add to the time of your gig. While some companies add time to your shift to account for this…most don’t.
- Asking for pictures. Some companies want you to take pictures of a small number of customers. Sometimes you just aren’t in the mood to ask for these freaking pictures.
- Not selling your demo quota. Many companies require demo reps to sell a certain number of product. The problem with this is if: you suck at selling, low foot traffic in the store, not enough variety to tempt the customer (maybe they don’t like what you’re sampling-but, they like the company’s other products). If you consistently miss your quotas-you won’t get shifts.
- Weirdos-Sometimes you get people who are: angry, creepers, awkward, or a mix of all three. Fortunately, you’re in a large building with a lot of other people and security.
- NET 30 Gigs-These are gigs that pay in 30 days. Don’t touch these for small sets of gigs. If you’re working with an Auto Show, or something big, then you might consider it. But, I would steer clear.
Best Practices
Here are some of the things that YOU can do to have a successful demo (depending on foot traffic and the product that you’re sampling).
- Address every single person who walks by you. Because…you’re working! Hustle.
- No hard sells. Just be friendly and have a nice random conversation.
- Know your talking points (this is especially important if you get secret shopped by someone from the company)
- Count out the number of sample cups you’ll be using.
- Charge up your phone.
- Arrive early
Event Rundown
- Companies may have you check in via selfie or an app that houses all of your information.
- Normally you would NOT pay for the product used to demo. The company that you’re working for will provide either: coupons to purchase the product for free or a store gift card.
- Save ALL receipts for purchases free or with gift card.
- Check in with the store manager or head clerk.
- They will then tell you where you should set up.
- Try to check out the store’s traffic flow and set up in the flow of traffic. The more people you’re in front of, the better.
- Set up your table with whatever items the company sent you. Before the demo you would have received photos of how your table should look.
- You will need to count all of the product (in all of its varieties). Caution-they may have it displayed in different areas.
- Pull a nice variety of the product and have it with you so that people can leave your table with the item. You do not want them to look for a product unless you can physically see it and point at it from your table.
- Do Your Demo. You will need to keep track of how many people you give samples to, what they sampled, and what items sold. Typically, you’ll figure this out at the end of your shift.
- End of demo-recount all product. And, note the amount for each item. Basically, have a sheet of paper with you so that you can write all of this stuff down. Note if an item is on sale, or not.
- Return any unpaid for items back to the shelves.
- Turn in your demo report as quickly as possible
That’s it for demos. The first couple of times you may be a little nervous because it feels like a ton to remember. But, after awhile it will become second nature.
Handing Out Samples
Isn’t hard, but, if you don’t like dealing with a lot of people-don’t do it. If you prefer working with a team-don’t do it. If all of the little details would drive you crazy-don’t do it.
Do it if you enjoy talking to people. Don’t enjoy working on teams. Can find products that you actually use (easier to sell).
Good luck!
Want to Start a Blog?
I love blogging! It has been an incredible experience, transformed my life, and connected me with a ton of amazing people. Blogging is a pretty cheap activity and I recommend hosting your blog with Siteground. Many bloggers have begun leaving HostGator and BlueHost and moving to Siteground. Myself included! Read why I’m leaving HostGator and BlueHost (I have 2 blogs one on each hosting platform) and moving to Siteground. If you’re a new blogger Siteground will cost around $3.95 a month (depending on the size of your audience). They have great customer service and tutorials on how to host your new WordPress blog on Siteground.
Latest posts by Michelle (see all)
- How Work Policies Against Black Women Birthed a Love of the Soft Life - 20 March, 2024
- How Taylor Swift’s IP Victory Could Change the Business of Music - 28 February, 2024
- Why Don’t More Personal Finance Content Creators Talk About Policy - 16 January, 2024
This sounds like an easy side hustle. It would be fun to pass out alcohol lol.
You’re hilarious!And, it is for the most part.
Hi I love giving away stuff !