What follows here is a remarkable example of how to effectively use Web 2.0 to help market your product.

On Sunday, August 3rd, I published an entry explaining how little caffeine is really in Jolt gum. On Saturday, August 9th, I received a packet in the mail from Vroom Foods (wonderfully stamped “SERIOUSLY CAFFEINATED! CONTENTS” on the outside), containing FOUR samples of their Buzz Bites product.

Everything Vroom Foods did in this situation, they did properly. First, as someone unfamiliar with Vroom Foods, the stamp on the envelope quickly clued me in that this was NOT spam mail – this was a direct reply to the post I had published a few days prior. Second, enclosed along with the free samples was a personalized note explaining that she (the Business Development representative) had seen my blog entry about Jolt gum, and Third, I received not one free sample, but FOUR. Two tins of the Chocolate Energy Chews, and two tins of the Mint Chocolate Energy Chews were mine to sample in caffeinated delight.

Before sampling my newly received goodies, I noticed that on the product tin along with their comparison of a “chew” to an “energy drink” – they state the caffeine contact under their ingredient list. Yeah for Vroom Foods! Personally, I think the caffeine content of food and drinks should be required by the FDA, but it isn’t, so if you see it on a product it’s there because the company chose to make that information public.

Last but not least, Vroom Foods stated they have had the caffeine content tested by a third party, and sure enough, our friends over at Energy Fiend show that yes, Buzz Bites contains a WHOPPING 100 milligrams of caffeine!

I was eager to sample my new products, but also a little scared. 100 milligrams is a lot of caffeine! I expected a bitter product, something I wouldn’t necessarily enjoy chewing, and I was quite surprised to find the opposite. These aren’t something I would crave for taste alone, but they were definitely good enough to be consumed on a regular basis, making me sad they only sent 4 tins.

In addition to the free samples (of highly caffeinated candy no less), I was incredibly impressed with the manner in which I was contacted, as well as the speed. Vroom Foods is obviously keeping a close eye on what is said about their competition (or simply watching for mention of caffeine), and this is an example of how they just got free advertising out me by sending me something I might like. Two weeks ago I had not even heard of Buzz Bites, now they are something I would not only buy, but likely recommend. Now, I think I’m going to have to give their Foosh Energy Mints a try…