The short version
A sample is a working input, not automatically a paycheck. Good programs state whether the product is gifted, refundable after performance, loaned, or tied to a specific deliverable.
Read the sample terms before claiming
Confirm what you receive, what you must publish, the deadline, whether a return is required, and what happens if the content is not approved. The live opportunity is the source of truth.
Separate product value from cash compensation
A product sample, commission, traffic bonus, and flat content fee are different forms of value. Evaluate each one separately and only count cash that the written reward rules actually promise.
Disclose the relationship
When you receive a free product, commission, flat payment, or another material benefit, make the relationship clear in the content itself and follow the platform's branded-content tools when applicable.