Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Etsy Business Tip: Embellishments, Samples, and Lots of Love!

One of the best ways to get repeat customers for your Etsy shop is to turn your order packages into captivating gifts! Beautiful embellishments, desirable samples, and handwritten thank you cards will transform the one item you sold into a bountiful gift of surprises and treasures...as well as add a personal touch that customers love, for this is a gift from a friend!

You don't have to spend a fortune gathering up these ornamental items; great embellishments for your packages include: colorful tissue paper, ribbon, scrapbooking stickers, elegant decals, and so much more (use your imagination)! If you can give a sample of something you sell in your shop, this will intrigue your customers, introduce them to other items that you sell, and increase your chances of attaining a repeat customer! Shop samples could be handmade soap, perfume, candles, cookies, tea...or give a small gift of something you sell in your shop like a bookmark, bracelet, magnet, etc.

Don't forget the handwritten thank you card or note! This is essential for adding the "personal touch"; a handwritten message to me says "traditional elegance", "kindhearted effort", "the gift of your time", and "exceptional sincerity". Also, including a business card or flier is a great addition to your packages so the customer can easily find all of your contact information in one place...this will also serve as a reminder of your shop.

Pictured above is what I send will all of my packages: a handwritten thank-you note that expresses my personal style (have fun with your embellishments and stationary; if you can convey your unique style that is fantastic...your customers can really get to know who you are)! I also include a simple flier with my Etsy shop web link and an elegant sample of my newest line of all-natural handmade "Orange Blossom Beauty" soap (which I will be adding to my Etsy shop soon).My soap samples have a handwritten tag tied on with twine and a whimsical flower embellishment; the backs of the soap samples paper pouches are secured with an elegant and forever timeless wax seal.

9 comments:

KayzKreationz said...

Your packaging looks really nice. Wish I could something like that or be that creative with my glass. I do send a handwritten note and a business card or two. I've been trying to get my banner redone and some better pics so I could also make a flier to start sending.

Sue said...

Love your ideas. I sold my first items before I had a packaging/labeling plan! The one thing I was ready with, was my little soap sacks, I had planned to list them, and send one with each order.
I'm still working on ideas to make my packages look like 'gifts', which is something I had not considered until that first sale!

Artifact Andrea said...

Gorgeous Packaging!

Dee said...

Great ideas, I have not done any of this yet!

Jessica Woody said...

Thank you ladies! I am so happy to be an inspiration! Kay an Sue, it sounds like you are already on your way to becoming packaging princesses! I know when I order something from Etsy, I look forward to receiving a one-of-a-kind, handmade creation along with all of the personal expression.

Artifact Andrea said...

You're an inspiration of detail! :-)

Jessica Woody said...

Thanks Andy! :-D

Design by Lannette said...

Great job on your packaging!
I try to do something special for each of my customers. My brides get a long, single peacock feather with a thank you note tied on with a ribbon. I want each one to know how appreciated they are.

Darrel Cooper said...

True, going for an extra mile in showing how much you care for them is the best way to give them more reasons to keep them as your loyal customers.