Do you give out FREEBIES with your orders?

[Former_Member]

Do you give out little extras with your sales? I've found it to be a great way to promote yourself and make the customer remember you!

I'm a jeweler, and I offer a freebie of a vintage fabric button (I have a button maker press) and a set of Little Pretties stickers...and occasionally I'll throw in a little pair of stud earrings or a hand-drawn magnet or something to mix things up. I love receiving freebies, so I can only imagine my customers like to get them too! (And of course all extras have my business name and Etsy address).

Oh, and I also made coupons with a 20% off coupon code for the customer's next purchase. I've had a lot of repeat business because of this!

What special things do you give your customers?

[Former_Member]

I love giving away freebies! I generally don't think of it as a promotional thing, just I like to give them, and I know it's nice to get them! I've tried to add my URL on at least one thing that I send out now. Usually I make stickers, artistamp stickers, or ACEOs, but I do whatever I fancy, really. Partly, so it's a surprise and, partly, because I don't like to limit myself to one thing or I'll get too bored.

I also leave a note, sometimes attached to the receipt. I think it's nice to have at least a note. I've received a few things with nothing inside except what I ordered, not even a receipt! And, I don't know, I thought it was a bit of a turn off. (I mean, if their product is good, I might buy again; that's not a determining factor.)

I've also started giving 20% off your next order coupons.

[Former_Member]

Yeah, my free stuff isn't outrightly pushing my business...I love to give freebies for the sake of giving a nice surprise too! And customers have often sent me convos/positive feedback mentioning the free goodies, so I know customers appreciate a little something extra!

I find myself getting a little disappointed when I order something and get nothing but what I ordered...like you said, a nice note means a lot also!

There's a bead supplier I buy from here on Etsy, and they always include a bunch of free beads with my orders. I will keep coming back to them because they seem to always know what I'll like (colors and such). It's nice!

[Former_Member]

no, no, no, did I mention no?

Unless you're selling soap, food or make up and can give away small pieces so people can test it, I say no.

I personally strongly dislike freebies. and after letting them wait during weeks on my desk I usually throw them away.

I think using a nice box to package the items someone bought adding a visitcard and writing a note is plenty enough.
This is your job, you don't get freebies when you buy bread or a new coat. You just get the bread or the coat.

BUT I do exceptions for big orders and returning customers. And give them real freebies = stuff I'm selling.
That way it makes the freebie more special.

And for supplies, unless I get pretty beads (which never happened until now) they also end up in the garbage.

[Former_Member]

I always put a little Australian chocolate called a Furry Friend in my packages. And I offer a 25% off coupon code to anyone after they've bought something in my purchase note. I think it's nice to give a little something, and most people seem happy with chocolate!

I've had a few people who have been return customers, but strangely none of them have used the coupon code.

[Former_Member]

I would SO LOVE chocolate! But what about people that are allergic?! (I'll take theirs! Hah!)

I think the difference is we are small business owners. We're selling handmade, which is tonnes more personable than corporations. I just don't see why someone can't give their freebies away if they don't want them, rather than trashing them.

[Former_Member]

Well when it's a button with the brand name on it, I just don't see what i can do with those.
I know nobody who wears buttons so it ends up in the trash. (and no I don't like trashing).

If it's cheap plastic beads, same thing. No clue what to do with them since I see them as rather ugly, and I know nobody who works with plastic beads.

So freebies are ok if you can use them, but buttons, plastic beads and brand stuff is just waste.

I agree on packaging and please, please put a personal note with the order. It's very disappointing indeed to get your order without a little note.

[HopscotchCouture]

I throw in a vintage brooch with my orders, it makes my customers day. The response is wonderful.

I agree with the note, I have lots of thank you cards and always write a little something.

[Former_Member]

My shop i'm scared not tall the price and there is no motion because of that .??I am very new but hope coming and I manage to do it business

[Former_Member]

I usually add in one or two little gift cards with a quilled heart or design on it. I figure if they are giving their purchase away as a gift they can use the card as the giftcard. If not, they can use it for a different gift sometime, or just to write a little note on for the fridge, etc.

[Former_Member]

I sometimes include a freebie with every sales order and I always include a handwritten note to the buyer. Although not every buyer thank me for the freebie. Maybe it's because they don't like it and trash it - I hope not :(

Personally if I am the buyer, I don't really mind if I am given a freebie or not. It is nice to get one. Sometimes it is a useful freebie and others it is not worth the seller's time to ship it.

Just my opinion :)

[TinksTreasure]

I think the note is important. I don't give freebies unless it's a big order or a very regular client. Most of the freebies I have gotten, I have thrown out. I've gotten chocolates a few times and that was nice but the allergy thing would keep me from giving them to my clients. I Like your ideas here of a coupon for next purchase. Do you put exp. dates on your coupons?

[EweBabyPropShop]

I've only had a few sales but I do include a small freebie with the purchase. If they don't like it, they can give it away. Isn't it the thought that counts? I do include a handwritten personal note as well and offer a coupon discount on their next purchase. They can choose to use it or not, no loss on my part and maybe they will be back.
I personally like the freebies that come with purchases I've made. It's like Christmas time and I've used the freebies that I've received.

[correenscdesigns]

I love to receive freebies and have remembered those sellers who have sent them.

Normally, I do not send them because I just cannot afford to. But I do enclose a 15% coupon for their next custom order and I have sent small gifts/coupon to clients who send decent referral orders my way to thank them.

[Former_Member]

I do give freebies, I love to receive them, too. Usually I give a pair of earrings ( not plastic). My Golden Rule: I give something that I would definitely use.
(Sorry my English is not so good like my Spanish)

[Former_Member]

I do, but randomly! It seems to make an impression!

[Former_Member]

I am new to Etsy and was so thrilled when I made my first order that I gave away one of the other items in my shop that was of almost equal value to the purchase. I won't do that again, but I do like the idea of giving a coupon to encourage repeat business. My customers have loved the hand printed tissue and gift tags that I make so I plan on giving a set of gift tags as a token of my appreciation.

With one of my purchases I received a lovely little note thanking me for my business. That little note still sits on my work space as a reminder of good customer service.

[Former_Member]

PetitPlat, okay, I see what you mean.

RainbowLollies, I don't always thank for freebies, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I don't think you should worry too much about it.

TinksTreasure: I don't put an expiration date, but I also don't have a huge amount of sales right now. I make a special coupon for each customer that buys, and then I deactivate it once its used. I reactivate it if they buy again. I don't know how well this'll work for the future, but I guess I'll see.

[Former_Member]

I have been giving a sample size lotion/body butter with a purchase, no matter how large or small the purchase may be. If they are ordering a lotion or body butter already, sometimes I'll throw in a lip balm or a sample size of my soap. I also include a coupon card to use on a future purchase as well as a couple business cards from other businesses I network with.
Basically, I just try and think, "what would I want to see or receive if I was placing an order?" I want it to be like a birthday or Christmas every time someone receives an order from me because I love repeat business and happy customers.
As far as a note, I just simply write a little something on their packing slip and I add a cute, hot pink "Thank you" stamp.
Love everyone else's ideas as well! Great job, everyone!

[Former_Member]

I have a friend who is a frequent shopper on etsy and she only buys from suppliers who offer a freebie....I did send an email 20% off code to a buyer and she came back to buy a more expesive item with it....

[SaltwaterMercantile]

I make several small 1" heart-shaped samples of each of my soaps when I am making my regular soaps. I always include a couple of different ones when I package an order. I figure this gives everyone an idea of some of my other scents that they might not otherwise purchase. I love your coupon idea...and might steal it to use from now on! lol

[crochetedbycharlene]

Sounds like there are a lot of fun freebies out there. I tried to send a free facial cloth with my orders. Just so customers can see how great cotton works to take off your make-up.

[Former_Member]

That's a great idea with the coupons. I'll have to get on Moo and make some up. Thanks for the tip.

[earthyharvest]

I do the same. When someone orders my pottery, I add a note and an extra gift of small pottery items like a fan pull in the shape of a teapot, small hanging or gift tag or saying like peace, friends, etc. I don't tell them in advance, because I think it's more exciting to be surprised and as you said they remember more!

[Former_Member]

My buttons don't have the name of my business on them. They are made of vintage fabrics and my Etsy address is only on the packaging.

And I don't put expiration dates on the coupons. I figure I'll let customers come back at their leisure...they're more likely to use them if they don't feel rushed I think.