Do you include a freebie in your packages?

[#1]

For a long time I included a freebie (a little notecard) with each package I sent, but recently I have been so busy, I haven't been sticking anything extra in with my packages. I have also noticed, that I don't ever get anything free with my personal etsy purchases (and i don't expect to). Just curious... do you still a little freebie (big or small) in with the packages you ship? Why or why not? Thanks for your help! I love you Etsy community!



PS- I will say that once someone got the notecard and decided to order a lot. That was definitely a plus, but it's only happened once and I've shipped well over 400 packages with the notecard in there. Didn't know if it was worth the gesture or not.

[susanstreasures]

Currently adding a pincushion as a Mother's Day bonus.

[MoonthrallTarot]

Pout. I sent out a few little baggies of homemade oatmeal scrub during Christmas. Didn't bring feedback mention or more sales. Didn't seem people even knew about the offer (that goes for sales and coupons, too).
I loved making it for people- but freebies will probably go to regular customers/higher orders.
And getting the word out- that's something I'm putting much work into!

[Former_Member]

I buy charms in bulk. And put it in a small plastic and staple it to my card. Lots of people have charm bracelets and they are easy to add to a bracelet or necklace.

[Former_Member]

I have done freebies but don't any more.
I ordered a card on etsy for my husband and was so impressed with how thoughtfully it was presented that I decided that that was more important than a freebie. I do give a coupon code for repeat customers, because I want them to know I appreciate their business. I typically send a hand-written but small thank you note and wrap my items in tissue paper and/or ribbon.

[thedots]

I sell catnip toys, and include a smaller version of what I sell with each purchase as a free gift.

[Former_Member]

I have yet to sell anything on here, but from a buyers perspective I would love to open my purchase and get a suprise gift. If it wasn't something that I really wanted or needed, I would just give it to a friend who would appreciate it. But I would be happy and feel appreciated and be likely to be a return customer. I do think it would be hard for some people to include a free gift due to what they sell, so pretty or interesting packaging would draw me back as well. I love this group, it is always interesting to see what people say.

[Former_Member]

I have given freebies with the couple of international shipments I've had. I'm not sure why, and it's probably better to always do it or not at all, but I just felt like the one item is going so far and is so expensive to ship, why not add something to make up for all the fossil fuels used in shipping? After some of the posts here, I'll probably rethink the freebie thing. Best to focus on the purchase, perhaps. But I do send a coupon.

[Former_Member]

I don't send freebies because I make baby headband and accessories and I cannot afford to send anything 'free' with it.

I have purchased from other ETSY sellers and I notice that on my BIG $$ purchases, I do get a freebie. I'm sure these sellers don't send freebies out on small orders.
And they shouldn't feel the need to send anything for free. If you want to entice customers to come back, maybe you can offer a coupon code for orders large than (whatever) amount :)

[Former_Member]

We don't include freebies. If we get an order from a repeat customer, we usually offer a discount.

[Former_Member]

I usually put in a business card, free extra (earrings, buttons, stitch marker, etc) and then a 10% off coupon code on the back of a thank you note. Some times I wrap the item up nicely in tissue paper and tie it with some bakers twine or 4ply yarn. Other times I'll use some scrap card stock or pretty scrap booking paper to make a box out of to put their item in before shipping it. I try to make my orders like a gift to my customers as a way to show my appreciation for their business.

[Former_Member]

I always include a small sample. Because I sell makeup doesn't really break the bank, and I think customers really appreciate it :)

[KriyaDesign]

I have this supplier who loves to give me freebies. Of course most of my suppliers give sample of charms. But she, this one supplier, is so intuitive. She gave me skeleton leaf charm, about two of them. I made them into necklaces and then they got sold. So I went back to her and ordered more. Then got sold again. So she keep getting orders from me of the said charms. She always give me extra charms of this and that.

So when I want to give freebies, I always think of her. How does she know I really like the freebies that I made into finished pieces which in turn gets her more sales?

My prices are already competitive and on the lower sides. But I do give freebies when I feel click with the buyers and can feel what she really likes. Otherwise I am afraid the freebie might go into the trash. And that may hurt the feeling of my artistic me and also my practical me who doesn't like to waste :-)

[seemomster]

I send my things in lovely gift boxes...I work in precious metals and semi-precious stones. No freebies here...my materials are too expensive. I DO include a hand-written note on a pretty note-card...so far I've been using the "free" note-cards I get from contributing to the Audubon Society and the Nature Conservancy...or that I've been given over the years. Eventually I'll switch to cards from Etsy sellers.

;^)

[Interrobangirl]

I've started putting in a coupon code for 15% off the next purchase, hopefully this will encourage customers to return. Selling skirts and paintings, I wasn't really sure what I could put in as a relevant freebie. I may get some postcards printed up and put one in with orders, but as a few people have mentioned already - it's more about the product tself than any additional freebie with it!

xXx

[Former_Member]

I have started offering free shipping instead of freebies. I have found that customers generally like this option. For repeat and just fantastic customers sometimes I crochet something small to say thanks for being so awesome! :O)

[FelixFunhouse]

I put a little crochet flower and a lollipop!

[DiddlyDaddleDesigns]

I usually send a facial scrubbie, made by me. It is nice when it is acknowledged but I figure it's the thought that counts.
Teresa

[Former_Member]

I don't include freebies. I put a nice handwritten note and a business card. I don't think it's necessary and I don't want to increase my prices.

[Former_Member]

I send a business card and handwritten note, but I don't consider those freebies. Sometimes I'll send a few extra peacock feathers as decor to brides with a big order.

[LizzyLizano]

As a buyer I love freebies, but Im not bummed or totally disaponted if I dont get one. As a seller I dont put in freebies... I would love to but I really cant afford to, shipping is free though ;)

[orangejuniper]

I do not include a freebie either...just a handwritten note with my business card. I am going to offer a coupon code to customers that like my Facebook page which should help encourage repeat buyers.

[Former_Member]

I always include free samples of my products, and it usually leads to future sales. If people buy perfume, I'll include soap, or if they buy soap, I'll include body butter or sugar scrub samples.

[SantasSockCentral]

People are sometimes very excited about the fact that I'm from Ireland, so I've started using a nice postcard as my business card (i.e. contact details at the back and thank you message). In winter I included a tiny little knitted sock, but that took about an hour to make, so wasn't really worth it.

[Former_Member]

I'll be adding a personalized initial coaster to a large custom order I'm about to finish, but other than that the items I make don't always lend themselves to being freebies. I'm not someone who gets excited about anything that is free, since it usually not something I want. I appreciate getting a soap sample or something like that, but I'd don't want stuff just get stuff.

[Former_Member]

I put a business card with every order and a free sample bath bomb if they order more than one item. I also handwrite a thank you note on every invoice... although that get's really time consuming.