Inserts in shipped order?

[Former_Member]

What do you include in your shipped order? Business card? Coupon code?

What about a friend's shop's business card that is really similar to mine to help her out?

[Former_Member]

I think your idea is great!

I have been working on keeping my shop cohesive, and I use a lot of school-related items. In a small notebook paper envelope, I include one of my business cards, a thank you note, and a sticker like my avatar. I've also looked into purchasing golf pencils stamped with my shop name that I can use as part of my packaging.

I don't include a coupon code anymore. They never seem to get used anyway.

[Former_Member]

I gave up on the coupon code too. I had one woman use it and she would have bought the item at full price anyways. Her son left his knit bunny in a hotel room and she said she needed to replace it.

What about a friend's business card? Her shop is so similar to mine and I'd like to help her out.

[Former_Member]

Yep, I think that's a good idea.

[Former_Member]

From a friend and networking side, I think including her card is really great! From a business side, if her shop is similar to yours, just remember that you are literally handing your customers over to her! To make it fair, at least ask that she give your business card as well. Make sure you include yours as well though in your package, because you could confuse your customer giving them someone elses card!

[Orchiada]

I include a business card one of those cute eye catching mini cards it has my banner pic on the front and info on the back. After watching the lab the other night about keep customers coming back, I am thinking about some other cutsie extras also. I had a customer convo me and tell me that when she got her order the packaging was sooo pretty she did not want to open it! I was like "whooooo hooooo!" And when that was mentioned in the lab the other night I got all excited, LOL

[WithLoveFromLucille]

I include a business card with a handwritten coupon code on the back :)

I get repeat buyers, like 1 out of 20...and I'm ok with that :D

Cheers!

[threestonebirds]

I stopped doing business cards (Mini Moos) because it felt like I was spending money on something without seeing a return on it. They also had product pictures on them, which was a bit of an issue when I stopped carrying certain products. Maybe I'll go back one day and reinvest in some that are a little more timeless.

Right now, I include the product, the customer's receipt with a thank you note written on it, and an information insert about the bubble mailers I use, which are designed to be used twice and are biodegradable.

[Orchiada]

Yes I can see that Vanessa, I had contemplated using product pics on each card but thought about the same thing, so I opted to use my banner instead, it is my shop banner, and it keeps things cohesive for my buyer, lol and they are pretty. I also include a receipt that I designed for my business.

[HouseOfMoss]

I include a business card and a free "stowaway" felted wool acorn with every shipment. It makes the package fun to open, and an acorn coordinates with pretty much everything in my shop. :)

I also have a coupon code for my return customers (free shipping for purchases $20 or more), but that's not in the package; it's set up through Etsy's new-ish feature that automatically goes to buyers after they make a purchase.

[mossycreekstudio]

Interesting reading along.... regarding business cards... I order a TON on etsy... the business cards always get tossed.

maybe that's just me... I have a record of my purchase on Etsy so I can always go back and find the seller....

[threestonebirds]

@Sheena: They were very nice while they were useful but I was still figuring out my main product at that point so it was frustrating to have pictures of things I no longer carried. I'm pretty established on my product line now, though, so I might take a staple item and have that on every card. That way I'll still get the advantage of a potential customer immediately being able to see what I sell without the risk of it becoming obsolete in a few months.

I would love to one day get some professional branding. Another seller had a picture of her packaging and card in a listing and it was so well put together that I saved the picture for later inspiration.

@Alison: I love the new options on coupon codes. I haven't made one with them yet but the option is great.

[Former_Member]

I've always put a business card and a hand written note in every order.

Many of my customers are sharing the information with their friends because I quite often will get a note saying 'I got your card from xxxxx'.

[Former_Member]

Okay. So I will press the point. My business card, my friend's card. Is that annoying to a buyer? I think they match well and I know my friend would reciprocate. How do I get them to keep the cards? A calendar on it? Recipe? How do I get them to go to my friend's store?

[LUSCIOUSLEATHERNYC]

I use to use business cards print tons of them and give them away at craft shows and with shipments and it got expensive. Now I have a self inking staff that looks like a business card and I stamp on different things, like paper, leather, card stock, recyled envelopes, and that becomes my business card people love it and they dont expect it, especially on the leather

[LUSCIOUSLEATHERNYC]

and everything I print it on is scrap so it does not cost me anything and it fun to try to find out other things to stamp on.

[Former_Member]

Yes. I have a great stamp too. I put it on a card and on the wrapping of my orders.

[Former_Member]

I always include my business card with a discount code on their next purchase.

[CedarCreekSoaps1]

I always include a business card with a discount code and most of the time / depending on the order, I include a free gift.

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I also go with the hand written note on the invoice and a business card. nothing more than that...

[Former_Member]

I include bit of prewrapped dove or Godiva chocolate..like 95% of my buyers are female and it seems to be an appreciated. surprise.
Of course include 2-3 of my own biz cards.

As far as the supporting a friend Biz card.... that would depend upon a supportive vs competitive biz friend.
A friend that was directly in competition with me......No. I'll buy em a beer later.. (but must admit I have never run into that situation)
A friend whos product supports my own OR is a similar style but not mine....sure, worth a shot!

[StuckOnSilver]

I enclose my business card with a handwritten thank you... isn't enclosing the card for another business like spam? Actually I would be put off by that.

[Former_Member]

I was worried it might be spam. But it's direct marketing? Where is the line. What if my friend pays me, then it's advertising? This is what I an concerned about.

[Former_Member]

I don't think it's spam because it's not electronic. It's just a business card.

[Former_Member]

I just thought of the right word -- cross-promotion. So maybe she should be doing the same thing for you.