I made up thank you cards with business info on back. I put item inside card and seal with tape and drop in mailing envelope so card becomes the package and when opened a thank you card and business card. Saves on expense! I also know when I get a bunch of stuff in my packages I throw it away so why put money into something they are going to pitch anyway. As for coupon codes everyone of my customers gets code emailed to them in email after they purchase and after year of doing this only 2 have used it.
@candace I love your shop...I'm always a fan of beautiful, colorful shops and yours is lovely.
I wrap all of my packages in a beige wrapping paper with a ribbon of bakers twine. I tuck a business card in the twine and am going to start using a 10% off code on the back.
During Mothers Day I included a cute handmade card that had 'Happy Mothers Day" on it. I plan to do something similar during all holiday seasons.
I personally would not include a friends business card because it borders on the edge of spam. I wrap all my items in tissue paper, tied off with a yarn bow made from scrap, a die cut flower & a card tag with a thank you note on the back.
If your friend sells the same type of item, then you're giving wider exposure to your competition, which is certainly nice for her but maybe not a smart business move on your part. I also imagine a customer might be confused as to why someone else's advertising was included in their package.
I think the best piece of advertising I've gotten from an Etsy seller wasn't a card (which I never have a used for, though I keep in the hope I can one day give them to someone who will) but a pen. The seller had them made up with her shop name and address on them, and not only was it a cool surprise but I'm always losing my pens so it's something useful I'm going to keep around for a good while.
I include a business card or two (with a coupon code printed on it) and a sticker with a picture of a purple hawk on it. I've been looking into getting some magnets too :)
