Hi Kendra,
I don't sell candles, so take that into consideration when you read this. :)I'm thinking only of your best move to get repeat customers. And I love marketing. Your candles are beautiful, but that's not always enough. And marketing is expensive. You need 'word of mouth' and repeat sales from every order.
Picture yourself on the receiving end. I love good customer service. I sent every piece in a monogrammed box, wrapped with a ribbon, and placed in an organza bag with every order for over 10 years - up until this year. Now I offer that as a gift wrapping service for a fee, but it doesn't really sit well with me. I just don't want to eat that cost any longer.
I love to receive supply orders with a little free gift, or items that I can reuse. And at the very least a nice hand written note. But if it is simply the supply, sent in an envelope (that got lucky in transport) with invoice or no, it doesn't mean that I won't order from them again; because I will if I have to; if a customers order requires that I do. But it instantly gives me a lesser impression of them. Like I said, I love marketing & customer service. So if it's a handmade item that I'm ordering for personal use - that would be a big bummer for me. But your items are often going to be gifts. And you want them to keep you in mind for all their future gift giving needs, along with personal needs. Candles are expensive in general; not to mention, for sale at every local shop. So to entice someone to pay another $7.40 (I know that is reasonable) in shipping I would definitely offer some really nice, and secure packaging. If you're not going to send it gift ready, then you should offer Gift Wrapping as a service. If I'm going to buy myself a candle, I will buy it locally so that I can smell it first. If your customers order for themselves, and they love it, they will order it as a gift for someone else. You want them to order knowing that their gift will arrive at the recipients address looking gift ready. I'm picturing a candle folded nicely in tissue held shut with a sticker boasting your business logo, and secured in bubble wrap. Cylinder shipping tubes would up that game immensely.
Your photos are fantastic!!! I would keep adding 5 or more of each candle, and then try some indoor (actual home décor style) photos. People need the visual idea as well. I wish you the very best here.
Kindly,
~Keri
