Packaging Ought to be Memorable

From Sweetly Scrapped on etsy

We barely got through Halloween and the Holiday Rush is upon us. As a customer, I can safely say that the packaging of my order helps to add to the excitement and anticipation. If my package is nicely tied and pretty as a cupcake then all the better. If not, then it could leave an impression of the business.

Now, a full disclosure--I keep my packaging simple. My items tend to be large and I feel like I am tending to bulkiness and not wanting to add more weight to the cost of shipping (already seems high!). But a bit of ribbon, a tag, and a word of thanks tends to be all what people appreciate when spending their hard-earned money. And I can do that bit of customer service with a smile.

Le Animale shows off her packaging in her shop photos and it seems to work for her business. Thought and time went into this little bit of extra---can't you see yourself opening up these goodies?

Special Touches Matter

And if you are the creative sort (you are if you are on etsy!) then you can follow this easy tutorial by Melike and create an extra special sort of packaging.

Handmade Packaging Tutorial

And giving attention to the packaging of your products does not have to be expensive. BeadedTail wraps her jewelry in the cutest paw print tissue paper and she includes cute notes. I cannot find my photos but I have taken photos of her boxes because I almost don't want to open them they are so cute!

So, if I can find ways to wrap large blankets then I know you can take care of the smaller things. Get out there and make those packages extra special. Your customers will remember.

Things to remember:

1. Be memorable
2. Be timely
3. Be neat
4. Be consistent with your branding
5. Be prepared

QUESTION: Are you prepared for the holiday season?
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Today's guest blogger is Erika. She is the creator of Artful Rising where she
encourages you to get-your-rear-in-gear to Create. Inspire. Change the World. Join the conversation today and receive your own ebook on following your dreams.

Artisan Spotlight -- Mystic Wynd

7 Questions is our spotlight of our favorite artisans. Please welcome....

Karen, creator of Mystic Wynd!

1.      What do you sell in your shop?

It's probably not your run of the mill answer, but I like to think I sell an opportunity for expression.  The jewelry we wear and the accessories we use, in addition to the gifts we buy for other, can have an amazing influence on how we feel about ourselves, as well as our ability to create a persona based on not only our moods, but on how we want others to perceive us!

2.      What is your favorite thing about etsy?
Without a doubt it's being kept on my toes. By observing, researching, and interacting with other artisans, I think we all receive invaluable experience and inspiration to find our way through the maze of entrepreneurship!

3.      What is your least favorite thing about etsy?
I would have to say the lack of communication when changes are coming or something goes wrong. While it's getting better in some ways, it's still a lot to deal with when you're trying to stay on top of things that need to be done.

4.      What does your studio/workspace look like?

I share office space with my husband who telecommutes full time, and since his work is computer based, I'll admit I've kind of taken over more than my share, although I try to stay on my half of the room! The pictures show where I spend the majority of my day between my computer desk and my work station... and no, of course it's not always that neat!

5.      What do you do to relax?

Anything I do that doesn't have a deadline is relaxing to me... although I love spending time with the grandkids just being silly! 

6.      What accomplishments are you the most proud of?

On a personal level, raising three capable, caring, and hard-working children who have turned out to be wonderful parents as well is definitely the one accomplishment I am most proud of! On a business level, I'd have to say I'm really proud of being self taught in just about every aspect of my crafts, as well as blogging, and learning the online marketing side of business! 

7.      What are some of your goals for the next year?

I have two major goals on the drawing table for the coming year. One is to learn more about cold assemblage techniques to expand my jewelry line to include more steampunk themed pieces. The second is to open a shop where I'll offer some items implementing other crafts I enjoy like crocheting, knitting, sewing, painting, paper crafts and maybe even some photography!

I'd love to hear from you and welcome the opportunity to interact with you wherever you happen to be on the web. You can find me in these places -

Shop – http://mysticwynd.etsy.com
Blog – http://mysticwynd.blogspot.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/mysticwynd
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mysticwynd/ 
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/Mystic-Wynd
Creating The Hive - http://creatingthehive.com/signup/mysticwynd

Promotional Ideas - Twitter

I started writing this post to talk about the Twitter idea I had (tweeting one another's listings).  But I thought we should first look at all the neat ways we've thought up to promote our shops.  Here's a summary from our  "Promotional Ideas and Activities" thread:

1) linking themes from team blog to individual blogs
2) team blog series: "Past Post Party"; using Artful Rising "It's a Wrap" method of highlighting individual posts from our blogs
3) donations for team advertising
4) team blog polling involving teammates artwork (non-members in the future)
5) pinning on Pinterest
6) group and individual (holiday) giveaways
7) team treasuries
8) Etsy grant writing
9) team sale and/or using team coupon codes
10) BNR (Buy and Replace) Treasury
11) Twitter one another's listings
12) photos on Facebook

Some of the things we're already doing: 

#5) pinning on Pinterest (if you have a Pinterest URL, please list it in the comments below).

#7) team treasuries - they're really taking off !

#12) team Facebook page  

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blogging-Business-Artisans/214199898646857).  

We now have over 20 Likes!  Enough to shorten our URL!
(update:  we are now https://www.facebook.com/BloggingBusinessArtisans.  Thanks Rose!) 

So now, I'll talk about Twitter.  My idea was that if everyone tweet about one item from each other's shops, it will bring our artwork into the Twitter world, where people might not know us.   I know when I tweet about new items in my own shop, my hits increase.  So if you are so inclined, visit your teammates pages.  Pick a favorite item, a new listing, or a whole shop!  And tweet about it.  The possibilities are endless.  And it's so easy.

shop view

listing view

On every Etsy listing, there are clickable boxes.  I have three: Tweet, Like (to my Facebook page), and Send (an email).  On everyone's front shop page (where your announcements are), there are more clickable boxes.  Click one (or two, etc) and let's be recognized!