Memorable Shipping

[SeaGoat]

I will be opening an etsy store later this year. Something I'm focusing on right now is packaging advertising.
Something I noticed over the holidays from someone I ordered from is they stamped the outside of the bubble envelope and also included a Xmas/thank you card.
It was above and beyond, made the purchase feel special and memorable.

I want to do this with my store.
The store will be called 'The Caged Unicorn' or ' The Chained Unicorn'

I've found a stamp I'd like to use and also a matching wax sealing stamp I thought might be fun for thank you cards.
I've thought about resonating some of the wax stamps and turning them into key chains as well.
I've thought about using the initials TCU with the unicorn emblem by getting the round metal disks that you stamp on?

It needs to be cost effective advertising.
Any ideas?

[Callieslamb]

I don't mind pretty packages, but the extras, I know I'm paying for. I'd rather get a bargain. A simple business card is all that I want.

[SeaGoat]

Hm. Yeah, while it would come out of my pocket, I wondered if people would think that.
Maybe I should save that idea to include in give aways..

So thank you cards vs business cards. I guess business cards would be smarter in the long run, but honestly, I've already accidentally lost mine and dint remember anything from it.

[Big Dave]

We ship a lot but do not have the etsy store. Something to look into I think. Anyway we send a thank you card AND a business card. These things are what we call good business. We do not pass it on to our customers. They do reorder.

[sidepasser]

Why does it have to be one or the other? Why not combine a "thank you" with your business card? I have seen some like that and to be honest, I love that someone thinks enough of my business to thank me.

You can print your own business cards if you get business card stock and a simple program.

I have used several off the net. Or..perhaps use Vista Print for the first run to see how you like them?

[Tango]

I price shop and compare brands and reviews, etc. When I order, I'm already confident that I am ordering at a good price from a good seller. Little surprises are a lovely bonus, imo. In gardening, seeds that along the same lines as the seeds ordered. I ordered 5 fruit trees wth low shipping and low prices and received 6 seedlings free. I ordered lights for my indoor garden and received a timer free.
I "know" that it is included in my price but since I comparison shop and already know the price is as good as it gets and since the gifts are a complete surprise, I'm grateful and highly likely to purchase again.

[Jennifer L.]

Put a 10% off next purchase coupon in with the item. Even if they don't use it, it gives them a good feeling about you and if they lose it or misplace it, they'll still think well of you if they want to buy from you again.

You sure about that name? An imprisoned animal? Honestly? It sounds creepy to me. Just my opinion, of course.

[SeaGoat]

Uhh..
Well, Unicorns, to me, represent the imagination and for me it's like capturing my imagination through my work..

[SeaGoat]

Yeah, I saw that you can somehow include discount coupons on etsy, I'll have to figure that out.

I'll check into business cards. I don't have a working printer right now, but I'll check out Vista print and see what prices are like

[Vosey]

I love the personal touch that come with buying on etsy. If a big corporation puts a card, a stamp etc in a package I feel like it's just marketing I'm paying for. But a small business, a homemade something, I really appreciate the extra personal touch. And it reinforces buying on etsy.

I also had the same reaction to the name, especially the "chained unicorn", sorry, but thought you should know.

[SeaGoat]

No, I appreciate the feedback on the name. Nothing is set in stone. I don't plan to open for a couple months and I haven't purchased anything for advertisement..

[arabian knight]

How about for the name "The Unbridled Unicorn" ? Instead of something being Chained or Caged up?

[frogmammy]

Originally Posted by SarahFair

Uhh..
Well, Unicorns, to me, represent the imagination and for me it's like capturing my imagination through my work..

Usually though, when you speak of imagination, you speak of FREEING the imagination, not capturing it! Heck, call it Unicorn Dreams! Or, using your name here, Sarah's Unicorn, The Fair Unicorn, Unicorn Fair.

Thank you card is good SIGNED with your name/business name BY HAND...indicates you cared enough to take the time to sign the card yourself, nice personal touch!

If you have the cards made so you can put to little diagonal slits in them to hold the business card, that would present your busines card (not leave it loose to get lost or mushed) in a VERY business-like manner...make it more likely they would save the card to buy from you again.

Mon

[MDKatie]

When I ship, I make sure to hand write a "thank you" on my business card. I also wrap the products with a pretty colored tissue paper. I'd love to do fancier packaging, but really I don't wait to raise my prices, and I know as a buyer I'd rather spend less money and do without the fancy packaging.

[Harry Chickpea]

Chained unicorn does sound dystopian and disturbing, like something you would find in a Kafka novel. Also, watch out when using common symbology, as a lot of the names are already trademarked and may result in your getting a "cease and desist" order just as you are starting to make money.

PS - short is also better. Writing out a long name is tiresome and may result in it being truncated or abbreviated.

[SeaGoat]

Eh. I don't want to use the name unicorn outside of what I already have, as oddly as that sounds. I felt like using Unicorn in any other way seems kind of childish and very feminine.

Ill have to go in another direction I guess.

I've thought of Mave's ..a nickname of mine.. but I've found people don't know how to pronounce it and it doesn't seem like something that's easily branded.

[LoonyK]

Name probably depends on what you are actually selling, since that is what people will be looking for to get to your store.

I guess if dark themed, you can go with it and I'd imagine something like this

[Maura]

You need to draw your own unicorn, not use something you bought. copyright not to mention proof of imagination. I agree that anything that imprisons your unicorn is not going to sound like imagination. The unicorn must be free. You could use a color or movement to identify your unicorn. Flight is good, add wings.

I think one item is good, a thank you card (business size or postcard size) with your logo and information. It could be a nice thank you on one side and on the other a coupon with a code valid for one year. Use a lot of white space if you are printing them out yourself.

[Vernitta]

I order a lot from Ebay and some of the sellers have sent a thank you note/card. I appreciate the gesture, but it always just ends up in the trash. The same with a business card unless it has a coupon code. Then it sits on my desk waiting for me to use it.
What I appreciate more than the thank you cards is the packaging of the product. When they've wrapped the item in tissue paper and didn't just stuff it in a box it says they care not only about the product I've bought, but customer care.
I agree with the idea of possibly adding a free item, but make it relevant to what the person is buying. I've received jewelry when I've bought clothes for my son. That might be nice, except that I don't wear jewelry . Something with your store name that is useful would be good.
I agree with the idea of naming your store something that relates to what you are selling. I know that I'm more apt to remember a store name by what I bought there. I think a unique name would work, too, though.

[SeaGoat]

haha, I am surprised peoples mind goes dark when they think of the chained unicorn.. Mine went to the coat of arms.
My mind works so fast its almost like I have to capture something. Kind of like when you get that virus on the computer and tabs and windows keep opening so fast you cant get a grasp on whats going on or what to do next