When I first started selling stickers on Etsy, I had a lot of competition among the sticker and stationery community. I needed to find a way to make buyers choose my shop over someone else’s.
I thought about some past orders I placed from other small business owners and evaluated what made their packaging stand out, and why the experience was so memorable.
Customers are looking for a personalized experience. They want to feel acknowledged, respected for their time and money and feel as though their order is in good hands. If the customer feels as though they had a positive experience, they will feel more inspired to favorite your shop, follow you on social media, and be encouraged to shop again in the future.
The challenge I was faced with was how to make a sticker buying experience just as important and exciting as someone receiving an Amazon package. Let's face it – I was a small business owner and I certainly couldn't provide overnight shipping or anything extravagant like that!
After studying why those past shopping experiences stood out to me, I figured out how to make my orders stand out. My stickers were able to fit inside a standard envelope so I took the extra step by purchasing seasonal stamps from the USPS, colored envelopes from Envelopes.com, and designed unique Happy Mail and Handle with Care stickers to seal each order with.
I wanted my customers to feel as though their order was handled with the utmost care, and that there was a kind individual who took the time to put their order together, and wanted to create a personal experience just for them! It was my way of showing my appreciation for them supporting my small business.
When a sticker order was placed from my shop, I notified the buyer that their order was being processed, confirmed their address, and sent a photograph of their order being put together. Then, I sent an additional photo of their order being dropped off in the mailbox so they can anticipate when their order will arrive as well as look out for their particular envelope. Customers loved this extra step and were so happy to know that their order was on its way!
After running my Etsy Shop for a year, there is no doubt in my mind that my Happy Mail stickers were a significant part of my success as a small business owner and a fundamental part of the packaging process. The labels helped make my branding stand out on Etsy, stand out among the thousands of pieces of mail the USPS sees daily, and most importantly, stand out in the recipient's mailbox.
