How Important is Pretty Packaging to You?

A few days ago I posted the following question in the Etsy forums:

"I've seen several posts advising people to use pretty packaging with ribbons, fabric bags, etc. I've also read that one should include pictures of their packaging in the listing...So, what do you think? Does pretty packaging make you want to buy again? Is it worth the extra cost to you? Also, as a buyer, do you care about seeing pictures of packaging in the listings?"

There were over 100 responses to this post, and the results caused me to rethink my own packaging strategy. Fifty people stated that attractive packaging was very important to them; thirty-one stated that it wasn’t important to them, and twenty people stated that pretty packaging was nice, but not really necessary.

For the most part, the "not important" and "nice" responses sited concerns over reducing waste and expense. Not surprisingly, everyone agrees that pretty packaging is worthless if the items are not well protected. All of the ribbons in the world won't make up for receiving something that was damaged en route.

I also found that nearly everyone believes that some sellers go overboard with the pretty packaging. One poster complained of having her purchase wrapped in so many ribbons and tape that she struggled to get it open.

A reoccurring theme throughout the thread was that packaging should be minimal, but pretty, elegant, or colorful. Many people expressed a preference for environmentally-friendly ("green") packaging – if it can be green and pretty, even better.

Many people who showed a strong preference for pretty packaging stated that it would influence their decision to purchase from a shop again. Even several of the "nice but not necessary" responses showed an inclination to buy again from a shop with nicer packaging. One poster (lovelymuch) summed it up nicely, "I'd like to say I don't care that much about packaging because I try to be eco-friendly however, to be honest, if I found 2 necklaces I liked from different sellers and one had pretty packaging and the other didn't, I'd opt for the pretty one."

Very few people commented on the practice of showing pictures of one's packaging in their Etsy listing, but all of those who did said it was not necessary. Apparently people would prefer to see another shot of the item they were buying instead of packaging.

Another interesting point that was made repeatedly in this thread is that different products require different levels of packaging. Large, fragile, and/or more utilitarian items simply need to be packed carefully, neatly, and safely in clean materials. Jewelry and other luxury items require a higher level of packaging. Throwing a pair of earrings into a bubble envelope is not acceptable; and the more expensive the jewelry, the nicer the packaging should be.

Finally, one poster pointed out that several studies have shown that packaging has a strong influence on a buyer's perceived value of the product. Basically, customers are willing to pay more for products with nicer packaging. (This whole concept is incredibly interesting and will be the subject of a later blog post from yours truly.)

So, to sum up, here is what I gleaned from that thread:

- It is worth my time to create attractive packaging for my items.
- This packaging needs to be simple, green, and inexpensive, yet elegant.(Being reusable is a nice plus.)
- A handwritten thank you note is essential (I have always included this anyway).
- Extra little gifts are not necessary.
- I do not need to include a picture of the packaging in my Etsy listing; although I will be describing it in my shop policies, to let people know how much of my packaging is recycled, upcycled, and green.

Thank you to everyone who commented on that thread, I found it interesting and very useful. More to come on the packaging issue…

Featured Artist – impulseART

impulseART.etsy.com

I came across this shop just the other day while lurking in the Etsy forums, and immediately fell in love with her work. ImpulsART is owned by Hailey Rose, who sells her own beautiful photographs, which are mostly of nature. Hailey lives in Utah, so she has some pretty spectacular nature to work with!

Hailey’s prices are very reasonable, ranging from under $10 for a 5” x 5” print to $45 for a 20” x 30” print. Once you see her work, you will want one of her photos for yourself.

This is my favorite print, “His Hand,” which features her fiancé’s hand holding a very tiny lizard. Beautiful and evocative, the subject is simple, yet lends itself to so many interpretations. I was captivated by it immediately.

Please take a few minutes to visit Hailey’s shop (or should I say her art gallery?). And by all means, buy something now, before she becomes so famous that you can’t afford her work any more!

impulseART.etsy.com

Hailey’s bio:
Raised in a farm lifestyle I have always revered Mother Nature from the soil to the trees to the sky with all the wonderful living creatures and plants among her. "She" inspires me along with "life."

As it seems many photographer’s bio starts out... I got my first camera when I was 8. It was one of those obnoxious long skinny cameras that took that odd ball size film that cost a fortune to buy and develop. But this was "my" camera until I got older. In High School I took a year of photography where I worked with mostly black and whites and developed all of my own film and prints. At 18 my parents bought me a Nikon N80 (film, not digital).

I then took up a job working in a photo lab for almost a year processing lots of film. After a couple years I decided to jump on the digital band wagon and I could say "never looked back," but I do day dream about using film again. I have since graduated to using a Canon Rebel XTI. Besides my Ford Mustang ... my camera is my first love.

My fiancé' and I love our road-trips and all the opportunities to make memories and take great photos. Besides photography, I love to paint. I paint a bit of everything on anything. All just depends on my inspirations at that moment. I also enjoy working with wood and I like to putter with a little bit of jewelry, mostly made out of wood with some sort of painting involved.

Etsy, Etsy, Etsy.

Etsy has taken over my life! Anyone who has seriously attempted selling on Etsy will know exactly what I mean.

I have a “day job,” but it seems as though every spare minute for the last five months has been spent making jewelry, photographing jewelry, posting new products, marketing, reading Etsy forum threads, re-taking photos, re-working my shop, re-re-taking my photos, etc. etc. etc.

And I’m loving it!

So, what exactly is Etsy, you ask? To quote Etsywiki.com, “Etsy.com is an online marketplace for artists and crafters to sell their works. Officially, it is "Your place to buy and sell all things handmade." Etsy is a venue, not a retailer; it is collection of independent shops, each run by a different artisan. “

What does “Etsy” mean? Good question – if anyone ever finds out, please let me know.

As stated above, Etsy is an online marketplace. On Etsy, one should only find handmade, vintage, or supply items for sale. (Commercial resellers sneak in, a lot, but that is another post.) Each person sets up and maintains his or her own shop on Etsy. It’s sort of like a craft or trade show, only it is online, covers the globe, and is always open.

My shop is www.Sandrandan.etsy.com. Funny name, I know. I first set up an Etsy account back in 2007 to buy some items, and then didn’t realize that this would be my shop name when I decided to start selling in January 2009. That’s okay though, Dan and I are partners, so this name is appropriate.

I sell jewelry here, and Dan sells clay creatures, and very cute ones at that. Anyone meeting my somewhat burly, bearded, Harley-riding husband for the first time would never guess that he could easily be crowned “The King of Cute.” (OK, he’s going to kill me for that. lol)

This blog will mostly be about my experiences on Etsy, although other ramblings will probably creep in here and there. I especially want to highlight some of the amazing artists that sell on Etsy.

If you’ve never been to Etsy.com, I encourage you to do so. Your bank balance will never be the same.