{"id":1029,"date":"2017-07-07T18:32:58","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T18:32:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.subbly.co\/blog\/?p=1029"},"modified":"2022-05-25T22:09:29","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T22:09:29","slug":"best-tips-make-packing-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.subbly.co\/blog\/best-tips-make-packing-list\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Tips on How to Make a Packing List"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"subscription<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019re probably very interested in perfecting the unboxing experience for your customers (we don\u2019t blame you). <\/span><\/p>\n

The feelings of curiosity and excitement you have while using <\/span>Subbly<\/span><\/a> are most likely similar to what the customer feels as they open up their subscription box.<\/span><\/p>\n

Surely, from the subscriber\u2019s point of view, the process of browsing and picking the best subscription box is extremely exciting.<\/span>
\n<\/span>\"in<\/p>\n

But, undoubtedly, there\u2019s something magical in the unboxing, unpacking, and unwrapping part of your customer\u2019s journey. Now imagine that at the first glance at your box, he or she sighs in disappointment, instead of delight.<\/span><\/p>\n

What makes the perfect unpacking experience so perfect?<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, let’s all agree that the unpacking experience can reduce your churn rate and simply make the customer happy in general (which is the goal of all our efforts).<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides <\/span>the design and packaging itself<\/span><\/a>, the choice of products included within the package makes all the difference. <\/span><\/p>\n

So, having a reliable packing list, information card, or \u00a0list of contents (call it what you like) is something you shouldn\u2019t forget about.<\/span><\/p>\n

We personally enjoy how <\/span>BeautyCon BFF<\/span><\/a> made their unboxing process user-friendly in this Winter edition:<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

\"BeautyCon<\/p>\n

Ok…but what exactly is a packing list?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Packing lists inform your customer what is in the box. These <\/span>custom inserts<\/span> often include the value (price) of the items inside the package, with reasons of why the products were chosen to be there in the first place. <\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on your niche, it may contain other information as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Altogether, packing lists are an essential part of subscription box businesses and, consequently, the entire unboxing experience we mentioned earlier.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips on how to make a great packing list<\/span><\/h2>\n

As you already learned, there are two ways to do things in every subscription business: a lousy way and the Subbly way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does it really pay off to improve every single part of your subscription offer?<\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>\"confused<\/p>\n

Yes, it does. People notice the effort when something is created with care, attention, and intelligence. If your wish is to build a deep-rooted subscription empire, stick with us and our service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Besides the names and main characteristics of the products within the package, there are certain elements in a packing list that make them even better:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n
      \n
    1. Useful information<\/b>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Go beyond the mere listing of products and actually describe them in more detail. The points you can cover here are special precautions (if any), information on the manufacturer, or any other specifics of the products.<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Do the products in the box require a tutorial on how to use them properly?? If so, then add that too. You may also wish to consider adding a fun fact or trivia, or even some founder comments if you so choose.<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Watch how <\/span>      Wet Shave Club<\/a>\u00a0works through their own packing list process<\/span>, as they include a step-by-step guide to using their own products:<\/span><\/span>\"wet
      \nYou could also take a peek at this <\/span>      Trunk Club<\/span><\/a> comprehensive packing list with additional instructions and information:<\/span>
      \n<\/span>\"trunk<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Spreading a message or a theme<\/b>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Is there an interesting theme behind your offer? Or a specific message you\u2019d like to share with your customers?<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>No matter the niche, think of the possibilities to distribute a theme throughout your boxes around an idea you\u2019d love to share. Think of this as another way to connect with your subscribers even further. <\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>It would also be nice to add a seasonal theme (look at the important dates or ongoing holidays). Feel free to explore your creativity and merge your theme with current occasions.<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Although it\u2019s not the most visually-appealing, look at how <\/span>      Mac & Mia<\/span><\/a> created a very long and personal packing description (first picture) with a nice activity, a game (second photo – gif), perfectly in line with their niche (kids clothing):<\/span><\/span>\"mac<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. A peek behind the scenes<\/b> –<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Why did you choose the products within your customers\u2019 package? Share a little bit of your experience as someone who created the particular box and its offer. <\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>What is your story? Don\u2019t worry, you don\u2019t have to go into too much detail here, it\u2019s not a diary. But consider sharing some of your story behind the subscription box offer specifically. <\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>The more transparent you are with your customer, the more trust they will develop towards you and your business.
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Transparent prices<\/b> – <\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>So far we\u2019ve learned that it\u2019s good to add purely practical information onto your packing list, such as individual prices.<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>But, someone could surely ask this question: if your subscribers already know the final price of the box (seriously, they payed for it), why should you display the price of every product inside?<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>You might be surprised at how the psychological element in <\/span>      customer communication<\/span><\/a> (both written and spoken) makes a difference between an \u2018okay\u2019 and a \u2018wow\u2019 business.<\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>Showing the prices of all products on the list will help your subscriber feel in control, well-informed, and that the purchase is justified. <\/span>
      \n<\/span>
      \n<\/span>See how <\/span>      Table Top Monthly<\/span><\/a> does it right (and everything else, when it comes to a packing list design):<\/span>
      \n<\/span>\"table<\/span>
      \n<\/span>An exception from the \u2018rule\u2019: There\u2019s no need to display the individual prices if your box is <\/span>      filled with samples<\/span><\/a> or an abundance of small items. Consider a way to group them altogether and show the price this way, though.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
        \n
      1. Nice design<\/b>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span>
        \n<\/span>
        \n<\/span>Subbly approves of a smart, simple design for a packing list, aligned with your general company brand of course. In the example below, the font choice alone does wonders to the company\u2019s branding style – example: <\/span>        RagTagBox<\/span><\/a> :<\/span>
        \n<\/span>\"ragtag<\/span>
        \n<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. Calls to action<\/b>
        \n<\/span>
        \n<\/span>Remember, every part of <\/span>        your subscription package<\/span><\/a> is an opportunity for you to connect with your customer. When the solid connection is made, a long-term relationship becomes possible.<\/span>
        \n<\/span>
        \n<\/span>After you’ve added some calls to action, social media information, and similar onto the boxes and\/or products themselves, you can also add them to the packing list. (To learn which social channels are the best for a subscription business, head <\/span>        over here<\/span><\/a>).<\/span>
        \n<\/span>
        \n<\/span>Speaking of creative marketing, consider adding some promotional info to your packing list: is there a rewards program you\u2019re offering? Or an interesting VIP discount? Take a look at what <\/span>        Illumicrate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0does below!
        \n<\/span><\/a>\"illumicrate<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        A great packing list\u2019s appearance<\/span><\/h2>\n

        Once you\u2019ve covered the content and additional upgrades of your subscription box packing list, the next step is to customize it. It is important that the list contains nicely-structured info, but its appearance also matters too. Some aspects you should consider include: <\/span><\/p>\n