at Packlane to see how your boxes would look. You can even design just one box to get started.<\/span><\/p>Packaging design is critical because this is the first time many consumers will see your product. Even the way your packaging feels (or smells!) can leave an impression.<\/span><\/p>Maintaining a good relationship with consumers through social media can go a long way in fostering your brand’s online reputation. Use the unboxing experience as a marketing tool to encourage customers to document their experience on social media.<\/span><\/p>Drive engagement to your brand’s social media channels by having consumers use branded hashtags when they post photos and videos of them unboxing your product.<\/span><\/p><\/span>Know Your Audience and Purpose<\/span><\/span><\/h2>Knowing your audience will help guide many of the decisions you’ll need to make when it comes time to send your packaging.<\/span><\/p>While the unboxing experience is great for your customers, it’s also a critical sales tool that will drive more sales to your business.<\/strong>First up, you’ll need to decide who your packaging is for. This will ultimately help you decide what goes inside the box and how to design it. Is this a first time customer, a repeat customer or even an influencer?<\/span><\/p><\/span>Customers<\/span><\/span><\/h3>Educating your customers about your product is important and shouldn’t be overlooked. If your product requires specific instructions on use or maintenance, it’s good to include some form of instructions either separately or as part of the packaging itself.<\/span><\/p>For first time customers, focus on creating an amazing design that sets your brand and product apart from your competition. Include text directly on your box that welcomes them for their first time purchase. This is a great way to acknowledge their business and thank them for purchasing.<\/span><\/p>For loyal customers, include an extra thank you to show them their business is valued. It can be as simple as a card or discount but being recognized for their loyalty is a powerful way to connect with them.<\/span><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/d3ui957tjb5bqd.cloudfront.net\/uploads\/2017\/11\/16064010\/Unboxing-Experience-2.jpg.webp\")
<\/h3><\/span>Influencers<\/span><\/span><\/h3>You may not be sending your box to a customer at all. You may be sending to influencers who will document every aspect of the unboxing experience on social media. They have a large audience you want to connect with and it’s important to know how to reach them.<\/span><\/p>If you’re sending to an influencer, they may not be familiar with your business so explaining your brand and educating them about your product is important. Make their job as easy as possible by including:<\/span><\/p>\n \t- Media kit<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- Product photos<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- Instructions on how to use the product<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- A small gift to say thank you (do your research and find out what they like)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>
With influencers, it helps to know more about their likes and dislikes. Watch some of their previous unboxing videos to see what they struggle with, what they hate, and what makes them squeal with delight. It will not only teach you how to create a better experience for your customers but it will also help create an experience the influencer will rave about.<\/span><\/p><\/span>Telling a Story<\/span><\/span><\/h3>Make customers feel like insiders who have intimate knowledge of what goes on behind the scenes of your company. This will not only build brand loyalty but help you tell your story which is a key element of connecting with customers.<\/span><\/p>Details you could include when telling your story:<\/span><\/p>\n \t- The development of your product<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- The history of your company<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- Why you got into business<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- How you’ve grown quickly<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>How many times have you read a story about how a product was developed through a happy accident? These types of stories are interesting because they connect with consumers on a personal level.<\/span>The best way to tell a story through the unboxing experience is to tell your customers how your product will change their lives.<\/strong>This will help them understand your product’s potential and its benefits. Reiterating your product’s benefits will always help remind your customers why they purchased from you in the first place.<\/span>
<\/span>Choose Your Packaging<\/span><\/span><\/h2>You can’t have an unboxing experience without the main ingredient, the box! Choosing the right type of box is a big decision and you’ll need to determine the type of packaging and materials you’ll want to use. To help make your decision, think of the four steps of the unboxing experience:\n<\/span><\/p>\n \t- Receiving the box<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- Opening the box<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- What’s inside the box<\/span><\/li>\n \t
- What to do with an empty box<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>
The one thing that each step has in common is “the boxâ€. Creating your custom box is extremely fun and a great way to set the tone for what’s to come inside.  <\/span><\/p><\/span>The Right Box For Your Unboxing<\/span><\/span><\/h3>The type of box you’ll need will be determined by the size of your product and how much protection you want to provide. The two main types of boxes used by most e-commerce businesses are mailer boxes and shipping boxes.<\/span><\/p>Both mailer boxes and shipping boxes are excellent choices because you can place your item directly in the mail and send them to your customer. They provide very good protection when shipped and have the added bonus of displaying your custom designed packaging.<\/span><\/p><\/span>Mailer Boxes<\/span><\/span><\/h3>Mailer boxes are versatile and stylish. They are commonly used for subscription boxes and are easy to open. They are an excellent choice for shipping directly to your customers without having use external packaging.<\/span><\/p>They are extremely sturdy and provide good product protection while in transit. Mailer boxes are shipped flat and easy to assemble. <\/span><\/p>