Many of our customers like to include additional items in the packages we send out to their customers. For example: adding stickers, bookmarks and colored pens with a daily planner. Or crystals and pretty bags with tarot card decks. These extra items are called "Supplied Items" and our fulfillment service team can include them in your packages when we ship out your orders.
Some examples of supplied items our customers use include:
We also have a video on our website that details this process that you can see on the Video Vault page or by clicking HERE.
How Supplied Items Work
Using the instructions below, send us the extra items you would like included in your shipments.
We store them in our warehouse
When an order comes in for fulfillment, we add them to the package according to your instructions.
The printed item and supplied items are shipped to your customer
How to send supplied items
We're happy to announce that to make the process for sending us your supplied items even easier, we've added a new feature in your Vervante Author Account. Just log in, look under the section titled "Send Items to Vervante" and click on the Supplied Items link (as seen in this image).
PLEASE NOTE:Please use this form for sending us supplied items (even if you've done it a different way before). This will alert our receiving team so when items arrive we'll be ready and know exactly what to do with them. You can even use a link included in the form to send us a photo of the items. This is very useful to help our team identify items when they arrive at our warehouse.
Whoa, if you haven't noticed yet, Black Friday is practically here! Our inboxes are already flooding with early coupons and special deals, even though it's a full month until the actual day. If you're planning on offering any holiday specials, it's not too late. We've here to help you with plenty of products and tips that will carry you through the whole holiday season, starting with Black Friday.
Here are 5 of our bestsellers that can be sold just as they are, or customized to fit your needs:
PLANNERS & JOURNALS: Our 2023 Butterfly softcover planner can be customized to fit your brand and ready to go. Read this article for more details: "2023 Softcover Planners Are Here." Also, be sure to check out the video ideas about planners and journals on our Video Vault page.
NOTEPADS: Custom designed notepads, like we offer here at Vervante, have endless potential to become the next “must-have” product to add to your business or life. We can create notepads in all shapes and sizes, and in black-and-white or full color. Notepads can be glued for tear-off sheets with a cardboard back or spiral bound along the top or side. Check out this article, "Create Ideas for Custom Notepads," or watch this video about creating notepads.
CALENDARS: We offer a variety of types and sizes, including tear-off, desktop, wall, pocket and more. We have a whole section on our video page about calendars, (click here), or read more details here: "How to create a calendar."
GREETING CARDS: Packaged individually or in sets, in custom boxes or bags, cards are always popular. Check out this article for ideas for holiday gift cards, How to create holiday cards, or watch any of the videos on our Video Vault page for inspiration.
Holiday Timelines
Worried about time? No need to stress! Here are a few tips to help you get ready in plenty of time:
TIP #1: If you have the general specs of the product you want to create, we can give you a free quote right away so you can set your retail price and start working on your sales and marketing strategy.
TIP #2: Your product does not have to be complete to offer it for sale. All you need is the cover design image for display on your site and – voila – you can make your offer and collect pre-orders. Just be clear in the description when your customer can expect to receive their purchase.
TIP #3: Once we have print files, we can ship within 3-4 days, so you're able to let customers know when pre-ordered products will arrive and can be confident in quick deliveries.
If this is your first holiday season working with Vervante, be sure to read all about how order processing and shipping works here: “How order processing and shipping works.” Orders are shipped according to the method you or your customer select. If you have a new product or dated product such as a planner, we recommend using Priority Mail the last six weeks of the year.
Amazon is often the first place you may think of for buying books. Etsy is great for creative products like notepads, card decks, and daily planners. But we also pointed out that using your own website or online store - such as the Vervante Bookstore - is another great option that might fit your needs best.
Here's the bottom line, though. You don't have to choose just one.
You can have it all by selling on all three!
First: Sell from your own website
Your primary sales option for customers should be your own website. Selling your book or products online through your own website/shopping cart (or Vervante’s Online Bookstore if you don't have or want to process credit cards), means more profit, control, and connection with your readers.
Even if people don’t buy right away, by directing them to your website you’ve got a chance to create a connection, offer a free download, or opt into your newsletter. Anything that will put them on the path to staying connected, becoming more involved, and eventually become loyal fans that support your long-term success.
Next: Sell via Amazon or Etsy
The online reach of Amazon and Etsy is impressive, and using them as secondary sales options is a great way to help people discover you and your products. That first sale on Amazon or Etsy is like an introduction that you can follow up with strategic communications that invite them to become a part of your tribe.
But wait, how do I compete on Amazon / Etsy?
Selling from your website is obviously the best option for bigger profits and business-building results. Just remember this: It’s not about competing – it’s about standing out!
Give people a reason to shop with you vs. Amazon by creating an experience that makes you stand out. Exclusive offers, unique bonuses, VIP perks, and exceptional service are just a few ways to attract customers and create loyal, long-term fans.
If you use your own sales pages and shopping carts in addition to Amazon or Etsy, and you’d like to attract more buyers to your own cart vs. Amazon, here are a few ideas:
Exclusive Offers / Extras That Add Value
Attract potential readers by offering exclusive extras they can’t get from Amazon such as limited access to programs, complementary products such as stickers, notepads, and bookmarks, or free downloads such as worksheet, templates, checklists or sneak-peeks with each purchase.
Unique Bonuses
How about creating a special box of goodies to include with the book order? You can create a custom-designed box/package and add a few products that elevate the reader experience. Top it all off by having it wrapped with colored tissue, stickers, and extras for a fun, hand-crafted “Etsy” type experience. You might even end up seeing your product as the star in a social media “unboxing” episode!
VIP Perks
People love a VIP experience. Another idea to help your sales page stand out from Amazon is to offer a special ‘VIP’ print run that will be sent to special customers, connections and influencers to help spread the word. You can autograph your books, include handwritten cards, bookmarks or stickers, and give your readers an early, exclusive peek.
Exceptional Service
When you run the show from the moment they arrive at your website to the moment they receive their book in hand, you’re able to control the content and amount of customer service they receive, so make sure it counts. Be personal, be positive, and shower them with the kind of service you wish you could get. Share helpful information in fun ways such as by including colorful branded postcards with content that shares everything they need. Personalize your packing slips, follow up with emails after the fact to make sure they are enjoying their purchase, and share more info to entice customers to continue to follow you.
Creating unique and satisfying experiences is the best way to get the right kind of attention for your book sales and keep customers coming back for more. If you have ideas for creating products or experiences to help boost your sales, let us know, we’re here to help!
Vervante makes it super easy to sell on Amazon and Etsy!
For Etsy orders, all we need is a copy of the order confirmation email - simple and easy.
For selling on Amazon, we offer a very streamlined system you can learn more about by logging in to your Vervante Author Account and go to the Retail Distribution page accessible via the Services menu.
Many of our customers like to include additional items in the packages we send out to their customers. For example: adding stickers, bookmarks and colored pens with a daily planner. Or crystals and pretty bags with tarot card decks. These extra items are called "Supplied Items" and our fulfillment service team can include them in your packages when we ship out your orders.
e're happy to announce that to make the process for sending us your supplied items even easier, we've added a new feature in your Vervante Author Account. Just log in, look under the section titled "Send Items to Vervante" and click on the Supplied Items link (as seen in this image).
Whoa, if you haven't noticed yet, Black Friday is practically here! Our inboxes are already flooding with early coupons and special deals, even though it's a full month until the actual day. If you're planning on offering any holiday specials, it's not too late. We've here to help you with plenty of products and tips that will carry you through the whole holiday season, starting with Black Friday.
Earlier on the blog we talked about