Blog

Vervante • November 2, 2022

So many times we talk about how important value is for us and for you. The value of the products we produce, the value of the service we provide, and the value all of that brings to your experience and the ultimate experience of your customers. Value is very important to us as we address questions about why our products can sometimes cost more than similar ones from places such as Amazon or printers in China. The answers have a lot to do with value. Higher quality and value often mean a higher price tag, and the reasons this is a good thing are what we're sharing here so you can pass it on down to your customers too.   Why our products are sometimes more expensive Unlike Amazon or printers in China, we are a small U.S.-based business that makes and prints custom products with specialty add-ons such as tabs, stickers, etc., and often in just minimum order quantities of 25. We feel that there is just no comparison in the difference of quality and customer service when you look at products mass-produced, versus those that we print in small batches here in the U.S. We put a high value on quality. Trying to compete with the low cost of large print runs overseas while maintaining strict standards of high quality for our product is just not possible. Our goal is provide the best quality, service, and experience when it comes to printing your products. This means your product will cost more than those you see on Amazon, but there is much to be said to justify that higher cost. How to support high-dollar product sales We print and ship thousands of products each week that our customers then re-sell either on their own website or on Amazon. Many of these authors and entrepreneurs point out in their sales and marketing the differences in quality for their products, highlighting that they are handmade in the U.S., in small batches, and provide an elevated look, feel, and experience.  Information to consider and include on your sales page: Printed in the U.S. Printed in small batches with love and exceptional care Printed and shipped from our own facilities in Utah Manufactured and shipped by a woman-owned business Products are handmade using high-quality components that last longer Each product is an original that is custom manufactured Supports local economy and provides jobs for our community The increased cost of raw goods, including paper and ink produced in China, has been impacted since COVID Here's what we think is the best reason of all to share why your products cost more, and have more value: Your products have been custom-designed to serve a specific need or audience as opposed to generic products targeted to a mass audience. Your independent ideas, experience, inspirations, and values are imbued throughout each product you create with us. They carry a unique message, content, ideas, and goals from someone who is truly invested in making their customer's lives better, stronger, and happier in so many unique ways. We hope this helps you to understand a little more about the importance we place on value throughout everything we do, and helps you to share that passion with your customers too.

Vervante • October 27, 2022

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: Pens, pencils, markers Apparel Crystals Bags for card decks Tissue paper to wrap the planner/book/journal Colored crinkle paper to sprinkle in the box Athletic accessories (fitness bands, supplements, etc.) Tote bags, pouches or pencil cases If you like this idea, be sure to check out this article on our blog for more details and fun ideas: How to Add Extras to Subscription Boxes and Packages. 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.

Vervante • October 25, 2022

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.

Vervante • October 15, 2022

Earlier on the blog we talked about how important it is to be strategic about where you sell your products online. 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.

Vervante • October 7, 2022

"What is the difference between “print on demand” and using bulk printing and then drop-shipping? BTW, what does it mean to “drop-ship” something?" If you’ve ever wondered the same thing, we get it. In fact, we’ve been hearing this question a lot lately, so we wanted to give you the scoop on how these two different types of printing and fulfillment work. What is Print On Demand? Print on demand (POD) uses both digital and inkjet printing methods to print books and other products only in the amount needed, when they are needed. Here's how Print On Demand works: An order is placed for a book or other product. We print the exact amount ordered. The order is then shipped to the customer. You only have to pay for printing when an order is placed. Here are two scenarios to illustrate how this works: If you list your book for sale on your website and a customer orders one book, we print one book and ship it to your customer. If you have a speaking event coming up and need 25 books, we will print 25 books and send them to wherever you need them. How does Bulk Printing work? When it comes to bulk printing, the more you print, the lower the price per product. Bulk orders are perfect if you: Are planning a big book or product launch Are headlining an event and plan to make an offer from the stage Have products for workshops and programs that enroll throughout the year Travel often, giving presentations and offering back-of-room sales Anticipate extra sales from joint ventures or media appearances  Minimum Order Quantity We're often asked: "What quantity do I need to order to get bulk discounting?" When discussing bulk orders, it's important to understand Minimum Order Quantity, or "MOQ." Minimum Order Quantity refers to the fewest number of units required to be purchased at one time in order to place an order. The main reason for minimum order quantity is due to the upfront fixed costs associated with setting up a custom print job. Minimum order amounts can vary as well, depending on the product. The deciding factor on whether you can use Print on Demand, or MOQ Bulk Order printing, depends on the type and complexity of product. We've created a graphic you can see here that lists many of the products we provide and whether they are POD or MOQ. For example: POD: Card decks, paperback books, notepads, and saddle-stitch booklets MOQ: Hardcover planners and books, kiss-cut or die-cut stickers, and anything with foil stamping or wire-o binding You can see and download this graphic from our website Expert Guides page, or download it directly by clicking here: POD vs. MOQ The MOQ for hardcover products is 25 and we offer quantity discounts for orders of 25 or more. To find out what the minimum order amount is for other types of products, please reach out to us either using the "Get a Quote" link on our website, or by emailing [email protected]. Bulk Order Drop-Shipping In order to take advantage of lower pricing per product, many of our customers choose to have their products printed in bulk and then stored in our warehouse until they need them. Drop-shipping is what happens when we receive notification that 1 or more of those products need to be pulled from inventory then sent to a customer. For every drop-ship order, we charge small order and pick fees to cover the cost of the shipping package/box and the labor to pull the item from inventory. Here is how it works, step-by-step: Products are printed in bulk and stored in our warehouse We receive a fulfillment order for your product. We pull that product from inventory and drop-ship it directly to your customer. Which method is best for you? The answer depends on your budget, your business, and which way works best for getting your products where they need to be. Our team is happy to help you figure out which is best for you, just email us at [email protected]. We hope this helps clarify the differences and benefits for both Print On Demand (POD) and using Bulk Printing with Drop-Shipping. If you have any questions about using POD, Minimum Order Quantity discounts, or bulk printing, storage and fulfillment services, we’re here to help.

Vervante • October 1, 2022

As you prepare for holiday product launches and sales (yes, it's that time already!), one thing to consider is where you're selling your products online. While Amazon is often the first place many people think of, that doesn't mean it's the ONLY place. In fact, after taking a close look at your business and goals, the best place might be one that you control yourself. Using your own website gives you great control over your sales - and often greater profit. But if you don't want to deal with processing credit cards, or are looking for a secondary place to sell where you have more control, the Vervante Bookstore might be the perfect solution. The Vervante Bookstore is an online storefront solution we offer exclusively to Vervante customers. It allows you to direct customers from your website or social media to your own product page in the Bookstore. We will process the credit card transactions and manage fulfillment and distribution. This is a valuable option if you just don't want to deal with credit card processing and a merchant bank. All you need is a simple landing page and we take care of the rest.   Here are a few highlights of the advantages and rewards the Vervante Bookstore provides:  Online Storefront: Vervante authors can have product pages created for all their products  Author Bio Page: Similar to Amazon’s author bio pages, connect with your customers by sharing your story. Always In Stock: If you are using our print-on-demand (POD) services, your book or printed product is guaranteed to always be in stock. Peek Inside: Just like Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature, customers can see a sample of your book’s interior. Easy Sales Solution: You don’t need to set up complicated shopping carts or sales pages, we handle that for you. Database Growth: You have full access to your customer’s data. Higher Profits: You set the retail price for your product and pay us a 10% transaction fee. The buyer selects and pays for the shipping and postage. These are some of the best royalty numbers in the industry!  Full Access: You can login to your Bookstore account at any time to view activity, including customer data and email address. Book Launch / Pre-Order Support: Planning for a big holiday launch? Debuting a new daily planner for the New Year? You can use the Bookstore for pre-orders. Shipping estimates can be changed to show pre-order status and expected ship dates. How to set up your sales pages in the Vervante Bookstore Log in to your Vervante author account on our website, then navigate to the Vervante Bookstore page under the Services Menu. On that page you will see information about pricing and sales, a calculator to help determine royalties, and directions for submitting books or products to be listed in the Bookstore.   Once your listing is ready, each product will have a unique URL that you can use to direct online traffic to the sales page. If you would like to revise the product descriptions or your author page, please send requests with the final, approved content to [email protected].    If you like the idea of additional places to sell your products instead of (or in addition to) Amazon, the Vervante Bookstore provides an easy, effective and streamlined way to connect with your customers, streamline credit card sales, and get your books and products where they need to be. If you're interested in using this resources, or need help activating this option for products you already produce with Vervante, email us at [email protected] or set up a call using our online scheduler.

Vervante • September 15, 2022

If the holiday décor we see showing up on retail shelves is any kind of clue, it’s time to start getting ready for holiday sales. If you have any plans for creating or promoting books, journals, daily planners or other products for the holidays, it’s time to take action. We’ve been doing this for decades, so trust us, it’s never too early to get started. Here is our best advice for getting ahead of the curve and planning for a successful holiday sales season. SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER Decide on products to sell. Make a list of customizations. Contact Vervante at [email protected] and request free quotes for printing, shipping timelines, etc. If you’re just adding your logo to one of our ready-made products, upload print-ready file to your Vervante account, then order a sample copy to see it in real life. For customized products, finalize graphic design files and upload to Vervante account. Order sample copies for quality and proofreading checks. If you are going to sell from your own website, start setting up your shopping cart and test it out thoroughly to make all systems are a go. If you don’t have a website or shopping cart, we can list for you on Amazon or through the Vervante Bookstore. NOVEMBER Put marketing plans into action. Announce special promotions, early bird sales and specials. Promote, promote, promote! Did time get away from you? For last-minute ideas in time for Black Friday, our ready-made planners, card decks, books, journals and calendars are easy and quick to set up and sell. DECEMBER Confirm Vervante holiday shipping deadlines (see below for details). Attend book signings. Continue promotions, especially for New Year / 2023 products. Announce surprise last-minute deals. JANUARY Continue to promote New Year products. If 2023 planners were a hit, think about removing dates from planner so it can be sold all year long. Look back at your holiday sales experience, making notes about what worked (and what didn’t) to help with next year’s plans. Holiday Shipping Guide If this is your first holiday season working with Vervante, click here to read all about how order processing and shipping works with our services: “How order processing and shipping works.” If you’re planning on a holiday launch, or would like your product to arrive by the end of December, it’s important to include shipping as a big part of your planning. Delivery speed, cost, and customer satisfaction are all affected by the way your products are shipped to your customers. 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.

Vervante • September 6, 2022

The year is flying by, summer is almost over, and you know what that means? It’s time to start planning ahead for 2023! Especially when it comes to creating planners or journals to debut for the New Year. To get you started, or inspired, or just ready to roll, we’re excited to share with you our new Vervante 2023 Softcover Daily Planner. This planner features a beautiful butterfly on a background of deep, rich colors. Butterflies are a symbol of beauty and transformation. They come in all colors and are beloved around the world, which made this an easy choice for a year that we feel is filled with possibilities. Our 2023 Butterfly Softcover Planner features thumb tabs, stickers and a handy interior pocket. It can be printed with soft covers, board covers, poly paper covers, laminated covers and punched for disc binding. Also... Features a new layout for weekly spreads Size is 7x9" with 178 interior pages With printed thumb tabs Can be completely customized using the InDesign files Can be plastic or metal spiral bound, wire-o bound, or punched for disc binding We've designed this planner to be used in several ways: You can order and use it just like it is. Personalize with a simple change like adding your logo. Or you can fully customize to fit your branding and vision. (We provide the InDesign files so you can change what you want.) How to make changes and customize this planner As we mentioned above, you are welcome to modify or change whatever you'd like to make the Butterfly planner your very own. We provide the InDesign files, you make the changes, then send the files back to us. Here are the links you need: To view the planner in detail, click HERE. To download the InDesign files, click HERE. Be sure to check out the Vervante Video Vault for detailed ideas for planners, planner add-ons, and lots of other products and customizing options. Can I create a disc-bound planner? Yes, absolutely! Disc-bound planners are hot-hot-hot and we’re happy to provide the ability to help you create one. We are one of only a few companies that provide punching for a disc bound product, giving you the ability to create these highly sought after items. If you already have a planner (or journal or similar type of product) and would like to convert it for disc binding, we can help you do that too! Check out these articles: "How to Create a Disc-Bound Planner," and "How to Convert a Planner into Disc-Bound." Deadlines for ordering 2023 planners If you have a 2023 hardcover planner that you want to arrive by the end of December, your order will need to be in the queue by October 15. This applies to hardcovers only. If your planner is a board cover or laminated cover, then the deadline is November 1. We're pretty excited about all of our planners, including this new 2023 Butterfly Planner, and we hope you are too. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

Vervante • August 15, 2022

No matter what kind of product you create, the quality of your content matters! The writing you do, whether for books, planners, information products, calendars, or anything else, can make you look like a professional or an amateur, and that make a big difference if you’re trying to create satisfied and loyal customers. Even the most experienced writers make mistakes, but there are some common issues that are easy to avoid, as long as you know what you’re looking for.   Mistake #1: Not using a copy editor Nothing can be more damaging to your products and your reputation than publishing a book or other written product that is filled with typos, errors, and incorrect information. If your budget is small, that’s ok, there are free options like Pro Writing Aid or Grammarly that can help. For more ideas and information about copy editing, click here to read “The importance of copy editing for books and products.” Mistake #2: Using passive voice Passive voice is a common mistake that can make your writing less effective and turn the reader off. To put it simply, passive voice makes your writing weak. Active voice is simpler and stronger. It can be tough to recognize passive voice because it’s grammatically correct, and it reads like your average textbook. But that’s the problem. Passive voice reads like a boring textbook – and people don’t want to be bored. The more you work on this, the easier it will become to find instances of passive voice and change them to active. Here are some more examples: Passive: Elizabeth is loved by Mr. Darcy. Active: Mr. Darcy loves Elizabeth. Passive: The coffee spill was cleaned by the barista. Active: The barista cleaned the coffee spill. Passive: The flowers were wilted by the sun. Active: The sun wilted the flowers. Mistake #3: Unnecessary words and “fillers” An easy trap to fall into is using excess words or fillers to stretch out your content. All that extra stuff doesn’t always work, and it can actually end up muddying up your writing and make it seem awkward and confusing. Start by deleting words like “actually, basically, very, quite, just, or somehow.” They take up space without adding anything to your writing. Next look for phrases that can be said in one word. A good example is instead of saying “small in size,” you can just say “small.” Or replace “prior history” with “history.” Mistake #4: Taking too long to get to the point This is especially true when it comes to products that contain shorter passages of content that need to be strong and to the point, such as for daily planners, inspirational or motivational calendars, etc. Don’t beat around the bush. State clearly what is happening, the value of what they are about to read, the point they need to understand. Leave flowery poetry – for poetry. Mistake #5: Apostrophe catastrophes It’s a small simple little thing, but use it wrong and it can make you look like an amateur. Apostrophes are one of the most common mistakes editors watch for and even the professionals let them slip through once in a while. Using the wrong version of its/it’s or here’s vs. here are just a couple of examples. Here’s a tip to avoid this issue: Any time you use an apostrophe in a contraction, where you're combining the verb with the noun (such as "it's" for "it is" or "here's" for "here is"), expand the contraction in your mind so you get the subject-verb agreement right. For example: Writing “Here’s the menus you asked for,” may seem ok at first glance. But, if you expand the contraction, you can can see that saying “Here is the menus you asked for,” is incorrect and you should rather use “Here are the menus you asked for.” Click here to see a fun graphic about apostrophe catastrophes: How to Use an Apostrophe There you have it! Five common writing mistakes, easy to avoid, that will go a long way toward helping you make your writing stronger – and avoid looking like an amateur.

Vervante • July 12, 2022

A new free guide was just added to the Vervante website and we’re excited to share the details with you here. It’s a step-by-step guide that walks you through how to create customized boxes f­or welcome gifts, VIPs, subscription boxes, and product launches. (*Click here to download the guide right away*) These unique products have become one of the most versatile, income-boosting and business-building ideas. Here at Vervante, we can prepare and send your customers a box fi­lled with products for everything from pets, beauty, and crafts to gardening, food, and fi­tness. In this new guide, we’ve shared an easy-to-follow checklist that takes you step-by-step through the process from A-toZ, including: STEP #1: Choosing your box’s theme and core product. STEP #2: Adding complementary products, ideas and examples. STEP #3: Presentation matters – inside and out. STEP #4: Options for boxes: Dimensions, printing, stickers, etc. For all the details, steps, and strategies, you can download the full expert guide for free from our website or by clicking on this link. If you’re ready to create a box that provides an extra special experience for your customers, and would like quotes or questions answered, we’re ready to help you make it happen.

Vervante • July 6, 2022

Mark your calendars and get ready, Amazon Prime Days are just around the corner! This is a great opportunity for everyone – whether you sell on Amazon or not. If you haven’t started planning yet, it’s not too late. Here are a few ideas to help your business get some attention during Prime Days this year. #1 Offer a special "prime" deal for your audience Nobody promotes quite as well as Amazon. Shoppers are excited and anticipating epic deals as Prime Day gets closer, so why not take advantage of the excitement and offer your own “Prime” deals for products you sell on your website, too? The best way to do this is to reach out directly to your loyal customers and fans. This means sending emails to your list and posting updates to your social media. Offer special "prime day" packages where for a limited time several products are bundled for one low price. If your clients love packages, take it a step further by creating a subscription service and launch it on Prime Day with free extras or a special reduced rate that will catch people's attention. Record a special audio podcast or video tutorial as an extra for one of your books or products and offer it as a special bonus on Prime Day. Offer a special personal coaching session or limited-time memberships to your masterminds or coaching groups, with any Prime Day purchase. #2 Get attention with “free-plus-shipping” specials "Free-plus-shipping" offers are great for getting attention during Amazon's Prime Days. It’s the process of offering your book or product for free for a limited time, and the customer only needs to pay for shipping. (This is a very powerful way to build your email list, too!) (Learn more about how Vervante can support your free-plus-shipping offer by clicking HERE.) #3 Build anticipation with sneak peeks Here's one more tip to give your Prime Day deals some extra oomph: Be sure to share "sneak peeks" of the specials you'll be offering in your newsletters, social media and emails. It's a great way to spread the word, build anticipation and join in all of the Prime Day fun everyone is having. Get started soon, though, because Prime Days will be here before you know it. The key here is to be creative - and add value. You don't need to reduce your prices, just give in a way that will excite your customers and make them feel like they got the best prime deal out there!

Vervante • June 29, 2022

No one likes to be stressed, but it's a big part of life and we all have to deal with it. Work, health, relationships, politics, community, neighbors, friends and family - they can all throw curve balls that cause stress, which then roll on to affect all other areas of our life. Learning to deal with stress is important for both mental and physical health, so we wanted to take a break from talking about printing products and focus on something that we can all benefit from right now.  STRESS BUSTER #1: Prioritize Avoid letting everything you need to do swirl around like a big bunch of stress-balls in your brain. Prioritize. Do the things first that have the most impact and spend less time on less urgent matters. Here's a tip you don't often hear when people talk about prioritizing: When you're making your lists, zero in on the things that are really out of control and remove them from the list totally. Feels so good! STRESS BUSTER #2: Set realistic deadlines Try not to set unrealistic deadlines for yourself. Writing a book? Instead of saying you'll have it done in a month, instead say you'll write for 1 hour per day. If someone else is giving you harsh deadlines, see if you can negotiate. STRESS BUSTER #3: Know Your Peak Performance Times Are you a morning person? A night owl? We all have certain times in the day when we're more productive. Try to adjust your hours to fit your peak performance times. For example, if you are best during early morning hours, head to your "office" at 5 a.m. for a few hours of creative writing before the kids get up, then schedule exercise, conference calls, social media and other breaks from work for later in the afternoon. STRESS BUSTER #4 Get Outside / Get Active Fresh air does wonders for your mind. A little bit of cardio will do even more. Take breaks from work by stepping out into your backyard to soak up some sun, or taking your dog or kids on a quick walk. Mother Nature gives us plenty of space to breathe and surroundings that are bound to make you feel at peace. Plus some of the benefits of exercise include boosting energy, creativity, focus and productivity. STRESS BUSTER #5: Give yourself a break When we say give yourself a break, we mean it literally. Take some time for you and do something that gives you joy or peace. Art, exercise, sipping a caramel cappuccino in the park, reading a lighthearted novel, crafting, cooking, whatever it takes. It's easy to get caught up in trying to go-go-go and do everything for everyone else. Stop, breath, and take a moment for yourself. It'll do wonders.  

Vervante • June 14, 2022

We've got something fun to debut here for you today - a new type of easel-style standing desktop calendar we know you'll love! If you're looking for a product that will stand up and get attention (see what we did there?!) this is what you need. While we're calling this a calendar, please don't let that limit what you can do with this for content. These are also often used to share daily affirmations, inspirational quotes, reminders, tasks, and even to support programs for everything from finance to food to fitness. To create this special product, we start with the easel part (or A-frame), using sturdy hardcover chipboard covered in paper that can be printed on. The first page of your calendar can also be hardcover, but you also have the choice of using paperback cover stock or even a vinyl poly plastic printed cover. Then it's all put together with metal wire-o or spiral binding. Here's another great thing about these calendars - they can be printed any size! So if you want something tall and thin, or short and wide, or anything in between, we can create one that fits your needs. The minimum order quantity is just 25. Our CEO, Cindy, put together a video showing all the details for this product and it's posted on our Video Vault page on the website. Or you can click here to watch it instantly. The sample shown in the video contains 180 sheets of paper to create a 360-day calendar. If you'd like to order the sample calendar we show here, filled with undated daily inspirational quotes, you can go to our samples page and order one directly from there. We hope this new product has given you something to think about today. It would make a great standalone product, sure, but also perfect for adding to subscription boxes, mentor programs, in swag bags for events, or as gifts and marketing samples. 

Vervante • June 1, 2022

Writing Productivity Tips from the Pros Sometimes when you’re writing, the ideas and words flow. Other times, not so much. We know how frustrating that can be, so we gathered up some of the best strategies for writing others have shared for getting your ideas out of your head and into your product. TIP #1: Write first, edit later We read this in a blog from productivity expert Laura Vanderkam titled Write Fast, Edit Slow and loved it! “When you write fast, you just get it down. You let the momentum of seeing words add up push you forward," she said. "Turn off the inner critic because you’re not trying to create a perfect manuscript, if such a thing is even possible (it isn’t). ... Done is better than perfect because there is no perfect without being done. I truly believe it is easier to turn something into something better than to turn nothing into something”. TIP #2: Know what works best for you Everyone creates differently. If you're someone who thrives on routine, make writing a habit. If you like to wait until you're "in the zone,", then you might want to try batching. Here are tips for both writing styles: MAKE WRITING A HABIT: What works for many people is setting aside regular time for writing and making it a habit. Set aside specific time blocks for writing. If you feel overwhelmed, start small. Write for 30 minutes a day at the time you feel most productive or creative. You'll be amazed what you've accomplished after just a few weeks of doing this. LEARN HOW TO BATCH: We loved this tidbit writing expert Melissa Cassera shares about getting in the mood to write. She said: "Some people love writing “a little bit every day.” I do not. I like to schedule a handful of big writing days per month (called “batch days.”) When the next scheduled day rolls around, I write a ton of material in one, long, mostly-uninterrupted burst. It’s like baking a whole bunch of word-cookies all at once." TIP #3: Get rid of interruptions If you find your writing going nowhere due to distractions from family, friends or surroundings, take control! Silence your phone, turn off your email, send the kids to grandma's or a playdate for a few hours. If working from home is too distracting, head to your favorite coffee shop and sip on a delicious drink while letting the words flow. TIP #4: Take a break You can't type on that keyboard forever, and your brain deserves to rest and recharge once in awhile. So be sure to take regular breaks, this will give your mind a chance to hit the refresh button and loosen up all those brilliant thoughts that can get stuck in the bottleneck of intense focus.

Vervante • May 10, 2022

We love working with you! And we love it when you share what you like about working with us. So in case you’re new to Vervante, or want to learn more about the different products and services we offer, we've rounded up 20 things that make us stand out. #1: Publishing that helps your business grow: Here's why we are different: We encourage you to sell from your own site.  We will then take care of the details of printing, packaging and shipping your orders.  This way you capture the customer data, build your list, streamline the ordering process for your customers and build and grow your loyal fan base.   #2: You can use ANY shopping cart: You choose the shopping cart solution that works best for you. Then, using email, Zapier, our API or a simple text email format, we accept orders from any shopping cart.   #3: Publishing your way: We offer a variety of printing methods: digital printing, inkjet and offset, plus several cover and binding options so whether you need one or thousands, we’ve got appropriate printing and manufacturing solutions.   #4: Worldwide order fulfillment: We ship anywhere in the world using USPS and UPS services and keep you up-to-date on its status. Shipping confirmation emails are sent to recipients with tracking information. All of the order information such as status and tracking numbers are posted to your account online.   #5: Inventory Management: We can print, store, and drop ship your products on demand. We provide you with access to online, real-time inventory reporting so you know exactly what we have on hand. You set the re-order points for each item, and we'll automatically send you an email when it's time to replenish your inventory.   #6: Custom printed boxes and personalized packaging: Printed boxes for bundles, new products, VIP or subscription boxes are very popular. Vervante can help create, package, and ship these to your customers. We also offer a wide range of packaging options to help you create a box or package that stands out from the crowd. Customize your packaging on the outside with creative graphics, branding or stickers. And customize the inside with colorful tissue paper, attractive bags, mantra cards, or other unique inserts.   #7: Free Design Guides: Got design questions? We've got the answers! Free and easy to download, we've provided guides on our website for using Canva, Adobe InDesign, and Adobe Illustrator that take you step-by-step through many of our most-asked about products and processes. #8: You Can Create Disc-Bound Products! We are one of only a few companies that provide punching for a disc bound product, giving you the ability to create these highly-desirable and super-hot items. If you have a product with us that you'd like to convert for disc binding, we can help you do that too! Check out these articles: "How to Create a Disc-Bound Planner," and "How to Convert a Planner into Disc-Bound." #9: Daily Planners Galore! If you want to create and sell a planner or journal, we can help you make it happen. We even offer the ability to sell spiral-bound or disc-bound planners on Amazon (something Amazon's self-publishing service does not offer.) We provide step-by-step guides for creating planners on our website and videos filled with ideas and expertise to help you create exactly what you want. #10: Card Decks with Unique Packaging: Our card decks are highly customizable – they can be printed at any size, with square or round edges and in either full color or black-and-white. And when it comes to packaging – the only limit is your imagination! We’ve packaged card decks in drawstring bags, clear pop-up boxes, button/string poly envelopes and custom-printed boxes.   #11: No Hidden Costs: We believe in providing our customers with competitive prices and no hidden fees. Some of our competitors add a markup of 33% on postage. Just think how this can really add up over time! We charge exact postage fees and no mark-ups. #12: Comprehensive Online Access to Reports, Orders, Tracking & More: The Vervante Author Dashboard is like having a central "mission control" for everything you create with us. It's an all-in-one location for placing orders, checking invoices, customizing products and more.   #13: No Package Requirements: Other companies require authors to purchase costly publishing packages to get started. These range from $449 - $1999 and usually include a lot of extras you probably don't need. We offer individual products and services so you only pay for what you need.   #14: Samples / Preview Copies of Products: You've finished writing your book or creating a new product. The design files are done and everything looks amazing... on your computer screen. But how does it look in real life? We offer print-on-demand for many of our products that allow you to order one copy of your book, card deck, planner, or other product. We want you to be happy with what you’re creating and taking the time to print a preview copy is a great way to make sure it’s everything you want it to be. #15: Books, books, books! We print books any size, any number of pages – no pre-set page sizes and limited cover options.  Whatever you want, how many you want and when you want. Paperback, hardcover, coloring (for kids or adults!), children’s books, collaborative books, cookbooks, journals, planners, and whatever else you can think of.   #16: All the legal stuff you need to know: ISBNS, LCCNS, Copyright... If you’re going to share, sell, or distribute a book in any way, it’s best to protect it legally and set it up correctly for industry specifications. We educate our customer on everything from purchasing ISBNs for retail sales to protecting their intellectual property using copyrights, and we can help you through the process to make sure it’s done right.   #17: Custom Packaging and Personalized Packing Slips: We offer a wide range of packaging from boxes to bags to creative options that you can customize to make your book or products really stand out. And every package we send out includes a packing slip that you can customize.   #18: Printing & Publishing Industry Experience: We know how important it is for authors to have access to resources and guides that they trust. That’s why we offer free resources featuring a wide range of expert guides, how-to’s, technical specifications and more, all written by our team of experts with decades of experience in the publishing industry, that keep our clients up-to-date and in-the-know for all things publishing. #19: Personal customer service & support: Need help? No problem! We're here to make sure that your questions are addressed quickly and efficiently to ensure that your project is a success. We provide several ways to get help, beginning with an FAQ page that contains detailed answers to many common questions about our products and services and is available 24/7. Next steps are to either email us at [email protected] or schedule a phone conversation with one of our publishing specialists using the link on our Contact Us page. No matter how you reach out, you can be sure that someone experienced, attentive, and passionate about publishing is waiting to help. #20: Always Something New: We are always working diligently to stay on the leading edge of our industry and offer you the latest and best in what your customers want - and you need.   There's lots more, but we think this will give you a good idea of how we can help you create, sell and share the books and products you want - in the way that's best for you. Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate you and your business!

Vervante • May 4, 2022

Have you ever watched an unboxing video on YouTube or Instagram? The suspense as a delivery box is opened… the drama of slowly peeling back layers of tissue paper… the surprise and fun discovering all the goodies inside!   It’s no wonder that people are hooked on these videos. It’s fun to receive a package, but it’s a much more exciting experience when it contains so much more than expected. Special packaging like this goes by a number of names: Subscription Boxes, VIP Boxes, Book Launch Boxes, Planner Debut Boxes … but the name doesn’t matter. What matters is creating a way to deliver your products in a bold, captivating, and memorable way. You can use this idea for everything from book launches and product debuts to special events and VIP deliveries. Any time you want your customer to feel extra special, VIP Boxes are guaranteed to get the job done. The beauty of this idea is that it’s very customizable. You can create as much as you want, add any products you like, and customize the design and details. Here are a few ideas to get you started: STEP #1: Start with one core product – then add some extras: Choose items to add to your box that will complement the product ordered, or that will add value to the event or program your customer signed up for. Some ideas are: Wallet card flash drive Custom card deck Golden tickets, coupons, or bookmarks Athletic accessories (fitness bands, supplements, etc.) Notepads / Notebooks / Journals Pens, Pencils, Stationery Stickers Tote bags, pouches or pencil cases Calendar or planner STEP #2: Add a personal message: Create a card with a personal welcome message from you. Include instructions for use, affirmations, mission or mantra statements, contact information and anything else you think would be useful and elevate the experience. This will be the first thing people see when they open the box and you want to make a great impression. STEP #3: Think about presentation: Do you want the products nestled inside layers of colorful tissue paper? Add a touch of glamour with confetti? Carefully position in shredded packing paper or bubble wrap in colors that match your brand? Take a look at unboxing videos for similar products to yours for ideas on presentation, then let us know what you’d like to do. STEP #4: Choose your box size: Select a box size that is appropriate for the number of products inside. You want everything to fit snugly with just enough room for packing material so items inside won’t rattle around and your products will arrive safe and sound. (We can help you choose the right size.) STEP #5: Customize your box: A great design makes a great first impression for your customer. And it lets them know that something truly special is inside. There are two types of boxes you can choose from. We can print a custom box, like the one pictured here, or we can use a white hinged standard box and print custom labels or stickers for the lid and inside the box. Our standard white hinged boxes (also at right) are great for on-demand or lower volumes. Both are great options for delivering your product with your branded message in a super-special way. STEP #6: Warehousing, fulfillment and shipping: Special boxed items like these involve multiple parts that need to be assembled, packaged and delivered just right. Here at Vervante, we provide the resources and services you need for all types of boxes – for special launches, monthly subscriptions, seasonal or annual programs, special events and more – with storage, assembly and shipping that fits what you need. If you're ready to create a box that provides an extra special experience for your customers, we can help. Start by sending an email to [email protected] for a free quote. Let us know the products you plan on using, the box size and anything else you want for this project and we'll help you get set up. Better yet, put your head together with our CEO, Cindy Tyler, and she'll provide the advice you need for the box you want to create. (Schedule a phone call by clicking here) Here’s to creative ideas that make someone's day!

Vervante • April 21, 2022

Ever wonder what going on behind the scenes from the moment a product is ordered until it arrives at someone's door? Today we're pulling back the curtain and giving you the grand tour of how order processing, fulfillment, and shipping work with Vervante. First: An Order is Received We accept orders in a wide variety of ways, so you can set up your ordering systems to fit your business model and preference. We can work with: ANY shopping cart system online retail options such as Amazon orders sent to us using Excel or a .csv file orders placed manually via your Vervante Author Dashboard Orders placed through the Vervante Bookstore If you have questions about setting up your retail solutions and how they work with Vervante, that information and much more details about processing orders from your shopping cart can be found HERE.   Second: Printing, Processing and Fulfillment Once we receive the order information, your product is either printed on demand, or pulled from stock we are storing for you in our warehouse. Here’s how that works: Printing on demand is when we print only the amount ordered, at the time we receive the order. For books or products printed on demand, you pay only the cost of printing plus shipping and handling. Click here to read "What Is Print on Demand?" for more details. Bulk orders can be printed and stored in our secure warehouse, ready to be pulled and drop-shipped when you need them. For more information about placing bulk orders and storing stock in our warehouse, see "How to Lower Costs Through Bulk Orders." Processing & Fulfillment: After your order is printed or pulled from stock, it is assembled and packaged for shipping, and goes through a series of quality control checks to ensure both quality and accuracy for every order. Every package we send out includes a packing slip that you can personalize with your logo, message, policies and more to ensure customer satisfaction. To learn more about how to customize your packing slip, see "How to Create Personalized Packing Slips." Now it's Time for Shipping Orders are shipped according to the method you or your customer have indicated. We charge postage based on weight, shipping method, and destination. We do not have a flat shipping fee and we do not inflate the postage rates. We ship anywhere in the world using USPS and UPS services and keep you up-to-date on its status. Here's how it works: Orders are completed and prepped for shipping, the packing slip is scanned, and shipping labels are applied. Products are shipped according to your preferred shipping method. Shipping confirmation emails are sent to recipients with tracking information. This feature is optional and can be turned off if you don’t want Vervante to email your customer the tracking number. Order information such as status and tracking numbers are posted to your Author Dashboard online. We hope this peek at what happens to your products as they move from shopping carts to satisfied customers was enlightening. If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to reach out to our publishing pros via our Contact page. We're here to help!

Vervante • April 12, 2022

You've seen the term "print on demand" or POD a bunch, but what exactly does that mean? We get asked this question a lot, so we're happy to break it down here and walk you through exactly how Print on Demand (POD) services work. And how POD helps authors, entrepreneurs, and business owners share and sell books and products on their own terms. What does the term "Print on Demand" mean? Printing on demand uses both digital and inkjet printing methods to print books and other products only in the amount needed, when they are needed. While other publishing companies may require costly minimum orders in large numbers, here at Vervante we offer Print on Demand services for any size order, printing only when you need it, to meet your budget and demand. Click here to see a list of products that we print using POD services. How does Print on Demand work? An order is placed for a book or other product. We print the exact amount ordered. The order is then shipped to the customer. Here are two scenarios to illustrate how this works: If you list your book for sale on your website and a customer orders one book, we print one book and ship it to your customer. If you have a speaking event coming up and need 25 books, we will print 25 books and send them to wherever you need them. Print on Demand pricing For books or products printed on demand with Vervante, you pay only the cost of printing plus postage for shipping. We offer free quotes for print on demand pricing, all you need to do is click on the "Get a Quote" link on our homepage. Why use Print on Demand? No more garages filled with towering boxes of books, gathering dust and taking up space until your customers order them. No more late nights assembling shipping packages, filling them with orders and packing materials, then adding each customer address. No more hours spent in line at the post office trying to figure out postage and best shipping methods for each order. No more waste. Best of all - no more stress! How to Use Print on Demand with Vervante We offer Print on Demand services for books, planners, journals, information products and much more. Here is a quick list of products we can print on demand. Click HERE to see a full list of POD products.  Spiral-bound products Saddle-stitch booklets Products & books with softcovers Products & books with poly paper covers Vinyl 3-Ring Binders Die-Cut Tabs Notepads Card decks Greeting Cards Postcards Certificates Newsletters Bookmarks

Vervante • April 5, 2022

Many of our current customers wanted to know: Can I convert my current product into a disc-bound one? We're pleased to let you know that YES, you can!    It's actually very easy to convert existing products that are currently spiral or wire-o bound to a disc-punched option. In fact, you can give your customers the option of selection either spiral, wire-o bound or punched for disc binding.  The really good news? We don't need new files, just an email from you to let us know what you'd like.  Vervante is one of only a few companies that provide punching for a disc bound product, so you can put help your product stand out in the market by offering something that many other people can't. Please note: We offer punching for disc binding - discs are not included. We are happy to punch your product for disc binding and you can send us discs to be bundled with the content that we ship to your customers. If you want to include discs with your product, they can be purchased on Amazon, Etsy, or special ordered from overseas suppliers such as Alibaba. They come in a variety of sizes depending on the number of pages in your product, and in different colors and materials such as plastic and metal. All you need to do is send the discs to us, we'll store them in our warehouse, and bundle them with the disc-punched content we create for your product. For more details about disc-bound products and disc-punching service we offer, see this article: "How to Create a Disc Bound Planner." If you’d like a free quote for creating disc bound punched content, or for any other product or service, just click on the “Get a Quote” link on our website home page. Or you can always reach out to [email protected].  

Vervante • March 29, 2022

If you love Disc Bound Planners, we’ve got great news – we can help you create a disc bound planner of your own! You’ve likely seen these types of planners offered by popular systems including Arc, Martha Stewart, Inkwell Press, and Happy Planner. Now you can add your own business to that group. What is Disc Binding? Disc bound planners have a unique, attractive look, but they are also highly functional, easy to use and adapt to so many different features. (In the photo here you can see one we've created.) Disc binding combines the concept of a 3-ring binder with spiral binding. Your product will function like a spiral notebook but instead of using a continuous wire that permanently binds the content, the binding is composed of small round discs with a small lip on the edge that holds pages together. Pages for disc-bound products are specially punched in a unique way so that they hang onto the discs and can be easily added or removed. Using disc binding, you can have multiple covers, page formats, and accessories, allowing you to create a custom planner ideal for your lifestyle. Why we love Disc Binding 1. Highly customizable: You can add, remove, and rearrange pages to your heart’s content - and customers can too! 2. Variety of cover options: Softcovers Softcovers with frosted poly plastic overlays Board covers Laminated covers Poly paper 3. Easy to handle: No bulky cover, pages pop in and out easily, discs take up very little space 4. We offer a variety of page sizes 4.625 x 7 (7 discs) 7 x 9.25 (9 discs) 5.5x8.5 (8 discs) 8.5x11 (11 discs) 5. We also can print any number of pages using different sized discs to accommodate various page counts 6. Endless possibilities: Accessories and other product lines can be added. 7. Ready to create right now: Vervante is one of only a few companies that provide punching for a disc bound product, so you can get started right now creating a unique planner that your customers will love. Please note: We offer punching for disc binding - discs are not included. However, it's easy to find discs for your product and send them to us to be bundled with the punched content we create for you. Discs can be purchased on Amazon, Etsy, or special order them from overseas suppliers such as Alibaba.They come in a variety of sizes depending on the number of pages in your product, and in different colors and materials such as plastic and metal. We are happy to punch your product for disc binding and you can send us discs to be bundled with the content that we ship to your customers. If you’d like a free quote for creating disc bound punched content, or for any other product or service, just click on the “Get a Quote” link on our website home page. Or you can always reach out via our Contact Page.