How to Launch a Subscription Service (Part 2)

Part 2: Launching Your Subscription Service

In the previous section, we looked at why trust with customers matters and what types of subscription services exist. No matter which customers you are targeting, remember that the most important thing is making them feel like they are getting value.

Table of contents:

• Your Unique Subscription Box Idea
• Defining Your Target Customer
• Choosing Products for Your Subscription Service
• Create Your Customer’s ‘Unboxing’ Experience
• Packaging and Shipping Your Subscription Boxes
• Scaling Your Subscription Service

Your Unique Subscription Box Idea

Have you thought about what products you want to sell? Not just the products themselves, but what benefits can you offer your customers?

You can attract customers with a fresh idea. For example, you could curate monthly selections of lifestyle, fitness, and beauty products based on each customer’s interests.

When coming up with your subscription box idea, it’s a good idea to define a customer persona you want to target directly.

If you want to create packaging similar to the one below, try Packative’s packaging box here!

Source: Wine subscription box Glassfull / Source: Spice subscription box Hatchery

A must-read if you’re considering package production: 5 Tips for Creating a Packaging Design!

Defining Your Target Customer

Depending on whether your ideal customer is a single woman in her 30s working in an office or a retired man in his 60s from the middle class, the box concept and the products inside can change completely. This process also gives you a chance to focus more closely on your customers.

What is your ideal market? Having a distinct niche is helpful. Rather than choosing broad keywords like beauty, technology, food, or clothing, it’s better to research specific niches such as vegan cosmetics, men’s grooming, socks, ties, phone cases, or pet treats. The more specialized you are, the more efficiently you can provide products tailored to a specific target customer.

Once you’ve chosen your target customer, don’t overlook potential customer analysis. Checking their income, average age, gender, where they live, and preferred social media platforms, and researching their interests, will be a big help in box curation and pricing.

Subscription box production, packaging production, shipping box production / Source: TrunkClub

The packaging above is similar to Packative’s packaging box. If you want to follow this design, learn more about packaging boxes here

Choosing Products for Your Subscription Service

When considering a subscription model, choose products that your customers will be most interested in. Use your market and customer persona to think about how to meet customer expectations. Here, it’s important to focus on value. Let customers understand the value of the subscription box and what benefits they can gain from it.

One thing you should not overlook is your brand’s visual appeal. The unboxing experience is largely based on the visual beauty of both the inside and outside of the box. Build your subscription box effectively using products and boxes that look visually appealing.

If you’re curious about custom boxes, see: Subscription Services: A Great Customer-Customized Business Opportunity

Source: Snack Fever, a subscription box for foreigners who love Korean snacks / Source: WISELY, a shaving subscription service for men / Source: petit vour, a cosmetics subscription box / Source: Nosy, a wine subscription box that stands out with its colorful packaging

All of the boxes above are packaging boxes. Try a similar packaging design for yourself!

Create Your Customer’s ‘Unboxing’ Experience

Is your target customer someone who takes responsibility for a pet’s health? A beauty early adopter who wants to try new products before anyone else? Or a parent buying ingredients prepared for baby food?

Source: Tea Box

In the case of Tea Box, for customers who want to enjoy a variety of fresh premium teas every month, cards provide information about the tea’s origin, and the envelopes containing the tea list detailed information such as each tea’s bitterness and sweetness. Rather than sending the same tea to every customer, they provide four customized teas each month based on the information each customer entered.

Source: Skip and Play

If your target customers are parents and the products are used by children, there will be even more things to consider. Avoid small materials that children might put in their mouths when adults are not around, and it’s best not to use toxic materials. Also, add elements that will interest children and draw their attention.

Focus on your customers’ characteristics and deliver a special experience that delights them. Opening the box itself is part of the customer experience. By using box design to build anticipation before the box is opened and by including items tailored to the customer, you can create an even better experience.

If you’re working on package design, see: Unboxing - An Unexpected New Marketing Trend of This Era!

Packaging and Shipping Your Subscription Boxes

Source: Papersource

Pack your boxes securely. Rather than using thin materials, it’s better to use sturdy materials and cushioning inserts. The current trend in cushioning materials is to use more eco-conscious options made from paper or starch rather than vinyl or plastic. If absolutely necessary, vinyl and plastic can be used, but using too many non-recyclable materials may draw criticism from customers.

Choose a reliable shipping company and sign up as a business account so you can ship at the same rate every time regardless of weight, so be sure to compare shipping providers carefully!

A must-read if you’re considering package production: The Importance of Shopping Mall Packaging Boxes (Including a Collection of Beautiful Boxes)

Scaling Your Subscription Service

Listen to your customers! Create a communication channel so you can better hear their needs and pain points, and improve accordingly. Find the best place to promote your subscription service and write content that fits. You could also offer a small commission to customers who post reviews on local cafés or pet sites. It’s always important to keep an eye on platforms where you can reach potential customers.

Come discover how easy it is to create a subscription service with Packative!