Thanks so much. I've changed my packaging several times, and each time I think is an improvement, but each change also increases the price. With soaps, the glossy labels are the main cost, but you are right to include the time spent to print the labels, print the paper, wrap etc. Without a doubt, packaging is an expense most buyers don't consider, but its the most expensive material in my products. Your video has made me consider that I should be promoting my packaging as well as my product.
This was very informative and answered many of my questions I had circling around in my brain. Please continue to share your knowledge of both marketing and soap making. I especially loved how you shared your credentials at the beginning!😉
Great video, I completely agree, that's why I put so much into packaging my soaps. Who doesn't like to feel like they are receiving a gift, even if purchased for themself! Color is SO important, and design is also incredibly significant. Thanks for sharing this video, it is wonderful. :-) Mel
Aww thanks April... you are certainly a bright spot in out little group here :) Afternoon tea with Karen + Phil sounds like a dream come true. I hope it happens {and that you all get it on video}!
I want to say that I enjoy these videos. Your tutorials are informative and offer many jumping off points for our own imaginations and abilities. Thank you.
I have seen several of your vids, but never this one. So glad I watched, as I have been making soap like crazy, I have an Etsy shop already, and am now ready to market my soaps. They are all HP, so are the rugged type, but still wonderful! I can't wait to utilize some of these techniques with my own soaps. Especially using the colors as you explained. This was incredible educational, and I thank you so much for taking your time to help us all. I appreciate your education.:-)
Really liked this video. Would love to see more on packaging and how to sell soap. There is so much competition out there and any ideas you have would be so helpful. You have the education so sharing your knowledge with us is very much appreciated. I am one of those people who never get tired of seeing new ideas and the pictures are especially helpful.
I really enjoyed this since I myself is trying to sell products and learn the marketing part of it to succeed. You truely have knowledge of this. Thank you. Looking forward to more you have to offer.
I love this!! Love that you share all your amazing talent and knowledge. The branding idea as a video is so appreciated...I look forward to seeing more videos like this. Thank you.
I just Love it... please continue to share with us. I have spent my entire off day to watching your videos today. Thank you for making such professional videos, I was very impressed with your works of visual art!
Yes, I know what you mean. I have put a great deal of thought into my colors as well as my logo & have identified my target market. My logo is white & represents something that is graceful, peaceful & joyful, set against a black backdrop with a couple of pop colors. These are not my personal favorite colors. My faves are subtle Fall colors, but I won't be changing my brand colors when autumn arrives. because for me, it's not about a season. Might do something special for Christmas though. :)
Oh yeah... more videos like this one... quite brilliant and well done! as well as those in which you make soap... Now... I've got to start at Week 1 and soak up alllllll your videos.... these are great... keep 'em coming!
I understand completely. But keep in mind that what you like may not always be what your customers like. Something that would appeal to the masses my be your best way to go. BTW, I love love love recycled packaging!
I am new to soaping and was drawn to your channel. I've been going through all the videos and I am learning so much. I love this video and ones like it that help me understand what having a soap business will be like (because this is what I want to do). I also love the soap making videos. Keep it up!
Oh Loretta, it was not me Catherine. I was simply quoting soaptivated's remarks :( I am trying unravel the mystery of why anyone would want to negatively judge another soap maker.
No need to feel inadequate. Everyone has their own style + ideas on how they want their business to be perceived. There is no real right or wrong. Phil is selling a luxury product so his packaging needs to be of a luxury quality too. But if he was selling an all natural organic product, he may do just fine with corregated brown wrapping. Your packaging + product should have synergy :)
I can understand where you are coming from since you are trying to reach more high end type customers. Who wouldn't want your lovely soaps as a gift or for themselves :) I'm just feeling really inadequate right now w/the way I package lol.
thank you for this i did enjoy your tips on branding if you have any more helpful tips on packaging please can you make another video? thanks for all of your very helpful classes
I appreciate the time and effort you put into yours and our passion... soap! I'd love to see more on packaging, please, and I am sure, is not just me. Great Job!! BTW... your videos really stand out, as you know how to engage, and keep our attention to soap production's every detail. Thank you!
Got it! C- on my part...lol. Phil, why do you vary the colors & style of your packaging? I plan on using one 4-color scheme on all my packaging to brand them.
Not necessarily the boxes; could be anything, but in this case, the seasonal color changes of the boxes. We're talking about change as opposed to consistency in overall presentation. That might include logo, font, color, trademark, slogan, etc.
Very relevant ! I just received three bars of soap from Phil yesterday and was amazed at the care and quality of his packaging. To someone who does not sell soap, to me this equates to pride in his product and a passion for his art. I've also received soap that was unwrapped in a bulk mailer bubble wrap pack. Big difference in the overall "experience" !
Hi Soaping101, this is a very interesting and informative part and parcel to creating the soap to selling the end product. I appreciate this video as I am researching the organic soap industry to eventually selling myself..Awesome collection looking forward to more..:)
this is simply excellent... we can never learn enough.... especially how to create an etsy page or other free or low cost ad campaingns/r-shop ideas. I am hoping you will indulge us
You may have missed the point of my question so I happy to reiterate. Is your friend successful because he/she is able to mix oil, lye + a carrier into soap? By definition that is a soap maker that is successful. Or is your friend a successful business person that makes his/her living selling soap? There is a vast difference. If the latter of the two, please have him/her contact me for an interview. I am certain that the "small fish in a big pond" would benefit from his/her wisdom.
No problem. I knew you would evade my question as you've done before. In a court of law, silence means acceptance. If you don't defend your position, it means you've acquiesced (passively agreed) to mine. You know very well color cements a brand, but in this case, to admit so would go against Phil's position. FGG has graciously apologized to me in a PM, having seen the error of her ways. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, but you don't see that here except in Phil's ad hominems.
This is the 1st video I've viewed of yours, and it is FAB! Thank you! I've now subscribed to your channel, and I am now going to watch your prior video's! :0)
I realize that you live in the UK, but here in the US, red, white & blue are often considered summer colors due to the 4th of July. But if Coca Cola went seasonal for the summer, I'd flip out, thinking it was Pepsi. If Facebook suddenly went green for St. Patty's Day, I'd think I'd stumbled upon Stumble Upon. Colors stick in the memory, associating them to a particular business. So I would think seasonally changing packaging makes people forget your brand, regardless of a smaller logo label.
Yes, I enjoyed this kind of class. I've enjoyed all your videos. I think packaging is so important but it can get so expensive! Thank you for sharing! ;0)
please, make more videos of packaging and marketing. what do you think of cardboard and brown paper in natural products? sorry for my english,its not my lenguaje
Agreed! YT has some very decent, genuine people who care. I've never had a major spat with anyone here, & the only bitter one I've come across was SSCo., but her mini rampage was not directed at me. I like everyone here, but most don't teach, just blend, cut & chat, so there's not all that much to learn & are small scale. And since my friend pointed this out, I've amassed over 600 e-mail notifications of YT vids still unopened. Much better to criticize in private, but YT did away with PMs.
LOL...I wasn't making any point about location or where one live, but using it as a reference to our country where in a particular SEASON, the favored colors are red, white & blue. It was about seasonal changes of color, not location. I was an art teacher for a number of years & majored in it as well. I also worked in marketing/sales...& the legal field. Almost 40 years experience & co-owned a spa & sauna construction business w/ ex-hubby. I just don't feel the need to boast of it though.
Karen I've already posted a clarification of the "small fish in a big pond" comment as being made when she & I were chatting about the FDA & that I wouldn't learn much about labeling reqs here. Maybe I hadn't made that clear enough or you didn't see it. She was right about that. I even bought some soaps that arrived without ANY label. You seem to know the UK laws, so I wouldn't take it personal.
Do you always get so emotional? Who do you learn from the most - those who challenge & test your theories, or those who simply dole out praise & accolades? Christmas is a special time of gift-giving unlike any other time of the year. For that, I might make an exception when it came to boxing up my products, but I wouldn't change my actual labels or colors. Hope that makes sense. The wise listen to the critics, even if they may not agree. Even a very experienced soapmaker told me she does.
I try to think like a customer, but what I want doesn't necessarily mean what others want. I'm more simple and would rather pay for more soap than extra packaging that will go into the garbage or hopefully the recycle bin instead. What do you think about green packaging?
Great information, I too have marketing and business degrees so I agree with you. The question I have is the "organic" label on your soap packaging. I have read that the FDA does not allow this due to the use of water in making the soap water is not considered organic by their standards. So unless you use something that is "organic" for your liquids you should not call it organic. I'd like to know your knowledge this, please. Thanks, in advance for your help.
It is imortant to note that what you see on video is not aways the whole story. Many soap makers produce more than one 2 lb loaf at a time. Due to video upload time constrants, the video they offer is just the cutting of one loaf or filling of one mold from the said 20 lb batch. Most often the videos are edited to show the consumer an offering of his/her products. So that 'small fish' just may be a bigger fish in disguise.
As for the comment referencing the "Passion of Christ," the original Latin meaning of the word "passion" is to "suffer." But according to my online dictionary, it's been updated to include "intense or overpowering emotion such as love, joy, hatred, or anger; strong emotions, especially as distinct from reason or intellect." I don't bow the knee to any "queen" or "pope" since all people are fallible, including myself. But I'm willing to humbly serve people, listening to their needs & wants.
I'd love to see more packing videos. Creative packaging. I personally can work an upper end publishing program but I want/need pizzazz :) Thanks for the great vids!
Aww thanks Christina! I am glad you are enjoying the videos.
Great advice Mel! Gifts make everyone feel special.
Thanks so much. I've changed my packaging several times, and each time I think is an improvement, but each change also increases the price. With soaps, the glossy labels are the main cost, but you are right to include the time spent to print the labels, print the paper, wrap etc. Without a doubt, packaging is an expense most buyers don't consider, but its the most expensive material in my products.
Your video has made me consider that I should be promoting my packaging as well as my product.
Please more videos on packaging, labeling and where to get custom made labels, Thanks so much !! Your videos are wonderful
This was very informative and answered many of my questions I had circling around in my brain. Please continue to share your knowledge of both marketing and soap making. I especially loved how you shared your credentials at the beginning!😉
Fantastic! Thank you for passing on your wisdom and knowledge!
I am loving all your vids, watched 4 in a row so far and will watch more.
I loved how you ran down your credentials..."So on this topic, I do know what I'm talking about." LOVE IT.
Great video, I completely agree, that's why I put so much into packaging my soaps. Who doesn't like to feel like they are receiving a gift, even if purchased for themself! Color is SO important, and design is also incredibly significant. Thanks for sharing this video, it is wonderful. :-) Mel
Aww thanks April... you are certainly a bright spot in out little group here :) Afternoon tea with Karen + Phil sounds like a dream come true. I hope it happens {and that you all get it on video}!
Great video, can't wait for the next one!
I want to say that I enjoy these videos. Your tutorials are informative and offer many jumping off points for our own imaginations and abilities. Thank you.
Packaging is key but can get very pricey. I am glad I could add pointers to help you out.
This was an incredible help with many ideas to help my small business idea really take off. Thank you for sharing. Keep up the great work!
I have seen several of your vids, but never this one. So glad I watched, as I have been making soap like crazy, I have an Etsy shop already, and am now ready to market my soaps. They are all HP, so are the rugged type, but still wonderful! I can't wait to utilize some of these techniques with my own soaps. Especially using the colors as you explained. This was incredible educational, and I thank you so much for taking your time to help us all. I appreciate your education.:-)
I enjoyed all of your classes. Hope you continue and we can always use ideas. Love it!
I LOVED the class! Please continue with classes that feature branding, packaging, marketing.
Love having you here Vickie!
Really liked this video. Would love to see more on packaging and how to sell soap. There is so much competition out there and any ideas you have would be so helpful. You have the education so sharing your knowledge with us is very much appreciated. I am one of those people who never get tired of seeing new ideas and the pictures are especially helpful.
I really enjoyed this since I myself is trying to sell products and learn the marketing part of it to succeed. You truely have knowledge of this. Thank you. Looking forward to more you have to offer.
I love this!! Love that you share all your amazing talent and knowledge. The branding idea as a video is so appreciated...I look forward to seeing more videos like this. Thank you.
I enjoyed your video. I appreciate your classes to help me with knowledge I need to feel confident in selling my soaps. THANK YOU!!!
I just Love it... please continue to share with us. I have spent my entire off day to watching your videos today. Thank you for making such professional videos, I was very impressed with your works of visual art!
I like this class and do love everything so far. Can't wait til next week too.
Yes, I know what you mean. I have put a great deal of thought into my colors as well as my logo & have identified my target market. My logo is white & represents something that is graceful, peaceful & joyful, set against a black backdrop with a couple of pop colors. These are not my personal favorite colors. My faves are subtle Fall colors, but I won't be changing my brand colors when autumn arrives. because for me, it's not about a season. Might do something special for Christmas though. :)
Oh yeah... more videos like this one... quite brilliant and well done! as well as those in which you make soap...
Now... I've got to start at Week 1 and soak up alllllll your videos.... these are great... keep 'em coming!
I understand completely. But keep in mind that what you like may not always be what your customers like. Something that would appeal to the masses my be your best way to go. BTW, I love love love recycled packaging!
I stumbled across your video and I'm so glad I did. This was great and Phil's stuff is really nice!
I am new to soaping and was drawn to your channel. I've been going through all the videos and I am learning so much. I love this video and ones like it that help me understand what having a soap business will be like (because this is what I want to do). I also love the soap making videos. Keep it up!
There are so many aspect to look at when sell amy product. I am glad I could help!
Oh Loretta, it was not me Catherine. I was simply quoting soaptivated's remarks :( I am trying unravel the mystery of why anyone would want to negatively judge another soap maker.
Absolutely, thanks for watching!
I am glad you liked it Louise :)
No need to feel inadequate. Everyone has their own style + ideas on how they want their business to be perceived. There is no real right or wrong. Phil is selling a luxury product so his packaging needs to be of a luxury quality too. But if he was selling an all natural organic product, he may do just fine with corregated brown wrapping. Your packaging + product should have synergy :)
I can understand where you are coming from since you are trying to reach more high end type customers. Who wouldn't want your lovely soaps as a gift or for themselves :) I'm just feeling really inadequate right now w/the way I package lol.
Thank you for sharing these marketing tips. I would love to see more about branding and wholesaling of soaps
Thank you so much! :-) I was so confused on what to do for packaging but you explained how simplicity works!
thank you for this i did enjoy your tips on branding if you have any more helpful tips on packaging please can you make another video? thanks for all of your very helpful classes
I appreciate the time and effort you put into yours and our passion... soap! I'd love to see more on packaging, please, and I am sure, is not just me. Great Job!!
BTW... your videos really stand out, as you know how to engage, and keep our attention to soap production's every detail. Thank you!
Glad you liked the video! The $20 was just an arbitrary amount. Please feel free to use the wages that relevant to your locality.
Can you do a class on the difference between hot process and cold process? Pretty please?
Got it! C- on my part...lol.
Phil, why do you vary the colors & style of your packaging? I plan on using one 4-color scheme on all my packaging to brand them.
Love this! Definitely would like to see more on this topic!! Thanks you so much for sharing your knowledge, it's extremely helpful!!
luv all your videos! They have made my learning soap making not so confusing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge .
Not necessarily the boxes; could be anything, but in this case, the seasonal color changes of the boxes. We're talking about change as opposed to consistency in overall presentation. That might include logo, font, color, trademark, slogan, etc.
Very relevant ! I just received three bars of soap from Phil yesterday and was amazed at the care and quality of his packaging. To someone who does not sell soap, to me this equates to pride in his product and a passion for his art. I've also received soap that was unwrapped in a bulk mailer bubble wrap pack. Big difference in the overall "experience" !
I know, he is really a rock star in the packaging world :) I have had a chance to see it in person, have you?
Hi Soaping101, this is a very interesting and informative part and parcel to creating the soap to selling the end product. I appreciate this video as I am researching the organic soap industry to eventually selling myself..Awesome collection looking forward to more..:)
Loved the information. Phil's band that said made in Great Brit makes me want to put made in America on all my labels.
this is simply excellent... we can never learn enough.... especially how to create an etsy page or other free or low cost ad campaingns/r-shop ideas. I am hoping you will indulge us
I would love to see more on branding! All your information is excellent.
LOVE your classes,,,Great advice :D
You will have to let me know if my personal assessment of your packaging + color scheme is how you intended it to be perceived. I'm curious...
This was so fantastic! and hey, a shout out to Phil! LOL
You are so sweet to offer me help. Thank you so much!
The best packaging is the one that delivers maxium consumer appeal at the lowest manufacturing cost. Thanks for watching :)
The teacher is hiding behind her desk just waiting for them to start throwing chairs :)
I love your packaging! All the soaps were packaged so nicely. Luxury all the way! ;0)
These are imporant aspects when pricing your product but in this video we are only discussing the packaging.
Just getting into soap making so I’d love to hear more!
Thanks for taking the time to share your insight!
I am glad to help!
Thank you so very much for this presentation. My brain has been swimming trying to come up with labeling and packaging design.
I like the video. Thanks for the info. I'm definitely interested in seeing more.
You may have missed the point of my question so I happy to reiterate. Is your friend successful because he/she is able to mix oil, lye + a carrier into soap? By definition that is a soap maker that is successful. Or is your friend a successful business person that makes his/her living selling soap? There is a vast difference. If the latter of the two, please have him/her contact me for an interview. I am certain that the "small fish in a big pond" would benefit from his/her wisdom.
No problem. I knew you would evade my question as you've done before. In a court of law, silence means acceptance. If you don't defend your position, it means you've acquiesced (passively agreed) to mine. You know very well color cements a brand, but in this case, to admit so would go against Phil's position.
FGG has graciously apologized to me in a PM, having seen the error of her ways. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, but you don't see that here except in Phil's ad hominems.
You are welcome + I will do more :)
Look forward to seeing you next week :)
Loved the class! Please keep doing them.
This is the 1st video I've viewed of yours, and it is FAB! Thank you! I've now subscribed to your channel, and I am now going to watch your prior video's! :0)
I realize that you live in the UK, but here in the US, red, white & blue are often considered summer colors due to the 4th of July. But if Coca Cola went seasonal for the summer, I'd flip out, thinking it was Pepsi. If Facebook suddenly went green for St. Patty's Day, I'd think I'd stumbled upon Stumble Upon. Colors stick in the memory, associating them to a particular business. So I would think seasonally changing packaging makes people forget your brand, regardless of a smaller logo label.
Yes, I enjoyed this kind of class. I've enjoyed all your videos. I think packaging is so important but it can get so expensive! Thank you for sharing! ;0)
Yes. You asked for one but I will offer two examples: Google and The Mars Company.
please, make more videos of packaging and marketing. what do you think of cardboard and brown paper in natural products? sorry for my english,its not my lenguaje
I loved this! I am studying something very similar to your degrees... and I love soaping. Double like from me!: )
Agreed! YT has some very decent, genuine people who care. I've never had a major spat with anyone here, & the only bitter one I've come across was SSCo., but her mini rampage was not directed at me. I like everyone here, but most don't teach, just blend, cut & chat, so there's not all that much to learn & are small scale. And since my friend pointed this out, I've amassed over 600 e-mail notifications of YT vids still unopened. Much better to criticize in private, but YT did away with PMs.
Catherine...can you name one well known brand that changes its colors seasonally?
My pleasure :)
LOL...I wasn't making any point about location or where one live, but using it as a reference to our country where in a particular SEASON, the favored colors are red, white & blue. It was about seasonal changes of color, not location.
I was an art teacher for a number of years & majored in it as well. I also worked in marketing/sales...& the legal field. Almost 40 years experience & co-owned a spa & sauna construction business w/ ex-hubby. I just don't feel the need to boast of it though.
i love this channel!
Karen I've already posted a clarification of the "small fish in a big pond" comment as being made when she & I were chatting about the FDA & that I wouldn't learn much about labeling reqs here. Maybe I hadn't made that clear enough or you didn't see it. She was right about that. I even bought some soaps that arrived without ANY label. You seem to know the UK laws, so I wouldn't take it personal.
Do you always get so emotional? Who do you learn from the most - those who challenge & test your theories, or those who simply dole out praise & accolades? Christmas is a special time of gift-giving unlike any other time of the year. For that, I might make an exception when it came to boxing up my products, but I wouldn't change my actual labels or colors. Hope that makes sense. The wise listen to the critics, even if they may not agree. Even a very experienced soapmaker told me she does.
I would like to see more videos like this one on this topic.
I would love To hear more about branding and creating luxury brand. Can i make a brand that looks luxury But is affordable at
I try to think like a customer, but what I want doesn't necessarily mean what others want. I'm more simple and would rather pay for more soap than extra packaging that will go into the garbage or hopefully the recycle bin instead. What do you think about green packaging?
Perfect, more to come!
Great information, I too have marketing and business degrees so I agree with you. The question I have is the "organic" label on your soap packaging. I have read that the FDA does not allow this due to the use of water in making the soap water is not considered organic by their standards. So unless you use something that is "organic" for your liquids you should not call it organic. I'd like to know your knowledge this, please. Thanks, in advance for your help.
It is imortant to note that what you see on video is not aways the whole story. Many soap makers produce more than one 2 lb loaf at a time. Due to video upload time constrants, the video they offer is just the cutting of one loaf or filling of one mold from the said 20 lb batch. Most often the videos are edited to show the consumer an offering of his/her products. So that 'small fish' just may be a bigger fish in disguise.
As for the comment referencing the "Passion of Christ," the original Latin meaning of the word "passion" is to "suffer." But according to my online dictionary, it's been updated to include "intense or overpowering emotion such as love, joy, hatred, or anger; strong emotions, especially as distinct from reason or intellect."
I don't bow the knee to any "queen" or "pope" since all people are fallible, including myself. But I'm willing to humbly serve people, listening to their needs & wants.
Love all your informative videos, thank you!
Thanks for sharing it was a wonderful class.
Thank you for watching!
Very nice class, thank you for sharing your time with us; I gladly appreciate that :0) I find it special!! and kind.
Cristina
Good tutorial, very informative and useful, thank you x Linda
Thanks Linda :)
Is there a material you would recommend avoiding when wrapping soaps? I'm considering using brown paper but am unsure how it will hold up over time...
This is great! Thank you. Also love your videos
Katherine, my comment was directed to soaptivated not you. I love your vids. xo
Thank you :)
I'd love to see more packing videos. Creative packaging. I personally can work an upper end publishing program but I want/need pizzazz :) Thanks for the great vids!