I hope this is interesting (and hopefully helpful!) to some of you. Just some thoughts that I wanted to share. Thanks to all of the wonderful Elly's Everyday members for their support, sharing and good fun in our private Facebook group and fortnightly meetings. If you'd like to learn more about this, see the links in the description box, or follow to this page www.buymeacoffee.com/ellyseveryday/membership
As a soap customer, I prefer simple soaps with non synthetic and scratchy ingredients. Sometimes I think sellers go overboard with their creativity. Some soaps look like cakes 😂 At the end the simple natural ingredients matter for me. I prefer 100% plain olive oils soap or with some minor coconut combo with clay or colloidal oatmeal. One also has to consider what flows down the drain, we have oceans full of micro plastics and non organic micro particles.
Love this video, Ellie! I have sold tens of thousands of “cake soaps” and have an over 70% customer return rate. They’re using them as soaps. My worst sellers are my Simplicity soaps with essential oils. 😂 So, you’re super right, it really depends on the crowd and it’s so amazing that we have so much room to express ourselves in soap making. All of your points shoulda be taken into consideration when selling!!✨
Thank you! Wow - I never expected to see a comment from the Royalty!! 😂🥰 Your soap creations are out of this world good, and hugely popular as everyone knows. You are 100% right. Different soaps for different folks! Your 'tribe' has clearly found you and you're (wisely) giving them what they want! Congratulations on your massive success. I've watched a few of your videos over the years. I love your authenticity x
Hi Elly, I was very chuffed that my soaps gave you inspiration to make this video! It's such a valuable topic and after reading the comments, many people have also gained a lot from you making this one. I'm so glad that I've joined Elly's Everyday members. It's great to hang out online with you and other fantastic soapers, sharing photos of our soapy creations and troubleshooting when things don't go as planned. Once again thank you for the thought provoking ideas in this video. 🤗
Thank you Aannsha, it has been a pleasure to use your soap and be inspired by it! I appreciate the group members so much. I'm looking forward to tweaking it a bit soon which will mean a little extra value for some of you :)
Loved your video! I used to hear this "plain soap sells better than pretty soap" all the time when I first started selling. I stock 100+ kinds of bar soap, 99% are goat milk with swirls and top textures. I've been supporting myself for 10 years selling primarily pretty bar soaps. I have a handful of plain soaps that sell well too, but by and large my customers want the pretty bars. I would suggest changing the name of a soap before discontinuing it. After a name change some of my slower movers have become best sellers. I always start out with 1 pound fragrance oils, that way if the soap scent never becomes a fan favorite I can phase it out after a couple of batches.
After making my own soap for many years I‘m right now starting my own business and I was stressing me so much about which soaps I should start with. Your video totally calmed me down and I feel so much better. I will start with my favorite 6 soaps in my favorite designs and am pretty confident, that my customers will show me the right way to go from there. Thank you Elly, I love your videos. Best wishes from Germany 🇩🇪
Yeah one of the biggest mistakes we make with consumerism is trying for too much variety (so ironic AS I typed that word "variety" she said "too much variety can be a turn off" 😂). Stick with a few of your own favorites, every so often do a "limited release" and see how well they sell
That sounds like an ideal number. As you progress &/or get bored or feeling the need for a new challenge or creative expression, you will naturally unfold. Remember also that if you create too many designs it may overtax your ability to keep replicating them. In the end what stock you have available is that which your clientele can choose from 😊. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Ive Ive focused on making soaps with no color, only esssential oil scents, wanted to make soap that would be kinder to my skin. Thanks for all the tips. I feel better about my “plain” soaps that I love.
I’m a sucker for a simple soap. I’m making a lot of single colour soaps these days and tend to select natural colourants. Although I do get the urge to swirl and use mica colours now and then. I’m also not a fan of stuff on top of soap. I love watching other soapers on RUclips and on Facebook with their gorgeous creations, I’m not that artistic so keep things simple.
I'm in Canada and the soap that sells best for me is goat's milk. Very plain often dark brown but purchased by many who have skin issues and can't really use commercial soap but need something more natural. Many others of course want coloured soaps because they say it perks them up in the shower in the morning.
Wow what great advise. For me i discovered that the hemp seed oil was a huge no in my area and i am no longer using it. Truly every area is different and to be truly successful listening to our customers is number one. my sad situation is i have very few returners because at our farmer markets we have lot of out of towners and the locals already have their own soap maker and are unwilling to try my soaps. How to counter. Give them samplers this last year turned things around and now i have a few returning. I sold tons of my soap but customer service is truly the key. Listen to them and learn. Remember it's not about us but it is about them. We cannot please everyone but we can do our best to please most. TY gain for your help.
You're so correct Elly. Birds of a feather flocks together. I, too, am in awe of those artistic soapmakers, but I've also found that most people are looking for soap that gently cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture.
We butchered a steer from start to finish with near zero waste. (Waste was for the dogs in the family). I came to your channel to learn the basics to make simple soap to use up the tallow and scraps of fat to turn into bars of soap for me and my family. Its simple (our favorite eo's are lemongrass, lavender, and clove), so simple.
Clove 🤔 interesting. I'm a citrus loving person. Pineapple, sweet orange, lemony smells. Ive been sticking slowly up on necessities and will watch repeats before l go for it. Thinking gift giving ideas
great video - thank you! I've had my business for 5 years now and have settled on a combo of "pretty" and "plain" to account for both kinds of customer...and you are so right, the customers who buy the 'pretty' soaps are usually one-off buyers. The other customers come back time and time again, and are the ones who want specific things like unscented goatsmilk, vegan, castille, bastille etc. As I am market-based, I find the "pretty" soaps draw people to the table which is great for upselling and conversations!
This is so true. My soaps that are more solid color/plain --even the ones in my beautiful boxes--sell better every day. The soaps I have taken so much time to make with beautiful designs and frosting on top with soap dough? They only sell on holidays as gifts or not at all. I have now gone back to plain designs for my customers who just want their regular soaps and who will stock up on them. I actually did a video on this at the end of last year when I was wondering why my 'beautiful' soaps weren't selling and had a ton of comments from customers and soap makers on it. It still gets comments, which has proven this is true.
Seeing this right now is perfect timing (even though it's an old video). I make pretty plain soaps and have just gotten into REALLY marketing my soaps though I've sold it for years. Glad I don't need to feel obligated to make fancier soaps 🙂
I'm in Portugal, just starting to making soap to sell, and I really understand that my clients prefer the simplest soap. So your video made a lot of since and came at the right time. Thank you so much for your knowledge, I have been learning a lot from your videos!
Hi Elly. Thank you for sharing your experience. You are so correct. I make soap and struggle with new designs. I love a challenge but, as it happens, the soap bars are so pretty that people end up keeping them and they don't get used. On the other hand I made some plain soaps with Irish moss gel and clay in its natural colour and it went very fast off the shelves. So yes, you are correct. Love your videos. Best wishes from all of us here in Ireland!
Thanks so much Christa, you know I love Ireland! I think it's different for each soap maker and their market. Good to find out what works for you though.
You have no idea how much I needed this video, I am just starting out with my soap journey and was thinking the exact same thing and boom you put out this much needed video. I have been following you for a while now and go back to many of your videos for guidance you are awesome!!! How are you all the way in Australia and have the ability to read my mind😂😂😂Lots of love from Canada
It took me a while to realize I'm not making soap for me, I'm making soap for clients. I've changed my entire strategy to high volume/low margin. My goal is to get soap in their hands that they use. I only reserve my pretty soaps for christmas markets or custom gifts.
Nice reflection. I think that's very wise, considering someone can buy a bar of soap from the supermarket for a couple of dollars and people who love soap bars will buy handmade if they can afford it. Sounds like you're on a great track.
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking yeh it's a decision I had to make - definitely messed with my mind. Unless someone experiences the soap, they will always store it between their undies. So if I can get them to experience the soap, they will come back for the 2nd one, and the 3rd one, and the 4th one.... It's the long-term investment I had to understand, not the few $ I made at the market the day. This video is very insightful, thank you.
You are so right. I agree with you on every level. It is strange how people gravitate towards the swirly bright mica soap with a strong scent (only ever from fragrance oil) that looks like a cupcake or Barbies ball gown... and go with that!! But if they are not going to actually use it, why would they need to buy another one? You can only have so many pretty bars of soap in your drawer or on a shelf gathering dust. I have had comments "it's too pretty to use".... after which I decided it's time to make more natural looking soap. Some without fragrance. Now I get the comments "oh that soap won't sell because it doesn't have any scent!"..... like you say, you have to see who your customers are, what they want and most importantly what do you love making? I believe my more natural soaps are actually cheaper to make than the fancy ones!!!
Yes! This touched base with a lot of what I've been thinking about in regards to my little soap biz lately! I'm going into year 4 of making, year 3 of selling, and hopefully year 1 of selling online although my never ending quote is "website's coming soon" LOL this past spring/summer was my first time taking products to market and that was a huge learning experience! And my best sellers were my plainest soaps! Although I did also have some people buy the prettier soaps too. I have been thinking of going simpler while fine tuning quality & function of my soaps. I also love Delizia, and George too! If I was an Aussie I'd have to make my rounds to meet you 3 for sure! Alas, I will have to keep these long distance friendship virtual, but I have learned so very much from each of you!
I was a soapmaker years ago, my pretty artistic soaps, that looked like cakes, where kept by customers as display in there bathroom, so i agree with you completely . My best sellers where the plain soaps.😊
Thank you so much for tips. I prefer the simple bars, too. Pretty and fragrants ones ars just stored. Lol Just got done making my 1st batch of organic/natural soaps. Cant wait to try! A small business sounds appealing. ❤
Thank you Elly for this video... Looking at all the artistic soap makers out there on RUclips I felt I had to deliver soaps like them and it has been an expensive affair trying to achieve the perfect looking bar of soap. I have plenty of failed batches that will last me for 12 months. 😊..... Watching your video has calmed my senses and I'm more relaxed now.
Just know that most of those soapers out there, that you have been watching, are actually not producing, ‘Natural ‘, healthful, batches of soap. Fragrance oils are neuro toxic, TD …😏😳🤐, micas (synthesised since the ‘40s)…and any number of other ingredients that have no business being included. Keep it simple and truly natural, and you’ll be Fine 💗 Oh, and advisably, steer clear of man-made oils….canola/(w)rapeseed, & genetically modified Soy - in all its forms. Due diligence upon all…
Oh yeah, I hear you. It takes some serious mastery to make soap like Holly and the others do. I admire them! Most of us mere mortals can be happily content with our simple bars I think. Nothing wrong with either, but soap art is next level.
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking yes ,Holly and I dream in soap..... and other great soap artists as well.....woah they are simply awesome with their masterpieces.....So true i belong to the simple mortal clan that can make good soap that lathers and cleans well ...... And can just admire in awe the beautiful creations of the clan on the other side of the fence.
Lately I just use the normal natural color and another color . It’s to much work and the clean up is much better. I pour the color into the natural batch and then just pour it into the mold. I’m retired soap business owner and now I make soap for family, friends, neighbors and old loyal customers that keep returning. I only use more colors if it’s a special big order. I don’t do lotions, bath bombs, shower steamers, wax melts, body sprays, deodorants anymore. To much work and to many labels. Sometimes I don’t even wrap the soaps. I put them in a bag and hand them over. So, without all the fancy stuff I did as a business owner I can now relax knowing that they love my soaps more than how they look.
Thank you so much for this video Elly, I started making soap this year, and I have watched many of your videos to educate myself as a home soap maker so far I have made 5 batches. I am addicted, the soap I make ranges from caramel cream to chocolate colours, and 1 batch is yellow as I used calendula-infused olive oil. I gift my soap to family and friends and the soaps are loved and more are asked for. I sent some soap to my friend in Ireland they are not pretty soaps so I have named them " Rustic Pleasure". I don't desire to create pretty coloured soap. So yes plain soap for me. I don't want to complicate the ingredients or process. I greatly appreciate all the knowledge you share here. Blessings.
I agree with you. I am a hobby soap maker. I do enjoy having a few that I consider pretty colors and scents. One thing that annoys me is soap that looks like Food! Cupcakes, and stuff like that. I want enjoyable and naturally smooth soap. There are some really good soap artists, but not all soap needs to be that special. I am proud of what I put inside the soap the most.
Great video Elly. I don’t sell my soap. Honestly I don’t make it very often anymore. ( supply cost ) When I do it’s always been for family and a few friends, as gifts. To be honest it has really never been received well. Most people have no clue on soap making etc. They want liquid in a plastic bottle. Lol In my area anyway. I love everything about it. The many techniques and ingredients. Mostly having the skill is why I started making it. This video gave me some ideas. So thank you ! Happy holidays Elly :)
This is sage advice and I appreciate it so much! My soaps aren't intricate at all but I do love using unique essential oil blends like cardamom and palo santo. It does push the price point up a bit. My designs are pretty plain and I do wish that I spent less time fretting over the colors and swirls when I first started. I love this advice and I do feel like I should add some very simple simple soaps to my list!
Hi Elly, thank you so much for this video... it has really made me more focused on what I should be prioritising as a soapmaker and the quality of soap I offer... All my soaps have Clays and Collidal oatmeal and even in India people do like using a plain and simple bar of soap which soothes their skin and have a good smell to it. The soaps with designs do sit on the shelves for a longer time but the more plain ones goes off faster... I think most of the world really gives a lot of thought and time and of course their monies to simplicity and Quality of the bars and how good they perform in the shower or bath... 😊 You are so precious, thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts and ideas with us ... Always!... love and hugs from India ❤
Hi Elly- I just have to say that I not only love the content of every video of your's that I've ever watched but I love the way you deliver the information to us. You have such a rich, common sense and sincere approach to teaching us about soaping. I have no doubt that's how you approach life in general! Thank you so much !
I hear these comments, too, about "It's too pretty to use." So I made a sign for my table that says, "Life is short. Use the beautiful soap." I do agree with you, though....when we are making soaps to sell, the extra time needed for intricate designs may not be profitable. I have both solid bars and some swirls and that is all I can manage these days.
I love that. Great point! I think educating and encouraging your customers is really important! The will listen to the maker if they trust them and enjoy the products.
Thanks so much for this video Elly. I am sometimes so embarrassed at how my 'swirls' turn out out to be something completely different to what I had planned, but my customers say that they still love how it makes their skin feel, they enjoy the essential oil blends and they appreciate the rustic look and natural colors that I use; charcoal, cocoa, moringa, spirulina, clays, turmeric etc 🌿🐝🌸 You are so right about the people that your soap attracts...I am attracted to very natural products...and steer away from bright, heavily fragranced soap (especially when they are made to look and smell like food...what's that about?) Thank you for all your guidance and reassurance...you are AMAZING! 💝
Oh Elly. I smiled so many times in this video, you really spoke to me and probably every soap maker out there! It’s been such a journey making soap. I tend to love being creative. I used to make kiln fired glass Jewellery and mosaics and did markets. When I started soap making I realized this could be artistic too. But then I get people who have given my soap as a gift and the recipient won’t use it as it is too pretty. I also was making a range of recipes with beautiful ingredients and no one seemed to care what was in them, they just wanted them to smell nice and look pretty. I actually love plain unscented soap. It’s so pure. Stunning. But only a niche few people want this. But it’s about adapting to what people want otherwise you are trying to use up a lot of soap in the shower!! I sometimes ask what people’s favourites are or what they would like me to make. It’s helpful to gauge. And most of the people that buy my soap are my friends! 😂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s been so helpful, as always, and reassuring. (p.s. I do some of my best thinking in the shower. It’s the only ten minutes of the day that my thoughts are uninterrupted!) Kind regards, Cassandra.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this Cassandra, and I loved hearing about your experience and thoughts. You sound like you love the creative expression involved with soap designs, but it can be a challenge to sell unfortunately. You might be surprised how many people would buy simple, unscented soap. My plain castile bars - totally unadorned - were among my best sellers!
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking thank you Elly. I’ve never made a plain Castile soap because I am impatient and didn’t want to wait so long to use it. The irony is if I had made one when I wanted to I’d be using it right now! I think I will make one in the coming weeks. You always inspire me! 😊🙏 I think I will make some creative soaps to satisfy my creative need and a range of plainer soaps that smell amazing and this should keep us all happy. 😊 thanks again for making this video that speaks to all us soapy peeps. 🥰 Cassandra.
You're so lovely Cassandra, thank you! Did you know that it's a myth that Castile changes after a very long cure? It's still a slimy type soap (just thought I'd warn ya). I still love it though. I need to do a video all about Castile soap and the myths, and how to handle it so that it can be fully enjoyed! :)
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking I did not know that!!! I have read that you can make one that takes less curing if you warm up the oils and have warm lye and a very steep water discount. But this could be a myth too!! I think a video about Castile would be amazing. I think there would be a lot of people who would love that one!! I think a work colleague used to make Castile soaps many moons ago and I recall them just turning to mush in the shower. I imagine there was a lot less info about them back then. They were very gentle though. I will still make one to satisfy the curiosity, unscented I think and it will be a lovely pure soap. Happy weekend. 😊😊 Cassandra
I love making soaps in moulds! Most of the time they are beautiful. But there are times, like yesterday, when the soap stuck like glue in the plastic moulds. By the time I finally got them all out, I had to use a vegetable peeler and make them into plain shaped soap. That’s okay too! The ingredients are still lovely! Thank you for another wonderful video!🌻
This couldn't have come at a better time. After almost 5 years of selling, I feel like I have hit a brick wall with stagnate growth. I don't know whether it's the economy (I am in the US), or if it's my soap, but, something is different. I've always made the pretty soap, my focus is that I use tallow in my recipe, with the exception of one vegan, no palm recipe. I often get the "it's too pretty to use" response, yet my repeat customers love it when I come up with a pretty, swirly soap. I've been thinking of pivoting next year and concentrate more on plain soap. Solid colors, with a great smell and a wonderful feeling soap. To be honest, I love making pretty soaps, so I don't know if I could stop. But your video has given me lots of food for thought. Thanks, so much.!
Oh so interesting. Maybe it's worth some experimentation to see how your market responds? I know soap makers who have a few swirly soaps, and many plain ones as well. Only making those that do well in both/either category.
I also like to make very nice soap, also with herbal extracts for sensitive skin, I often use colors from nature such as chlorella, which does not change in the soapy water,
I love your videos Elly. I’m a soap maker, mine are spiritually energised soaps and I decorate them according to the frequency names. Ie Joy, Peace , Love etc. ( quality ingredients as well). I have a particular niche market and I do have a big range and make soy candles to match. My market is expanding but I just love what I do and I don’t want to change . Some customers say ‘ make them smaller’ or ‘use essential oils ‘ but I know many other local soap makers do that. So I continue to do what I love and I so enjoy it. I love your knowledge and info. Thank you so much . Élyna Angelic… Angelic Creations is what I call my wee business. ❤😊. You are such a wonderful teacher. I’ve followed you for years. Keep doing it please. 😍
@@EllysEverydaySoapMakingThanks Elly. I love ‘fiddling’ and designing. It’s so creative and that’s my favourite part of soaping… when it works of course 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Elly I'm also in Australia, NSW and I'm just venturing out into the goat milk soap world. So happy I came across this video as it's just confirmed for me that simple is best.....and of course with all the medicinal essential oils health benefits added. Watching this video has been a welcome relief in not having to keep up with the over creativity trends (which that's not me)....cannot wait to get started😊
Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been doing M&P spam for years, but have just started doing cold process. I watch a LOT of videos, and while I am in awe of the creativity of makers like Holly, that you mentioned, and Katy from Royalty Soap, I know I am not the person who is going to be making high-top soaps with multiple embeds and four layers of piping. I want to make soap that gets used! And I agree that not only is there a market for simpler, good quality soap, but that there is a huge continuum of creativity available within that segment, too. I don’t want to go from having a fun hobby to having an unfun business, so I appreciated your comments/experience on what was rolling around in the back of my mind, but that I hadn’t fully realized I needed to think through. Again, thank you!
I also like making soap, but-- in Germany you are only allowed to sell soap if you have a certificate, it costs a fortune with the donation, it's also a thing where there are measures, I like working with NAOH or KOH, too The oils and essential oils have increased dramatically here in Germany, I like looking at his videos, you can always learn something new, it's nice that you're here
Thank you Gabriel, yes it's not so easy to sell soap in some places. I guess the hoops to jump through are there for good reason though. Thankfully soap making is the best hobby! I love it far more now than I did when I had to make it all the time.
Great info! I luv plain but luvly hard soap, beaut scent. People I sell to luv it ... and usually buy my soap because they luv the scent and all the above ❤ Thanku Elly
This was great! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am just starting in this. For now, I am focusing on using natural botanical ingredientes, rather simple bars but using cute molds and natural colors from the fruits and plants. Not that I want this to be a huge business, but I hope I can get some small group of customers who like what I make.
Thanks, I'm sure you will! Sounds like a winning formula to me. The only thing you might find is that eventually people might prefer 'proper' bar shapes from log mould/cut soap. You might also find these easier to make in larger batches than silicone moulds :)
Couldn't agree more! I started experimenting with soap making BECAUSE I like a plain bar! I'm more interested in the properties of the oils and the scents I love, than I am how pretty they are! I'm like you I like a plain white/cream bar better than the fancy ones. 💜💜💜💜💜💜
Great video Elly, good information, I think I have find out the soaps that i could sell around where i live, most is eczema, I put in all my soaps oatmeal and clay. I am going to tell you a little about me, when I started making soaps I did it for my use, I have lots of hobbies, it will be to long to list them here, anyways, at work I started telling my associates about the stuff that i make, one of them was soaps, lotions, chap sticks, deodorant, shampoo bar, hair conditioner, and many more stuff, a manager came to me to ask me if i could sell him soaps for his son, he has extreme eczema, so, i made him soaps, then another associate, then another, all of them for the same problem, so i sell them between associates, not that many, but i make a little for the products that i use, but I am not active selling them, the ones that dont sell, I use them, and my kids buy them from me, but again, everything that i make like for house cleaning to my personal use, i make them so i know what's in my toiletries. I like your video and you give me an idea of a business, but not going with the business yet, my daughter wants me to make a business, she even have the logo and everything to start online, but, am not there yet, whatever I try its because i want it to do for me, its a little scary when it comes about another people, we will see, maybe one day, in the mean time, i love some of your soaps and i will be looking forward to make some of them. thanks Elly, have a great day.
Thanks for sharing this. I make plain goat milk soap. I struggle with design and was concerned i have to make my soap more attractive if I was to start selling them. but the reason for making soap wasnt for a more attractive soap but a soap that is kind to my families skin. too many store brought soap have caused skin reactions for us.
Less is more for me, and keeping it simple prevails. I love to see the simplicity of Holly's designs and will include a few in my soaps using natural colourants, of course. My target market is people with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis etc... I've opted out of fragrance oils and essential oils where I live are becoming increasingly expensive, so I will turn to infusing the carrier oils with herbs and botanicals. You really gave good stuff to chew on in this video. Thanks! 😊
What a wonderful video! Like everything you do. Lots of good , clean , down to earth common sense information. Funny thing is, I did the same with bees wax candles I bought from a friend at a bazar to support our community garden. I never used them ( I lit one for a few minutes when my friend’s sister was very I’ll ). They just embellish my house. You are a true delight of a person and very wise.
love this video. Thank you for your insight. I tend to have a difficult time selling my more fancy soaps and I'm thinking this is likely why. They sell when they're on sale but otherwise, it takes a while. I'm in the midst of streamlining my business and this is now on the menu. I'll be doing the same thing with all my soaps and keeping them simpler. Thank you!!
Thanks for another very insightful video, Elly. I really struggle with getting a good fragrance from essential oils in my soap, mostly because essential oils here in South Africa is so very expensive and I do not want to go the synthetic fragrance route. As a result, I now only create unfragranced soap. The natural fragrance of the oils and butters in the soap actually smells pretty good. I love watching your videos. Thanks for all the great advice.
This was such an interesting video, especially considering I have had the complete opposite experience. When I was selling at markets, my customers gobbled up the bright and colourful soaps but I rarely sold any plain soaps except for the venerated honey & oatmeal. I could pretty much guarantee if I made a soap with a discolouring fragrance it would never sell. Brown and plain soaps were the bane of my soaping existence 😂 I had plenty of return customers as well so I know they weren't all being thrown in the undie drawer 😉 I love that there is room in the soaping world for everyone's creativity, regardless of what end of the spectrum it is. I absolutely agree with all you've said about selling though. It really needs deep thought about who you are marketing to and to understand that if your plan is to sell, you need to make a product for a customer, not yourself. For me - just to be contrary, I make the soap that I love, that has the qualities I want most in a soap - not very cleansing (drying) with a creamy lather, full of goats milk - and I understand that while I loved that, not everyone will and I needed to be prepared for that. I think I was just really lucky that back when I started selling, no-one else was and my bright swirly soaps were kind of the standard for all the local markets that I did.
What did you find your customers prefer as far as the shape of the soaps? What did you find sold the most? Round, square, rectangular shape. As far as plain or bright colour's. I love both.
As Elly well knows, I'm not a soapmaker. But I so relate to what she has just said. The soaps i tend to buy are rose-scented and just a simple bar. I do lavendar too. I also have a French shop near me where I've bought an olive oil soap from Provence (from Napoleonic times). Those ones are big bricks which I cut into 3, but they're good because they last and I bought some a couple of months ago because the soap I was using had dried my hands to sandpaper over winter (here in Oz we're nearly in our summer). And now, to the other side of my little story. I had a neighbour who it turned out ran an online soap making business. She gave me a gift of a couple of bars because I'd given her some of my home made red sauerkraut (all a bit random, I thought she ran a kombucha business, but that was her partner's and she helped). The two bars she gave me were so beautiful I could't bear to use them. I gave one to my daughter, who three years later still has hers in her linen cupboard. Mine was kept among my living room tchotchkes where I would take a wiff each time I watered my plants. Whenever anyone visited they usually noticed it and commented upon it. Mine was a swirly green with white icing and a beautiful little insect on top. My daughter's was pink. I still have mine also, but it's currently in storage while I juggle my housing situation. Sadly it's taking a while to find the right place. It's like soap, it needs to be just right. I think i might be in Elly's tribe. But, I feel as though Elly pulled her post out of my brain! 😂
This was such a helpful video. I'm new to soap making and watching your channel and Holly's as well . The marketing thing was a good talk. I agree with making a solid quality small line of choices. I prefer the more simple and natural designs. Thank you. Much to think about.
I can not thank you enough for this video! I've had a few nagging quetions in the back of my mind as I begin to start selling to more than family and close friends. Most certainly, how do I find the direction I want my business to go in. You gave me insight and things to consider and think about which were truly helpful! I love that being simple is okay for me! I can do all the fancy stuff and swirls too as I've been practicing for about 4 years now and although I do get enjoyment from it, it's just not what I saw myself doing in the long run. I did shows and markets for 1 spring and summer and found that was definetly not for me! As my son teases, I couldn't take the heat or the crowds! Bless you so much for sharing your expieriences with me and helpinig to not feel so awkward!
Thanks Elly...so helpful! Not one to be fancy with my soap! Eventually I will start selling. I have at least 4 favorites...Id like another two more. Six is my favorite number!
i really thank you for this tips you shared. I am back in making soap again after a year I stop. Everything you shared i wrote it down so i will not forget. I will probably make 6 or 10 kinds of soap and see from there what is best selling and what my customers really love. Before I make beautiful soaps too, colorful, nice swirls and the feedback I got from friends and customers are...they said, its pretty to use and some of them they jsut want to display it in their bathroom and some not wanting to use it LOL. Thank you, your video is very helpful for me.
Thx for sharing the video! 2 years ago after watching ur videos I started making soaps. And I have always returned to ur video for guidance. Thank you for this new video. I will stick to 3 to 5 best selling soaps!
Thank you for your advice. I love making artsy soaps but it’s true that most of my friends and family that I give my soaps to won’t use them. They say they’re too pretty. I give them as gifts. Everyone tells me to start selling them but it seems so overwhelming...esp with 4 young kids at home. 😊
I think it's wise to follow your instinct re. selling. You have to almost have a home factory set up for it to be worthwhile! Keep it as a hobby I think, much more fun. Your kids will love you for it too (more time for family, SO important!).
Hi Elly, I think this was great to bring to people’s attention as we really do see all kinds of handmade soap everywhere, the plain and fancier ones. I tend to be somewhere in the middle because I like to make both kinds. I am also wondering if you would share the recipe of that favourite soap of your Mom’s that you make, the Lavender one with the purple Brazilian clay and I think you said you add a few other essential oils to the Lavender. I would love to make that soap! If it’s not a secret recipe! 😊💜
hello Elly, So glad to get another video from you. This was a very good talk. Even if I'm not selling I do need to not try to make every type of soap and to concentrate on making quality soap. Americans are having our Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. Just wishing you a Thankful day in Australia.
I’ve been making my own soaps for years now and I’m also a professional artist… so I’d LOVE to go crazy with colors and designs sometime, but I’ve never done that. I keep my soaps as plain as possible, because I value the quality of my soaps more than esthetics. So they all look dull greenish, but I wrap them nicely in some burlap with a nice sticker and so they look pretty anyway. 🤷♀️
Ha! 😊 I wrote quite a note to contribute to this - the most I’ve ever written. 😊 Yet sadly, in the midst of adding a little more, I fell asleep 😮 😅…and the whole thing disappeared 😢. It’s late, in the early hours of the morning, thus I neither have the heart nor the energy to revisit my scribing. I will, however, add that it’s important to take into account all the extra work, time, and thus expense that goes into the creative exercise of fancy soaps. Can you or should I say, ‘will you’ charge for this extra time and product? That should help you decide upon the economics of ‘pretty soap’ ; ) ; ) 💕
When I first started making soap, it was always my goal to make more simple soap designs. I remember receiving my first bar of handmade soap as a teenager and never used it because I thought it was very pretty. I just kept it as a decorative item among my things. When I went off to college I tossed it because it was very dusty. I didn’t even think to try and rinse of the dust. Now after 8 yrs of making soap and running a mostly online business I have😊 switched to adding more design detail in my soaps. I figured it’s best to do this since with selling online, customers are shopping with their eyes and not their sense of smell.
Could you make a video on how to price soap? I thought about selling, but only figured out the cost of my materials. I have no idea how to price the rest that is involved, which is a lot: labour, tax, molds, power (when you make at home and are not renting a place just for soap), hours or research, etc, etc, etc.
😊 🌻 Many, Many year's ago i purchased a lovely simple Libyan 🧼 soap sold by a humble man. The simplicity of knowing that i am using a product that anybody with the willingness to make it their own is what i believe matters... Your experiences are a special gift 😊 Thank you for sharing 🌞 ❤
Soap products which people like is turmeric, neem, alovera and olive. You can use all garbage of olive after removing oil. Turmeric plantation is very easy, ginger, turmeric and sweet potatoes plantation are same method. Neem plantation is branch to branch. Use fresh termaric, if ever you are doing plantation, you can get Indian grocery shop for plantation. You are doing good job. Jay Bharat.
I too make plain bars with little top some time not I too love plain bars I had the feeling if a bar looks pretty I won't use it first. Great work madam really informative and helpful ❤️💯 thanks for sharing madam. Lot's of love from india and myself ❤️
RUclips just suggested your channel to me with this video. I like watching soap makers, but have to stick to the soap I use due to allergies and migraines. However, if someone gave me some of the very pretty soaps I see made on here, I wouldn't want to use them because I'd want to keep looking at them. I think perhaps makers should offer two options. Yes, I know it's more work on one bar idea, but over all if it increased your sales, then it's a win. After all, if I could use these soaps, I'd very much appreciate the pretty 'gift' with a plain 'everyday' option. Most especially if that plain option was with an incentive to buy it. Some of those gift size bars are too big for my damaged hands too, so an everyday version that is a little smaller would be better.
Oh gosh that's so funny. So the pretty soap gets them in but the plain soap is what they buy! Actually I think I'm one of those customers too when I buy soap at markets. Great observation.
I once gifted my mom a coffee soap that had a single coffee bean on the top and two-tone brown swirls on the side. That was 5 years ago, and she has still not used it because it was too pretty 😂
I hope this is interesting (and hopefully helpful!) to some of you. Just some thoughts that I wanted to share. Thanks to all of the wonderful Elly's Everyday members for their support, sharing and good fun in our private Facebook group and fortnightly meetings. If you'd like to learn more about this, see the links in the description box, or follow to this page www.buymeacoffee.com/ellyseveryday/membership
I just LOVE your channel!!
Thank you!
Please make a soap suitable for dogs. My dog i❤❤
Just make something gentle with no fragrance! :)
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking Thanks, my dear
As a soap customer, I prefer simple soaps with non synthetic and scratchy ingredients. Sometimes I think sellers go overboard with their creativity. Some soaps look like cakes 😂 At the end the simple natural ingredients matter for me. I prefer 100% plain olive oils soap or with some minor coconut combo with clay or colloidal oatmeal. One also has to consider what flows down the drain, we have oceans full of micro plastics and non organic micro particles.
That's such a great point, yes!!
Indeed! 👌
Me too!!!
Well said
Love this video, Ellie! I have sold tens of thousands of “cake soaps” and have an over 70% customer return rate. They’re using them as soaps. My worst sellers are my Simplicity soaps with essential oils. 😂 So, you’re super right, it really depends on the crowd and it’s so amazing that we have so much room to express ourselves in soap making. All of your points shoulda be taken into consideration when selling!!✨
Thank you! Wow - I never expected to see a comment from the Royalty!! 😂🥰 Your soap creations are out of this world good, and hugely popular as everyone knows. You are 100% right. Different soaps for different folks! Your 'tribe' has clearly found you and you're (wisely) giving them what they want! Congratulations on your massive success. I've watched a few of your videos over the years. I love your authenticity x
Your soaps are gorgeous!🍰🧁🩷
I buy pretty soap and use them too because life is too short to not give myself pleasure by using a beautiful soap.
Hi Elly, I was very chuffed that my soaps gave you inspiration to make this video! It's such a valuable topic and after reading the comments, many people have also gained a lot from you making this one.
I'm so glad that I've joined Elly's Everyday members. It's great to hang out online with you and other fantastic soapers, sharing photos of our soapy creations and troubleshooting when things don't go as planned. Once again thank you for the thought provoking ideas in this video. 🤗
Thank you Aannsha, it has been a pleasure to use your soap and be inspired by it! I appreciate the group members so much. I'm looking forward to tweaking it a bit soon which will mean a little extra value for some of you :)
Pm@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking
Loved your video! I used to hear this "plain soap sells better than pretty soap" all the time when I first started selling. I stock 100+ kinds of bar soap, 99% are goat milk with swirls and top textures. I've been supporting myself for 10 years selling primarily pretty bar soaps. I have a handful of plain soaps that sell well too, but by and large my customers want the pretty bars. I would suggest changing the name of a soap before discontinuing it. After a name change some of my slower movers have become best sellers. I always start out with 1 pound fragrance oils, that way if the soap scent never becomes a fan favorite I can phase it out after a couple of batches.
That's such great advice, thank you!
After making my own soap for many years I‘m right now starting my own business and I was stressing me so much about which soaps I should start with. Your video totally calmed me down and I feel so much better. I will start with my favorite 6 soaps in my favorite designs and am pretty confident, that my customers will show me the right way to go from there. Thank you Elly, I love your videos. Best wishes from Germany 🇩🇪
You're very welcome. I think that sounds like a wise place so start from. Good luck with your venture. How exciting!
Yeah one of the biggest mistakes we make with consumerism is trying for too much variety (so ironic AS I typed that word "variety" she said "too much variety can be a turn off" 😂).
Stick with a few of your own favorites, every so often do a "limited release" and see how well they sell
That sounds like an ideal number. As you progress &/or get bored or feeling the need for a new challenge or creative expression, you will naturally unfold. Remember also that if you create too many designs it may overtax your ability to keep replicating them. In the end what stock you have available is that which your clientele can choose from 😊. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Ive Ive focused on making soaps with no color, only esssential oil scents, wanted to make soap that would be kinder to my skin. Thanks for all the tips. I feel better about my “plain” soaps that I love.
I’m a sucker for a simple soap. I’m making a lot of single colour soaps these days and tend to select natural colourants. Although I do get the urge to swirl and use mica colours now and then. I’m also not a fan of stuff on top of soap. I love watching other soapers on RUclips and on Facebook with their gorgeous creations, I’m not that artistic so keep things simple.
I'm in Canada and the soap that sells best for me is goat's milk. Very plain often dark brown but purchased by many who have skin issues and can't really use commercial soap but need something more natural. Many others of course want coloured soaps because they say it perks them up in the shower in the morning.
Great example, thank you for sharing. It really is about knowing your customers!
Wow what great advise. For me i discovered that the hemp seed oil was a huge no in my area and i am no longer using it. Truly every area is different and to be truly successful listening to our customers is number one. my sad situation is i have very few returners because at our farmer markets we have lot of out of towners and the locals already have their own soap maker and are unwilling to try my soaps. How to counter. Give them samplers this last year turned things around and now i have a few returning. I sold tons of my soap but customer service is truly the key. Listen to them and learn. Remember it's not about us but it is about them. We cannot please everyone but we can do our best to please most. TY gain for your help.
You're so correct Elly. Birds of a feather flocks together. I, too, am in awe of those artistic soapmakers, but I've also found that most people are looking for soap that gently cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture.
Sage words. Yes, thank you.
We butchered a steer from start to finish with near zero waste. (Waste was for the dogs in the family). I came to your channel to learn the basics to make simple soap to use up the tallow and scraps of fat to turn into bars of soap for me and my family.
Its simple (our favorite eo's are lemongrass, lavender, and clove), so simple.
Lovely!
Clove 🤔 interesting. I'm a citrus loving person. Pineapple, sweet orange, lemony smells. Ive been sticking slowly up on necessities and will watch repeats before l go for it. Thinking gift giving ideas
great video - thank you! I've had my business for 5 years now and have settled on a combo of "pretty" and "plain" to account for both kinds of customer...and you are so right, the customers who buy the 'pretty' soaps are usually one-off buyers. The other customers come back time and time again, and are the ones who want specific things like unscented goatsmilk, vegan, castille, bastille etc. As I am market-based, I find the "pretty" soaps draw people to the table which is great for upselling and conversations!
Such a good point! Yes that's so true.
This is so true. My soaps that are more solid color/plain --even the ones in my beautiful boxes--sell better every day. The soaps I have taken so much time to make with beautiful designs and frosting on top with soap dough? They only sell on holidays as gifts or not at all. I have now gone back to plain designs for my customers who just want their regular soaps and who will stock up on them. I actually did a video on this at the end of last year when I was wondering why my 'beautiful' soaps weren't selling and had a ton of comments from customers and soap makers on it. It still gets comments, which has proven this is true.
Seeing this right now is perfect timing (even though it's an old video). I make pretty plain soaps and have just gotten into REALLY marketing my soaps though I've sold it for years. Glad I don't need to feel obligated to make fancier soaps 🙂
I'm in Portugal, just starting to making soap to sell, and I really understand that my clients prefer the simplest soap. So your video made a lot of since and came at the right time. Thank you so much for your knowledge, I have been learning a lot from your videos!
Thanks so much Daniela, I'm pleased to hear this resonated with you :)
Hi Elly. Thank you for sharing your experience. You are so correct. I make soap and struggle with new designs. I love a challenge but, as it happens, the soap bars are so pretty that people end up keeping them and they don't get used. On the other hand I made some plain soaps with Irish moss gel and clay in its natural colour and it went very fast off the shelves. So yes, you are correct. Love your videos. Best wishes from all of us here in Ireland!
Thanks so much Christa, you know I love Ireland! I think it's different for each soap maker and their market. Good to find out what works for you though.
You have no idea how much I needed this video, I am just starting out with my soap journey and was thinking the exact same thing and boom you put out this much needed video. I have been following you for a while now and go back to many of your videos for guidance you are awesome!!! How are you all the way in Australia and have the ability to read my mind😂😂😂Lots of love from Canada
Haha that's so cool! I am well known for my mind reading abilities 😂 (or maybe it's just that great minds think alike 💖)
It took me a while to realize I'm not making soap for me, I'm making soap for clients. I've changed my entire strategy to high volume/low margin. My goal is to get soap in their hands that they use. I only reserve my pretty soaps for christmas markets or custom gifts.
Nice reflection. I think that's very wise, considering someone can buy a bar of soap from the supermarket for a couple of dollars and people who love soap bars will buy handmade if they can afford it. Sounds like you're on a great track.
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking yeh it's a decision I had to make - definitely messed with my mind. Unless someone experiences the soap, they will always store it between their undies. So if I can get them to experience the soap, they will come back for the 2nd one, and the 3rd one, and the 4th one.... It's the long-term investment I had to understand, not the few $ I made at the market the day. This video is very insightful, thank you.
You are so right. I agree with you on every level. It is strange how people gravitate towards the swirly bright mica soap with a strong scent (only ever from fragrance oil) that looks like a cupcake or Barbies ball gown... and go with that!! But if they are not going to actually use it, why would they need to buy another one? You can only have so many pretty bars of soap in your drawer or on a shelf gathering dust. I have had comments "it's too pretty to use".... after which I decided it's time to make more natural looking soap. Some without fragrance. Now I get the comments "oh that soap won't sell because it doesn't have any scent!"..... like you say, you have to see who your customers are, what they want and most importantly what do you love making? I believe my more natural soaps are actually cheaper to make than the fancy ones!!!
I agree with you. I love plain soap with great quality. Thank you for this wonderful and generous video 🥰
Yes! This touched base with a lot of what I've been thinking about in regards to my little soap biz lately! I'm going into year 4 of making, year 3 of selling, and hopefully year 1 of selling online although my never ending quote is "website's coming soon" LOL this past spring/summer was my first time taking products to market and that was a huge learning experience! And my best sellers were my plainest soaps! Although I did also have some people buy the prettier soaps too. I have been thinking of going simpler while fine tuning quality & function of my soaps. I also love Delizia, and George too! If I was an Aussie I'd have to make my rounds to meet you 3 for sure! Alas, I will have to keep these long distance friendship virtual, but I have learned so very much from each of you!
I'm sure we'd all love to meet you too Paula! Learning and having fun along the way is so important. Keep enjoying your soap making :)
I was a soapmaker years ago, my pretty artistic soaps, that looked like cakes, where kept by customers as display in there bathroom, so i agree with you completely . My best sellers where the plain soaps.😊
Thank you so much for tips. I prefer the simple bars, too. Pretty and fragrants ones ars just stored. Lol
Just got done making my 1st batch of organic/natural soaps. Cant wait to try! A small business sounds appealing. ❤
Thank you Elly for this video... Looking at all the artistic soap makers out there on RUclips I felt I had to deliver soaps like them and it has been an expensive affair trying to achieve the perfect looking bar of soap. I have plenty of failed batches that will last me for 12 months. 😊..... Watching your video has calmed my senses and I'm more relaxed now.
Just know that most of those soapers out there, that you have been watching, are actually not producing, ‘Natural ‘, healthful, batches of soap. Fragrance oils are neuro toxic, TD …😏😳🤐, micas (synthesised since the ‘40s)…and any number of other ingredients that have no business being included. Keep it simple and truly natural, and you’ll be Fine 💗 Oh, and advisably, steer clear of man-made oils….canola/(w)rapeseed, & genetically modified Soy - in all its forms. Due diligence upon all…
Oh yeah, I hear you. It takes some serious mastery to make soap like Holly and the others do. I admire them! Most of us mere mortals can be happily content with our simple bars I think. Nothing wrong with either, but soap art is next level.
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking yes ,Holly and I dream in soap..... and other great soap artists as well.....woah they are simply awesome with their masterpieces.....So true i belong to the simple mortal clan that can make good soap that lathers and cleans well ...... And can just admire in awe the beautiful creations of the clan on the other side of the fence.
Lately I just use the normal natural color and another color . It’s to much work and the clean up is much better. I pour the color into the natural batch and then just pour it into the mold. I’m retired soap business owner and now I make soap for family, friends, neighbors and old loyal customers that keep returning. I only use more colors if it’s a special big order. I don’t do lotions, bath bombs, shower steamers, wax melts, body sprays, deodorants anymore. To much work and to many labels. Sometimes I don’t even wrap the soaps. I put them in a bag and hand them over. So, without all the fancy stuff I did as a business owner I can now relax knowing that they love my soaps more than how they look.
Thank you Elly. This got me all inspired to sell again! Must think, must plan... Have a lovely day down under. ❤
You're welcome! Thanks, you too :)
Thank you so much for this video Elly, I started making soap this year, and I have watched many of your videos to educate myself as a home soap maker so far I have made 5 batches. I am addicted, the soap I make ranges from caramel cream to chocolate colours, and 1 batch is yellow as I used calendula-infused olive oil. I gift my soap to family and friends and the soaps are loved and more are asked for. I sent some soap to my friend in Ireland they are not pretty soaps so I have named them " Rustic Pleasure". I don't desire to create pretty coloured soap. So yes plain soap for me. I don't want to complicate the ingredients or process. I greatly appreciate all the knowledge you share here. Blessings.
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback. Your soap sounds wonderful.
I absolutely adore the soaps the look natural, but have a sprinkle of florals...
I agree with you. I am a hobby soap maker. I do enjoy having a few that I consider pretty colors and scents. One thing that annoys me is soap that looks like Food! Cupcakes, and stuff like that. I want enjoyable and naturally smooth soap. There are some really good soap artists, but not all soap needs to be that special. I am proud of what I put inside the soap the most.
Salam dear. Have learnt a lot about soap making from your videos! Can't be thankful enough. Gratitude from Islamabad Pakistan.
Thank you so much, greetings to you!
@@EllysEverydaySoapMakingAlways welcome!
Great video Elly. I don’t sell my soap. Honestly I don’t make it very often anymore. ( supply cost ) When I do it’s always been for family and a few friends, as gifts. To be honest it has really never been received well. Most people have no clue on soap making etc. They want liquid in a plastic bottle. Lol In my area anyway. I love everything about it. The many techniques and ingredients. Mostly having the skill is why I started making it. This video gave me some ideas. So thank you ! Happy holidays Elly :)
Thanks Karin, I understand totally. I only have a handful of strong supporters for my soap, but they love it! Happy holidays to you too :)
This is sage advice and I appreciate it so much! My soaps aren't intricate at all but I do love using unique essential oil blends like cardamom and palo santo. It does push the price point up a bit. My designs are pretty plain and I do wish that I spent less time fretting over the colors and swirls when I first started. I love this advice and I do feel like I should add some very simple simple soaps to my list!
Hi Elly, thank you so much for this video... it has really made me more focused on what I should be prioritising as a soapmaker and the quality of soap I offer... All my soaps have Clays and Collidal oatmeal and even in India people do like using a plain and simple bar of soap which soothes their skin and have a good smell to it. The soaps with designs do sit on the shelves for a longer time but the more plain ones goes off faster... I think most of the world really gives a lot of thought and time and of course their monies to simplicity and Quality of the bars and how good they perform in the shower or bath... 😊 You are so precious, thank you for sharing your experiences, thoughts and ideas with us ... Always!... love and hugs from India ❤
You are so genuine and fun to listen to. Thanks for sharing your expertise!!!
Hi Elly- I just have to say that I not only love the content of every video of your's that I've ever watched but I love the way you deliver the information to us. You have such a rich, common sense and sincere approach to teaching us about soaping. I have no doubt that's how you approach life in general! Thank you so much !
Aww, thanks so much Marilyn!
I hear these comments, too, about "It's too pretty to use." So I made a sign for my table that says, "Life is short. Use the beautiful soap." I do agree with you, though....when we are making soaps to sell, the extra time needed for intricate designs may not be profitable. I have both solid bars and some swirls and that is all I can manage these days.
I love that. Great point! I think educating and encouraging your customers is really important! The will listen to the maker if they trust them and enjoy the products.
Thanks so much for this video Elly.
I am sometimes so embarrassed at how my 'swirls' turn out out to be something completely different to what I had planned, but my customers say that they still love how it makes their skin feel, they enjoy the essential oil blends and they appreciate the rustic look and natural colors that I use; charcoal, cocoa, moringa, spirulina, clays, turmeric etc 🌿🐝🌸
You are so right about the people that your soap attracts...I am attracted to very natural products...and steer away from bright, heavily fragranced soap (especially when they are made to look and smell like food...what's that about?)
Thank you for all your guidance and reassurance...you are AMAZING! 💝
Thanks, and you're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Oh Elly. I smiled so many times in this video, you really spoke to me and probably every soap maker out there! It’s been such a journey making soap. I tend to love being creative. I used to make kiln fired glass Jewellery and mosaics and did markets. When I started soap making I realized this could be artistic too. But then I get people who have given my soap as a gift and the recipient won’t use it as it is too pretty. I also was making a range of recipes with beautiful ingredients and no one seemed to care what was in them, they just wanted them to smell nice and look pretty. I actually love plain unscented soap. It’s so pure. Stunning. But only a niche few people want this. But it’s about adapting to what people want otherwise you are trying to use up a lot of soap in the shower!! I sometimes ask what people’s favourites are or what they would like me to make. It’s helpful to gauge. And most of the people that buy my soap are my friends! 😂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s been so helpful, as always, and reassuring. (p.s. I do some of my best thinking in the shower. It’s the only ten minutes of the day that my thoughts are uninterrupted!)
Kind regards, Cassandra.
I'm so glad you enjoyed this Cassandra, and I loved hearing about your experience and thoughts. You sound like you love the creative expression involved with soap designs, but it can be a challenge to sell unfortunately. You might be surprised how many people would buy simple, unscented soap. My plain castile bars - totally unadorned - were among my best sellers!
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking thank you Elly. I’ve never made a plain Castile soap because I am impatient and didn’t want to wait so long to use it. The irony is if I had made one when I wanted to I’d be using it right now! I think I will make one in the coming weeks. You always inspire me! 😊🙏 I think I will make some creative soaps to satisfy my creative need and a range of plainer soaps that smell amazing and this should keep us all happy. 😊 thanks again for making this video that speaks to all us soapy peeps. 🥰 Cassandra.
You're so lovely Cassandra, thank you! Did you know that it's a myth that Castile changes after a very long cure? It's still a slimy type soap (just thought I'd warn ya). I still love it though. I need to do a video all about Castile soap and the myths, and how to handle it so that it can be fully enjoyed! :)
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking I did not know that!!! I have read that you can make one that takes less curing if you warm up the oils and have warm lye and a very steep water discount. But this could be a myth too!! I think a video about Castile would be amazing. I think there would be a lot of people who would love that one!! I think a work colleague used to make Castile soaps many moons ago and I recall them just turning to mush in the shower. I imagine there was a lot less info about them back then. They were very gentle though. I will still make one to satisfy the curiosity, unscented I think and it will be a lovely pure soap. Happy weekend. 😊😊 Cassandra
I love making soaps in moulds! Most of the time they are beautiful. But there are times, like yesterday, when the soap stuck like glue in the plastic moulds. By the time I finally got them all out, I had to use a vegetable peeler and make them into plain shaped soap.
That’s okay too! The ingredients are still lovely!
Thank you for another wonderful video!🌻
This couldn't have come at a better time. After almost 5 years of selling, I feel like I have hit a brick wall with stagnate growth. I don't know whether it's the economy (I am in the US), or if it's my soap, but, something is different. I've always made the pretty soap, my focus is that I use tallow in my recipe, with the exception of one vegan, no palm recipe. I often get the "it's too pretty to use" response, yet my repeat customers love it when I come up with a pretty, swirly soap. I've been thinking of pivoting next year and concentrate more on plain soap. Solid colors, with a great smell and a wonderful feeling soap. To be honest, I love making pretty soaps, so I don't know if I could stop. But your video has given me lots of food for thought. Thanks, so much.!
Oh so interesting. Maybe it's worth some experimentation to see how your market responds? I know soap makers who have a few swirly soaps, and many plain ones as well. Only making those that do well in both/either category.
I also like to make very nice soap, also with herbal extracts for sensitive skin, I often use colors from nature such as chlorella, which does not change in the soapy water,
I love your videos Elly. I’m a soap maker, mine are spiritually energised soaps and I decorate them according to the frequency names. Ie Joy, Peace , Love etc. ( quality ingredients as well).
I have a particular niche market and I do have a big range and make soy candles to match.
My market is expanding but I just love what I do and I don’t want to change .
Some customers say ‘ make them smaller’ or ‘use essential oils ‘ but I know many other local soap makers do that. So I continue to do what I love and I so enjoy it. I love your knowledge and info. Thank you so much . Élyna Angelic… Angelic Creations is what I call my wee business. ❤😊. You are such a wonderful teacher. I’ve followed you for years. Keep doing it please. 😍
I love that. Your soap means something to you. It's special. There's a lot of quality in that. Well done x
@@EllysEverydaySoapMakingThanks Elly. I love ‘fiddling’ and designing. It’s so creative and that’s my favourite part of soaping… when it works of course 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Elly
I'm also in Australia, NSW and I'm just venturing out into the goat milk soap world.
So happy I came across this video as it's just confirmed for me that simple is best.....and of course with all the medicinal essential oils health benefits added.
Watching this video has been a welcome relief in not having to keep up with the over creativity trends (which that's not me)....cannot wait to get started😊
I don't think simple is best in every situation, but it makes sense for a lot of us and has worked well for me! Excited for you, have fun :)
Thank you so much for this video! I’ve been doing M&P spam for years, but have just started doing cold process. I watch a LOT of videos, and while I am in awe of the creativity of makers like Holly, that you mentioned, and Katy from Royalty Soap, I know I am not the person who is going to be making high-top soaps with multiple embeds and four layers of piping. I want to make soap that gets used! And I agree that not only is there a market for simpler, good quality soap, but that there is a huge continuum of creativity available within that segment, too. I don’t want to go from having a fun hobby to having an unfun business, so I appreciated your comments/experience on what was rolling around in the back of my mind, but that I hadn’t fully realized I needed to think through. Again, thank you!
I am looking forward for shampoo bar recipe..
I also like making soap, but-- in Germany you are only allowed to sell soap if you have a certificate, it costs a fortune with the donation, it's also a thing where there are measures, I like working with NAOH or KOH, too The oils and essential oils have increased dramatically here in Germany, I like looking at his videos, you can always learn something new, it's nice that you're here
Thank you Gabriel, yes it's not so easy to sell soap in some places. I guess the hoops to jump through are there for good reason though. Thankfully soap making is the best hobby! I love it far more now than I did when I had to make it all the time.
LOL I love BOTH. I love the artsy and I love the all natural, plain Jane.. for different reasons...
Great info! I luv plain but luvly hard soap, beaut scent. People I sell to luv it ... and usually buy my soap because they luv the scent and all the above ❤ Thanku Elly
This was great! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am just starting in this. For now, I am focusing on using natural botanical ingredientes, rather simple bars but using cute molds and natural colors from the fruits and plants. Not that I want this to be a huge business, but I hope I can get some small group of customers who like what I make.
Thanks, I'm sure you will! Sounds like a winning formula to me. The only thing you might find is that eventually people might prefer 'proper' bar shapes from log mould/cut soap. You might also find these easier to make in larger batches than silicone moulds :)
Couldn't agree more! I started experimenting with soap making BECAUSE I like a plain bar! I'm more interested in the properties of the oils and the scents I love, than I am how pretty they are! I'm like you I like a plain white/cream bar better than the fancy ones. 💜💜💜💜💜💜
Great video Elly, good information, I think I have find out the soaps that i could sell around where i live, most is eczema, I put in all my soaps oatmeal and clay. I am going to tell you a little about me, when I started making soaps I did it for my use, I have lots of hobbies, it will be to long to list them here, anyways, at work I started telling my associates about the stuff that i make, one of them was soaps, lotions, chap sticks, deodorant, shampoo bar, hair conditioner, and many more stuff, a manager came to me to ask me if i could sell him soaps for his son, he has extreme eczema, so, i made him soaps, then another associate, then another, all of them for the same problem, so i sell them between associates, not that many, but i make a little for the products that i use, but I am not active selling them, the ones that dont sell, I use them, and my kids buy them from me, but again, everything that i make like for house cleaning to my personal use, i make them so i know what's in my toiletries. I like your video and you give me an idea of a business, but not going with the business yet, my daughter wants me to make a business, she even have the logo and everything to start online, but, am not there yet, whatever I try its because i want it to do for me, its a little scary when it comes about another people, we will see, maybe one day, in the mean time, i love some of your soaps and i will be looking forward to make some of them. thanks Elly, have a great day.
Keep it simple and do you, and that's the key to success. Love it!
Thanks for sharing this. I make plain goat milk soap. I struggle with design and was concerned i have to make my soap more attractive if I was to start selling them. but the reason for making soap wasnt for a more attractive soap but a soap that is kind to my families skin. too many store brought soap have caused skin reactions for us.
Less is more for me, and keeping it simple prevails. I love to see the simplicity of Holly's designs and will include a few in my soaps using natural colourants, of course. My target market is people with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis etc... I've opted out of fragrance oils and essential oils where I live are becoming increasingly expensive, so I will turn to infusing the carrier oils with herbs and botanicals. You really gave good stuff to chew on in this video. Thanks! 😊
What a wonderful video! Like everything you do. Lots of good , clean , down to earth common sense information. Funny thing is, I did the same with bees wax candles I bought from a friend at a bazar to support our community garden. I never used them ( I lit one for a few minutes when my friend’s sister was very I’ll ). They just embellish my house. You are a true delight of a person and very wise.
Oh thank you Susi :)
love this video. Thank you for your insight. I tend to have a difficult time selling my more fancy soaps and I'm thinking this is likely why. They sell when they're on sale but otherwise, it takes a while. I'm in the midst of streamlining my business and this is now on the menu. I'll be doing the same thing with all my soaps and keeping them simpler. Thank you!!
This is wonderful. Thank you. ❤
You are so welcome!
Thanks for another very insightful video, Elly. I really struggle with getting a good fragrance from essential oils in my soap, mostly because essential oils here in South Africa is so very expensive and I do not want to go the synthetic fragrance route. As a result, I now only create unfragranced soap. The natural fragrance of the oils and butters in the soap actually smells pretty good. I love watching your videos. Thanks for all the great advice.
This was such an interesting video, especially considering I have had the complete opposite experience. When I was selling at markets, my customers gobbled up the bright and colourful soaps but I rarely sold any plain soaps except for the venerated honey & oatmeal. I could pretty much guarantee if I made a soap with a discolouring fragrance it would never sell. Brown and plain soaps were the bane of my soaping existence 😂 I had plenty of return customers as well so I know they weren't all being thrown in the undie drawer 😉
I love that there is room in the soaping world for everyone's creativity, regardless of what end of the spectrum it is.
I absolutely agree with all you've said about selling though. It really needs deep thought about who you are marketing to and to understand that if your plan is to sell, you need to make a product for a customer, not yourself. For me - just to be contrary, I make the soap that I love, that has the qualities I want most in a soap - not very cleansing (drying) with a creamy lather, full of goats milk - and I understand that while I loved that, not everyone will and I needed to be prepared for that. I think I was just really lucky that back when I started selling, no-one else was and my bright swirly soaps were kind of the standard for all the local markets that I did.
Nice one Lee, love it! Every market is different. I'm so glad you found yours, and early!! My lot are boring 😅
What brilliant advice. Thank you. You are such a lovely person. Always giving and helping.
Thanks so much
Hi, I like so much your video and thanks a lot for your kind sharing. It values me. May I know that how to make soap with pH of about 7 or 8
What did you find your customers prefer as far as the shape of the soaps? What did you find sold the most? Round, square, rectangular shape.
As far as plain or bright colour's. I love both.
Something that fits nicely in a small-medium hand is always popular. Square or rectangle, but not too long if rectangle! Round shapes are popular too.
As Elly well knows, I'm not a soapmaker. But I so relate to what she has just said. The soaps i tend to buy are rose-scented and just a simple bar. I do lavendar too. I also have a French shop near me where I've bought an olive oil soap from Provence (from Napoleonic times). Those ones are big bricks which I cut into 3, but they're good because they last and I bought some a couple of months ago because the soap I was using had dried my hands to sandpaper over winter (here in Oz we're nearly in our summer).
And now, to the other side of my little story. I had a neighbour who it turned out ran an online soap making business. She gave me a gift of a couple of bars because I'd given her some of my home made red sauerkraut (all a bit random, I thought she ran a kombucha business, but that was her partner's and she helped). The two bars she gave me were so beautiful I could't bear to use them. I gave one to my daughter, who three years later still has hers in her linen cupboard. Mine was kept among my living room tchotchkes where I would take a wiff each time I watered my plants. Whenever anyone visited they usually noticed it and commented upon it. Mine was a swirly green with white icing and a beautiful little insect on top. My daughter's was pink. I still have mine also, but it's currently in storage while I juggle my housing situation. Sadly it's taking a while to find the right place. It's like soap, it needs to be just right. I think i might be in Elly's tribe. But, I feel as though Elly pulled her post out of my brain! 😂
We are kindred spirits, Tosca! 💕
Love this video. Can you make a video of the different alternatives of packing your soaps? I will love to listen to your input. Thank you
This was such a helpful video. I'm new to soap making and watching your channel and Holly's as well . The marketing thing was a good talk. I agree with making a solid quality small line of choices. I prefer the more simple and natural designs. Thank you. Much to think about.
I can not thank you enough for this video! I've had a few nagging quetions in the back of my mind as I begin to start selling to more than family and close friends. Most certainly, how do I find the direction I want my business to go in. You gave me insight and things to consider and think about which were truly helpful! I love that being simple is okay for me! I can do all the fancy stuff and swirls too as I've been practicing for about 4 years now and although I do get enjoyment from it, it's just not what I saw myself doing in the long run. I did shows and markets for 1 spring and summer and found that was definetly not for me! As my son teases, I couldn't take the heat or the crowds! Bless you so much for sharing your expieriences with me and helpinig to not feel so awkward!
I resonate with you! Thanks for sharing, glad you enjoyed this.
Thanks Elly...so helpful! Not one to be fancy with my soap! Eventually I will start selling. I have at least 4 favorites...Id like another two more. Six is my favorite number!
i really thank you for this tips you shared. I am back in making soap again after a year I stop. Everything you shared i wrote it down so i will not forget. I will probably make 6 or 10 kinds of soap and see from there what is best selling and what my customers really love. Before I make beautiful soaps too, colorful, nice swirls and the feedback I got from friends and customers are...they said, its pretty to use and some of them they jsut want to display it in their bathroom and some not wanting to use it LOL. Thank you, your video is very helpful for me.
Very practical, simple, and great insight and tips, thanks Elly.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Elly, thank you for the great advice you give us!! They are very useful!
You're welcome Karin, thank you!
Thx for sharing the video! 2 years ago after watching ur videos I started making soaps. And I have always returned to ur video for guidance. Thank you for this new video. I will stick to 3 to 5 best selling soaps!
Good for you! I wish you all the best. Thanks for your kind words :)
Thank you Elly! I am just starting out and feel a bit overhealmed. You always make everything SO clear! Love your videos
You are so welcome!
Excellent advice! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful :)
Thank you for your advice. I love making artsy soaps but it’s true that most of my friends and family that I give my soaps to won’t use them. They say they’re too pretty. I give them as gifts. Everyone tells me to start selling them but it seems so overwhelming...esp with 4 young kids at home. 😊
I think it's wise to follow your instinct re. selling. You have to almost have a home factory set up for it to be worthwhile! Keep it as a hobby I think, much more fun. Your kids will love you for it too (more time for family, SO important!).
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking I think it is more fun too. Not as much pressure 😊. Thank you.
I’m a new soap maker & esthetician. i prefer fragrance free, with ingredients that do something. So that’s my market! 😊
Love that!
Hi Elly, I think this was great to bring to people’s attention as we really do see all kinds of handmade soap everywhere, the plain and fancier ones. I tend to be somewhere in the middle because I like to make both kinds. I am also wondering if you would share the recipe of that favourite soap of your Mom’s that you make, the Lavender one with the purple Brazilian clay and I think you said you add a few other essential oils to the Lavender. I would love to make that soap! If it’s not a secret recipe! 😊💜
Hi Cindy, I make it in various ways, but here is the video I made of the most recent version ruclips.net/video/s37ZY6yDWdE/видео.html
hello Elly, So glad to get another video from you. This was a very good talk. Even if I'm not selling I do need to not try to make every type of soap and to concentrate on making quality soap. Americans are having our Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. Just wishing you a Thankful day in Australia.
Thank you so much Brenda. Happy Thanksgiving!
I’ve been making my own soaps for years now and I’m also a professional artist… so I’d LOVE to go crazy with colors and designs sometime, but I’ve never done that. I keep my soaps as plain as possible, because I value the quality of my soaps more than esthetics. So they all look dull greenish, but I wrap them nicely in some burlap with a nice sticker and so they look pretty anyway. 🤷♀️
I think plain soap looks beautiful! I love a plain dull green soap 😂
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking Hahaha, thank you for the encouragement! 😂
Thank you so much this is really great advise.❤
Life’ too short, use the pretty soap!! ✨😊
Ha! 😊 I wrote quite a note to contribute to this - the most I’ve ever written. 😊 Yet sadly, in the midst of adding a little more, I fell asleep 😮 😅…and the whole thing disappeared 😢. It’s late, in the early hours of the morning, thus I neither have the heart nor the energy to revisit my scribing. I will, however, add that it’s important to take into account all the extra work, time, and thus expense that goes into the creative exercise of fancy soaps. Can you or should I say, ‘will you’ charge for this extra time and product? That should help you decide upon the economics of ‘pretty soap’ ; ) ; ) 💕
Such an important point, yes. Thank you for sharing. And sorry you lost your other note!
Kindly share liquid shampoo recipe too 😊
When I first started making soap, it was always my goal to make more simple soap designs. I remember receiving my first bar of handmade soap as a teenager and never used it because I thought it was very pretty. I just kept it as a decorative item among my things. When I went off to college I tossed it because it was very dusty. I didn’t even think to try and rinse of the dust. Now after 8 yrs of making soap and running a mostly online business I have😊 switched to adding more design detail in my soaps. I figured it’s best to do this since with selling online, customers are shopping with their eyes and not their sense of smell.
Very good point. I think the trick is to find what works/appeals most with your particular segment of the market.
@@EllysEverydaySoapMaking Absolutely!
I personally like only the natural, rustic, Castile, Allepo, and Savon de Marseilles for myself and pattern my business output after these.
Thank you for sharing that information.
Could you make a video on how to price soap? I thought about selling, but only figured out the cost of my materials. I have no idea how to price the rest that is involved, which is a lot: labour, tax, molds, power (when you make at home and are not renting a place just for soap), hours or research, etc, etc, etc.
I think others have made resources like that. it's hard to account, each person does it differently.
Thank you Elly, very informative! Cheers from Miami, Florida USA 🇺🇸
😊 🌻 Many, Many year's ago i purchased a lovely simple Libyan 🧼 soap sold by a humble man. The simplicity of knowing that i am using a product that anybody with the willingness to make it their own is what i believe matters... Your experiences are a special gift 😊 Thank you for sharing 🌞 ❤
Soap products which people like is turmeric, neem, alovera and olive. You can use all garbage of olive after removing oil.
Turmeric plantation is very easy, ginger, turmeric and sweet potatoes plantation are same method.
Neem plantation is branch to branch.
Use fresh termaric, if ever you are doing plantation, you can get Indian grocery shop for plantation.
You are doing good job.
Jay Bharat.
That is such great advice Jay, and yes, I agree those ingredients sell well! Thanks for sharing your advice.
Thank you Elly! Wise words.
Thanks Cindy :)
Tanks you’re a good hero to make sopp 🌺
I too make plain bars with little top some time not I too love plain bars I had the feeling if a bar looks pretty I won't use it first. Great work madam really informative and helpful ❤️💯 thanks for sharing madam. Lot's of love from india and myself ❤️
Thank you Kajol! Lots of love from me in Brisbane :)
Hi Elly your insights are absolutely on point…! Love from India
Thank you :)
Some soaps are too pretty, while some are so delicious-looking I would wanr to eat them. I'm glad I stumbled upon this video. THANK YOU for this❤
Welcome!
RUclips just suggested your channel to me with this video. I like watching soap makers, but have to stick to the soap I use due to allergies and migraines. However, if someone gave me some of the very pretty soaps I see made on here, I wouldn't want to use them because I'd want to keep looking at them. I think perhaps makers should offer two options. Yes, I know it's more work on one bar idea, but over all if it increased your sales, then it's a win. After all, if I could use these soaps, I'd very much appreciate the pretty 'gift' with a plain 'everyday' option. Most especially if that plain option was with an incentive to buy it. Some of those gift size bars are too big for my damaged hands too, so an everyday version that is a little smaller would be better.
I love that. And I agree, without added scent you get the wonderful array of natural soapy smells. Well done, I really enjoyed reading your comment.
What do you do with the shavings from bevelling your soaps?
Do you have a smaller recipe for goconut oil soap?
I don't bevel my soap :)
Thank you for the valuable tip. Love from Malaysia 🇲🇾❤️
You're so welcome!
I am a small batch soap maker. I have had these very comments. Sometimes people just want a soap that smells really good.
Yes absolutely! I will go for a good smelling, or unscented, plain bar any day!
my customers like to see pretty soaps but only purchase the Aloe/Oatmeal/Shea butter bars ❤ thank you for all of your tips 🎉
Oh gosh that's so funny. So the pretty soap gets them in but the plain soap is what they buy! Actually I think I'm one of those customers too when I buy soap at markets. Great observation.
I once gifted my mom a coffee soap that had a single coffee bean on the top and two-tone brown swirls on the side. That was 5 years ago, and she has still not used it because it was too pretty 😂