Launch Your Box Podcast with Sarah Williams | Start, Launch, and Grow Your Subscription Box

In this Friday Fuel episode of The Launch Your Box Podcast, I'm sharing how I sold my first subscription boxes to local customers. And how setting up my tech from the beginning made it easier to grow later. If you're just getting started, this simple approach will help you build momentum without feeling overwhelmed. Starting local gives you faster feedback, lower risk, and fewer moving parts. But you still need a strong foundation. Even with just a few subscribers, a professional setup builds trust and gives your box a sense of legitimacy, both for your customers and for you. Your first subscribers may be closer than you think.  Local events, vendor markets, and craft fairs Neighborhood or niche Facebook groups Friends, coworkers, school connections Current retail or online customers You don't need a huge audience. You need a warm one that already knows, likes, and trusts you. Keep the experience simple and seamless: Share one link to your checkout page Show what the box includes and how pickup or delivery works Automate monthly payments Then create a great first impression: Add a welcome card and clear pickup instructions Send a follow-up email with next steps Stay consistent with communication Even local subscribers deserve a polished, thoughtful experience. Your local customers can become your most loyal subscribers. To keep them engaged: Add them to your email list Share sneak peeks and reminders regularly Celebrate them in your content if they post about their box Offer simple loyalty bonuses or referral perks Most importantly, keep showing up. The more consistently you communicate, the more likely they are to stick around and spread the word. Your Friday Fuel Challenge Set up your checkout page with recurring billing, even if you're only selling to a few people. Identify 5 local places or communities where your ideal subscriber already hangs out. Map out your local delivery or pickup process so customers know exactly what to expect. Create a simple follow-up email to thank new subscribers and build connection from day one. You don't need a massive audience or a complicated shipping setup to launch. You just need a solid foundation—and a few boxes that build belief. Start like you mean it. You've got this. Ready to launch your subscription box without the stress of shipping? Join me for this Friday Fuel episode and learn how starting local can give you the momentum – and the systems – you need to grow. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Two. Hundred. Episodes. Can you believe it? When I started the Launch Your Box Podcast, I had no idea just how many stories we'd tell, how many breakthroughs we'd celebrate, or how many times I'd get teary recording solo episodes in my office.  This week, we're throwing a little podcast party to celebrate. And, of course, you're invited.  For this special 200th episode, I sat down with five of my biz besties – women I've been walking alongside in life and business for more than seven years. These are the people who have seen it all, from messy middle moments to million-dollar wins. We talked about… How we met (and what that has to do with building your own business bestie crew inside Launch Your Box). The moment they each decided to go for it in their businesses. What life looked like before the business and how it's changed. The worst (and best!) advice they got when they were just starting out. What no one sees behind the scenes, but totally drains their time and energy. The mindset shifts, personal growth, and unexpected wins that changed everything. This celebration is filled with laughter, heart, and the kind of real talk we all need to hear. Especially when we're knee-deep in decisions, doubt, or feeling like duct tape holding is all that's holding things together. Whether you're still dreaming of starting or knee-deep in the hustle, this episode is your reminder that you're not alone and that success doesn't happen overnight (or without people who “get it” in your corner). Join me and my biz besties for this special episode as we celebrate, laugh (a lot), and hear the real stories behind the highlight reels. Find and follow Tamara:  Tamara on Instagram Tamara on Facebook Tamara's Website Find and follow Christie:  Christie on Instagram Christie on Facebook Christie's Website Find and follow Cindy:  Cindy on Instagram Cindy on Facebook Cindy's Website Find and follow Heidi:  Heidi on Instagram Heidi on Facebook Heidi's Website Find and follow Kasey:  Kasey on Instagram Kasey on Facebook Kasey's Website Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Do you think your subscription box has to be stuffed to feel valuable? Let's shift that mindset. In this Friday Fuel episode, I'm giving you a reality check and a smarter way to think about value. You'll learn three simple ways to increase the perceived value of your subscription box without adding more products (or more cost). These tips came straight from recent member box openings inside Launch Your Box. And they're the kind of small shifts that lead to BIG results. Here's what you'll take away: How to elevate your subscribers' experience with a cohesive theme or story.  How to make it easy for subscribers to consume the items inside your box. How to simplify the extras and focus on the experience.   Think about what really matters to your subscribers and whether what you're doing delivers. The member boxes that delivered the most were the most thoughtful, the most cohesive, and the most clear about who they are for.  Your Friday Fuel Challenge: Do a mini audit of one of your past audits. Simplicity with intention is powerful. Make sure every element of your box matters.    You don't need to add more, you just need to make what's already in your box feel more meaningful. If you've been trying to “add more” to make your box feel worth it, this episode is for you. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

In this episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I'm walking you through the 7-step roadmap to turn your product-based business into a subscription in 90 days or less. These are the same steps I used when I launched my first subscription. And the same steps I teach inside Launch Your Box. Step 1: Simplify Your Subscription Box Tech You need: A way to sell online A way to collect recurring payments That's it. Step 2: Choose What Goes in Your Subscription Box Start with what your customers already love. What are your top 3-4 best-selling items or categories? Those best sellers are the perfect foundation for your subscription. Think scalable, repeatable, and easy to ship.  Always ask yourself: Can I source this monthly? Will it ship well? Does it deliver high perceived value? Step 3: Price It Before You Plan It Don't plan your box and then figure out what to charge. Instead, set your price first, then curate around that number. Use your average order value as a guide. Keep an eye on your profit every step of the way.  Step 4: Map Out 6 Months of Boxes Want to feel ahead in your business? Plan six months of boxes now. You don't need every detail figured out. Just sketch out your themes or categories using customer behavior patterns and seasonal trends. For help doing this in just one hour, take my FREE 6 in 60 Workshop. Step 5: Choose (and Commit to) Your Subscription Box Launch Date Mark your launch date on the calendar. Ideally, 45–60 days out. That becomes your anchor point. It tells you when to: Finalize tech Order product Build your waitlist Start marketing Tell someone your date. Accountability works. Step 6: Build a Waitlist + Create Launch Momentum Your waitlist isn't just a place to collect emails. It's your launch engine. Build a simple opt-in page that shares: Who your box is for What's inside Why it's special Then nurture that list with weekly updates. Even a small waitlist can convert like crazy when you keep them engaged. Step 7: Prep, Test, and Launch Test your tech. Write your emails. Plan your social content. Then go LIVE and get that first box out into the world. Take Action You already have a business. You already have customers. Now it's time to turn that into a recurring revenue stream you can count on. You've got the plan. Now go launch the dang thing. Want to turn your product business into recurring revenue? This episode gives you the action plan. Start listening now. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Hitting 100 subscribers can feel like a huge milestone. And that's because it is. It's a sign of momentum, confidence, and real growth. In this Friday Fuel episode, I'm breaking down the 4 things that helped me – and so many Launch Your Box members – reach that 100-subscriber mark faster. If you're stuck in the 20 to 30 subscriber zone and not sure what to focus on next, this episode is for you. These four areas are simple, powerful, and completely within your control. Here's what you'll take away: Why consistency means more than just posting regularly. It's about delivering what you promise. How to revise your messaging so your ideal subscriber says, “That's for me!”What makes an offer irresistible. And what might be confusing your audience. Why showing up is the non-negotiable that builds trust and drives sales. Your Friday Fuel Challenge: Listen to this quick, impactful, action-packed episode, then pick one of these areas to focus on—and go all in. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

If you've ever found yourself dreading the “J months” of January, June, and July, you're not alone. A lot of subscription box owners and product-based business owners see these as slow, even sluggish seasons. But what if that mindset is the very thing holding you back? In this episode of the Launch Your Box podcast, I'm sharing a mindset reset, practical list-building strategies, and five real sales ideas to help you beat the summer slump and build serious momentum heading into fall. Because here's the truth: you don't have to coast through summer. Because your success this fall starts with what you're doing right now. The Real Reason the “J Months” Feel Slow I recently heard a speaker say, “The J months are just bad for business.”And my first thought? That's the problem right there. These months are not the problem. But how you show up for them might be.  As subscription box owners, we often scale back our marketing, stop sending emails, and lower our energy during these months. And guess what? That creates the slowdown we feared. The J months aren't cursed. They're just different. The key isn't to disappear. It's to show up differently. Build Now to Launch Your Subscription Box Strong Later When other business owners are quiet, you have a chance to stand out. This is the time to grow your following and build your list so your next subscription box launch is stronger than ever. Here's how to stay visible and connected all summer long: Share sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content Reconnect with your “why” and invite your audience in Offer a summer opt-in like a checklist, quiz, or guide Run a giveaway to build your list Start or grow your waitlist Send 1–2 nurture emails per week What you do now will directly impact your future sales and your next launch. 5 Sales Strategies to Beat the Summer Slump If you want to drive revenue during the J months, try one (or more!) of these proven strategies: This is your prep season, your brand-building season, your relationship-deepening season. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Have a million subscription box ideas, but no idea which one to launch? You're not alone. So many aspiring subscription box owners get stuck right here. Spinning in indecision. Afraid to choose the “wrong” idea. And waiting for clarity that never comes. In this Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I'm sharing a simple framework to help you move from overthinking to deciding. Because the truth is, clarity doesn't come from thinking harder. It comes from taking action. If you've been stuck in idea overload, this is the mindset reset you need. Instead of chasing the perfect idea: 1 – Acknowledge that “too many ideas” is a form of fear.Coming up with a long list of ideas feels productive. But really, it's a sneaky way to stay safe. You can't launch five boxes at once – and you don't need to. You just need to pick one. 2 – Use the 3 C's to filter your subscription box options.I walk you through a simple framework to help you evaluate your ideas and find the one with the clearest path forward. Choose the idea you can build momentum around now. 3 – Let go of the pressure to pick the perfect subscription box idea.Your first box doesn't have to be your forever box. It just has to be the one you start with. And the faster you start, the faster you learn. 4 – Make the decision and move forward.Action builds confidence. Once you've chosen your direction, commit. Focus on progress, not perfection. Your Friday Fuel Challenge: Pick ONE idea and talk about it this week. Share a post, send an email, or start building your waitlist around it.Because clarity follows action. And one focused idea is how you'll finally launch your box. Need help planning your first 6 boxes once you've picked your idea?Join my FREE 6 in 60 Workshop at 6in60workshop.com Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

“It takes money to grow.” - Sarah Williams Is it time to raise your prices? After all, costs are up on absolutely everything. Your costs are up - on products, packaging, shipping, and more. Your costs going up means your profit margins are going down.  If you don't raise your prices, you'll keep chipping away at your profit margin - and your business won't be sustainable long term. It takes money to grow your business. A lower profit margin means less money to invest back into your business which means less growth.  I recently had to do something about increased shipping costs in my business. My “free” shipping was costing me more and more of my profit on every order. I had to make a change. I went from free shipping on everything to a flat rate of $6.99 or free shipping on orders over $100.  I worried about what would happen. Would my customers not buy without free shipping? Would my revenues go down? No. Instead:  My average order value increased by 38% - from $48 to $65.  Last month saw a 74% increase in sales year over year.  Not only are my customers still buying, they're buying MORE to meet the free shipping threshold.  When you decide it's the right time to increase the price of your subscription, you have two options:  Raise the price across the board for everyone.  Understand and accept that you may have some attrition - but fewer subscribers at a higher price will make you more profitable in the long run.  Run a full marketing campaign notifying subscribers the price is going up and when the increase is effective.  Be transparent about the reasons for the increase. Your subscribers know the price of everything is going up. Make it clear that you want to be around to continue giving them great products in their subscription boxes. Grandfather in your existing subscribers at their current price and increase for any new subscriber. This makes for a GREAT launch campaign. “Get in now before prices go up.”  Older subscribers at the lower rate will go away over time.  You have to raise your prices as your costs rise. You can not sustain your business long term without raising your prices. Join me for this episode as we talk about profit margins, what the increased cost of absolutely everything means for your business, and the right way to increase the price of your subscription box.  What's the profit margin on your subscription box?  Text “budget” to 940-204-0023 and I'll send you my box budget calculator.  Join me in all the places:  ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠  Are you ready for ⁠Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠Join the waitlist⁠ today! 

Are you worried you'll launch your subscription box and no one will subscribe? You're not alone. This fear shows up for nearly every subscription box owner at some point, especially in the early days. In this Friday Fuel episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I'm sharing a mindset shift and some simple, strategic steps to help you move forward with clarity. Even if you're starting from zero. If fear or self-doubt has you feeling stuck, this is the pep talk you need. Instead of worrying about launch day numbers: 1 - Know that this fear is normal. The fear of “no subscribers” doesn't mean you're not cut out to be a subscription box owner. It means you care. Acknowledge the fear, but don't let it call the shots. 2 - Don't obsess over your launch date. Setting a date can be helpful, but it's not the most important thing. Focus on taking action and building momentum before the cart opens. 3 - Start building your waitlist now. Your waitlist is your best launch asset. It gives you an audience of warm leads who are interested, engaged, and ready to buy when the time comes. 4 - Understand that clarity comes from action. You don't need all the answers to get started. Just take the next right step. Then the next. That's how you build both confidence and progress. Your Friday Fuel Challenge You're not behind. You're just getting started. The best way to start? Take one small action this week to build your waitlist. Post a teaser, create a freebie, and talk about your box. Progress beats perfection. Every single time. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Your subscription box business isn't growing like you want it to. You're not gaining subscribers at the rate you'd planned for and hoped for and you're not sure what to do.    If you start looking around for advice, you're likely to find people telling you the answer to your problem is Facebook Ads. I have a different opinion.    Facebook Ads will NOT grow your subscription box for you. Yep, I said it. I know this might be an unpopular opinion, but it's one I feel very strongly about. Let's dig in and talk about why.    It is rare in life that throwing money at a problem solves it. And it turns out, a subscription box business is a lot like life.    Facebook Ads are ONE tool in your multi-channel marketing plan. They aren't the main tool and shouldn't be weighted more heavily than the rest of your tools.  You have to have so many things dialed in with your business and your ideal customer BEFORE you start paying for Facebook Ads. If you don't, you may bring people in by spending a lot of money on Facebook Ads, but they won't stay. If you haven't spent the time and effort building connections with your subscribers, building that incredibly important know/like/trust factor, they will not stay. They are not invested in you or in your business.    Facebook Ads can be incredibly effective as PART of an overall marketing strategy – not as a standalone strategy.    So, if it's not Facebook Ads, what will make the biggest difference when it comes to growing your subscriber base?  Clearly defining your niche: consider whether you can niche down further.  Making sure your copy – all of it – is clear and conversational.  Making sure you have an effective way to capture people once they get to your website: do you have a high converting pop-up or opt-in?    I also want you to think about other organic ways to drive traffic and get new subscribers. This is traffic you do not have to pay for!  Pinterest – start using this FREE search engine/social media platform that is my #2 source of traffic!  Blog on your website – write posts regularly (monthly, biweekly, weekly). YouTube TikTok   Are you counting on Facebook Ads alone to grow your subscriber base? In today's episode, I talk about the negative sides of putting all your eggs in the Facebook Ads basket and what you need to do instead. Want to grow your subscription box? Come listen!   Important Links:  Join me in all the places:  ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠ Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠  Are you ready for ⁠ Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠ Join the waitlist⁠ today! 

Are you posting videos to YouTube but not seeing much traction? You're not alone—and you're not doing anything wrong. But a few small shifts could make a big difference. In this Friday Fuel episode, I'm breaking down four simple, strategic ways subscription box owners can grow their audience on YouTube—without expensive equipment, complicated editing, or hoping a video goes viral. Whether you're just getting started or trying to revive a slow-growing channel, these tips will help you show up with purpose and turn casual viewers into loyal subscribers. 1 - Be consistent with what you post on your YouTube channel.  Think of your channel like a favorite show. Your audience should know what kind of content to expect and when to expect it.  Choose video types that work for your subscription box, including:  Monthly unboxings  Behind the scenes Style guides How tos/tutorials  Subscriber stories Q&As  2 - YouTube video titles and thumbnails “sell the click.”  It doesn't matter how good your video is if you can't get people to click on it!  Your goal is to grab your audience's attention and tell them what the video is about. Clarity beats clever when it comes to titles! For thumbnails, faces matter! Use brand colors and faces to capture attention.  3 - Win viewers over in the first 30 seconds. The longer people watch your videos, the more YouTube's algorithm rewards you by showing your videos to more people.  Grab viewers' attention quickly and keep them watching by:  Clearly stating what the video is about Building curiosity Showing energy and confidence  4 - Tell your YouTube viewers what to do next.  Every video needs a CTA (call to action). Tell viewers what you want them to do next:  Subscribe to your channel Join your waitlist Drop a comment Download a freebie Your Friday Fuel Challenge Building an audience for your subscription box on YouTube is all about showing up, standing out, and giving people a reason to stay connected. Your audience will grow, and your confidence will, too. Remember, you don't need to be perfect—you just need to show up with intention. Pick one of the four tips from today's episode and use it in your very next video. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Most subscription box owners are focused on growing their subscriber count. And while getting new customers is exciting, it's not where sustainable growth comes from. If you want to build a thriving, profitable subscription business, there's one strategy you can't afford to ignore: retention. In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between chasing subscribers and keeping them — and why keeping them can make a bigger impact on your bottom line. From curating a subscriber experience that builds loyalty to planning and implementing a retention strategy that actually works, we'll walk through the key shifts that can help you reduce churn and grow your business more predictably. Acquiring new subscribers is 5–7 times more expensive than keeping the ones you already have. If new subscribers are simply replacing those who've canceled, you're not really growing — you're just treading water. How to Create an Experience, Not Just a BoxProducts bring people in. Experiences make them stay. I share how community, surprise & delight, and consistency can turn casual customers into long-term subscribers and loyal fans. Building Connection through CommunicationIf subscribers only hear from you when their box ships, they'll forget you. Learn how regular emails, engaging social content, and personal touches can keep your box top of mind and off the chopping block. Retention Doesn't Just Happen–You Need a PlanHigh retention isn't luck — it's strategy. I'll show you how to build a simple 90-day plan that keeps subscribers engaged and excited to stay with you month after month. Whether you're just starting out or are trying to scale an established subscription box, retention needs to be at the top of your list. Of course, you'll always work to attract new subscribers — but keeping the ones who already said yes? That's where your growth becomes sustainable. Join me to learn how a focus on retention can make your subscription box more profitable, more stable, and more sustainable. Download our free Retention Rate Calculator HERE and start measuring what matters:  Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!  The real cost of acquisition vs. retention in your subscription box business

Starting your subscription box? Or maybe you've already launched—and now you're realizing there's a lot more to it than you expected? You're not alone. In this quick, 10-minute Friday Fuel episode, I'm sharing five lessons I wish I could go back and tell myself before launching my own subscription box. These are the things that catch new box owners off guard—and if you know them early, they'll save you stress, money, and momentum down the road. This episode isn't about perfection. It's about being intentional—making smart choices that set your business up for long-term success instead of early burnout. One of the biggest mindset shifts new subscription box owners need to make? Your box isn't about you. You might be curating products you love (and that's great!), but your box has to be about your subscriber. What does she need? What makes her smile? What problem are you helping her solve? When you build your subscription box with your customer in mind, everything else—from your messaging to your retention strategy—becomes so much easier. A strong, engaged waitlist is what makes a successful launch possible. If you skip the relationship-building part and jump straight to selling, you're likely to be disappointed. Most new box owners focus almost entirely on getting subscribers—and forget about keeping them. But if you want your subscription box to be profitable, retention matters just as much as growth. In this episode, I'm sharing a simple mindset shift that will help you boost retention without spending more on product. You'll be surprised at how small touches can make a big impact. It happens every time—new box owners underestimate how much that first box will cost. Between product, packaging, shipping, and all the little things (like tissue paper and filler!), the expenses add up fast. That's why it's so important to budget with margin—and expect the unexpected. The subscription box business isn't a sprint. It's a marathon.  When you give yourself permission to grow steadily and build a strong foundation, you set yourself up for long-term success. This week, I want you to take 10 quiet minutes and ask yourself:“Am I building my subscription box for me… or for my ideal customer?” Look at your product selection, your messaging, and your social posts. Are they focused on you, or are they truly speaking to the person you want to serve? Refocus your energy—and you'll see a big difference. Want to keep your subscribers longer? Grab my free guide: 10 Ways to Surprise & Delight Your Subscriber Or just text SURPRISE to 940-204-0023 Grab your Box Budget Calculator!  Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Struggling to grow your subscription box on Instagram? You're not alone. In this episode of the Launch Your Box Podcast, I'm joined by Instagram strategist Michelle Gifford to break down exactly how to grow on Instagram right now—even if you're starting from scratch or feeling stuck. I first connected with Michelle after seeing my friend Heidi's Instagram take off. When I asked what changed, Heidi said, “Just do what Michelle says.” So I invited her on the podcast to share her expertise with us. Michelle shared that Instagram recently shifted from a follower-based algorithm to a content-based one—meaning quality content is what drives growth, not your follower count. That's a huge win for subscription box owners trying to get more eyes on their offers. The foundation of her Instagram strategy is what she calls the Attract, Nurture, Sell Method: Attraction content (50%): reels, trending sounds, quick wins—content designed to reach non-followers and get shared Nurture content (30%): carousels, Stories, Lives—more in-depth content that builds connection and trust Selling content (20%): simple, direct posts that show up and sell your box If you post 6 days a week, think: 3 attraction posts, 2 nurture posts, and 1 sales post. That's your 3:2:1 formula. Michelle's advice: Post attraction content that makes people think, “I know exactly who to send this to.” Use nurture content to deepen the relationship—think saves, not shares. Don't skip the selling posts! They matter just as much as the rest. We also talked about: Why b-roll video is your best friend for attraction content. How to repurpose one activity—like an unboxing—into multiple content types. Why hashtags still matter (yes, really!) Before we wrapped up, I asked Michelle to brainstorm with me one thing every subscription box owner could post today to boost their Instagram reach. Her answer was so simple and actionable: Record a b-roll clip of you packing or unpacking your box. Add a bold, shareable caption like: “Fashion advice I'd give you if I wasn't afraid to hurt your feelings.” That's it. That's attraction content. Ready to grow your Instagram with confidence and strategy? This episode is packed with practical tips, simple frameworks, and the encouragement to just start. Listen now and tag me @howtostartasubbox when you post your reel—I can't wait to see it! Find and follow Michelle:  Michelle on Instagram Michelle's Podcast Michelle's Website Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!  Instagram Strategy That Works for Subscription Box OwnersWhat to Post on Instagram to Grow Your Subscription BoxA Quick Instagram Content Idea You Can Use Today

Welcome to Friday Fuel—a brand-new mini-episode series designed to give you quick, actionable insights to move your subscription box business forward. These episodes are short, sharp, and packed with practical takeaways—all in under 10 minutes. In this very first Friday Fuel, I'm breaking down five common website mistakes I see subscription box owners and online product sellers make over and over again. Mistakes that might be costing you sales right now. Whether your website is brand new or several years old, this episode will help you clean up your first impression and start turning more visitors into customers and subscribers. What your homepage must include above the fold How to use your visuals to sell, not just decorate Why too many checkout options can scare buyers away A smarter way to use pop-ups without driving people off Where and how to add social proof that builds trust quickly Your Action Step Pick one of the five areas I shared and make a small update to your website.You don't need to fix everything at once—just keep moving forward. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Have you launched your subscription box but found yourself struggling to grow? Launching your subscription box is a HUGE milestone. Celebrate that! The next HUGE milestone for so many of my members is reaching 100 subscribers. Some - those with large, engaged audiences - do this during their first launch. Most don't. I didn't.  Growing your subscription box to 100 subscribers and beyond takes time. It's important to give yourself grace and time to get there while still staying focused and holding yourself accountable. Inside Launch Your Box, I walk my members through what it takes to get their subscription boxes launched. But the launch is not the end. There is more work to do to keep it going - and growing - each month. Which is why we talk about much more than just launching inside LYB.  It's constant curation. Keeping up with trends and what your subscribers want.  It's constant marketing. Getting yourself out there and in front of new people consistently.  It's constant retention. So many subscription box owners make the mistake of focusing only on the acquisition of new subscribers, losing sight of the subscribers they already have.  Focusing on these three things should drive your business and create long-term recurring revenue.  So, what got me to my first 100 subscribers and what should you do to get to yours?  Don't stop talking about your subscription box.  You think everyone has seen it. They haven't.  You think you're talking about it enough. You're not.  Inside the Launch Your Box Training Library - in the Marketing Module - you'll find a Subscription Box Social Media resource with posting ideas for EVERY day of the month!  Not an LYB member yet? Text LAUNCH to 940-204-0023 for a link to join!  Engage. Consistently.  Be social before and after the sale.  Retention is a HUGE part of growth - make sure you're engaging with your subscribers, letting them know how much you appreciate them.  Your excitement is contagious.  Create FOMO for those not signed up!  Create connections with and for your subscribers.  I don't recommend private Facebook groups for our subscriptions - you lose a valuable opportunity to create FOMO.  Create value - it's not always about the stuff.  What makes you different and unique?  Why should someone buy from you and not a big box store?  Curate the experience your subscribers are looking for - the experience they can't get from big box stores or even big box subscriptions.  Everyone can do these simple things to grow their subscriptions. Your launch is only the beginning. When you're ready to take your subscription box to the next level, when you're ready to go deeper… you're ready for my ⁠Scale Your Box⁠ course. There's so much to scaling your box - so many things you can do to grow your business in a manageable, profitable way.  Join me for this episode where I talk you through what it takes to get you to your first 100 subscribers and beyond!   Join me in all the places:  ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Launch Your Box with Sarah Website⁠    Are you ready for ⁠ Launch Your Box⁠? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. ⁠ Join the waitlist⁠ today! 

Are you 30 days away from launching your subscription box? Whether you're launching for the very first time or opening up to new subscribers again, these steps will help you build momentum, stay focused, and launch with confidence. Step 1: Set Your Launch Date (and Tell People About It) When you commit to a specific date—and announce it to your audience—everything shifts. You create urgency. You focus your content. You hold yourself accountable. So go ahead—circle it on the calendar and tell your people what's coming. Step 2: Launches Happen in the Inbox Email matters. Even if your list is small. Building know/like/trust happens in the inbox. Here's what to do: If you haven't been emailing regularly - Start now. Send one email right away, then email once a week. If you have been emailing regularly - It's time to increase frequency. Start sending two emails per week. And in every single email? Make your call-to-action: Join the waitlist. Haven't started building your email list yet? Prioritize it now. Step 3: Double Your Video Efforts Video builds trust fast—and gives you a powerful tool for retargeting. Go LIVE on Facebook. Post reels on Instagram. Share behind-the-scenes stories. Show packing day, talk about your why, or just let people see you. You can repurpose what you're emailing or posting and bring it to life through video. When people view even 3 seconds, you can retarget them with ads later. So the more you show up, the more your future customers get to know you. And again—make your call-to-action: Join the waitlist. Step 4: Drive People to Your Waitlist Your waitlist is not just a page. It's the heartbeat of your launch. These are your warmest leads—your future VIPs. So treat it like the powerful tool it is. Make it the one thing you're asking people to do every day. And if you're planning a bonus or early access offer? Use that to create urgency and get more people signed up. Step 5: Nurture Your Waitlist with a Sequence Getting people to join your waitlist is only step one. You've got to keep the energy going. Send a short email sequence that makes your future subscribers feel seen, excited, and ready to buy when you open the doors. Here's a simple plan: Welcome + Introduce Yourself Share Your Why Take Them Behind the Scenes Give a Sneak Peek of What's Coming Step 6: Run Ads to Fuel Growth Even with a small budget, running the right kinds of ads can help you grow faster. Page Like Ads – grow your Facebook audience Lead Magnet Ads – offer a freebie to build your email list Waitlist Ads – drive warm leads straight to your waitlist Ads aren't just for launch week—they're a great way to fill your funnel in the 30 days leading up to it. Don't Wait Until the Middle of Your Launch to Get Ready These 30 days? They're your prep time. You'll thank yourself when you're in the middle of your launch and you're not scrambling to “catch up.” These six steps aren't just for launch season—they're what you should be doing year-round to build a thriving subscription box business. Whether you're launching for the first time or re-opening your subscription, this episode will help you show up with confidence and a clear plan. Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Whether you're just getting started or dreaming of your next big milestone, this conversation will encourage you, motivate you, and inspire you . We talk about how they built momentum, what they focused on (and what they let go of), and the mindset shifts that helped them scale without losing their sanity. Kristy launched Kristy's Craft Room in 2019 by simply doing what she loved — crafting and building community. She hosted in-person craft nights that quickly moved online just before the pandemic hit. When everyone was suddenly at home in spring 2020, Kristy's classes exploded. At first, she wasn't selling anything. Her audience had to convince her to start offering craft kits — and when she did, they sold like crazy. After hearing me speak at an event, she realized she could turn this into something sustainable… and launched her subscription box. In 2024, Kristy faced some real-life challenges — aging parents, kids leaving home, and a business that had started to take over her time. Instead of pushing harder, she pulled back. She paused one-off product launches and went deeper with her subscribers. She offered behind-the-scenes content, created FOMO with unboxing videos, and focused on nurturing her core community. And guess what? She still hit $1 million — and had more time to spend with the people she loves most. Stacey's story starts even earlier — she began painting custom furniture in 2013. By 2017, she pivoted online, going LIVE with decorating tips and DIYs, and her audience grew quickly. She launched her subscription in 2018 with just 20 subscribers. Today, 1,100+ members strong, her community is one of the most loyal I've ever seen. But in 2024, Stacey hit a wall with growth. Getting new subscribers was tough. So instead of spending her time and energy chasing new subscribers, she focused on the people who already loved her. She gave them exclusives, launched new offers just for them, and stopped trying to do all the things. She focused on growing her main thing — and it worked. What I love most is that both Stacey and Kristy set this goal in 2023… and missed it. But they didn't give up. They came back in 2024 — a year full of challenges for both of them — and hit that milestone by staying focused and trusting the process. This episode is full of those kinds of reminders — that you don't have to do everything. That your subscribers are your most important customers. That leaning into what's working beats chasing everything else. Let this episode be your inspiration. You can build a million-dollar business from home. You can scale without burning out. You can do it with focus, community, and a little courage to stay the course. These two amazing women are proof. And I couldn't be more proud of them. Whether you're just getting started or dreaming of your next big milestone, this conversation will light a fire under you.  Grab your earbuds and come join us. Past episodes featuring Kristy and Stacey:  Generating Over $20K a Month with a Digital Subscription - episode 82 750 Pillow Subscriptions Sold in 5 Days with Wilshire Collections - episode 135 Streamline Your Subscription Box with a Fulfillment Center - episode 152 Journey from One-Time Boxes to a Thriving Monthly Subscription - episode 45 Find and follow Kristy:  Kristy's Craft Room on Facebook  Kristy's Craft Room on Instagram Kristy's Craft Room Website Find and follow Stacey:  Wilshire Collections on Facebook  Wilshire Collections on Instagram Wilshire Collections Website Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

What if I told you writing six simple emails once could bring ongoing revenue into your subscription box business?    There are three email automations (also called flows or sequences)every subscription box owner needs to have in place. Write these once and they'll work for you for a long time.    If you've listened to my podcast, seen me on social media, or read my blog, you know I like to keep things simple but effective. That's why I recommend that each automation needs to be only two emails.    The three types of email automations you need are:  Waitlist flow.  New subscriber flow.  Abandoned cart flow.    Each email has a purpose. Each email contains a call to action. Each email needs to connect with your audience, engage them, and encourage them to take action.    These email automations - plus the bonus automation I tell you more about in this episode - account for a full 5% of my monthly revenue. 5%! That's a lot of revenue coming into my business that requires no work from me. I wrote the emails once and they keep working for me… month after month.    Join me for this episode as I share more details about each of the three types of email automations you need to put in place right now. Learn what to put in each email and how to write subject lines that get noticed.  Important Links:  Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to bring in some extra revenue—even if you don't add any new subscribers. In this episode, I'm sharing two super simple, super effective ways you can generate quick cash flow this season by creating limited-time, one-time boxes your audience will love. These strategies work, whether you want to clear out inventory or make the most of gift-giving opportunities. Spring is the perfect time to launch limited-time boxes to bring in extra revenue and keep your audience engaged. Two of my favorite spring offers are Mother's Day Gift Boxes and Spring Cleaning Mystery Boxes. They're easy to curate, fun to promote, and they provide an injection of cash into my business. One-time boxes serve a specific purpose in your business, giving you a quick revenue boost without the need for new subscribers.  One-time boxes are: Easy to market–seasonal urgency or limited quantities A great way to re-engage and re-energize your email list Perfect for testing new themes or audiences A low-commitment way for new customers to try your brand One-time boxes require you to temporarily shift your focus from recurring subscriptions to creating hype and excitement around these one-time purchases. Mother's Day is like Christmas in May for your business. Make the most of this gift-giving holiday and create one-time boxes. Some examples that have worked great for me and members of Launch Your Box include:  Self-care for moms Mom's Night In “Treat Yourself” boxes for moms to buy for themselves (because yes, moms will buy for themselves) Sarah's One-Time Mother's Day Box Pro tips: Start promoting in mid-late April Build a waitlist and create urgency Offer themed packaging and gift notes Ship in early May– make order deadlines clear Price one-time boxes similar to your subscription price or average order value (AOV) Turn extra inventory into profit—without running a clearance sale. Mystery boxes: Create FOMO and excitement Let you surprise and delight customers Help clear shelves of inventory and bring a revenue boost to  your bottom line Spring Mystery Boxes Pro Tips: Curate using past box items or extra stock Offer 1–2 price points Include at least one high-value item in each box Make value messaging very clear: e.g., “$100 worth of products for $50” Marketing these seasonal boxes doesn't need to be complicated. Keep it simple and show up.   Go LIVE on social media to build excitement and show sneak peeks Email your list—your list is your best sales tool Social media content: unboxings, packing videos, behind-the-scenes Paid ads to warm audiences for last-minute sales Pick one of these seasonal box ideas and:: Set a launch date Build a waitlist Start planning your promo schedule Grab your notebook and join me on this episode as we talk through Mother's Day Boxes, Spring Cleaning Mystery Boxes, and how to use both to re-engage your audience, boost sales, and build even more excitement around your subscription box business.  Join me in all the places:   Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

When Jane Wild of Jane's Agenda first joined me on the podcast in Episode 92, we were celebrating a huge milestone: 500 subscribers to her planner subscription. That was a big deal—and one that meant Jane had to start doing things differently in her business. Now she's back, and her numbers have more than doubled. With 1300 active subscribers and an 85% growth rate in 2024, Jane is sharing exactly how she got here—and what she's doing to scale intentionally in 2025. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Jane's one-off planner sales dropped off. After all, no one had anything to plan. So Jane created a subscription box to give her customers something to look forward to—and some much-needed structure in uncertain times. Reaching 500 subscribers was a major turning point. Jane had to shift from small-scale planning to: Ordering in bulk Sourcing from overseas Hiring help and defining roles Creating systems—because “everyone doing everything” no longer worked Those changes laid the foundation for what came next. The secret to Jane's growth? Consistency and connection. Jane committed to going LIVE 2–3 times a week, every week. Not just random LIVEs—she scheduled them in advance, gave each one a purpose, and showed up even when she felt nervous or unsure. This consistent visibility: Built her know/like/trust factor Helped her audience get to know the real Jane Made it easier for people to say yes when she opened the cart Jane also ran a KingSumo giveaway, following the step-by-step training inside Launch Your Box. The result? 1,000 new email subscribers 300 new paying subscribers Giveaways aren't just about free stuff. When done right, they build your list, generate excitement, and drive conversions. Jane uses a closed-cart model and leans hard into: Urgency Scarcity Exclusivity She keeps a waitlist and creates serious FOMO with high-value, wow-worthy products her audience doesn't want to miss. And when her box hits its anniversary each September? She celebrates BIG—with a special edition box and a major sale in her online shop. Jane's success didn't come without some hard lessons. She realized: She needed to hire ahead of growth Her team needed clear roles and responsibilities Moving into a separate office space (away from the warehouse) helped her focus and lead more effectively Now she's building out SOPs, instituting team reviews, and cultivating a culture of "Why are we doing what we're doing?" Oh—and she's taking weekends off. If you're in that 300–500 subscriber range and feeling like you're about to outgrow your systems, Jane has some advice: Negotiate! Once you hit certain volume levels, use your buying power to get better pricing from vendors—including shipping. Look at your marketing. If people aren't buying, it's not always about the price. It might be the photos, the messaging, or how you're communicating the value. Create content that connects. Show people why they need what you're offering—and build the relationship that makes it easy to say yes. Join me for this episode as I check in with a past guest whose subscription has grown from 500 to 1300 subscribers since our last interview. Find out what's behind that growth and why canceling is “never about the money.” Listen to Jane's first interview on episode 92.   Find and follow Jane:  Jane's Agenda on Facebook  Jane's Agenda on Instagram Jane's Agenda's Website Jane's Agenda on YouTube Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Audience building should always be on your to-do list. Whether you already have a subscription box or you're just getting started, consistently work to reach and engage new people.  One audience building strategy I teach inside Launch Your Box is to run a giveaway on social media. I use a free, easy-to-use software called Kingsumo to run my giveaways a couple of times a year. My last giveaway added 1500 people to my email list!   When you run a giveaway, follow four simple steps    Determine your goal - why are you running a giveaway?  To grow your following. To build your email or text list.   To gauge interest in your potential box.  All of the above!   Determine your prize. Your prize needs to be “worth it” - what would make you enter a contest?  Consider offering a box or a 3-6 month subscription.    Create your timeline. Your giveaway should run for 7-14 days.  Share, share, share! Send an email to your list - remember, some of them may not follow you on social media yet.  Social posts - videos, stories, etc.  Keep talking about it throughout the 7-14 days to keep the excitement going.  There are rules for running giveaways on social media. You need to be aware of these rules and follow them.  The contest must be free to enter - it cannot be combined with a purchase.  The winner must be chosen randomly.  The winner must be announced publicly.  You must state clearly (in posts and your contest rules) that your giveaway has no affiliation with the platform.  Every week inside Launch Your Box, members are setting up and running giveaways. It's one of the best things you can do to jump-start your audience building no matter where you are in your subscription box journey.  Join me for this episode as I talk about why you should run a giveaway as part of your audience building strategy, the steps to follow to make it a success, and the important rules you need to follow!  Important Links:  6 in 60 Workshop - Sarah's Method for Curating 6 Subscription Boxes in 60 Minutes Kingsumo Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website    Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

As subscription box business owners, we wear all the hats—marketing, customer service, tech, fulfillment—you name it, we do it. But trying to do everything can hold you back from growing your business. That's where hiring help–a Virtual Assistant (VA) or a Digital Marketing Assistant–comes in. If you've been thinking about hiring help but aren't sure where to start, this episode is for you! I sat down with Emily Reagan, who specializes in training smart women to provide digital marketing services to online business owners. Inside her Digital Marketing Assistant School, Emily teaches the core marketing skills businesses need, from SEO and blogging to email marketing and funnels and so much more. She also runs the Digital Marketers Workgroup, where experienced freelancers continue honing their skills. Emily brings online business owners' needs to her experienced freelance digital marketing assistants, often resulting in a match made in online business marketing heaven!   I turned to Emily to hire my first VA who is still on my team many years later and has grown far beyond her original VA title and role.  What is a Digital Marketing Assistant? You've probably heard the term Virtual Assistant (VA) before—it's a general term for anyone working remotely to help a business. A Digital Marketing Assistant is a specialized VA who focuses specifically on marketing tasks that drive growth for online businesses. A Digital Marketing Assistant can help with: Email marketing Social media management Blogging & SEO Funnels & automation Affiliate marketing Tech setup  In short, they help you get more done in less time—so you can focus on growing your subscription box. If you're thinking: I'm not ready to hire someone yet, the truth is that by the time you feel ready, it's already too late. You don't have to hire a full-time employee. Start small! My first VA worked just 10 hours a week, and she got SO much done in that time. These team members often work faster and take things off your plate—especially those tasks you keep putting off. (I'm looking at you, tech stuff!) Instead of feeling overwhelmed and unproductive, focus on the things you love to do and those things that will move your business forward. And delegate the rest.  Where do you even find a digital marketing assistant for your subscription box business? Emily makes it easy—just head to hireaunicorn.com and post a job. Up to 10 digital marketing assistants will reach out, and you can get on Zoom or Google Meets and have a conversation with the ones who seem to be the best fit. Sarah's tip: Personality matters. You want someone who's not only skilled but also a great fit for you and your business. Setting Your Digital Team Member Up for Success Hiring a digital marketing assistant is just the first step—making it work is just as important. Give both of you the best chance of success by: : Being clear about expectations Providing feedback Vetting before hiring Onboarding properly Emily said it best: “No one successful does it alone.” And something I say inside Launch Your Box and Scale Your Box: Hire before you feel ready. Because if you wait until you finally feel ready, you'll already be drowning in tasks that could have been delegated months ago.  Find and follow Emily:  Emily Reagan on Facebook  Emily Reagan on Instagram Emily Reagan's Website Emily Reagan's Podcast Hire from Emly's Digital Workgroup Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Are you relying solely on automations to recover failed payments? If so, you are losing money and experiencing unnecessary churn in your subscription box business. Business is personal. Recovering failed payments needs more than just automation - it needs a personal touch. Your personal touch.  Think about how much time, energy, and money you spend getting new subscribers. How much time and energy are you willing to spend to keep them? In my subscription business, we use a combination of automations and personal outreach to follow up on failed payments. The result? Each month we recoup 98% of our bounced payments.  Keep in mind, most failed payments are not due to subscribers wanting to cancel or intentionally not paying. Credit cards expire and need to be updated. Other things happen that unintentionally cause payments to fail. Assume subscribers want to stay with you and just need help updating their info.  Every subscription box business should have a failed payment automation set up. You can do this directly in your subscription platform or CRM. The goal is to recover as many payments as possible through automation, reducing the time spent manually recouping payments via personal outreach.  The automation process we use in my subscription box business is set up like this:  Payment Run #1 - failed payment  Email #1 sent - something like “There was an error processing your payment for XXX subscription. If you need to update your card, please do so at this link. Your payment will run again in 12 hours.”  We aren't accusing them of anything. We blame the error on ourselves and direct them to update the payment if they need to.  We create urgency by letting them know the payment will run again in 12 hours.  Payment Run #2 - failed payment  Email #2 is very similar to Email #1 - they may not have seen the first email yet.  Payment will retry in 24 hours.  Payment #3 - failed payment  Email #3 - 36 hours after initial payment has run. They've likely seen one of the first two emails.  The first two emails are text only, this email includes an image.  “Hi Subscriber. We are busy personalizing and packing all our subscriptions and want to make sure you get yours on time. If you need to update your card, please do so at this link. If you need help with that or have an issue, please hit reply and let us know how we can help.” This email includes a picture of the team packing a box.  Payment runs again in 48 hours - they have time to reach out to customer service before the payment runs again.  At this point, we start working through the list of remaining failed payments with personal touch points.  Personal email  Personal text  Now we're ready to run one last automation.  Email #4 - on day five of failed payment  Last chance email “Boxes are shipping and we want to make sure you get a Monogram Box this month. Please let me know how I can help.”  We follow this plan every month. And every month, we recoup 98% of our failed payments.  Business is personal. Don't forget the importance of a personal connection point when working to retain your customers. Business is also business. Don't leave money on the table. Following up on bounced payments reduces involuntary churn and retains more recurring revenue.  Join me for this episode as I talk you through the automations combined with personal touches process I use to recoup 98% of bounced payments every month.   Important Links:  6 in 60 Workshop  Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join Launch Your Box today! 

When I first started my subscription box, I thought I was selling cute products.  I didn't realize my audience wasn't just buying things—they were buying transformation. They wanted to feel confident, stylish, and put-together, but my messaging wasn't reflecting that.  Making that shift—from selling products to selling a feeling—was one of the biggest game-changers in my business. And it can be the biggest game changer in your business, too.  The person who helped me understand the need for this shift in messaging was my very special guest on this episode, my mentor Stu McLaren. Stu McLaren is the go-to expert when it comes to creating and scaling profitable memberships. For the past 17 years, he's helped business owners build recurring revenue models that provide stability, growth, and freedom–hello, recurring revenue! And now, he's packed his best insights into a brand-new book, Predictable Profits. Before I took Stu's course in 2018, I had about 300 subscribers in my subscription box business. I had hit a plateau and didn't know how to break through it. Stu's course showed me the biggest reason for my plateau. I was focusing on selling instead of serving. People don't subscribe to a box because of what's inside. They buy it because of how it makes them feel. My audience wanted to feel stylish, confident, and put together without spending hours shopping or second-guessing their outfits. Once I shifted my messaging to reflect that transformation, my business took off. How to Shift Your Messaging to Serve Instead of Sell Want to make this shift in your own business? Here are three key takeaways from my conversation with Stu: 1. Understand Your Customer's Journey Instead of just thinking about what's inside your subscription box, think about how it impacts your customer's life. Ask yourself: What problem are you solving? What feeling are you creating? 2. Speak to Their “Before and After” Stu shared a simple but powerful exercise. I did it with him and want you to do it, too.  Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. On one side, write down all the frustrations and struggles your customers feel before they purchase. On the other side, write down how they feel after they've experienced your subscription box. Your messaging needs to focus on bridging that gap. 3. Focus on Transformation, Not Just Features My customers don't just want earrings, bags, or t-shirts—they want confidence, ease, and style. What does your audience want? Your messaging should highlight the outcome, not just the product itself. I went from 300 subscribers to 750 in my next launch. And over time, I've built a seven-figure subscription business that gives me the stability and confidence to scale even further. With predictable, stable income coming in each month, you can make smarter business decisions, invest in growth, and stop feeling like you're constantly chasing sales. Recurring revenue is business and life-changing!  And that's why Stu's book Predictable Profits is such an amazing resource—it walks you through exactly how to build and scale a business that runs with you, not just because of you. If you're ready to learn more from Stu, go grab your copy of Predictable Profits by Stu McLaren. You can find it at all major retailers, or head to Stu.me/book for links to order. I'd love to hear your biggest takeaway from this episode! Screenshot it, share it on Instagram, and tag me @launchyourbox. And if you're loving the podcast, hit subscribe and leave a review—it helps more subscription box business owners find us. Find and follow Stu:  Stu McLaren on Facebook  Stu McLaren on Instagram Stu McLaren Website Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Is your subscription box missing something that would increase its value in the eyes of your subscribers? Maybe things are feeling a little monotonous or routine. Or maybe some months you feel like you need “a little something extra” to make your subscription box feel like the complete experience you want it to be. But, how can you add value without blowing your budget? Remember, you need to stay profitable to stay in business.  In today's episode, we're talking about increasing the perceived value of your box. Perceived value is simply a subscriber's perception of the merit or desirability of a product. There are five things you can do to increase the perceived value of your subscription box for little or no cost.  Customization Style - i.e, home decor - farmhouse or modern. Size - i.e., clothing or wearables. Type - i.e., breed of dog.  Teachers - i.e., grade level or type of school.  YOU - Your Personal Connection Remember, being “ME” is free marketing. Include a handwritten note.  Put a birthday card in their box the month of their birthday.  Surprise & Delight - include a gift in the box periodically (not every month) Coupon to your store or “bonus bucks.”  The “Golden Ticket” - a special gift included in only select boxes.  Anniversary gifts - on the anniversary of them becoming a subscriber.  Early bird bonuses during launches. Exclusive Content or Collectibles First access.  Digital bonuses.  Tutorial or training access.  Exclusive meet-ups.  Zoom parties.  Bundle Items One thing by itself can seem too small, but bundle two or three of an item and tie a ribbon around it or put it in an organza bag to make it look special.  Hair clips Chapstick Sticker sheets Dog treats  Join me for this episode as I talk about five ways you can increase the perceived value of your subscription box and stay within your budget.  Important Links:  6 in 60 Workshop  Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website 

Betsy Goodman of B Goods Lettering is back on the podcast, and wow—what a difference two years makes! When I last interviewed Betsy in October 2022 on episode 93, she had 118 subscribers to her Lettering Box and was using Instagram brilliantly to grow her audience. Fast forward to today, and she's running two thriving physical subscription boxes, a digital membership, and has grown her subscriber base to 1800!  In this episode, Betsy shares the incredible journey of scaling her business, the lessons she learned along the way, and the strategies that helped her reach her goal of quitting her full-time job. Finding a niche that thrives Betsy serves a very specific audience: people passionate about hand lettering and wax seals. By focusing on what they love, she's created products they can't wait to subscribe to. The power of audience polling Betsy didn't just guess what her audience wanted next; she asked them! That's how she discovered her followers were eager for a Wax Seal subscription. Launching a second subscription successfully Betsy took what she learned inside Launch Your Box and started The Wax Seal Club with 50 subscribers. Today, it has 1,200 subscribers! Balancing physical & digital offers Inspired by an episode of The Launch Your Box Podcast featuring my Mastermind members who hit $1M in annual revenue, Betsy realized she needed monthly recurring revenue to stabilize her income. That led to the launch of her digital membership, The Script & Seal Society, where Betsy teaches exclusive hand lettering and wax seal projects LIVE three times a month. Overcoming the challenges of growth From fulfilling boxes out of her basement to hiring help and managing product delays, Betsy shares what it's really like to scale a subscription business. Hitting major milestones Betsy recently quit her full-time job and is now focusing on growing her business even further—with a goal to move out of her basement and into a dedicated space in 2025! Betsy's Best Advice for Subscription Box Owners: Think about your customer first. What else would help them? What else do they need? Ask your audience! They'll tell you exactly what they want—if you're willing to listen. Be willing to try something new. Don't be afraid to try and don't give up! Betsy's story is proof that when you take action, listen to your audience, and stay consistent, serious growth is possible. If you're thinking about adding another revenue stream to your business—whether it's a second subscription, a digital membership, or something else entirely—you won't want to miss this episode! Find and follow Betsy:  B. Goods Lettering on Facebook  B. Goods Lettering on Instagram B. Goods Lettering Website Join me in all the places:     Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Scaling your subscription box business isn't just about making more money—it's about building a business that works for you, instead of you working for it. Are you stuck in the day-to-day grind, feeling like growth is just out of reach, or afraid that scaling will be overwhelming (or expensive!)? Then this episode is for you. When I first launched my subscription box, my goal was 100 subscribers. That felt HUGE. I never imagined I'd be where I am today—packing thousands of boxes every month.  But if you don't plan for growth, you'll eventually hit a ceiling. I learned this the hard way. At one point, I was packing boxes 10 hours a day, running two embroidery machines nonstop, and trying to juggle everything myself. That wasn't sustainable. The business had grown, but I hadn't scaled—yet. Scaling is about more than just more subscribers and more revenue. It's creating systems and processes that allow you to grow without burning out.  Growth is not the same thing as scaling.  Growth is adding resources (time, money, or effort) to increase revenue.  Scaling focuses on increasing revenue significantly without a proportional increase in resources.  Without scaling, it's easy to reach a point in growth where your costs exceed your revenue.  The benefits of scaling your subscription box  Achieving financial freedom: scaling allows you to unlock higher profit margins. Serving a larger audience: you're able to reach more people who love what you do.  Building a legacy: scaling can make your business more profitable and even potentially sellable in the future.  The risks of not scaling your subscription box  Burnout: trying to “do it all” can lead to burnout…fast!  Plateauing: without scaling, your growth will reach a ceiling, limiting your income and your ability to reinvest in your business.  The mindset shift needed to scale   Fear holds us back. In order to scale, you need to shift your mindset away from, “What if I fail?” or “What if I can't handle the growth?” Instead, your mindset needs to be, “Scaling is not about perfection. It's about progress.”  Investing in tools, people, or systems can feel risky. But those risks pay off.  There will be challenges. There will be setbacks. Look at these as opportunities to learn and continue moving forward.  Not everyone is ready to scale. But how can you know if you are ready? If you're ready to scale, you have:   Proof of concept: you're selling regularly or have a steady subscriber base.  Clear audience understanding: You know and understand what your customers love and are willing to pay for.  Solid processes: You've systemized parts of your business (payments, packing, customer service, etc).  If you're not sure you're ready to scale, take some time to reflect and ask yourself:  Do you have a vision for where you want your business to go?  Are you ready to let go of some control in order to gain freedom?  Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website   Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Do you think growing your subscription means spending tons of money on ads? It doesn't need to be that way! There are so many low and even no-cost ways to market and grow your subscription box business.   The bottom line? You can't rely on just one marketing channel or strategy. You need to build a multi-channel marketing plan, layering one type of marketing on top of another. Don't worry - building this plan doesn't have to be time-consuming or costly.  I'm sharing seven cost-effective ways to market your subscription box business. But I don't want you to try to implement all of them at the same time! If you're just getting started, choose one, get consistent with it and then layer on another. If you're already doing one or more of these, choose another one to add to your marketing plan.   Leverage social media.  These accounts are FREE.  Figure out where your ideal customer is and start there.  Have FUN with it. Get social - serve and engage with your audience.  Partner with micro-influencers in your space.  Offering affiliate commissions is super cost-effective - you don't pay them unless they sell something for you.  Influencer or affiliate marketing.  Very inexpensive.  Still a very effective way to reach your audience.  How will you get people onto your email list?  How will you market to them once they're on your list?  Email marketing.  Create valuable content to attract your ideal person.  Blogs, videos, eBooks, etc.  Content marketing. Word of mouth is so powerful!  Customer reviews. Where does your ideal customer go? Farmers Markets, expos, shopping events, etc.  In person events.  It's not about the stuff - it's about the people.  A strong community creates raving fans - the kind that market your subscription for you! Build an online community.  Take one of these ideas and build it into your routine. Get comfortable and consistent with it. Then layer in another strategy. Continue to grow your audience, reach more of the right people, and ultimately gain new subscribers.  You can't rely on one marketing channel or strategy. And you don't need to spend a lot of money on ads to market effectively. Join me for this episode as I take you through seven cost-effective ways to market your subscription box.    Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

In this episode of The Launch Your Box Podcast, we're diving into 4 productivity hacks that will help subscription box owners save time, reduce stress, and grow their businesses more efficiently. 1 - Avoid Task Switching Set boundaries to allow you to focus on one task at a time. 2 - Batch Your Work Focusing on a single task allows your brain to get into a flow. This improves concentration and efficiency. 3 - Use Time Blocking Time blocking is all about intentionally planning your day or week, dedicating specific blocks of time to specific tasks (hello, batching work). Add these blocks to your calendar and treat them like appointments! Consider using a timer (I do) to stay focused and keep you from getting off track. 3 - Use Project Management Tools Project Management tools like Asana, Trello, and others can help you keep track of tasks, deadlines, and team responsibilities. Trust me, they work a lot better than writing notes in multiple notebooks and on sticky notes! Each has its pros and cons. You can decide which works best for your time or, like we do, use both. If you're not using a project management tool yet, start small. Choose one simple task and start managing it in Trello or Asana. You'll be surprised at the difference it makes. Game changer! Make running your subscription box business more manageable. Join me for this episode and start implementing these 4 game-changing productivity hacks today! Try Trello Explore Asana Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website   Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

On this episode of the Launch Your Box podcast, meet Jenny Finke of Love Me Gluten Free. Jenny didn't just pivot from blogging to launching her subscription box—she sold out her first 125 boxes in just two hours and now has over 1,200 subscribers in less than a year!  Learning and Sharing All Things Gluten-Free  Jenny launched a blog where she shared recipes, stories, products, advice, and more. She ran the blog for over 10 years and had several million readers. Jenny wrote a book and amassed a sizable social media following. Her newsletter went out weekly to more than 24,000 readers. She made income through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.  In 2023, everything changed. The algorithm that was so helpful in the past, directing people to Jenny's content who needed it, changed. Many successful bloggers were throwing in the towel and returning to corporate jobs. Jenny knew she needed a new way to serve her community and save her business.  Starting and Launching a Gluten-Free Subscription Box   Jenny saw a need. Her audience wanted a subscription box but needed to know they could trust the safety of the items. And Jenny knew she could deliver.  Jenny already had an audience, but needed to learn how to start and manage a subscription box business. She needed to build relationships with brands who would supply items for her box.  Jenny joined Launch Your Box and jumped right in. She set a 90 day plan to launch her box with a launch date in April 2024.  Selling Out - and Gaining 125 Subscribers - in Two Hours Jenny crunched the numbers and decided to make up 125 boxes to offer during her subscription box launch. She sold all 125 in less than two hours! Jenny went back to her vendors and asked if they had 25 more of the items in the box. They did and she offered the additional 25 boxes to her audience. All were gone that first day. 150 subscribers in one day.  An incredible result for a first launch.  Jenny's Love Me Gluten Free subscription box has continued to grow, adding subscribers every month. For the first several months, fulfillment took place in Jenny's basement. That meant capping growth at 300 subscribers until they found a warehouse space.  Jenny moved her business into the warehouse space which allowed her to add more subscribers. Nine months after launching they have 1200 subscribers and are already outgrowing this new space.  Pivoting from Blogger to Subscription Box Owner Jenny's business didn't just survive the changes to Google's algorithm. It evolved and is thriving. All because Jenny wasn't afraid to pivot. She knew she wanted to stay in the gluten-free industry. She knew she wanted to continue to serve her loyal audience. They needed her expertise. They trusted her. And now she provides them with products they can trust.  Jenny's advice for other bloggers who are struggling is to pivot and look to diversify their revenue streams. She believes many could benefit from starting a subscription box - just like she did. A subscription box is another way to serve an audience you've spent so much time nurturing, growing, and serving.  Join me on this episode to hear Jenny's inspiring journey, how she solved a problem her audience desperately needed a solution to, and her advice for anyone needing to pivot in their business. Don't miss it! Find and follow Jenny:  Love Me Gluten Free on Facebook  Love Me Gluten Free on Instagram Love Me Gluten Free Website Join me in all the places:   Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

What one thing can you do in your business every single day that would help you be the most successful? Work to build and grow your email list!  If you're not replenishing the pool of people you're selling to, you won't be able to grow your business the way you want to. Growing your email list gets new, fresh eyes on your stuff. It allows you to present your offer to new people. And that allows you to grow.  One of my main goals for my business in 2023 was to double the size of my email list. I challenged the ladies in my Elevate Mastermind to make growing their lists one of their goals for 2023 and now I'm challenging you to do the same thing.   List-building activities need to be at work in your business every day. I'm sharing ten different ways you can build your email list. And no, you don't need to do all of them at once.  Add a pop-up on your website - have a pop-up at work on your site at all times capturing email addresses.  Create an opt-in on your website with a way to serve your audience - give them more information about something (box opening with a freebie or additional information like a style guide, a free printable to go with your home decor box, a checklist to go with a beach themed box, tips about caring for your pet for a pet box, etc.) Think about the industry you're in and what you can provide to serve your audience.  Run a giveaway - a great way to build your list when you're new and as a quarterly list-building strategy for seasoned box owners.  Post a lead magnet on social media and run ads to it - pulling people in and onto your list. (ebooks, checklists, gift with purchase, etc.)    Add an email opt-in at checkout - capture people who buy from you but may not be on your list.  Create a fun quiz that requires an email address to get results - make it something your audience will want to share!   Offer a discount or free gift - use this carefully to prevent training people to only shop with you when there is a sale or a discount.  Host an event or workshop - free or low-dollar offer. Works great for DIYers or crafters.  Tease sneak peeks or exclusive behind the scenes content with opt-ins - early access gives feelings of fun and exclusivity.  Get in front of new audiences - collaborate with other brands, businesses, and influences who have the same customer but sell different items for a joint giveaway or a way to serve each other's audiences.  Note: Make it clear to people that they will be receiving emails from you when they provide their email addresses.  Pick one thing to work on right now. Get that going and then add in another strategy. The more of these you do, the more people you'll reach and the more people you'll add to your email list.  Join me for this episode where I challenge you to grow your business by growing your email list this year and give you 10 simple ways to do it!     Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website    Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

In this episode, we're talking with Denise Parkes of The Crafty DIYer. Denise and I know each other well. She's a member of Launch Your Box, Scale Your Box, and my Elevate Mastermind. As one of my Mastermind Ladies, I get to see Denise in person 3 times a year! Her strength and the story of the last year in her business inspire me and the other members of our Mastermind. It will inspire you, too.  Denise is an artist and a crafter. She is passionate about teaching others to enjoy crafting. Denise serves mainly women over the age of 60 and, by going LIVE six days a week for a long time, had built up a devoted following.  When Denise learned about me and my annual Subscription Box Week, she joined right away. During that week, Denise got to know me and my teaching style as well as what she could expect inside Launch Your Box. Denise was convinced a subscription box was the right next step for her. She actually launched during Subscription Box Week (remember she already had a large audience) and got 120 subscribers!  Denise's subscription box grew quickly and soon she needed to rent warehouse space to handle inventory and fulfillment. But all was not well inside Denise's business. Denise and her business reside in Canada where shipping costs are prohibitive. She simply couldn't afford to ship to her largely US based subscribers, or even those in her own country. Shipping costs were eating up all of her profits.  Denise was also dealing with health issues and found herself stressed and unhappy. Her business in its current form was no longer serving her. She knew she still needed to make an income, but couldn't go on as she was.   But Denise is someone who gets back up and figures things out. And during our September 2023 Mastermind Retreat, she did just that. There is power in being in a room with other smart, like-minded businesswomen who want the best for you.  Denise realized the way forward was with printables – no shipping required! She'd had a super successful printable lead magnet in place to grow her list and further proved the viability of her idea by selling one-off printables. When she was able to get out of her warehouse lease, Denise felt able to start from scratch again… even though doing so was scary.  Starting from scratch for Denise meant “doing everything Sarah teaches.”  Building her list Driving traffic to her website Putting effective lead magnets out there  The Digital Print Clubhouse launch was a big success – 150 subscribers big. And it has continued to grow. Denise now has more than 400 subscribers and celebrated hitting 6-figures only 10 months after making this major pivot.  So what's different now?  Less stress More joy  Nothing to pack and ship More time and energy to create  Denise talks about the importance of being around women who support and understand her – like the ones found inside Launch Your Box. She also reminds us of the importance of not worrying about what anyone else thinks and resisting the urge to compare yourself to anyone else.  Pivoting was necessary for Denise's business to survive. And now she's not only surviving, she's thriving… and celebrating hitting six-figures in less than a year!  Join me for this episode as Denise and I talk about realizing when it's time to pivot, working through the fear, and coming out stronger… oh, and reaching six-figures in revenue in less than a year!  Find and follow Denise:  Crafty DIYer on Facebook  Crafty DIYer on Instagram Crafty DIYer Website Join me in all the places:   Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Have you thought about taking your subscription box business from a side hustle to a full-time gig?   It's absolutely possible. I did it and so have many members of Launch Your Box.    But…    Before you quit your full-time job or make any major changes to your business, you need to ask - and answer - some questions. And you need to get really comfortable with your financial details, business and personal.    Take your time and get real about what your goals are. Are you currently working 40/50/60 hours a week and want to work less? Do you want to make more income than you have been?    The truth is, you can get there. But you'll need to make a plan and work that plan. Start by asking yourself these four questions:  What is the income you need to replace?  What is the survival income you need to cover your bare bones expenses every month?  What portion of that survival income can be covered by someone else (spouse, parents, roommates)?  What is the initial investment you'll need for your business (products, supplies, packaging, tech)?    Understand that your business will need to be profitable before you can pay yourself. That takes time. It took me 9 months before I was able to pay myself a regular paycheck. 8 ½ years later, I pay myself a very nice salary and also pay the salaries of more than 20 employees.    Join me for this episode as I take you on my journey from tiny side hustle making $200 a month to where I am now, running two multi seven-figure businesses, answering those questions, knowing my numbers, and making careful decisions every step of the way.     Important Links:  Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

This past year in my business was filled with wins, challenges, and hard-earned lessons. And that's okay. Because being an entrepreneur, and especially a subscription box owner, isn't as glamorous as the internet sometimes makes it seem. It's more like a rollercoaster – holding on tight through the highs, the lows, and all the in-betweens. In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my business, sharing the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating moments. Why share all of this with you? You know I believe in being transparent. And I want to inspire you to take a good look at your own business, reflect on your year, and use those insights to propel you into 2025, making it your best year yet!  Why Reflecting on the Past Year in Your Business Matters Looking back helps us see what worked, what didn't, and how we can grow. As entrepreneurs, it's easy to focus on where we fell short. I'm challenging you to shift your mindset to celebrate the progress you've made instead. I started my subscription box business in 2017. To date, I've surpassed $10 million in revenue. That's the gain I choose to focus on, even when things don't go as planned. And there were definitely some times this year when things didn't go to plan.  The Highs – What Worked in 2024 Recurring Revenue – My three subscriptions—The Monogram Box™, T-Shirt Club, and Tees 4 Teachers—account for 75% of my revenue. Recurring income is the foundation of my business. Successful Launch – My April launch, featuring low-cost bonuses, brought in over 400 new subscribers in just a few days. Turning Inventory into Growth – Self-liquidating offers (SLOs) helped me clear out excess inventory while attracting new customers, and turning one-time buyers into subscribers. The Lows – What Didn't Work in 2024  A Slow Start to the Year – Taking my eye off the numbers in January led to slower months and a revenue deficit I worked all year to recover from. Campaigns that Fell Short – An "intro offer" flopped early in the year. But… Instead of giving up on the strategy, I revamped and relaunched it later with much better results. 2024 Had Its Surprises, Too  Retention Challenges – My retention has always been high. Always. Like 94%+ high. Until it wasn't. A payment failure issue in September caused my retention rate to drop to a never-before-seen 79%. This was a hard pill to swallow – and sent me for the wine and chocolate – but it taught me to stay resilient. Key Takeaways for Your Business Track Your Numbers – Every month. Don't let busy months distract you from keeping an eye on your metrics. What happens today impacts the months ahead. Embrace Launches –Launches breathe new life into your business, giving customers a reason to subscribe or make a purchase. Experiment and Adjust – Not every campaign will succeed. But even those that don't can teach you how to improve and grow. Focus on the Gain –Instead of dwelling on where you want to be, celebrate how far you've come. Progress is worth celebrating.  Entrepreneurship isn't easy, but it's worth it. By reflecting on your year, focusing on the gains, and staying intentional with your plans for 2025 you can set yourself up for success. Join me for this episode where I take an honest look at my subscription box business—and challenge you to reflect on 2024 in your business. Tune in and let's dive into the lessons of the year! Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Ed Mylett Show (Podcast) The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website   Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

“If you've been thinking about starting a podcast, now is the perfect time.” - Sarah Heeter.  My podcast producer, Sarah Heeter, joined me for today's episode to talk about all things podcast. We talked about the benefits of podcasting and why starting a niche-specific podcast could be a valuable part of your audience-building strategy. Sarah knows a LOT about podcasts. After all, she helped me start this podcast and grow it to more than 200,000 downloads in 18 months and a ranking in the top 1.5% of podcasts globally. She's also a member of Launch Your Box.  If you're wondering if podcasts can be a valuable part of an audience-building strategy for subscription box owners, the answer is yes! I mentioned I have more than 200,000 episode downloads in only 18 months. Compare that to my social media audience. It has taken me years to grow my Facebook and IG followers to a combined 20,000. And if you're wondering if there's room for another podcast - for your podcast - the answer is also yes. Studies show more than half of people over 12 listen to podcasts and, on average, each listens to 7 podcasts!  There are several benefits to podcasts when it comes to connecting with your audience.  Podcasts meet people where they are. They lend themselves to being interrupted - it's easy to stop a podcast when needed and get right back to where you left off.  Podcasts allow listeners to multitask. They listen while driving, cleaning, exercising, and more.  A podcast mimics the intimacy of a phone call - you're talking to your audience for 25-40 minutes per week.  Unlike social media posts, reels, and videos, podcast episodes live forever!  It can be daunting to think about what you would talk to your audience about each week. Many people worry they'll run out of things to say. If you're serving your niche, and know your audience well, that shouldn't be a problem. Sarah suggests brainstorming a list of possible topics by asking yourself:  What keeps my ideal customer up at night?  What answers are they searching for on Google?  What is their support system like?  What is their value system?  What are their highest priorities?  Use what you learned about your ideal customer in my FREE 6 in 60 Workshop to help you get started.  Join me for this episode as Sarah shares so much knowledge about why subscription box owners should consider starting a podcast, how to decide what to talk about, and why it's very possible to DIY your podcast.  Important Links:  6 in 60 Workshop Find and follow Sarah Heeter:  Sarah Heeter on Instagram Sarah Heeter's Website   Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website    Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Are you sitting on extra inventory as we near the end of the year? For most of you, sales are strong right now. You're filling holiday orders and managing all that comes with this busy season. But as the end of the year draws near, it's time to liquidate leftover stock.  Why is liquidating inventory important?  Liquidating inventory frees up your cash flow, opens up room on your shelves, reduces taxable assets, and prepares you for a fresh start.  In this episode, I'm sharing 4 strategies to liquidate products. Don't sit on unnecessary inventory. Liquidate it before the end of the year and avoid dragging old stock into the new year.   1 - Flash Sales  Flash sales are quick, time-sensitive sales. They're also one of the best ways to move product FAST. Create urgency, scarcity, and excitement!  2 - Bundle Older Products  We've been talking about product bundles for all of Q4. Continue selling these through the holidays and to the end of the year – they hold a lot of value and make great gifts.  3 - Offer Mystery Boxes You and your customers will have so much fun with this one! After all, who doesn't love a good surprise? Mystery Boxes are more than just fun; they're also an effective way to clear inventory.  4 - Social Media Sales Events  Put social media to work for you! Social media is your best friend when it comes to liquidating inventory quickly. Use it to host a sales event.  Of course, you can't just plan these events. You need to market them, too. Each event needs its own marketing campaign in order to be effective.  Join me for this episode where I share 4 ways you can liquidate inventory before year-end. Let's turn your inventory into cash and clear space for growth!  Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

“Don't bring that stale inventory into 2023!” - Sarah Williams  Inventory is one of the biggest challenges product-based businesses face. Too much, not enough… and what happens if it doesn't sell? Now, during this buying season, is the perfect time to liquidate any old or stale inventory you have sitting on your shelves.  One of my favorite ways to move product and get old inventory off my shelves is by selling Mystery Boxes. They're new, fresh, and fun for your customers and a GREAT way to reduce inventory without putting clearance tags all over everything.  Whether you made a bad buy (been there), overbought for your subscription box (yep, been there, too), or you've just had a slower year than last year and need to move some product quickly, Mystery Boxes are a great strategy.  The goal is to get your money back. Don't focus on making a large profit or even a profit at all. Focus on getting the cash you spent on the items back in your bank account and getting space back on your shelves.  The excitement of a Mystery Box is not knowing what's inside!  Mix items from past subscription boxes with items never in boxes.  Make subscribers aware they might receive something they already have.  These are not curated experiences like your subscription box. They are filled with items at a great value. Create different price points. Choose different size boxes, fill them up, and price them.  These Mystery Boxes won't all be the same. If you have 20 of one item and 30 of another, you can still make 50 boxes. Just make sure the items you're putting in the boxes have a similar size and value.  Get excited about these Mystery Boxes and start teasing your audience about a week before you'll start selling them. Go LIVE, let your audience see how excited you are, and show them one of the boxes and how FULL it is! Talk about the value!  Do you have inventory you need to liquidate? It's time to let go of old product and start fresh in the new year. Join me for this episode to learn how to create your own Mystery Boxes and start liquidating!   Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website    Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Entrepreneurial overwhelm is part being a small business owner, especially during the 4th quarter. But that doesn't mean feeling overwhelmed is a fact of entrepreneurial life you can't do anything about.  Overwhelm leads to two things: burnout and bad decisions. Burnout is bad for your health – physically, mentally, and emotionally. And bad decisions can cost your business a LOT of money.  I have 10 practical strategies you can use to reduce overwhelm and stay focused not only during Q4, but all year long.  10 Ways to Manage Entrepreneurial Overwhelm 1 -  Early Planning Start planning well in advance in order to stay ahead. Don't have a plan for Q4 yet? Start now and plan for the rest of the year to ease last-minute pressure. Then start planning for next year.  2 - Prioritize Self-Care If you get burned out and overwhelmed, you won't be able to give what you need to your business or your family. Prioritizing self-care doesn't mean spending a day (or a weekend) at the spa. But when you can, do that, too! Instead, create simple, non-negotiable daily rituals like morning coffee or evening baths. Things that restore your energy and reduce the chance of burnout.   3 - Stay Hydrated and Rested Yes, these are basic needs. But… When things get busy, especially during the 4th quarter, it's easy to neglect basic needs. Your body knows what it needs – regular hydration and quality sleep are essential for productivity and mental clarity… even during busy seasons.  4 - Dedicated Email Support Times  Your inbox is a time suck. Avoid checking your emails constantly. Silence notifications and set aside specific times to handle emails. This simple switch allows you to avoid interruptions throughout your day.   5 - Dedicated Social Media Times  Have you ever lost track of time because you were scrolling on social media and got sucked in? Of course you have. We all have! Set aside times for social media, especially if it's a necessary part of your business operations.  6 - Set Clear Boundaries  Boundaries are necessary and healthy for everyone, including entrepreneurs. Define boundaries for yourself, your team, and your customers. This allows you to keep personal time sacred and avoid overwork.  7 - Direct, Delegate, and Prioritize for Your Team  As a leader, help your team manage their tasks by giving them a clear focus each day. This allows them to manage their own overwhelm and handle whatever the day brings calmly.  8 - Batch Tasking Over Multitasking Multitasking does not lead to greater efficiency. The opposite is actually true. Instead, focus on one type of task at a time, like emails or order processing. You'll improve efficiency and reduce errors caused by frequent task-switching.  9 - Learn to Say No No is a complete sentence. If saying yes to a request adds undo stress, it's okay to decline. Keeping a “no mindset” opens up time for self-care and focused priorities.   10 - End-of-Day Wrap-Up Routine How you end your day has a big effect on your stress level and feelings of overwhelm. Close each day by reviewing tasks, celebrating small wins, and moving unfinished tasks to the next day. An end-of-day routine creates closure, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better!   Join me for this episode where I share 10 tips for managing entrepreneurial overwhelm during the 4th quarter and beyond. Grab your notebook… ! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

“Stand tall and own your buying power.”  Is this going to be the year you find new sources for products? Have you been curious about how to order products from overseas manufacturers? Are you wondering what Alibaba is and why so many subscription box owners use it to order products at great prices?  If any of those sound like you, this episode is for you. Marissa Sayers joined me to take us through the process of ordering products through Alibaba.  Marissa has a lot of experience sourcing products overseas and actually handles sourcing for my business. She does an incredible job because she is very detail-oriented and knows this process backward and forward.   Marissa gave us a detailed outline of the steps of sourcing products directly from a manufacturer.  Search Alibaba.com for products Narrow your search  Further filter your search based on delivery options (find out why you should ONLY accept DDP shipping) Talk to several manufacturer representatives Order samples (they cost more than you think they should) Place order Receive shipment  Realize this process takes time. Plan for 90-120 days to work through it from start to finish. In other words - Alibaba is not for panic buying!  It's important to remember that at the same time you're vetting a manufacturer, they are vetting you. Coming to them from a place of knowledge will give you confidence.  Marissa also talked about how you can work with her if you need help sourcing products. She has limited spots available to work with her and gives priority to my people. Make sure you let her know if you're a podcast listener or member of Launch Your Box.    As a subscription box owner, you order large quantities of products every month. When you decide to step into this world of overseas sourcing, stand tall and own your buying power!  Join me for this episode as Marissa takes us through her process of sourcing products through Alibaba, step by step. You'll learn what to look for, what to ask for, and what to never, ever compromise on. If you're ready to source products from overseas, this is a can't-miss episode. Grab a notebook and pen - you're going to take a LOT of notes.      Learn how to bypass the middlemen and wholesalers by sourcing on Alibaba! Sourcing Courses 101 & 201 - https://marissa-sayers.mykajabi.com/a/2147542513/F2huURQN Important Links:  Alibaba Website Ali Express Website   Find and follow Marissa:  Marissa Mae Sayers on Facebook Marissa Mae Sayers on Instagram Sayers Imports Website Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

It's the 4th quarter—also known as the busiest, craziest time of the year for product-based business owners! You've planned your 4th quarter promotions and products are arriving, but have you thought about the logistics of fulfilling and shipping all those orders?  In this episode, I share shipping hacks and strategies to help subscription box owners and product-based businesses navigate our busiest quarter… and stay sane doing it!  Prep Packing & Shipping Supplies Early Audit your packing and shipping supplies now: tape, labels, boxes, poly mailers, filler.  Order enough to get you through December. Plan for the unexpected.  Establish a dedicated storage space for your extra supplies so your team knows exactly where to find what they need. Optimize Fulfillment by Prepacking, Prepping, and Batch Packing  Pre-pack items that will be sold together, like holiday bundles or Black Friday specials. Reduce friction, eliminate unnecessary steps, and gain efficiency Implement batch packing by processing similar orders together for a smoother, faster workflow. Research Shipping Carrier Cut-off Dates & Have Options  Research carrier cut-off dates and set your own Christmas shipping cut-offs well in advance.  Overcommunicate! Post these cut-off dates visibly in your social media headers, on your website, and in emails. Stay flexible and ready to adjust by having multiple shipping options. Maintain open communication with your drivers to help manage any unexpected delays. Be Prepared for Increased Customer Service Volume  Expect an increase in customer service inquiries and be transparent with customers about shipping timelines and potential delays. Have a contingency plan in place to deal with lost packages, including a policy for replacements or refunds. The holiday rush can be chaotic, but with these tips, you'll feel more prepared than ever to tackle Q4.  Have a shipping manager or team? Have them listen to this episode to boost efficiency and reduce holiday chaos in your shop! Join me for this episode where I share fulfillment & shipping strategies to help subscription box owners and product-based businesses navigate the busiest, craziest time of year - the 4th quarter. Grab your coffee (or something stronger!) and let's dive in! Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website   Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

“More emails equals more sales!” - Sarah Williams  We're more than halfway through the 4th quarter. For product sellers, it's the busiest time of the year. It's also our best chance to make some serious revenue. You're probably feeling tired and maybe even overwhelmed. I'm tired, too. Rest when you can and then get to work. There are some things you can do now that will give your 4th quarter sales a major boost. We create different types of email content during the first three quarters of the year. Email opt-ins with welcome sequences, weekly newsletters, and emails to share blog posts or podcast episodes. We're serving our audience by providing value.  The 4th quarter is different. During the 4th quarter, we SERVE our audiences by SELLING. We help them shop. Your customers want to shop — it's your job to get your products in front of them.  How can you leverage that email list you've spent all year building?  Increase the frequency of your emails.  If you've been emailing once a week, send two or three each week. If once a month, send at least one email a week.  Bestseller of the week Top three gifts for teens, moms, dog lovers, etc.  New items of the week Restock alerts  Facebook LIVE recaps (where you've promoted a product) Make sure all of your emails are product focused. Serve your customers by solving their “what to get” problem by sharing:  Eliminate decision fatigue.  Make it easy for them to buy.  Don't give your customers too many options.  Who is this product for?  Take an everyday item and make it giftable  Show an image of it folded neatly with a bow around it Show an image of the product peeking out of a box with a gift tag Create gift sets or bundles Focus each email on its giftability. The key to success is not to overthink it. These emails should be short on copy and get right to the point. Include great images and a clear call to action. Follow up your email with social media posts to match and send a text to your text list!  Join me for this episode as I share four simple ways you can leverage email marketing to bring more revenue into your business during the 4th quarter. More emails equals more sales. It's time to get to work!    Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website    Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

The 4th Quarter is here! It's the busiest shopping season of the year and a can't-miss opportunity to bring more revenue into your subscription box business. If you haven't started preparing for your 4th quarter promotions, it's time to start.  This episode is all about maximizing your 4th quarter sales by tapping into your existing audience and subscriber base. I'm sharing five promotions you can run this season. You'll serve your audience by making gift-giving easy and bring more revenue into your business.  1 - The Holiday Gift Box The holiday gift box is not one of your regular subscription boxes. Instead, it's a one-time box that your audience can buy for someone on their gift list… or even for themselves (we encourage this!)  A holiday box is a great way to increase your subscriber base. Make it easy for a holiday box recipient to become a subscriber.  Presale these boxes in October or early November to allow for as many sales as possible and to give you time to get inventory in, pack, and ship well before holiday shipping deadlines.  I pre-sell holiday gift boxes every year. My audience knows to expect them and they sell out every year!  2 - New Subscriber Launch – Special Promotion Plan this launch in October or early November. Grab people's attention before they get too far into the noise of holiday shopping for others – when they're still shopping for themselves.  Use this launch to generate FOMO about your upcoming boxes! Add a free bonus gift to get your audience excited and help you gain subscribers before the end of the year.  3 - Gift Subscriptions This is one of the easiest promotions you can run. I run a gift subscription promotion once a year – around Black Friday.  I add excitement and fun by offering a free month for a 6-month subscription or 2 free months for a 12-month subscription! Gift subscriptions bring revenue in upfront and fulfillment doesn't start until after the first of the year when the holiday craziness is over!  4 - Curated Boxes Having excess inventory is the nature of the beast when you're a subscription box owner. Put that inventory to use by curating new one-time boxes. These boxes are perfect for gift-giving. Remember, this is your opportunity to serve your audience by making gift-giving easy!  Give these boxes new names and get creative! Remember, you're not ordering new items for these boxes, you're simply curating a new experience using items you already have.  5 - Mystery Boxes Mystery boxes are a great way to get rid of excess inventory! Don't worry about careful curation, these boxes are about packing them full of value and making it fun for your customers. They're also about earning extra revenue and clearing out inventory that's taking up extra space so you don't carry it into the new year.     If you haven't run multiple 4th quarter promotions in the past, don't try to do all five! Instead, choose 2-3 and start planning now. These promotions are a great way to maximize sales during this most important time of the year.  Join me for this episode as I walk you through five promotions subscription box owners can run to maximize 4th quarter sales.  Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

“If it doesn't scare you, you're not dreaming big enough.” - Sarah Williams Most of us launch our subscription box businesses from a spare bedroom, the garage, or even the kitchen table. But when do you make the decision to move out of the house and into your own commercial space?  In this episode, we're talking with Cheryl Ham of Hypnotic Yarn. She's been on the show in the past talking about challenges she faced at different stages of growth in her subscription box business.  While still managing a full-time career in high-pressure sales, Cheryl started selling hand-dyed wool via an e-commerce store. She added a subscription box, Yarnable, and grew that side of her business slowly and steadily until she reached 300 subscribers.  Launching the Launch Your Box Way & Hitting 700 Subscribers  Cheryl discovered Launch Your Box, joined, and jumped right in. When she launched again – following the launch plan I teach inside the group – something amazing happened. Cheryl more than doubled her subscribers, gaining 400 in less than 24 hours!  Moving Her Subscription Box Out of Her Home By this point, Cheryl's subscription box had taken over her house. She moved into a new commercial space and hired some team members. Her subscription box business continued to grow, reaching 1600 subscribers through increased retention and quarterly launches.  In less than two years, Cheryl had outgrown that commercial space. Again, she needed more space. The problem? Cheryl couldn't find a commercial space to meet her needs.  Bigger Space Leads to New Challenges Cheryl finally found a new space. A space so big it scared her. She knew she needed a lot more space, but 8,000 square feet? She found herself terrified to make that jump until she had a realization. Scary doesn't always mean bad.  Cheryl talked about how every move has meant learning new processes. Inventory management and fulfillment look different in the new, bigger space than in the smaller commercial space or in her home.  Hiring has also been a challenge this year. Cheryl lost 3 team members this past spring and struggled to backfill those positions until after summer. Once she sought out new avenues for hiring, she was able to hire 2 new team members.  Continued Growth and Focus on Creating Experiences  What's next for Hypnotic Yarn, Yarnable, and Cheryl? They're focused on growing the non-subscription side of the business using lessons learned from Yarnable. Cheryl knows the importance of creating an experience for her subscribers and uses that knowledge to create experiences for customers who purchase one-off kits.  Focusing on non-subscription sales allows Cheryl to maximize off-hours and weeks when she and her team are not as busy with subscriptions. It is also a great way to convert non-subscribers!  Episode 16 - Afraid of Having 700 Subscribers? Episode 105 - Scaling Your Subscription Box Business Find and follow Cheryl:  Hypnotic Yarn on Facebook  Hypnotic Yarn on Instagram Hypnotic Yarn Website Join me in all the places:   Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Every year for the last five years I've sold a Holiday Gift Box. This year was no different. What was different was that my Holiday Gift Box sold out in only four days! And it brought $20,000 in extra revenue into my business.  Should you offer a Holiday Gift Box to your audience? Yes! If you already have a subscription box, you should absolutely offer a Holiday Gift Box. And if you have an audience but haven't launched your subscription box yet, you should also offer a Holiday Gift Box.  Many members of Launch Your Box have used a Holiday Gift Box for proof of concept before launching. Members like Nicole who launched a one-time holiday box for guinea pig owners. When it was a HUGE hit, she knew she could launch her subscription box with confidence. She now has hundreds and hundreds of monthly subscribers and won a major subscription box industry award earlier this year.  My process for launching a one-time Holiday Gift Box was simple and it started before I had any idea what I was going to put in the box:  I set up a waitlist page in September. I set up a waitlist in my text app in September.  I built up excitement that my Holiday Gift Box was coming and drove people to the waitlist.  One day before the launch I sent one email to the waitlist and one text to the text waitlist offering them first dibs.  Launch day started with a LIVE during which I generated feelings of:  I started running ads on launch day.  I sent one email to my entire email list.  I sent one text to my entire text list.  I posted twice on social media about the box.  I changed my Facebook header.  By the end of day one, I had sold over half the boxes.  On day two, I resent the email to non openers and posted about the boxes on social media twice.  By day three, I only had 100 boxes left. I sent a last chance email to any non openers who hadn't purchased and posted on social media once.  On day four - the last day of the launch - I mentioned the Holiday Gift Box on a LIVE and posted about it once.  I sold out of all my Holiday Gift Boxes on day four! Oh, and I did all of this without having any product in hand.  Join me for this episode as I share what a Holiday Gift Box can do for your business and walk you through my simple, four-day Holiday Gift Box launch plan.  Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Launching a one-time holiday box in the 4th quarter is good business. Doing it without running ads isn't. That's why I brought my friend and colleague Josh Coffy of The Ecommerce Alley to talk with us.  Listen to episode 169 for more about why YOU should consider a one-time holiday box.  Do you need to run Facebook Ads?  You should always be building your audience organically. And you should get your audience excited about your one-time holiday boxes organically. But, if you want to maximize the sale of your one-time holiday boxes, you need to use ads.  Josh is an expert on Ecommerce marketing and Meta ads. He says that whether it's now or later, you HAVE to figure out advertising. In order to predictably attract new customers, you have to advertise.  I shared my favorite ads analogy. Ads aren't the base of your marketing strategy. Your base is all of the organic audience building you do. Consistently showing up on social media, engaging with your audience… And ads? They are likee lighter fluid. They take what you've already built and make it burn hotter and faster.  Why run Facebook Ads in the 4th Quarter?  In Q4, people are buying like no other time of the year. Take advantage of the momentum Q4 naturally gives you.  Josh talked about the types of ads you can/should run:  Facebook Ads Explained   Josh had even more recommendations including running purchase-based campaigns and keeping it simple. Start slow and increase your ads budget as sales come in.  Josh walked us through how he would build a campaign for a one-time holiday box no matter what your budget is. He explained “return on ad spend,” what is realistic to expect, and what you need to spend to get to the desired number of box sales.  Subscription box owners must manage their expectations and remove emotion (which is hard). Josh reminded us that marketing is a mathematical equation, not an emotional decision. Ads require a great deal of mental fortitude.  Josh also shared that “ad-dy ads” are working right now. Customers are responding to ads that look like ads.  Getting in Front of More People  As E-commerce business owners, our goal every day is to get in front of more people. As subscription box owners who face cancellations each month as a reality of doing business, growth depends on getting in front of more people.  I asked Josh what advice he had for someone who has never run an ad. He said it might feel like Mt. Everest in front of you. After all, Meta ads can be confusing and expensive. But the only way to get to the top is to start climbing. It's going to be scary but just do it. Start slow and small… but do it.  Join me for this episode as Josh and I nerd out on all things Facebook Ads and how you can use them to maximize sales of your one-time holiday box!  Episode 169 - A One-Time Holiday Box Can Validate Your Subscription Box Idea Find and follow Josh:  The Ecommerce Alley on Facebook The Ecommerce Alley Podcast   Josh Coffy on Instagram Join me in all the places:   Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Audience building is the key to a successful subscription box launch. It's also the key to the growth and sustainability of your subscription box business. In today's episode, we're talking about 5 ways to build an audience for each stage of the subscription box journey.  A reality of a subscription box is that each month will also bring cancellations. They're simply a part of doing business. And the only way to continue to grow your subscription box business is to continue to grow your audience, to get in front of new people and convert some of those people into subscribers.  Focusing on these 5 things consistently is going to help you grow your audience – and you need to grow your audience to grow your business.  5 Audience Building Steps for New Subscription Box Businesses If you're brand new and don't have an audience yet, you need to spend time building an audience. I say it all the time. You can't have a successful launch if you're launching to no one!  Building social media content - get your social pages going and build content on those pages. Get a minimum of 10 posts up right away. See 10 Post Ideas When Starting Your Business  Get super consistent. Post daily and work up to twice a day.  Share on your personal profile - share from your business page onto your personal page. People in your personal network are part of the audience you've already built. Let them help you expand your reach.  Set up a page like ad - these ads are simply an introduction to you and what you do. People simply click the thumbs up and then they're following your business page. This pushes you in front of people you'd never get in front of. Launch Your Box members, find the training inside the “Building Your Audience” module.  Video - short video and LIVEs - Let your audience get to know you.  Listen to episode 170 to learn how Tracey Phillips built an amazing audience of over 100,000 people by consistently doing LIVE videos.  Set up your email CRM - part of building your audience is building your email list. Our favorite email CRM is Klaviyo.  5 Audience Building Steps for Established Subscription Box Businesses If you are selling products, actively building an audience, or already have a subscription box, these 5 steps are for you. Make these a habit. You should be doing them all year round. Run a subscription giveaway - do one at least once a year. Launch Your Box members, find the training inside the “Building Your Audience” module. Create a lead magnet for your ideal customer - build your email list with a lead magnet! This is typically a digital item you give away for free in exchange for someone's email. Every business needs a lead magnet and should be running one year-round. Get ideas for email opt-in freebies.   Run ads - run three types of ads year-round: lead magnet ads, page like ads, product ads. Every legit business needs a marketing budget. You need to run ads. Ads are the best way to get in front of cold audiences.  Go LIVE and connect with your audience regularly - get consistent and put it on your calendar so your audience knows when to find you and you are held accountable.  Create a consistent social media plan - create a template for posts, a plan for video, and a schedule for switching out ads.  10 Post Ideas When Starting Your Business  Episode 170 of The Launch Your Box Podcast Downloadable Email Opt-In Freebie Ideas * These show notes contain affiliate/referral links. I could make a commission at no charge to you if you purchase my recommended products.  Please read my disclosure and privacy policy HERE. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

Taking action. That's something my guest today is great at. She joined my Subscription Box Week in June and within 30 days had launched her subscription (to more than 100 subscribers) and started generating recurring revenue.  She's been inspiring members inside Launch Your Box and I know she'll inspire you, too!  Serving Before Selling Tracey Phillips of Mindless Crafting started her business from a place of service. She's a paper crafter and card maker who loves sharing her gifts with others. That love of crafts led her to start a YouTube channel where she simply crafted with her audience, teaching them and guiding them to create beautiful paper crafts and handmade cards.  As Tracey's audience grew, they started asking her to create her own products. She promised she would if she reached 100,000 YouTube subscribers. And she did!  Tracey and her oh-so-supportive husband Bill figured out how to produce just one product – a stamp kit. They found a US-based manufacturer and worked with them to produce something they were proud to sell to their audience.  They quickly and easily sold the 100 stamps they had made. Tracey realized they could have sold many more. They started adding holiday kits to their online shop for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and more. As Tracey chose and designed items for the kit, she stayed true to what she knew worked. If she loved something and was excited about it, her audience would be, too.  Tracey joins Subscription Box Week Tracey joined Subscription Box Week and jumped in with both feet. She soaked up all the knowledge. At first, Tracey thought she wanted to start with a fully curated box. But when I talked about the ease of a one-thing-of-the-month subscription and how they could be a great place to start, Tracey knew that was the answer for her.  Tracey Launches her Subscription Box  Tracey launched to her community following the launch plan she learned in Launch Your Box. At the end of the 1st night, Tracey had 50 subscribers – double her goal. And by the end of her launch, she and Bill were celebrating 109 subscribers!  Tracey's “Secret” to Subscription Box Launch Success  What was Tracey's secret? She went LIVE a lot. She understands the power of letting your audience see you and get to know you. It allows people to see your authenticity. To ask questions and get them answered. To catch the replay later and still get the information.  Tracey has advice for anyone thinking about starting a subscription box. Don't wait for things to be perfect – she didn't. Understand that even if the answer to a challenge doesn't come easily or right away, it will come.  Most of all, Tracey wants you to connect with your audience, show up as you are, and “do what Sarah says!”  Find and follow Tracey:  Mindless Crafting on Facebook Mindless Crafting on Instagram   Mindless Crafting Website Join me in all the places:   Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!

“Email marketing needs to be part of your audience building strategy.” - Sarah Williams You know social media is an important part of audience building. You're showing up consistently, creating engaging posts and reels, connecting with your followers. But… How often are you sending emails to your email list?  Just as important as your social media (and maybe even more important) is your email list. You own your email list. Unlike your social media accounts, you can't get locked out or hacked. Your email list won't suddenly disappear.  It's time to treat your email list like the valuable asset it is and talk to the people on it. They've opted in, they've told you they want to learn more about you and what you offer. Give them what they want!  You should be emailing your list at least once a week. But what should you put in those emails?  Don't let not knowing what to say in those emails get in the way of connecting with and nurturing your email list. Here are FIVE types of emails all subscription box owners can send to their lists:    Monthly Unboxing - connect with subscribers, create excitement for them and FOMO for non-subscribers!  Subscriber Shares - create excitement and FOMO when you share pictures, messages, and comments from subscribers telling you how much they loved this month's box.  5 Ways to Use Your Box - encourage subscribers to consume the contents of the box. So important! Sneak Peek - get your subscribers excited about the next box and let non-subscribers see what they're missing out on - more FOMO!  Behind the Scenes - your audience LOVES getting a peek behind the scenes of your business! Take them along as you design or make products or even pack boxes.    Choose one of these emails to send to your email list each week. I've given you five - that means most months, you'll even have a spare. Put your email list to work for you - connect with your audience and nurture them.  Join me for this episode where I talk to you about the importance of emailing your list once a week and answer the question every subscription box owner asks, “But what do I put in those weekly emails?”    Resources from this episode:  Grab my swipe files of ALL five types of emails HERE!    Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website    Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

As a subscription box owner, you spend so much time working to gain new subscribers. But how much time and energy do you put into retaining your current subscribers? Cancellations are a reality of the subscription box industry. No matter how amazing your subscription box is and no matter how much time and effort you put into creating an outstanding subscriber experience, some subscribers will cancel. That doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to reduce the number of cancellations and retain more subscribers. Even a small increase in retention rate can make a big difference. Let's talk about six things you can do to retain more subscribers. Keep Things Trendy or Seasonal How often do you change up the lineup of items in your box? I'm always researching new trends and thinking ahead to what holidays or seasons are coming up. Keep things fresh and fun to keep subscribers excited about what's coming next month! Ask Your Subscribers What They Want Simply including your audience in the decision-making process can make a huge difference. Send out questionnaires and surveys or poll them on social media. Getting their input creates buy-in and a greater feeling of community. Engage With Your Subscribers During your monthly LIVE unboxing, engage directly with subscribers. Are you using SMS messaging? Text subscribers, asking what their favorite item was and asking for pics of them using or wearing something from the box. With their permission, use those pictures for social proof and to make subscribers feel even more a part of your community. People love to feel included! Create Added Value Your subscribers are the VIPs of your business. Make sure they feel that way. Send subscriber-only emails or surprise them with a coupon in their box good toward something in your shop. Need more ideas? Grab my resource - 10 Ways to Surprise and Delight Your Subscribers. Offer a Lower-Priced Tier in Your Subscription Box The number one reason people cancel their subscriptions is financial. Offering a lower-priced tier at the point of cancellation is one way to retain them. Some subscribers will love this option and may even move back up to the higher tier when their budget allows. Billing and Follow Up It's not fun or exciting, but keeping track of billing issues and missed payments can make a huge difference in managing subscriber turnover. Payments are missed because of card changes or changes in addresses and sometimes subscribers forget to update their info. Reminders and personal follow-up can eliminate so much of that. Track your retention rate every month. If it starts to slip and fall below 80%, you have an issue that needs to be addressed quickly. Put time and effort every day into retaining subscribers. Join me for this episode for quick tips on boosting subscriber retention. Simple changes can make a big difference—tune in now! 10 Ways to Surprise and Delight Your Subscribers. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform and leave a 5-star rating and a review! Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today! 

Have you been sitting on the sidelines, listening, watching, and waiting to launch your subscription box?  You have an idea, and you've taken some steps toward turning those dreams into reality, but something is holding you back.  What if you could test your subscription box idea with your target audience without committing to a full-blown launch? Now is the perfect time to validate your subscription box concept with a carefully curated one-time box.  Retail and e-commerce businesses will see high consumer spending over the next four months. Most will bring in 50% of their total year's revenue during the next four months. That makes now the best time to test your idea.  During the holidays people are more likely to spend on items for others. They're looking for something fun and unique, something special that stands out from all the other gifts under the tree.  Your one-time holiday box can be the perfect, thoughtful gift. The ultimate goal is to start, launch, and grow a thriving subscription box business. And a one-time box can be the perfect first step. A one-time box has a lower commitment for customers. It allows you to bring them into your business and then nurture them into being a subscriber.  Your one-time box should be similar to your subscription box idea, appealing to the same ideal customer.  Think about whether the recipients will receive the box before the holidays or as a holiday gift. This determines whether it can be holiday-themed or needs to be an everyday theme.  I do a one-time holiday box every year. My audience loves it, it sells out early every year, and it brings a nice punch of revenue into my business in the 4th quarter. Since it's intended to be given as a holiday gift (although a lot of my customers buy it as a gift to themselves), the contents of my holiday box do not have a holiday theme. Instead, it contains items similar to those found in my Monogram Box.  A one-time box is your opportunity to get it right. To put together a curated experience that will wow your ideal customer and give them a feel for what they could expect if they became a subscriber.  Now that you've curated your one-time holiday box, it's time to sell it.  Continue the audience building you've already been working on. Engage your audience in the process and get their buy-in with polls, behind-the-scenes, and other interactive content.  Plan a launch following the Launch Strategy with socials, lives, emails, and ads. Go all in. To be successful, you need to market your one-time box with a launch.  Create urgency, scarcity, and exclusivity by selling one-time boxes as pre-orders.  Analyze what's working and what isn't and adapt.  This process is great for new subscription box owners since you'll go through a launch, curate a box, market the box, and fulfill the box. You'll learn a ton about the launch process just by launching a one-time box and be ready to apply that knowledge to launch your subscription box.  Many of my students shifted their entire businesses from successful one-time box offers to subscriptions….because they had proof of concept before turning it into a subscription box. I've got a great, free new resource to help you curate a box experience for your subscribers. Join me for this episode as I talk about validating your subscription box idea with a one-time holiday box. Now is the perfect time to get your subscription box dreams off the ground!  Kristy's Interview - Episode 45 - Journey from One-Time Boxes to a Thriving Monthly Subscription  Nicole's Interview - Episode 13 - A Passion for Animals Turns into 500 Monthly Subscribers Curating a Box Experience for Your Subscribers  Join me in all the places:  Facebook Instagram Launch Your Box with Sarah Website  Are you ready for Launch Your Box? Our complete training program walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. Join the waitlist today!