Free Shipping is a Myth vol 2. It's fixed costs. It's customer service. Promote the values.

 How you present your shipped items to your client conveys value. Items that are packed well are important items. 

Customers have been conditioned to expect so-called "free shippping." That myth ignores facts like fixed costs beyond postage. Each time an indie aritst ships an order -- there is time and skill involved. As well as appropriate packing materials. Indie artists can't afford returns for goods damaged in shipment. They need items to arrive in pristine condition. Those 5 star reviews for service are essential.

How you pack, ship and present your items is more important than ever. SNB is known for stellar shipping. Books are shipped in oversized boxes. Padded all around to protect corners and prevent shifting. 

These next photos show a mug I ordered recently from the Hirschfeld Foundation. This is another example of stellar packing. To ship correctly, you must ship in the most protective container possible. This smaller box designed specifically to protect the mug arrived inside a larger box. 

https://www.alhirschfeldfoundationshop.org/stage/product/the-dog-show-hounds-by-hirschfeld-exhibition-white-glossy-mug/

Most indie artists pack and ship their own orders. Many include a note of thanks to the client. Including surprise free items like stickers, buttons or postcards connect clients with your brand. Here are some examples of recent orders that include this special touch. 

Here's an order of greeting cards shipped by indie artist Jenna at Paper Wilderness  https://www.paperwilderness.com/

Jenna's cards arrive wrapped in beautiful, bespoke tissue wrap, decorated with her art! I'll be re-using that.. and passing on her art and brand. 

Let your clients see your shipping process. Help them understand why you take the many steps involved for THEIR benefit.

Tons of photos in this link below from 2018 blog post on "Oh So Beautiful Paper"  show Jenna's studio and some shipping process:

https://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2018/09/behind-the-stationery-paper-wilderness/

Feature your helpers! (below is the last canine helper at SNB.. years ago. Fond memories).

Here's an order of pins from artist Becky at Peppermint Narwhal Collective 

http://www.peppermintnarwhal.com/

Notice how she uses all the space on the backing for the pins to promote her brand and its link to wildlife conservation...

Use each shipment to help raise awareness for your clients of the value they get when they order indie. Help educate them. Appreciate them. 

Artist Aimee of Hive Five studios https://hivefivestudios.com/collections/all

posts fast, fun, educational videos on her Instagram sharing her shipping and art process at her studio. https://www.instagram.com/hivefivestudios/?hl=en

Every order you ship is branding, connection, promotion, education and appreciation.

Also see this previous post on "Free Shipping is a Myth" with important PSA video from USPS.

http://stuartngbooks.blogspot.com/2020/01/free-shipping-is-myth-it-costs-indie.html