Holiday Shipping Hacks: Surviving the 4th Quarter | EP 174

holiday podcast Nov 06, 2024

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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.

Consider:

  • What types of packaging will you need? Boxes, poly mailers, padded envelopes, etc. 
  • What types of items are in your 4th quarter promos? 
    • What size box(es) will you need? 
    • Will you need more poly mailers than boxes? 

 

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
    • Set up efficient packing stations with all necessary materials within reach to avoid wasting time during fulfillment.
    • Put quality checks in place along the way (it’s so easy to make a mistake when volume is high and time is short). 
  • 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.
    • Remember, people are stressed this time of year. Be patient!
    • Encourage customers to order early to beat the rush! 
  • 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!

 

 

 

 

 

Learn from me:

  • Subscription Box Blueprint eBook: This $10 ebook covers logistics from product selection to packaging to shipping. Plus a 90-day launch plan and bonus ‘Instant Scripts’ for your social media.
  • Launch Your Box: My complete training program that walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business.
  • Launch Your Box Podcast: I share tons of practical tips and strategies to help you start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. You’ll also hear from industry experts and current Launch Your Box members who are crushing it - get ready to get inspired!
  • One Box at a Time: Inside my book One Box at a Time, I show you the steps you need to follow to start and launch your subscription box. To turn your dream into reality. This book is filled with proven teachings, valuable resources, best practices, and action steps for you to take.

 

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