Open Cart? Closed Cart? Here’s How to Launch Your Box Either Way | EP 210

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Should your subscription box be available all the time or only during specific launch windows?

It’s one of the most common questions I get inside Launch Your Box. But here’s the truth…

It’s not about whether your cart is open or closed.
It’s about whether you’re giving people a reason to subscribe right now.

In this week’s Friday Fuel episode of The Launch Your Box Podcast, I’m breaking down the difference between open cart and closed cart subscription models, the pros and cons of each, and what really moves the needle when it’s time to grow your subscriber count.

I also share a simple strategy that works with either model to create urgency and excitement: the launch bonus with examples you can use without spending a fortune.

Open Cart vs. Closed Cart: What You Need to Know

Open Cart Subscription Model

Your subscription box is always live, and subscribers can join at any time.
It’s simple and steady, but it lacks urgency. You have to create your own momentum.

Closed Cart Subscription Model 

You open the cart for a limited window a few times a year.
It builds buzz and urgency, but only if you show up and promote it well.

Both work. I’ve used both. But the most important thing?
YOU are the one who creates urgency.

It’s about how you talk about your box, how you show up, and whether or not you give people a reason to say yes this week.

The Power of a Launch Bonus

When I launched my Monogram Box™ in April, I offered a free monogram tee to anyone who subscribed that week. That bonus helped me sell out 432 spots.

The bonus worked again during my July teacher launch, when I offered a personalized “Teacher” tee to new subscribers. That simple extra created urgency and excitement. And brought in results.

Whether your cart is open or closed, a bonus can help you say,
“This week matters. Here’s why.”

Bonus Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank

Try one of these subscriber-worthy extras:

• An exclusive item they can’t get anywhere else
• A personalized detail like a name or monogram
• A small gift that matches your box’s theme
• A digital download or printable
• Leftover inventory from a previous month

Your bonus doesn’t have to be expensive—it just has to be timely and thoughtful.

Your Friday Fuel Action Step

Map out your next launch bonus.
Ask yourself:

• What could I offer that feels special and simple?
• When will I offer it and when will it end?
• How will I promote it through email, social, and your website?

Write it down. Plug it into your calendar. And remember: when you’re excited, your audience will be, too.

Join me for this episode and find out why it’s not about whether your subscription box is open or closed – it’s about getting people to say yes.