I’ve been avoiding the “getting started” part of this project- because I didn’t have a clear plan of the “start”. I know what I want for the finished product… but it’s in my head and not written down.

If I had written everything down – and kept notes as I went along with my thoughts, I would have somewhat of a to-do list.

Anyway… I’ll dump on you again and create a to-do list right here.

The first “big” project I want to get started – and finished up PDQ (pretty darned quick) is a new product to sell on Amazon. This new product is a combination of products (A “Bundle” in Amazon terms) I can buy at local stores and public domain images.

Because I’m planning to create a new “similar” product every month… it needs to be “template” driven. What do I mean by “template” driven?

A Template Driven Product

This type of product is a product that is similar and different at the same time.

• Some of the “components” will be the same things used in each product.
• The “changes” should be easy to manage once the first product is “designed”.

I think you will have a clear understanding of this idea when I finish explaining everything… stick with me.

Product Packaging

I might seem to be working backwards with this idea… but I’m not. The product package needed to be the same size for each “bundled” product I create. Each months product that I create must fit into this box.

The box I want should be “giftable” looking and not the type that has a flap on top.

I didn’t want this type of box:

Or a flimsy gift box:

This is the perfect box:

It’s called a “document mailer” and I found them at Staples. It’s nice enough to use for a gift – and sturdy enough so I don’t have to worry about Amazon warehouse staff crushing.

The boxes will have “labels” on the top that I will create using pubic domain images… and I can add a bow if I think it’s needed. This box can be used as a “memento” box or storage for small items.

Customers will love these (I hope). The boxes cost about $2 each – expensive. If these products “work” (meaning they sell) I’ll hunt down a cheaper supply.

I chose a specific size box – aprox. 8 1/2 x 11 and 2 inches deep.

• This gives me an easy “size” to work with labels. I can use the 8 1/2 x 11 label paper and not have to “crop” much.
• This box is “big” enough to look like a nice gift and small enough to pack in a few products and still look full.
• I can easily wrap this box with shrink wrap before mailing off to Amazon.

Again – The plan is to use the same box for each “type” of product I create. I just change the theme of the product and make sure everything “fits” into this size box.

Creating The Label

Each of my product ideas have a theme… and this first product is Valentine’s Day related.  I could go “ultra” fancy with the label… but my thought is to KISS (Keep It Simple Silly).

If I create a label that is a template – then each month I would just need to change the images and “title” of the product. The sizing and extra verbiage (like a copyright notice) would stay the same.

Of course I’m going to use public domain images – but I am looking for an easy way to source them.  The idea of spending a bunch of time editing images for this project defeats the idea of “simple”. I’m going to see what I have on my hard-drive first of course…

Get To Work Creating

I have the box and I know what’s going in the box (I’ll share that later). Now it’s time to get to work creating the label.  I feel focused now – thanks for letting me “share” (brain dump).

Just as soon as I get the label “finished” – I’ll show you and also “brainstorm” the next steps in the project.

p.s. The idea overall for these products is to create a gift that is also helping to create a memory. I’m pretty excited about this idea and I hope my “brain dump” helps jump start your creative juices.