Play Book Tag discussion

Hi all,
I just opened an Etsy shop to sell literary inspired soy candles. I was hoping people could check it out and give me feedback on it and on the options I want to add (below). So far I've only added 5 candles but hope to add the following bookish candles in the next month or so.

Memoirs of a Geisha – Bamboo, lemongrass, and green tea
Sense and sensibilities by Austen – Lavender & vanilla
Winter by Marissa Meyer – Apples and Maple Bourbon
To Kill a Mockingbird – Caramelized pralines
Brief History of Seven Killings – Caribbean Teakwood
The Sellout – Cinnamon buns & coffee
A Fine Balance – Cinnamon chai
Midsummer's Night Dream– love spells (apple, lilac, & musk)
James and the Giant Peach – peach nectar
Anne of Green Gables – Meadow (cut grass and floral)
Cider House Rules - Mulled cider and chestnuts

I'm lucky to have a few PBT members who will help me test out some of the candles above. Once they have been tested out, I'll start adding them. Anyway, I could use your feedback on the site and then on the possible options I've listed. Also, if you have any personal favorite books that you'd like to see featured, let me know and I can think about creating them.

The link to the etsy site is: https://www.etsy.com/shop/OffThePageB...

What a neat idea I am both proud and intrigued.

Amy wrote: "What a neat idea I am both proud and intrigued."

ah, thanks. Candle making is very therapeutic and I needed something relaxing to take my mind off of political events. My daughter likes to help me stir the wax and wants me to make an apple candle for Snow White.

I think that's wonderful! And that your daughter gets involved. I also think it's interesting that there seems to be at least from what I've seen, an implicit decision not to remotely mention the recent political upset. I also found it fascinating that as far as I could tell, Goodreads shut down Wednesday. I didn't see it start to pick up with conversation until halfway through Thursday. Last comment and I'll make it brief. How unlike me, it probably won't be brief. But as psychologists, and Massachusetts ones, and as parents, we are dealing with a lot of charged emotions these days. The one thing I offer, and offer world wide, is to say that we still stick with our values. We still move forward with the principles we hold dear. We still believe we are stronger together, and that we are teaching our children something important about leadership, agency, and the role we can take. We decide not to be powerless. We still believe in, when they go low, we go high. We make candles, we talk books, we pray, and we still stand for a better world. I've been thinking a lot and talking a lot about Harry Potter these days. The idea that good always wins and that Harry stands for love and friendship and is truly never alone. We are in some darkness now, but we have power and ultimately that power is love and unity. Enough of my preaching. Make those beautiful candles

I love this! In fact, I will likely be placing an order for some holiday gifts?

Quick question: your Etsy site says that you take special requests. How much notice do you need for that if I were going to order, say, 6-8 candles?

I am thinking they will be great favors at my Christmas movie viewing party!

Love the "Off the Page" label and the concept. Not sure what kind of latitude you have, but I do have a couple of pieces of marketing feedback.

First, I really think you need to find a way to show the fragrance on the front page . . .Mad Tea Party is lemon pound cake fragrance - - personally, I'm VERY attracted to that as a fragrance, but not necessarily "Alice in Wonderland" as a book for adult recipients, so I might never have clicked on it to see the fragrance. Scrooge's Surprise is similar. These are cute bookish names, but it's the scents that I think will really sell them AFTER the potential buyer has already been excited by the concept (I assume mostly book readers who like giving book related gifts!).

Personally (though considerably less important), I think one line about why "soy" would be good on the front page as well. I honestly have never heard of a soy candle, and on the face of it, that doesn't really sound appealing (as I imagined it), but when I read the description you wrote after clicking - - I thought they sounded really, really great! If it were my own site, I might even consider replacing the word "Soy" in the brief description with something that describes the benefit "Clean burning" or "Environmentally friendly" or "Long lasting". I would still include the word soy in the longer explanation as well as your great paragraph on why soy is great.

Obviously, take it or leave it, but those are my initial reactions. The candles look terrific, and I can definitely see gifting these to some ladies in my book club!

Thanks Anita! That is really helpful. I have gone back and forth on labeling with the book title vs the scent. Maybe I can add a line below the title or add something to the image to highlight the scent.

You've given me some very helpful things to consider! I have to play around with the labeling and see how it looks.

Soy candles are all the rage now because of their clean burning, non-toxic natural oil. I assumed most people knew about it but perhaps because I've been immersed in the candle world. I will definitely think about how to highlight the benefits earlier.

Maybe see if anyone else hasn't heard of them! I may be the lone candle ignoramus. Candles are not high on my radar, but these are very appealing. My marketing MBA side tends toward emphasizing benefits, but capitalizing on trends is also good!

Nicole R- I'll prioritize any orders from PBT friends. Add a week to discuss special orders. It depends on whether I have the fragrances and if I've tried them out (I test all candles before listing since I want them to be perfect). Shipping is expensive because the candles weigh about a pound. So if you place an order let me know first and I'll give you a coupon for free shipping then I'll hand deliver them to you so you can save money.

Nicole R wrote: "I love this! In fact, I will likely be placing an order for some holiday gifts?

Quick question: your Etsy site says that you take special requests. How much notice do you need for that if I were g..."

also, I'm working on smaller "sample" candles that will be cheaper and will work better as party favors. They will be 2oz metal tins. As soon as I've tested them out, i'll post a photo there. They'll be much cheaper than the glass candles.

Jen wrote: "Nicole R- I'll prioritize any orders from PBT friends. Add a week to discuss special orders. It depends on whether I have the fragrances and if I've tried them out (I test all candles before listin..."

I think I would stick with a scent you have worked out but perhaps just personalize the label.

And thank you for the shipping option! I will poke around and see how many I will need. I think my holiday party will be the weekend of December 8-9.

And, the tin candles may be more in my budget since I just invited a dozen people to my holiday movie gathering. lol.

I love this idea!

This is an awesome idea! Seems like a perfect "mom" Christmas present!! Reminds me of Litographs.

I'm not sure how Etsy's interface is as far as customization, but I think it would be nice to have both the book and the fragrance-with its listed scents all on the main page. So you don't have to click into a product to see what it smells like.

I see the name of the product both in the picture and in it's description. But then it just says "soy candle inspired..." and cut's off. I think it would be beneficial to condense what you're writing in that prime retail spot on the site. Or if you can't customize this take advantage of your label with adding more detail in a readable way that different from the info on the etsy site. (ie having the scent name in the picture, but book and scents on the webpage).

Once you click into a product, the other thing I would add-would be referencing the scents in the item's "overview". So a user doesn't have to read through the block of text to see what it smells like.

Of course, this is just my two cents. Like Ainta said-brings me back to my marketing classes. I think most people on the internet try and to find the most information in the quickest way possible- and anything to do that helps.

Thanks Joi! I've now added the fragrance to the label too.

I'm bookmarking the site, I don't have time to go through it right now. But I love soy candles!

Love it, Jen! What a fantastic idea- I'm going to alert my book loving friends and family- I have some librarians in mind.
And I love that they're soy- in Iowa, we've known about soy candles for years- as I look out the window at my family's bean fields. They burn cleaner and don't leave a black smudge on the ceiling. Plus, no petroleum guilt.
Congratulations on your new business venture!

I would suggest a Harry Potter candle. Butterbeer?

You also have a huge potential market in Boston: a literary town and all the colleges!
Have you thought about the wax cubes- since college campuses don't allow open flames in dorms? My younger son uses those in his dorm room, because, well, 2 males sharing a messy room.

Jen wrote: "Soy candles are all the rage now because of their clean burning, non-toxic natural oil. ..."

I try to be extremely environmentally-friendly, but I didn't know this! Maybe because I mostly don't burn scented candles (or any) anymore. One of my cats has asthma and I was told to cut out all scents, including candles. So, I don't keep up to date on them. For future reference, though, this is good to know!

LibraryCin wrote: "Jen wrote: "Soy candles are all the rage now because of their clean burning, non-toxic natural oil. ..."

I try to be extremely environmentally-friendly, but I didn't know this! Maybe because I mos..."

Your cat is my kindred spirit, Cin! I can't have any perfumes in my house. I can occasionally tolerate vanilla or cinnamon or other cooking scents, but I like to put them in the house with actual cooking.

I'm afraid I can't help you, Jen. But it's a great idea.

Jennifer P. wrote: "I would suggest a Harry Potter candle. Butterbeer?"

I was thinking the same thing! Maybe like a butterscotch type scent? That's what I imagine butterbeer to smell like.

Jennifer P. wrote: "I would suggest a Harry Potter candle. Butterbeer?"

I debated that one. Turns out lots of people have butterbeer candles. Who knew? I do like the idea of having a Harry Potter candle. Maybe I could combine buttered rum and vanilla? Thanks for the suggestion

Tracy wrote: "You also have a huge potential market in Boston: a literary town and all the colleges!
Have you thought about the wax cubes- since college campuses don't allow open flames in dorms? My younger son..."

I hadn't thought about that yet. It's really just a side thing to raise some money for the blog prizes since I still have to work my real job :)

I may be adding soaps down the line to match the candle scents.

LibraryCin wrote: "Jen wrote: "Soy candles are all the rage now because of their clean burning, non-toxic natural oil. ..."

I try to be extremely environmentally-friendly, but I didn't know this! Maybe because I mos..."

We had to eliminate candles too after our cat was diagnosed with asthma. I wonder if these soy candles are better for them although it's more likely an issue with the fragrance than the actual wax.

Jgrace wrote: "LibraryCin wrote: "Jen wrote: "Soy candles are all the rage now because of their clean burning, non-toxic natural oil. ..."

I try to be extremely environmentally-friendly, but I didn't know this! ..."

thanks. I agree, it's better when you can eat the final product! I made vanilla candles the other day but didn't love them with just vanilla alone

~*Kim*~ wrote: "Jennifer P. wrote: "I would suggest a Harry Potter candle. Butterbeer?"

I was thinking the same thing! Maybe like a butterscotch type scent? That's what I imagine butterbeer to smell like."

that's a good idea. thanks

Jen wrote: "it's more likely an issue with the fragrance than the actual wax. ..."

Yeah, unfortunately, I'm sure it's the fragrance, not the wax, but he's 13. I hope he'll still be around for at least another 5 years or so, but you never know. It's good to know about soy candles for later. :-)

You already got a bunch of good feedback, but this is very cool!

Thanks to everyone! I will be incorporating all your feedback in the next round of changes. Once I make the next batch of them, I print out new labels and will update the photos. I'll be trying out a Harry Potter one this weekend. When I add new listings I'll incorporate all of Joi's suggestions.

Finally, I'll be adding some smaller sampler sizes once I test them to make sure they burn perfectly.

Ok, I'm really not much of a scented candle aficionado, but I ordered the candle that is Mad Tea Party "lemon pound cake" scent and my goodness does it smell delicious. Like I kinda want to eat it delicious. And that's without burning it . . .

Jen, I have no idea how to leave a review on your Etsy site. I am logged in. I see the section for Reviews. But I do not see any way to actually write a review of my own . . .Bizarre.

Maybe click on the purchases or orders button? I can take a look when I get home. I'm so glad you like the smell! I just made a caramelized pralines candle for To Kill a Mockingbird and it makes my mouth water when I light it. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing. I have been eating more candy so I blame the candle.

Jen wrote: "Maybe click on the purchases or orders button? I can take a look when I get home. I'm so glad you like the smell! I just made a caramelized pralines candle for To Kill a Mockingbird and it makes my..."

Ok, now I may need to get that one too . . .

Anita, Etsy will tell you when you're able to leave a review. It's usually not until a couple of days after the expected arrival date. But if I'm remembering correctly, I think you go into "my purchases".

Jennifer P. wrote: "Anita, Etsy will tell you when you're able to leave a review. It's usually not until a couple of days after the expected arrival date. But if I'm remembering correctly, I think you go into "my purc..."

Thanks, Jennifer. The other Jen found a link for me, and it does look like you had to go into your purchases to do a review! Thank you for your guidance.

I just received my latest order- the Norwegian Rain candle is a.maz.ing!

Tracy- I'm so glad you like it! Had to make something special for one of my favorite authors!

Tracy wrote: "I just received my latest order- the Norwegian Rain candle is a.maz.ing!"

I need to order that. super excited.

Marvelous idea! I'll definitely check out the website!