The Whole Megilla

I've spoken a wee bit about HOW these things might be shipped out. The sailors of yore didn't take a dinghy, did they? Lordy, no! They got the most beautiful schooners, with gold leaf and shining brass embellishing their ships! THOSE were vessels worthy of carrying spices and silks.

What vessels will be worthy of YOUR treasures? 

1. Stray from white envelopes. Jam Paper is a fantastic resource for OODLES upon OODLES of colorful envelopes in every size imaginable! Pick a color that's totally on-brand. For me, that's sweet, bold colors--turquoises, magentas, purples, yellows. But maybe you're a cougar, and your color is vampy red! Or maybe you're the broody bad boy, and charcoal envelopes are more your style. Or make your own!

2. On-brand fonts. If you're going to use address return labels, make sure that they, too, are on brand! Don't use the patriotic ones the VFW sends to you, save those for your bills and non-business. But when you send your ship, return labels ideally echo your normal marketing. 

3. On-brand decor. Everyone wants to open something that looks fun! For a chirpy, cutesy type like me, I have fun, on-brand stickers--Muppets, Sesame Street, My Little Ponies, etc. If you're the cougar, maybe hearts or kisses; and maybe something like ravens or quills for the Johnny Depps among us. What feels like what you're most frequently cast as? And you don't have to limit yourself to stickers--you can use glitter, rubber stamps, paint, drawings...whatever!

4. Fun stamps. I covered PhotoStamps (which, if you have the extra scheckles laying around, I ADORE), but if they're just too pricey for now, head on over to your post office and see what they have. I'm totally sad that I missed Muppet stamps. However, there may be some that really resonate with your personal brand, or even that mean something to you--what if you're the Earth Mother type, and you can get those stamps that fund cancer research? You want this as personalized as possible! 

5. Avoid labels. Now, please, make yourself return labels--fun ones, in your font (as per 2 paragraphs ago), colorful, if possible! However, I just have this utz about hand-writing out your recipients' addresses. Maybe it's that it feels less schlocky. (Wow, lots of Yiddish today!) Maybe it's that personal cards from friends or family are always hand-addressed. I know you'll get a writing cramp, but in my opinion, hand-addressed envelopes are WAY warmer and more familiar, and a much better building block on the way to building a totally reciprocal relationship full of Whuffie. 

Now you have a ship ready for its maiden voyage! 

Addresses are clearly removed, but observe the elements: On-brand font, handwritten 'to' address, on-brand colorful envelope, on-brand decor (I freaking love Muppets so hard), and finally, a PhotoStamp with my most memorable role from 30 Rock. THIS is a ship from a friend to a friend; sent to someone I very much want to create a real, mutual relationship with.

Hope this was inspiring and helpful, fellow sailors! Questions? Want to share your designs with me? Please post in comments, on FB or Twitter! :D

Ahoy, Mateys! 

Jen