In our fast-paced modern world, daily stressors have become routine. With the added impact and uncertainty of recent years, consumers increasingly crave moments of delight and escapism in their daily routines. As a result, creating a memorable unboxing experience is a simple yet effective means to provide the excitement and surprise that people seek out.

So how do you go about creating a memorable unboxing experience? Read on to learn our top 6 strategies for spurring that spark of surprise and delight to your customers.

To initiate a memorable unboxing experience, consider adding a personal touch by printing surprises on the inside of the packaging. This could be a heartfelt message, a motivating quote, or even a playful illustration. Take for example what we did for Boody Australia and Beauty Affairs.

When customers open your package and discover these hidden messages or designs, it adds a layer of curiosity and connection. It’s like finding a hidden treasure, a message from a friend, or a piece of art being unveiled, which elevates the entire unboxing experience.

Steer away from traditional packaging designs and instead, opt in for an interactive experience by using box opening methods like rip, ribbon or tab pulls or magnetised flip top openings.

These different approaches to the traditional act of opening a box can create a sense of anticipation and excitement for customers as they become active participants in the unboxing journey, making it more fun and memorable.

Take for example this box opening method we designed for our web mailers.  The rip pull tab is usually accompanied by two strips; one strip is used to seal the box closed and the other strip is present so that if customers want to re-use the box for returns, they can reseal it easily. The rip pull allows for a quick easy open of the box with no cutting tools or nasty plastic tape required.

Think about incorporating personalisation into the unboxing experience. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a personalised discount code, or a small, tailored gift, these touches make customers feel seen and appreciated. Personalisation adds a layer of warmth and human connection to the overall experience. It’s a reminder that there are real people behind the brand who care about their customers.

For example, during lockdown, our client The Hamper Emporium added a thoughtful touch to their New Year’s Eve deliveries. In addition to their traditional hamper, they included a little something extra – a party celebration pack containing festive party hats, jokes, and confetti, so that customers could have a little at-home celebration to ring in the new year.

In today’s environmentally conscious world, sustainability plays a significant role in  creating a memorable unboxing experience. Ensure your packaging is eco-friendly; this will demonstrate your brand’s commitment to a greener planet, which your customers will thank you for. Plus, it will add a layer of ethical value to every unboxing experience you deliver.

At Nextpack, we strive to ensure that all of our packaging is fully sustainable and we’re constantly iterating with respect to the materials we use so that we’re always adopting the most earth-friendly practices for our clients.

One particular client that’s noteworthy as they are 100% carbon neutral from development to production, packaging & delivery is La Biosthetique.

Encourage customers to share their unboxing experiences on social media platforms. Doing so will amplify your brand’s reach and awareness amongst new audiences. You can ask customers to do this through a variety of methods like printing a message on the box itself or sending an email prior to your customer receiving the box, etc.

Think about leveraging aligned influencers as part of this marketing approach to further amplify your reach and impact.

Take for example Beauty Affairs who encourage their customers to snap and upload themselves using their products on socials.

Or on a bit of a different community building note, our client Something for Frankie donates a portion of every sale to dog shelters.

A memorable unboxing experience is an ongoing journey, not a one-time event. Continuously think about how you can update the unboxing experience you deliver so that customers remain engaged and excited about receiving your products.

Imagine the anticipation of receiving a package from a brand you love, knowing that each time, there might be a new surprise. This ongoing sense of excitement keeps customers coming back for more and ensures that the magic of the unboxing experience stays alive.

In conclusion, a memorable unboxing experience provides consumers with a brief escape from the day-to-day grind. By focusing on personalisation, interactivity, and sustainability, brands can create joyous unboxing moments that resonate long after the initial package is opened. This not only strengthens the brand-customer relationship but also turns your customers into enthusiastic brand advocates.

Brands that prioritise and invest in creating memorable unboxing experiences not only are able to differentiate themselves but also gift their customers with moments of happiness and escapism in an otherwise hectic world.