How should you market your soaps? Learn from my mistakes.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.พ. 2023
- #soapybusiness #shoptalk #sudsers
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In today's episode, we are reviewing the cringe moments in my marketing history, in order to help you not make the same mistakes. Let's have some fun.
Soap & Clay is a family owned business operating in Washington State, but started out online thanks to Mrs. Soap & Clay's kickass brother and his amazing web design skills. The business was started as a tribute to Mrs. Soap & Clay's grandmother, the OG maker in the family that cultivated everyone's love for the DIY life. The studio/retail shop opened in 2017 on 6th Ave in Tacoma, and immediately began teaching soap, bath bomb, lotion, and scrub classes to the makers and maker enthusiasts of the PNW. In 2019, the pottery studio opened as well, making the soap shop a busy place full of artistic energy every minute of the day.
Mrs. Soap & Clay has been featured on Business Spotlight, New Day Northwest, and was awarded a coveted place on the South Sound's 40 under 40 list in 2019, an award given to the most influential business people under the age of 40 each year. She cried when she walked up to the podium to accept the award. A lot.
Drawing from her chemistry background and her maker spirit, Mrs. Soap & Clay infuses her favorite things into her soapy designs and creates products that are fun to see, use, and learn to make. Stick around for this ride - she'll take you on a great one.
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You can find Soap & Clay on all social media platforms:
/ idontevenusesoap
/ soapandclay
/ soapandclay
For information on products, wholesale orders, or ideas for a soap, contact Mrs. Soap & Clay at
Chantine@soapandclay.com
Oh, the cringe. 😂
I jumped into the deep end with markets. My first market was a very large annual affair with thousands of people. I had people at my booth all day and my throat was very sore at the end of it from talking and answering questions. But you know what? Not a single person asked what oils were in the soap, or anything about parabens or any other ingredient. The soap looked pretty and smelled great. That's all they cared about.
Exactly this! That's how my first big event was. Everyone gravitated toward the awesome smells and pretty colors. It was only when I did a much smaller event at a holistic wellness center where people were actually conscious about all of that, yet still didn't ask about parabens or phthalates.
I had the exact same experience 😅 all that formulation and ingredients just to be told they lived the smells, colours and purchased anyway. That day was a good $500 market day. Now I have the sign that says my business details and socials and that I accept square payments 😂 and clear prices and boom sale after sale .
You’re so generous with your info. Love learning from you
As usual 💯% agree! Be yourself market your whole self and people will love the products too. I love reading about me and the origins of shops! Helps me feel that I'm supporting someone with a bigger mission!!
Thank you for this information, It has really got me thinking about the marketing side, something that I find extremely challenging. I'd rather just make soap all day😁
Love the mantra “just be true to yourself”…I went out on a limb and use animal fats in my soap. I deliberated before getting my recipe assessed (we have to do this in the uk) cos I thought perhaps people wouldn’t like the thought of lard and tallow in soap. But I remained true to myself (I’m from an agricultural background living in a rural agricultural area) and here’s the thing I’ve only lost about 3 or 4;sales in 4 years due to my soaps not being vegan. And in those cases I can point them to half a dozen other soap makers who make vegan soap. But you’re right most people don’t really quiz about what the soap is made from…they’re drawn by the smell and pretty colours. And when they do ask I explain all the reasons why I use animal fats and they appreciate the honesty. Doing markets is my chance to engage and I love explaining things…having the confidence to talk knowledgeably gives them confidence in you and your product. I try very consciously not to put anyone’s other products down…that would just be bad karma 🙏🏻🥰
Soapy, I think I will have this on repeat today. These words are what I’m needing today.
Thank you. So authentic, so helpful - and fun.
I love your sense of humor. You're the greatest!!
Incredibly insightful! Thank you.
Omg I love how you are you . Thanks for your approach and advices. Thanks thanks thanks
Thank you!! Informative as always!
Thank you for sharing your experiences, both positive and negative. We learn so much from one another and ourselves. You’re amazing ❤
Thanks for watching!
Find a way to go hyper local. Local honey, local olive oil, local organic grass fed tallow. Local essential oils even. Talk to farmers and search local newspapers for articles on someone doing something with local ingredients, whatever it might be, and find things you can use in your soap. Mrs. Soap and Clay has a video out on using corn silk as a substitute to tussah silk. . Use your imagination. The information is out there, figure out what ingredients you can get locally or in your own state, and use them. Instant premium product.
You always crack me up! But seriously, this was great info. Thank you!
So well said and well put. Thanks
I started making soap for myself and I used a few pointers from your mechanics soap video. thank you!
Thank you for these videos!
I just discovered you live in the pacific NW. I’m in Renton. I create raw milk soaps from my own milk cows. Loving these businesses videos. So much knowledge from a longtime soap maker. I appreciate. Priceless!
Thank you so much. I have obtained it now.
I joined tonight Thank you for all the helpful tips and advise
Welcome!
Side note, I love the way the inside of this soap turned out!!!!
I’ve been kicking around an idea of a company based on nothing but bars.. soap bars, shampoo and conditioner bars, lotion bars, sugar scrub bars, just everything I can put into a bar instead of a container. And naming it something like “The Bar.” Or “The bath and body Bar.”
Idk though. It’s prolly been done already. Lol As always thank you for the video. You give out awesome info! ❤
Even if someone has done something similar in theme you can do your unique version based on so many things 😀🦋🌺
@@kerrygearin3910 good point
If you went that route, you could use the slogan - raise the bar!
I think it’s a great idea.
@@kerrygearin3910You’re absolutely right. Idky I didn’t even think of that. I’m going start looking around and see if other businesses have taken this general idea and see how I can make it my own. 😃👍
Love this. I at first put that info in my posts and website but then started thinking like a consumer and I didn't even know what some of those things were til I started making products. But you see those buzzwords on all the things now, just like "gluten free" was put on everything down to oranges. And I was just in one of the cringy (yes, I still say cringe I think lol) FB groups and someone actually suggested to someone to NOT put their personal story into their social posts because people don't care 😤. I had to chime in because that is SO not the case. I also feel that person likes to discourage newbies anyway, but even marketers say you should put some personal stuff in there to break up the sales pitches.
I love your shirt today!
Gotta rep my favorite podcast!
That's the best advice I have heard by far. Thanks for giving me a new perspective. I am not very good at selling me but I am going to be better at it. You have no idea how much you help folks like me, so thank you!
I'm good at making soap (M&P and CP) but I'm crap at marketing. Its sure is my Achilles heel.
BTW - Love your videos. Keep up the good work.
I recognize you from watching your MP videos. I like the textured/layered ocean MP one. You're phenomenal!
@@jillianc157 Thanks so much xo
same, i am struggling big time in selling soap because i am sheit at content creation and connecting with my audience :(
I’ve actually told people that if they can use coconut based soaps that they can probably find less expensive bars than mine. I’m honest.
The other thing is… most people don’t have a very large men’s line… that’s who buys a large portion of my soap sales, so I do. 🤷🏻♀️
Men are my best customer...they tend to just like the scent and always ignore the 'men's' scents...they like what they like. So, I no longer say it is a man's soap because women also gravitate towards those warm tones themselves. I just tell my customers that I use very nice, skin loving oils and butters.
@@vernahrris5601 oh… I completely agree. I don’t market them as “men’s soaps”… I just have a lot of masculine or unisex fragrances in my soap lines.
@@MsAubrey customers like what they like...I am also starting to not use anything but madeup names for my soaps, like: Please! Give me five more minutes! and things like that. I'll write it and date it on my make list and take a photo of the soap, but I will identify distinct fragrances like fruits with play on words included.
@MsAubrey @vernahrris5601 see, men in my area are always like "do you make soap for men?" And I'm like "well, if you use soap, then yes, I do make soap for men" lol. But then I direct them to the "manly" scents. But I have several female customers who are huge fans of the earthy/woodsy scents. And 1 guy really liked a soap I gave a more feminine name to. So I'm trying to be more mindful that I don't give them gendered names
@@noraabodylove One of my son's favorites is Pikake flower fragrance. I'm more of a cedar and sandalwood fan myself. So, that's why I've never really named my soaps. I have specific lines that I would lump together on a table at a show based on fragrance type [floral in one section, woodsy in another, citrus, etc.], but I also have "Fight Club" inspired soaps like "Project Mayhem" which is a mix of fruity and citrusy or "His Name is Robert Paulson" which is a masculine cologne type fragrance. Those are the only ways I name a soap is if it's inspired by something.
For the shows I will be doing this summer, I plan on doing a whole automotive inspired line... some based on 70s and 80s TV show famous cars and others just well-known classic muscle cars. Example: I will do a bright red with a swirl of white for the "Magnum PI" inspired soap [bright red Ferrari], another that is mostly black with a little red "stripe" for the "KIT" inspired soap [Knight Rider]. I will be doing similar for things like the "Bandit" or "Coyote X". And for the classic car series, I'll do a solid black with bright orange, yellow, and red flames in it and call it the "57 Chevy" or something.
Considering I live near the "Motor City" I think those will sell well.
Buzz buzz buzz🐝
I just kept saying it. 😂
Ha! Bzzzszzzzsz
A good video for sure!
You are very genuine. I enjoy watching your shows. What ifnI got into this business to make money but discovered its my passion?
I feel you, seems like everyone is making soap. Doing this for 5 years now, it seems most people give up and get Discouraged.
Last year I bought a second domain. Unfortunately I don’t have a lot of time to market so I make small batches to sell. I think going into 2024 I will ramp up just a bit.
Been watching you since year one. So glad you are still at it. Keep it up. Also I swear that rack behind you is larger and larger.
Ha! I think the angle of the camera throws off the rack. It’s 12 feet tall by 15 feet wide in total, and sometimes more of it shows in videos. 😂
@@MrsSoapAndClay that’s definitely large
For sure. I currently have a 6ft tall by 4ft wide one from Lowe’s but seriously thinking about making one to better fit the location I am in.
Round0 sc again. Making big bubble beer soap tomorrow. Wish me luck!
When did people stop saying cringe? I must be real out of it cause I say that all the time. Love you videos. Learning so much. Thanks for all that you do.
The Zoomers stopped saying it when the millennials decided it was cool. 😂
I think the zoomers stopped using it once they realised they were cringe 😛
I faced a similar conundrum in candles/wax. How to advertise them without denigrating others. I don't mean that I wanted to just bash other makers but to explain why I use what I use and how some customers may have been misled. It almost felt like I was coming off defensive out of the gate.
"Oh, you use a blended wax?" Yes, because of F/O retention, shipping heat, etc, trying to develop the best product to put out sounds better now than "100% soy is not actually 100%" or "Yes, soy candles do soot." when I am told they will never soot by a maker.
It’s a rough thing to figure out in all of our maker spaces!
I market my soaps as vegan and sustainably packaged. But that’s where I kind of stop saying anything about stuff like that. But in my area all other soap makers use goats milk, or other animal based ingredients. It was a way to set myself apart, and the sustainable packaging goes along with the way we create most of our other products. Around here, it’s different and it’s worked well for us,
It does seem quite location specific on a target market.
@@MsAubrey it is. I don’t mind at all, I know it can limit my reach as far as online sales go, however, I like to buy local as often as I can so it’s nice to be part of that. I have a business that has had steady growth year to year. For me, that’s good for now.
Where I live, vegan, synthetic free and cruelty free are almost a requirement. It depends on the market for sure. I do agree to not trash competitors tho, as it's just not classy. It's true some people don't know the differences, but when they hear the differences, sometimes people switch over and start reading labels.
I have sensitive skin that easily get itchy & acne prone if i use wrong type of cosmetic products. That's the biggest reason to start this soap making business, that i could think.
I have been making soaps, bath bombs, shower steamers and bath salts for many years now just for family and friends. I started back to work and now coworkers are asking to buy my soaps and bath bombs. I am unable to sell because I am not a business. My question is, I am 70 years old would it be realistic for me to start a business at my age? I am very passionate about making soaps and really can’t stop. Thank you for your honest answer and reply.
Hey! You’re never to old to chase a passion. Filing an LLC for your business is inexpensive and simple in most states, and after that you can set your own pace, going as big or as small as you’d like, but ensuring that if you decide to sell to friends and locals you’re covered. Have the MOST fun!
I have a question about buying soap in bulk.First of all I want to make soap but don't have a lot of free time for making soap. Do you think buying bulk is a good way to get started? And if so how do I know what people want? Thank you for a great video and I look forward to hearing from you
Find your true reason why you start using natural soap compare to commercial soap. The why will definitely help you to figure out, why you need to sell it.
Come toSC for a visit. It was 87 in Round O😅
Yeah there is a bit of cringe in the soap world lol. Love these bars!!
That’s an understatement! 😂
It's your channel. You talk about anything you want. Watching is an option and this is Merica! You have the freedom to do as you please!
And yes I am from Tennessee
Tell Emily hi if you see her out and about. 😂 #lawnerdsunite
I got into soap making because local government recently decided that meat, dairy and produce used in restaurants needed to be licensed through them, that is unless you buy through a corporation like Sysco. Basically they tried to squeeze money out of local growers and farmers. I spent three years building up my synthetic-free herb business and suddenly I'm stuck with fields of herbs I can't sell. Soap was my solution; I'm making basic lard/lye/milk bars with herb-infused oils and teas. It's literally 'all natural'. Bonus for me; the local tyrants can't do anything about it because I'm making 'cleaning products' and those are regulated at the state level.😝 The same selling point I had for herbs is now how I'm pushing soap.
How to make a website for soap calling business?
I am a new soap maker, just getting into business. You mentioned the new software you are using. I desperately need that information. I am very weary of math and decimals, and trying to figure the cost of each soap bar. Pllllleeeeeeaaaaaasssssseeeee help. What is the new software you mentioned? Thank you Thank you Thank you ahead. I love your videos. You are my favorite out of everybody on TH-cam. My business will be in Florida, not really launched yet.
Hey! Yup I use Inventora. Highly recommend!
That's exactly why I want to make soap. I'm pretty much allergic to everything and I'm tired of itching and blistering. I just want to know what's in my soap so I can soothe my skin.
How soaps can be the same if some makers use organic or wild ingredients and some use more cheap stuff?
So I have heard you talk about this discord and have been trying to avoid asking since I'm sure you covered it somewhere but.... how do I find/join said discord. 🤔
Hey! The discord server is available to TH-cam channel members. There is information to join the members in the video description.
yeah, no cringe...I hear suss all the time. Everything is suss! That's so suss! I gotta go and whip up a batch of soap now, and that's suss because lots of times I say I'm gonna do it and I don't! But I will today...maybe.
Ha! Sounds suss. 😂
Great video. Thanks I get the cringe even it it is not a cool "buzz word " any more. What soap challenge ?????
The challenges are for members and announced to those members. If you join, you get access to the discord too. 😁
I think the market is super flooded with homemade cosmetics right now and breaking into it would be very tough and competitive.
Meh, I dunno. There are a lot of makers, yes. But just as many retire or move on to other adventures every as start up, I’ve noticed over the years. If you want it, there’s a market for it. 7 billion people on the planet, all need to get clean.
No soap is better than the next. It is what the customer is looking for and wanting. I may prefer and love Soap A and believe everyone should use it but another person may feel the exact same way about Soap B. Neither of us is wrong because everyone needs soap clean funky butt and needs to pick Soap A-Z to stay fresh smelling. 😁💞