The unboxing craze in the Philippines is lighting up online stores! Filipinos love watching videos of people opening packages and sharing their first impressions. This trend isn’t just fun; it’s a powerful way for online stores to get more customers and make more sales. Let’s see how this works, and how you can use unboxing to help your business grow.
What’s the Big Deal with Unboxing Videos?
Think of unboxing videos as free, visual product reviews. Someone buys something online, records themselves opening it, and talks about what they think. They show off the cool packaging, the product itself, and how it works. Filipinos trust these videos because they feel like they’re getting a real, honest opinion from someone like them. It’s like window-shopping but from the comfort of your own home. When a popular influencer or even a regular person loves a product in an unboxing video, lots of people want to buy it too.
Why do people watch these videos? Well, it’s partly about curiosity. People are naturally interested in seeing what’s inside a package. It’s also about getting information. They want to know if the product is worth buying. Does it look as good in real life as it did online? Is it easy to use? Unboxing videos answer these questions in a way that pictures and written descriptions sometimes can’t. In a 2019 Google study, 62% of shoppers say video influenced them to purchase a product. So naturally, sellers want to leverage this trend.
How Unboxing Helps Online Stores in the Philippines
Unboxing videos are a gift to online stores. They increase brand awareness by showing off their products to a wide audience. Every view is a potential customer learning about what the store offers. They also build trust. When viewers see someone genuinely excited about the product, they’re more likely to trust the store and consider buying something themselves.
Unboxing videos also drive sales directly. After watching a positive review, viewers often go straight to the online store to buy the product. Many unboxing videos include links in the description that make it easy to do just that. These links track exactly how much traffic and sales come from a particular video – a great way to measure success. The accessibility to products is very important especially in the provinces where certain goods cannot easily be found.
Finally, unboxing videos give online stores valuable feedback. By watching what people say about their products and packaging, stores can learn what they’re doing well and what they can improve. For example, if many reviewers mention that the packaging is difficult to open, the store can address the issue. Reviews are very important to new businesses.
Examples of Filipino Unboxing Success Stories
Many small Filipino businesses have benefited from the unboxing craze. For example, a local online store selling handmade jewelry saw a significant increase in sales after a popular Filipina beauty vlogger unboxed their products on YouTube. The video showcased the unique designs and high quality of the jewelry, leading to a surge in orders.
Another example involves an online seller of specialty coffee beans. After sending samples to several coffee enthusiasts who created unboxing and review videos, their website traffic and sales doubled within a month. The videos highlighted the different flavors and aromas of the coffee, attracting a new customer base of coffee lovers. These stories showcase the power of unboxing videos to connect with customers and boost sales in the Philippine market.
How to Encourage Unboxing Videos of Your Products
Want to get in on the unboxing action? Here’s how to make it happen:
Send free samples to influencers: Identify Filipino YouTubers, Instagrammers, or TikTokers in your niche who create engaging content. Contact them and offer to send them free products to review. Make sure they match your brand’s ethos.
Run a product seeding campaign: Offer discounted or free products in exchange for an unboxing video. This is a cost-effective way to get multiple videos created. Just ensure those making the videos comply with advertising standards to maintain trust and transparency.
Make your packaging “unboxable”: Create beautiful and unique packaging that people will want to show off. Include personal touches like handwritten notes or small gifts. A great packaging encourages unboxing.
Engage with unboxers: When someone creates an unboxing video of your product, thank them and share their video on your social media channels. This shows that you appreciate their effort and encourages others to create videos too.
Run contests: Host contests where people can win your products by creating their own unboxing videos. This is a fun and engaging way to generate lots of content.
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Track Results: Use unique tracking links in the influencer’s posts so you can see which videos resulted in sales. This can help you identify the most effective reviewers.
Making Your Packaging Unforgettable
Remember, the packaging is often the first impression potential customers have of your product. It should reflect your brand’s personality and values. Here are some ideas:
Use high-quality materials: Invest in sturdy and attractive packaging that protects your product during shipping.
Add branding elements: Include your logo, colors, and fonts on the packaging to reinforce your brand identity.
Create a unique opening experience: Design the packaging to be easy and enjoyable to open. Consider adding a tear strip or a magnetic closure.
Include a personal touch: Add a handwritten note, a small gift, or a branded sticker to make the experience more special.
Make it Instagrammable: Design the packaging to be visually appealing and shareable on social media. Use bright colors, bold patterns, and interesting textures. For example, if you sell skincare items, including a free cute headband in the packaging will excite the buyers when they “unveil” it.
Consider sustainability: Eco-friendly packaging is increasingly important to Filipino consumers. Use recycled materials or biodegradable alternatives.
Choosing the Right Influencers in the Philippines
Not all influencers are created equal. When choosing who to work with, consider these factors:
Relevance: Make sure the influencer’s audience aligns with your target market. If you sell beauty products, partner with a beauty vlogger. If you sell gaming accessories, work with a gaming streamer.
Engagement: Look for influencers with high engagement rates (likes, comments, shares) on their content. This indicates that their audience is actively involved.
Authenticity: Choose influencers who are genuine and relatable. People are more likely to trust their recommendations.
Reach: While reach (number of followers) is important, it’s not the only factor. Focus on influencers with a targeted and engaged audience, even if it’s smaller.
Budget: Negotiate fees or product exchange agreements that fit your budget. Rates for Philippine influencers vary considerably based on following and engagement.
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Check for Fake Followers: Use tools to analyze the influencer’s account for fake followers or bot activity.
Measuring the Success of Your Unboxing Campaign
Once you’ve launched your unboxing campaign, track these metrics to see how well it’s performing:
Website traffic: Monitor the traffic to your online store from the links in the unboxing videos. Google Analytics is your friend here.
Sales: Track the number of sales that can be attributed to the unboxing videos. Use unique discount codes or affiliate links to track sales accurately.
Social media mentions: Track mentions of your brand on social media to see how much buzz the unboxing videos are generating.
Engagement: Monitor the likes, comments, and shares on the unboxing videos themselves.
Customer feedback: Pay attention to the comments and reviews you receive after the unboxing videos are published. This feedback can help you improve your products and packaging.
Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate the ROI of your unboxing campaign by comparing the cost of the campaign to the revenue it generated.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Not doing your research: Failing to research influencers and ensure they align with your brand.
Sending bad product: Sending influencers damaged or low-quality products.
Ignoring negative feedback: Ignoring negative feedback from unboxing videos and not addressing the issues.
Forgetting to track results: Not tracking the results of your unboxing campaign and not knowing what worked.
FAQ Section
Q: What if an unboxing video has negative feedback?
Don’t panic! See it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Respond politely to the reviewer, acknowledge their concerns, and explain how you plan to address them. This shows that you care about your customers and are committed to providing the best possible experience. If the feedback is valid, consider fixing the problem and sending the reviewer a new product.
Q: How much should I pay an influencer for an unboxing video?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Fees vary depending on the influencer’s reach, engagement, and niche. Research rates for similar influencers in the Philippines and negotiate a price that fits your budget. Many micro-influencers are happy to work in exchange for free products.
Q: Is it okay to ask influencers to write positive reviews?
No. It’s important to maintain transparency and authenticity. Ask influencers to provide their honest opinions, whether positive or negative. This builds trust with their audience and ensures that your brand is perceived as credible. Many regions, including the EU and the US, have strict rules against misleading advertising.
Q: How do I find influencers who are interested in my products?
Use social media search tools, influencer marketing platforms, or simply browse relevant hashtags to find potential partners. Look for influencers who are already talking about products in your niche and who have a genuine interest in your brand. Consider reaching out directly and offering a free sample or a collaboration opportunity.
Q: What if I have a very limited budget?
You don’t need a huge budget to benefit from the unboxing craze. Focus on working with micro-influencers or offering products in exchange for reviews. You can also encourage your existing customers to create unboxing videos by offering discounts or incentives.
References
Google. (2019). “YouTube: How Video Drives Purchase.” Google/TalkShoppe, US, March 2019.
Various articles and case studies on influencer marketing in Southeast Asia.
Examples and experiences from Filipino online business owners.
Don’t wait! Start exploring the power of unboxing videos for your Filipino online store today. Find that perfect influencer, create a mind-blowing packaging, and watch your sales skyrocket! By embracing this exciting trend, you can connect with more customers, build trust, and grow your business in the dynamic Philippine e-commerce market. Good luck, and happy selling!
