BohoSpirits

I bought Bohospirits in September 2019 and have grown in subscribers and overall sales. I was looking for a side income that I could do from anywhere, even if I had to move. I was looking for online work that does not require me to accumulate a big inventory, yet I am not limited in terms of the amount of items I can sell. So dropshipping was the best solution!

I have various online businesses, and since my father came to live with me, I don't have as much time left for Bohospirits. But I am positive that I could have made Bohospirits into a full time income, had I been able to focus on it wholeheartedly.The store definitely made money and could make more if I had time to dedicate to it!

Listing new products to grow the line: I first research competitors Instagram and websites, I find out what their most 'on trend' products are, I watch out for what they promote on Instagram, since those are the well-selling products. I find similar or the same products on Aliexpress or Spocket, and I list them on our website. The more products we have on the website, the more they can browse from, which customers like.

I then post the new products on Instagram and Facebook to gain exposure and potential customer interest. I use time-limited offers and flash sales, and I use the method of 'Free item - pay shipping only', and this is a good way to attract customers instantly. I provide the link, so they can go straight to the listing.

I engage with the audience on social media, responding to buyer messages/emails. Most buyers came from Instagram: from our page, and from influencers who featured our products. Some buyers contacted me in direct message in Instagram asking for bundle prices, so I offered a discount.

Fulfilling orders from Aliexpress or Spocket. This can also be automated if you prefer, or done manually. When ordering from Aliexpress or Spocket, add this to the note for the seller to see: 'I am dropshipping, please do not include invoices and receipts in the package'. (We don't want the original seller to include the price we paid).

Emailing buyer after order is fulfilled, this can be an generic message, so that they gain trust and know when to anticipate the item's arrival. Responding to any buyer emails, which usually consisted of them asking for when the item arrives, and I responded with tracking information taken from Aliexpress or Spocket, and reassured them. Keeping in touch with the customers creates a trusting relationship, which makes them come back.

Contacting bohemian lifestyle related big Instagram influencers to feature our products on their page, to grow our sales. This depends on the budget you have or want to spend (depending on the size of the influencer, they charge different $$).

Products can also be advertised on Instagram and Facebook, but I didn't get to this stage. I think this could be the next step in reaching a wider audience.

Note: I share random modeling and lifestyle images, so that the followers can see a bigger context.

I would continue to offer different products and advertise on Facebook and Instagram. Most of our subscribers and followers are repeat buyers. So, keep them interested and higher sales will come.

Interest in bohemian style, fashion and accessories. Having a good sense of what's currently trendy within that style, but it can be learned and researched via google trends, instagram competitors, and Spocket or Aliexpress bestseller products. Basic computer and internet skills for using Shopify.

Using Spocket to fulfill orders, unless you want to automate order-fulfilment. Social media (Facebook & Instagram) engagement with followers and potential customers, and sharing products.