If you want to increase your revenue without increasing your customer base, upselling and bundling are your best friends. Encouraging customers to spend a little more per transaction can make a huge difference in your profits, without feeling pushy or forcing them into something they don’t want. Here’s how to do it the right way.
1. Offer Bundles & Multi-Buy Discounts
💡 People love a deal, and giving them a reason to buy more always works.
✅ Create irresistible bundle offers – I run a 4 for $10 sticker deal, and almost everyone grabs four stickers instead of just one. Bundles make customers feel like they’re getting a better deal for their money. ✅ Buy more, save more – I also offer a Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal for items over $5, encouraging customers to add more to their cart. ✅ Tiered pricing – Consider offering discounts for larger purchases (e.g., 10% off orders over $50, 20% off over $100). This pushes customers to spend a little more to reach the next savings tier.
💡 Tip: Make sure your bundled pricing is still profitable by factoring in costs correctly.
2. Make It a No-Brainer With Add-Ons & Small Upsells
💡 A small add-on can turn a good order into a great one.
✅ Suggest related products – If they’re buying a cigarette case, offer a matching lighter or rolling tray. ✅ Impulse items at checkout – Small, low-cost items like buttons, stickers, or keychains work well as last-minute add-ons. ✅ Offer an upgrade – If they’re buying a pill case, suggest a deluxe version or a special edition design for a small price difference.
💡 Example: At in-person events, I place low-cost impulse buys near checkout (like $2 buttons) so people can grab something extra while paying.
3. Create a VIP or Exclusive Offer
💡 People love feeling like they’re getting access to something special.
✅ Limited-time bundles – Example: Buy this bundle today and get an exclusive freebie! ✅ VIP early access – Let customers who spend a certain amount get first dibs on new releases. ✅ Exclusive freebies for higher spenders – Example: Spend $50+ and get a free tote bag! I do this at markets, and it increases average order value significantly.
💡 Stat: Customers spend 67% more when they feel like they’re getting an exclusive deal.
4. Use Smart Pricing Psychology
💡 The way you price and display your products affects buying behavior.
✅ Price anchoring – If you want to push customers toward a mid-range item, display a more expensive item next to it to make it look like a bargain. ✅ Even-numbered pricing – I’ve found that even numbers perform better in my business, so I price things at $4, $6, $10 instead of $3.99 or $9.99. ✅ Show the savings – Always highlight how much they’re saving with a deal (e.g., “Buy 3, Get 1 Free – You Save $10!”).
💡 Example: Lowering my art print prices by $5 made them sell better, proving that small tweaks in pricing can make a big difference.
5. Get Creative With Upselling at Markets & Online
💡 Upselling should feel like a fun extra, not a sales pitch.
✅ In-person markets: Train yourself (or your staff) to casually mention deals while customers browse. Example: “If you grab one more sticker, you get the 4 for $10 deal!” ✅ Etsy & Shopify upsells: Suggest related items or add-ons during checkout. ✅ Mystery packs & surprise discounts: Many customers don’t want to pay full price, but a mystery spin on my ArtVend for a discount always works!
💡 Example: I once changed my mystery sticker packs from opaque to clear bags, giving customers a glimpse of what they were getting. Sales skyrocketed because they felt like they still had some control.
Make It Easy for Customers to Spend More
📌 Offer bundles that make sense. People love a deal. Make it easy to buy more at a discount.
📌 Suggest small add-ons. Keep low-cost, impulse items near checkout (online & in person).
📌 Make the deal feel special. Use exclusive offers, freebies, and VIP perks to boost spending.
📌 Use smart pricing. Small changes in how you price and display items can increase sales.
📌 Keep it fun and natural. Customers should feel like they’re getting a great deal, not being pushed into spending more.
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