The popularity of essential oils has grown steadily, and the demand for these oils has never been higher. Essential oils are obtained through the distillation or mechanical processing (cold-pressing) of plants or citrus fruit rinds. The essential oils of the plant are physically separated from the water or steam used during distillation once the process is completed. This yields a true essential oil, which can be used for a variety of purposes, including aromatherapy and improving overall health. Click here for Essential oil boxes.
ENTRYING THE ESSENTIAL OIL BUSINESS
Because essential oils are in such high demand, those interested in creating their own products will find a wide range of oils that are simple to extract from their plant or rind source. Producing essential oils can be a profitable business, but it is dependent on the quality of the bottling and marketing of the product. Because the essential oil industry has become so competitive, having the right packaging to attract consumer attention is critical.
There are five major factors to consider when selecting a container to bottle and sell handcrafted essential oils. Among these considerations are:
WHERE WILL THE OIL BE USED?
There are several bottling options for essential oil packaging. Aside from the appearance of the packaging, it is critical to determine the practical use of the essential oil in order to determine what type of bottle and bottle assembly should be used. Essential oils are available in bottles with a dropper assembly for precise measurements. Oils can also be sold in bottles that include a dabber or roll-on assembly. Spray bottles may be required when using essential oils as a fragrance. Essential oils may also need to be bottled in an easy-to-pour container. The quality of the essential oil caps used is also critical for product protection. If the caps do not fit properly, the oils will quickly evaporate.
SELECTION OF BOTTLE COLOR AND STYLE
Due to the oversaturation of essential oils in the market, it is critical to distinguish one’s product from everyone else’s line of oils. This is where the colour and shape of the bottle you choose come into play. Selling an essential oil bottle should be done with caution. Before making a final decision, take a closer look at the other essential oil products on the market to get an idea of what a ‘average’ bottle looks like. Consumers are easily swayed by appealing colour, a distinctive bottle shape, or a creative label design, and they frequently make purchases based on first impressions.
Another factor to consider is the colour of the bottle. Many essential oil manufacturers package their products in colourful glass bottles. The colour protects the oils from the sun’s UV rays naturally. While some sellers now prefer a more vibrant, eye-catching colour for their products, many still prefer amber-coloured glass for practical reasons. Clear bottles can be used to draw attention to a uniquely coloured oil, but they are not always the best option.
Essential oils are typically packaged in 5ml and 10ml bottle sizes. When using the dropper and pipette caps, it is critical to consider the dispensing amount. Because many essential oils are used in a recipe, the amount of each drop dispensed at one time must be calculated. The size and manufacturer style of the droppers and pipettes will determine this measurement.
DURABILITY OF THE BOTTLE
Not every bottle is created equal. It is critical to conduct research to determine the quality of the glass or plastic used to create the bottle. Glass bottles are preferred by many oil producers for storing their products. Plastic bottles can degrade the quality of the oil, and in some cases, low-quality plastic containers can leak the oils during storage. The concentrated oils have the potential to eat through the plastic container. Diluted oils, such as those used in lotion and cream recipes, can be safely stored in a plastic container. Essential oils must also be kept away from sunlight, heat, air, and moisture. All of these factors must be considered when selecting the right oil bottle to protect the product’s integrity, especially for oils with a long shelf life.
Understanding how products will be shipped to customers or suppliers is another factor in bottle durability. Even when the best packaging methods are used, low-quality glass bottles may not be able to withstand the shipping process, breaking bottles and destroying the oils before they reach the consumer. Having high-quality, long-lasting bottles from the start ensures that a company always provides high-quality products to its customers.
Before you spend a lot of money buying in bulk, find the right long-lasting container for future essential oil sales. Once the proper bottle size, shape, and colour have been determined, bulk orders can be placed to save money. A lot of money is wasted upfront if the wrong bottles are purchased in large quantities.
MANAGEMENT OF OVERHEAD
Starting a business with essential oils is time-consuming and requires an initial financial investment for supplies and production costs. There will be money lost during the trial and error period, so buying in bulk right away is not advised. Begin small, producing only a few types of oil, and look into low-cost or no-cost marketing items to help spread the word about your products and gain traction in the market. Overhead costs must be kept under control at all times for the business to be successful. This means that decisions must be made before large sums of money are invested in the production of essential oils.
Decisions about the brand’s image are critical and can contribute significantly to the creation of a profitable business. Choosing the right bottle, label format, and marketing concepts (business name, logo) early on can help to solidify the brand’s image. This will assist consumers in recognizing the brand while also lowering production costs. Tracking production and marketing costs will be easier once all decisions have been made. Bulk essential oil bottles and caps can be purchased at a much lower cost than purchasing them individually.
Tracking costs during the production, shipping, and marketing will make it easier to price essential oils. Without tracking expenses, many vendors start out at a loss, and things can quickly spiral out of control.
ADEQUATE INVENTORY
Another critical decision to make when selling essential oils is the quantity in which the oils will be sold. Many oil producers prefer to sell individual bottles, but essential oil sets are popular. If the product line will be sold as a set, bottles must be uniform in size, shape, and colour. Mismatched sets can appear unprofessional and may turn off customers.
It is also critical to have adequate inventory on hand to fulfil sales. Having an adequate supply of bottles and caps will ensure that oils can be produced and shipped in a timely manner. Customers may not return if they have to wait for their purchases for an extended period of time. Purchasing essential oil bottles and printed labels in bulk can provide enough inventory to ensure on-time shipments. It is also critical to consider how much oil can be produced in a given time frame to ensure that all orders are completed and shipped on time.
ADDITIONAL BRAND-BUILDING ADVICE
Branding is an important aspect of selling any product. Consider the effort that goes into making national brands easily recognizable through television commercials, silly jingles, and eye-catching packaging. Even if an essential oil business begins small, the right branding and marketing strategy can immediately distinguish one product from the rest.
Following the selection of the essential oil bottle, additional packaging materials must be considered. Labels for essential oils should include, but are not limited to, the following information:
Source of the plant’s name
Date of expiration
The extraction method used
Instructions for storage
It is important to remember that essential oils are extremely flammable. It is critical that labels convey this information to the consumer. Essential oils should never be kept near sources of high heat, fire, or flames. Proper oil storage is essential for protecting the product and avoiding accidents. Customers should also be advised to keep oils out of direct sunlight to avoid product deterioration.
Aside from the required information, designing the bottle label in a signature style will aid in the development of a brand. Some essential oil companies may choose a bright, eye-catching design style, whereas others may create a more modern, clean-looking design. Ideally, the product being sold should be a reflection of the person who created it. Adding a dash of personality and style to a product can instantly set it apart from the competition. Purchasing bottles that are pre-printed and have the labels already attached can reduce production time and the amount of work required prior to shipment.
TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR ESSENTIAL OIL BUSINESS UP AND RUNNING
The marketing of essential oils is a time-consuming process. Without constant advertising, no one can expect to make a lot of sales. There are numerous ways to publicize an essential oil business, many of which do not require a large financial investment.
Here are some extra marketing ideas for essential oils:
Begin Close to Home – Initially, friends and family are often the most enthusiastic supporters of a product. They are more likely to do word-of-mouth advertising for the business if they buy products from someone they know. Give loved one’s samples to try and show to their friends and neighbours. This small grassroots marketing approach can help a business get off the ground.
Teach a Course – Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular, but not everyone knows what they are or how to use them. Establish yourself as an oil expert both online and in your local area. Teach classes at a community centre or create a series of videos for online use. Facebook, YouTube, and other social media platforms can help you establish yourself as a trustworthy source of both information and products.
Participate in Community Events – If your community has festivals or other events, sign up to be a vendor. Bring your product, business cards, and literature explaining what essential oils are and how to use them. As you become more comfortable attending these events, begin venturing further away from home to network with a new customer base.
Meet with Local Retailers – Small businesses in your area may be interested in selling your products on consignment or purchasing smaller quantities of your product as a trial run. Meet with retailers who are running a business where essential oils make sense. Farmers markets are another option, but they will necessitate someone working at the stand during business hours.
Online Sales – While there is a lot more competition online for essential oil sales, it is still a relatively inexpensive way to generate sales. Join forces with a larger company that can sell your products, or start your own online store.
There are numerous ways for an essential oils business to gain market attention. Whether the goal is to increase international sales or to satisfy a small group of loyal customers, bottling and selling essential oils has the potential to be a profitable venture.
