What was once a relic that could only be found in diners, church basements or outside school gymnasiums, letter boards can now be found all over social media. Some say the appeal is in the nostalgia and simplicity. If you passed on the chalkboard trend due to a lack of artistic ability or even time, you might say the appeal is in the fact that a letter board is not a chalkboard.

1. “When life gives you lemons, give them back and demand chocolate.”
2. “Chocolate is made from beans. Beans are vegetables. Have you had your veggies today?”
3. “A day without chocolate is like…just kidding. I have no idea.”
4. “You can always trust me. Not alone with chocolate, but other than that.”
5. “Snaccident—Eating an entire pizza / box of chocolates / and a bag of chips—by mistake.” 

   Our Little Bees

6. “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy chocolate and that’s close enough.”
7. “Wake up. Eat chocolate. Be Kind. Repeat.”
8. “When you decided to have a cheat day and all of a sudden it’s three years later…”
9. “Sometimes I think I’m a full grown woman, then sometimes I lock myself in the bathroom with a piece of chocolate—I said my kid couldn’t have.” 
10. “Whatever you do in life, make sure it makes you happy.”
11. “On the chocolate package it says ‘resealable’…wha hahaha hahaha hahahahahahah”
12. “Have you ever stopped to think maybe chocolate is addicted to me?”
13. “Yesterday, I really wanted chocolate. Today, I am eating chocolate. Follow your dreams.”
14. “Not all who wander are lost. Most of them are just looking for chocolate.”
15. “Life happens. Chocolate helps.”
16. “I’m not sure how many chocolates equals happiness, but so far it’s not 27.”
17. “Being a mom means knowing how to unwrap candy without making a sound…”
18. “Eat like no one is watching, or dance, whatever.” 

    The Writer Oak

19. “Dip it in chocolate. It’ll be fine.”
20. “Someday I will solve my problems with critical thinking, but today it will be with chocolate.”
21. “Day 12 without chocolate…lost hearing in my left eye.”
22. “I need chocolate because Monday.”
23. “I don’t want to look back one day and think, ‘I could have eaten that.’”
24. “I only need chocolate on days that end with y.”
25. “Yeah, abs are great. But have you tried chocolate?”
26. “Chocolate is my love language.”
27. “Put chocolate at the top of your list of things to do today. That way at least you’ll get one thing done!”
28. “A chocolate a day, keeps the crazy at bay.”
29. “I’m just a girl standing in front of a salad, asking it to be chocolate.”
30. “Tell me what ya want, what ya really really want. Chocolate. I want chocolate.”
31. “Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend, never had chocolate.”
32. “Skinny people are easier to kidnap… Eat chocolate. Stay safe.”
33. “The first five days after the weekend are the hardest. Eat chocolate.”
34. “I’d give up chocolate, but I’m not a quitter.”
35. “I almost choked on a carrot today—all I could think was chocolate would’ve never done this to me.”
36. “Chocolate says ‘I’m sorry,’ so much better than words.”
37. “Don’t wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty.”
38. “People who love to eat are always the best people.” – Julia Child
39. “You are what you eat, so eat something sweet.”
40. “I don’t mean to brag, but I just finished my 14-day diet in 3 hours and 12 minutes.”
41. “Kinda need to work out, kinda wanna eat chocolate.”
42. “Chocolate is better than therapy and you don’t need an appointment.”
43. "I'm a better person when I'm eating chocolate."
44. “When the going gets tough, the tough make chocolate.”
45. “A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands.”
46. “Chocolate is to women what duct tape is to men. It fixes everything.”
47. “I believe in chocolate for breakfast.”
48. "Wanted: Chocolate with the nutritional value of kale, but that does not contain any traces of kale. Your move, science."
49. “Things are getting worse, please send more chocolate.”
50. “Life is short, eat dessert first.”
51. “Coffee makes it possible to get out of bed. Chocolate makes it worthwhile.”
52. “I don’t need an inspirational quote. I need chocolate.”

SEASONS & HOLIDAYS

• “Love is in the air. Nope, that’s chocolate.” (Valentine’s Day)
• “Roses are red. Violets are blue. Diets are hard. Chocolate.” (Valentine’s Day)
• “Ways to my heart: Buy me chocolate. Make me chocolate. Be chocolate.” (Valentine’s Day)
• “And IIIIIII E-III will always love yoooooou.” (Valentine’s Day)
• “She gave you life. Give her chocolate.” (Mother’s Day)
• “Thanks, Mom. I’m awesome.” (Mother’s Day)
• “I was going to tell you a joke about an egg, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” (Easter) 

 

• “You are egg-stra special.” (Easter) 
• “You’re one of my favorite peeps.” (Easter) 
• “Follow the bunny. He has chocolate.” (Easter) 
   
• “Easter eggs prove that kids can find things, but only when they want to.” (Easter)
• “We’d like s’more weekend, please.” (Summer)

• “Cozy sweaters. Crisp air. Apple picking. Hot cocoa. Crunchy leaves. Fall.” (Fall)
• “When someone says it’s too soon for pumpkin spice and you realize you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life.” (Fall)
• “When the clock strikes midnight…pumpkin everything.” (Fall)
• “There’s nothing fun about fun-size candy bars.” (Halloween)
• “Trick or treat yourself.” (Halloween) 
   
• “We’re keeping it corny.” (Halloween) 

• “Hocus pocus. I need chocolate to focus.” (Halloween)
• “Don’t forget to buy your Halloween candy early, so you have time to buy more after you eat it all.” (Halloween)
• “Tonight’s the night we eat the candy! -Parents” (Halloween)
• “You’re never too old to beg for free candy.” (Halloween)
• “Thankful for…stretchy waistbands.” (Thanksgiving)
• “Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to set your scale back 10 pounds this week.” (Thanksgiving)
• “When you buy from a small business and actual person does a happy dance.” (Small Business Saturday)
• “Hot chocolate is like a hug from the inside.” (Winter)

• “I try to shop for Christmas gifts…then I see something and I think, you know who would like that? Meee!” (Christmas)
• “May all your regifting go undetected this year.” (Christmas)
• “How to host an introvert holiday party: 1. Buy snacks 2. Invite no one.” (Christmas)

 

Ful Candles

Photo credit: Blommer Chocolate Company

This fun and colorful technique can be used to enhance your dipped confections or barks for any holiday or occasion using different color combinations. We recommend recording a video or taking a series of photos to share the process with your social media followers.

Crave more?Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

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Photo credit: Bon Bon’s Candy House

Bundle Related Products
Creating product bundles based on a common theme can help encourage sales by focusing on a popular flavor or ingredient, such as peanut butter, or even the recipient of a gift. As an example, RCI member Bon Bon’s Candy House bundled some of their more traditional treats and labeled the bundle “Grandpa’s Favorites.”

Include a Free Item
Encourage shoppers to buy by offering free product as an incentive. Be intentional about making free offer relevant to the consumer. As an idea, consider appealing to the self-gifting trend (click here to read past blog post for more details) by offering a free gift to “treat yourself” when purchasing a gift for someone else. This could be approached as an opportunity to introduce customers to your signature products or move overstock items.

Use Sales Data
If you have access to sales data, take advantage of this information by identifying items that are frequently purchased together. By offering the suggestion of items that are commonly purchased together, not only can you entice shoppers to buy, but you might also uncover an unexpected trend that will help you increase sales both in store and online.

Bundling products is a proven sales strategy employed by many businesses over time. Use trial and error to identify which methods work best for your business and as always use in-store signage and social media post to generate consumer interest.

Crave more?Click here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices. Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business.

Online

If you don’t already have the capability to sell products on your website, you could be missing out on a significant number of sales. This may seem obvious to some, but as of February 2021, one in four small businesses (28%) don’t have a website. If you do have a website, building and maintaining a website can still be a challenge. An outdated or inaccurate site may be what’s holding you back from your full online sales potential.

A survey by Top Design Firms found that almost half of small businesses (46%) have in-house employees manage their website and 32% use DIY website builders to create a basic website. Ecwid is a user-friendly option to add an online store to any site—with free and paid versions available.

Mobile

Did you know a third of all online purchases were made on mobile devices during the 2020 holiday season? If your website doesn’t make it easy for mobile users to view your website on their mobile devices, this could represent a missed sales opportunity for your business. Click here for a past blog post with tips on how to optimize your mobile site in 3 steps.

Social Media

Reach new and existing customers where they’re already spending time—on social media. Most popular social media sites, like Facebook and Instagram, have easy-to-use options for creating an online store. For many businesses, having an online store on Facebook may take the place of a website.

If your business isn’t already taking advantage of these sales opportunities, now is as good a time as any to get started!

Crave more?C lick here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.  Follow us on Facebook for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business .

According to the 2021 holiday shopping trend report by Sitecore, gift giving for the upcoming holiday season will experience a significant shift toward shoppers self-gifting as a form of therapy after another stress-filled pandemic year.

Here's some ideas of gifts for customers to treat themselves (from left to right): Rheo Thompson Candies offers a collection of customers' favorite sweet and salty snacks; treat yourself to new holiday decor, filled to the brim with chocolates from Marie's Candies; the gift of solid chocolate ornaments from Enstrom Candies help customers count down the days to Christmas with a sweet and decadent treat each day.

When executing your marketing and merchandising plans this holiday, consider ways to appeal to consumers looking to treat themselves. Just as you might feature a thoughtful selection of “gifts for Dad,” curate a collection of customer favorites labeled as “gifts for me” or “treat yourself.” Include options ranging in prices for the cost conscious to those wanting to lavish themselves in luxury. Promote self-gifting ideas on social media, your website and with in-store signage.

Additionally, consider pampering your loyal customers, who may be thinking of everyone but themselves leading up to the holidays by hosting a “treat yourself” giveaway.

Crave more?C lick here to subscribe and start receiving weekly tips, like this, delivered straight to your email inbox. RCI's blog is just one of the many resources we offer to help candy makers refine their craft and build upon their business and marketing practices.  Follow us on Facebook  for even more sweet inspiration.

Not a member? Click here to learn how RCI can help you build your sweet business .