How Joe Robert 4Xed Sales
(with a Custom Box Challenge)
“I knew there were a ton of creative ways I could improve my Challenge, but the problem with creativity is that it’s easy to get lost in.” ~ Joe
Joe Robert’s 14-day POD Ninja Challenge had hit a plateau. Despite consistent marketing efforts, event sales stalled at 100 attendees, and only 20% of participants converted into his $500 backend program. Attendees often lost focus halfway through, reducing their potential success. Joe needed a bold, immersive experience that would drive higher engagement and conversions.
Key Challenges
1. Stalled Challenge Sales
“Despite consistent marketing, sales wouldn’t budge past 100 seats.”
Joe needed a strategy to stand out from competitors offering virtual-only events.
2. Drop-Off & Low Engagement
“Attendees were losing focus halfway through the Challenge.”
Joe needed a way to keep participants engaged until his backend offer presentation on Day 12.
3. Backend Conversions Stuck at 20%
“Only 20% of Challenge participants converted into my $500 program.”
Joe needed a way to keep participants engaged until his backend offer presentation on Day 12.
4. Unclear Vision for Gamification
“I had so many ideas, but I needed help defining the ‘big idea’ and execution.”
Joe struggled to visualize how to transform his challenge into a branded, buzz-worthy experience.
Challenges Resolved
1. Reimagine the Challenge Experience
“The way Mark envisioned the Challenge blew me away!”
Custom Box Agency (CBA) and Joe chose a bold red-and-black detective theme featuring ‘top secret’ warnings and intrigue-building visuals. This theme added mystery and curiosity while positioning POD Ninjas as a high-energy, results-driven brand.
2. Boost Engagement with Rip-and-Reveal Envelopes
“The envelopes built anticipation and kept attendees focused.”
CBA created 14 custom ‘Rip-and-Reveal’ envelopes with action cards inside. Each envelope instructed participants on daily tasks, helping them stay on track, gain quick wins, and build momentum.
3. Drive Back-End Sales with Visual Cues
“The color change built excitement as the offer approached.”
Days 1-11 featured neutral envelopes, while Days 12-14 introduced bold blue envelopes signaling the next phase. This subtle design shift created anticipation, focusing attention on the backend offer presentation.
3. Craft a Premium Brand Experience
“The box was more than just branded stuff—it was a whole experience.”
CBA added premium elements like a branded pop-up phone holder, custom-designed action cards, and a detective-themed journey map with progress stickers.
What’s Inside the Box?
Custom Box Agency (CBA) and Joe chose a bold red-and-black detective theme featuring ‘top secret’ warnings and intrigue-building visuals. This theme added mystery and curiosity while positioning POD Ninjas as a high-energy, results-driven brand.
Welcome Note to Build Excitement
The welcome note sits on top of the box contents and displays a note from Joe that gets them excited to dive in. The back displays the resources included in their box.
Quick Start Guide to Provide Clear Instructions
A powerful little pamphlet containing everything attendees need to get started, including instructions on how to access their online resources, a list of the tools in their box, and directions for navigating their challenge experience.
-
Journey Map with Sticker Badges to Gamify and Increase Engagement
A game board style map that gamifies the challenge experience and gives attendees a physical anchor of their progress with stickers badges to add for each milestone achieved.
-
14 Sealed Daily Challenge Envelopes to Gamify and Increase Engagement
Color coded “Rip & Reveal” Envelopes designed to build anticipation, curiosity, and engagement. Three blue envelopes create visual excitement around the end of the challenge when attendees get ready to take the next big step on their journey (the upsell).
14 Action Cards to Encourage Participation
Inside each envelope, attendees are greeted with a prompt and worksheet designed to help them achieve a quick win and stay focused on the experience.
POD Ninjas Branded Pop-Up Phone Holder to Increase Buzz
A customer favorite box add-in that provides awesome utility while adding a branded experience anchor to their favorite everyday item (their phone). It also provided opportunities for social media buzz as people shared their love of this item.
-
Welcome Note to Build Excitement
The welcome note sits on top of the box contents and displays a note from Joe that gets them excited to dive in. The back displays the resources included in their box.
-
Quick Start Guide to Provide Clear Instructions
A powerful little pamphlet containing everything attendees need to get started, including instructions on how to access their online resources, a list of the tools in their box, and directions for navigating their challenge experience.
-
Journey Map with Sticker Badges to Gamify and Increase Engagement
A game board style map that gamifies the challenge experience and gives attendees a physical anchor of their progress with stickers badges to add for each milestone achieved.
-
14 Sealed Daily Challenge Envelopes to Gamify and Increase Engagement
Color coded “Rip & Reveal” Envelopes designed to build anticipation, curiosity, and engagement. Three blue envelopes create visual excitement around the end of the challenge when attendees get ready to take the next big step on their journey (the upsell).
-
14 Action Cards to Encourage Participation
Inside each envelope, attendees are greeted with a prompt and worksheet designed to help them achieve a quick win and stay focused on the experience.
-
POD Ninjas Branded Pop-Up Phone Holder to Increase Buzz
A customer favorite box add-in that provides awesome utility while adding a branded experience anchor to their favorite everyday item (their phone). It also provided opportunities for social media buzz as people shared their love of this item.
“It didn’t really hit me until I opened the finished Challenge box for the first time–this really was more than your average box of branded stuff. It was a whole experience. Going through the guides, action cards, and envelopes made me realize just how much my customer experience needed to improve. My attendees’ barriers to success were flying under my radar. CBA helped me not only see the barriers, but help me completely eliminate them for my people.”
Joe was excited to see his Challenge box come to life, and thrilled to see it in the hands of his attendees, almost as much as they were with the unique and engaging box.
The Results
“Not only did we meet the goal, but this box upleveled my brand and allowed me to charge a premium.” ~Joe
The first challenge held after implementing Joe’s custom box strategy resulted in:
+0%
More Challenge Seats SoldDoubled from 100
+0%Conversion
Doubled from 20%, 10% over Joe’s goal on his $500 offer
+0%
Higher Campaign ValueCombined Impact
Joe’s alliance with CBA created measurable results for him and his clients.
What Could A Custom Box Acquisition Campaign Look Like For YOUR Brand?
Joe’s campaign is just one example of how custom mail can be leveraged to excite and convert new customers.
If you’re ready to explore the possibilities for your own direct mail acquisition play, book a time to meet with us today.
Whether your frontend offer is a challenge, event, workshop, service, or course, we can turn it into an unforgettable experience that instantly bonds new customers to your brand. Schedule your consultation to discover what a custom mail campaign could look like for your unique brand and offer.
Want to see what Custom Box Agency can do for your business? Let’s Chat.
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