Market fluctuations are unpredictable. Several merchandise items face difficulties with fiscal changes and market drivers. However, the tea market has grown massively over the years. Among these, the black tea segment holds a noticeable share in the global tea market. Noticeably, the green tea and flavored tea market are witnessing the most growth. Tea is a universal beverage in most countries for its health benefits and social appeal. It boosts interactions and keeps camaraderie going. Hence, the concept of “high-tea” flourished in metros and urban dwellings. There is a tea drinker and connoisseur in your home, establishments, public interface areas, tea boutiques, and the remotest corner of the world. With so much love the humble brew gets, you can start and strengthen your tea business. Open up an online retail tea venture, a tea lounge on a small budget, or your brand of tea.
Here are some preliminary steps to consider while setting up your tea business.
Create a Tea Brand Identity
A brand speaks volumes about the company’s ethos, vision, code of conduct, beliefs, and culture. In developing your tea brand, evaluate the existing competition, their significant strengths (taste, health benefit, weight loss properties, immunity, aromatic herbs), manufacturing stability, pricing, availability, flavors, and packaging. Identify the gaps in the market before launching your tea label.
Brainstorm possible names for your tea brand. Think unique and catchy slogans and get an interactive e-commerce website for easy brand recall. Look into trademark registration to display your brand in the global market. Consider getting an industry-approved disavow backlinks provider to help remove bad backlinks and improve your site ranking.
Find ethically Sourced Tea Leaf Suppliers
Whether you buy loose tea leaves or packaged tea, the re-packaging you do for your brand goes through several hands. This may tamper with tea quality and taste and affect your reputation. Packaging loose tea leaves into individual tea bags are time-consuming and may disturb tea hygiene and freshness.
Search online for global and local suppliers who follow environment-friendly and sustainable practices to make ethical teas. They can become an integral part of your brand identity and give your tea brand an ethical image. Alternatively, read tea trade publications, visit annual trade shows and consult authorities and influencers in the tea industry to gain valuable inputs and advice on safe practices and trends.
Think Creative and Eco-friendly Packaging
If you are a tea entrepreneur, you will know the importance of packaging. It is the first introduction card to your existing and new customers. You could have the most high-quality tea in the world, but if you don’t have memorable visuals, colors, and fonts on the tea carton or individual tea bags, you may lose your loyal customers.
Get graphic support from freelancers and designers in logo development and its adaptations into small boxes, tea-bag tags, shopping bags, and other merchandise items. You must avoid design clutter or complication on the front portion of the tea box.
Also, put mandatory details such as tea ingredients and brewing tips on the back portion of the carton. You may put quirky sayings on tea tags to please the tea drinker. Consider buying plastic-free tea bags from supermarkets and tea boutiques for the drinkers’ digestive system. Get a small run for samples and promotions first to assess the impact of your tea packaging.
Identify your Tea Selling Method
Once you are clear in your mind about the tea brand you wish to create, selling it is the next challenge. Decide whether you want to be an online-only business, sell to local tea stores, or perhaps both. Make a full-fledged plan and identify your target audience to chalk out your sales strategy.
If you wish to sell tea locally and face-to-face, find out the demand drivers in your chosen area. Visit local tea merchants and suppliers and check their interest in co-business.
Enhance your Website’s user Functions
Your tea website is like your storefront. So, it is essential to make it look pleasing and interactive. Keep your website simple, clear, and attention-grabbing for first-time and repeat customers. Make site navigation quick, easy, and intuitive.
Emphasize keeping the web pages clean with basic fonts on a white or pale background. Use video, audio, or graphic elements to enhance your brand communication and appeal. Make the check-out process doable with a few clicks. Once you have your website live, think about using pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to get traffic on your site. Use analytic tools to check your website performance.
Tea Certifications for your Brand
PR advocacy and B2B networking are a must to promote the tea industry and bring it to a visible platform. A tea certification will elevate your tea brand’s authenticity amongst corporates and the public. The Tea & Herbal Association of Canada offers certificates in various areas of the tea world and helps you attain a competitive edge and networking opportunities.
Learn from other tea experts on how to start a tea business from scratch. Tie up with local influencers to promote your tea. Share your tea with your local community to get word of mouth.
The Bottom Line
If bearing inventory costs is not your cup of tea, consider drop shipping, where you can private-label your tea and sell it directly to your consumers. There are several options and choices to explore in the tea industry. Find yours or go with the flow.
