So I have long been thinking about monthly cigar clubs. There have been a few times that I had considered starting one. I think they are beneficial for both the online store (recurring monthly revenue is always a plus), but they are also beneficial for members (monthly cigars picked for you, usually at a discount, and it’s a fun surprise).
The issue lies in that there are SO many monthly cigar clubs out there. Unfortunately I think that most of them are subpar, however, there are certainly some of them that really nail it! The problem for me has been: how do you create a club that provides value and sets itself apart from the clubs that already do a great job? This is a harder task as a micro retailer (me) who doesn’t have a super extensive customer list or inventory (yet..).
I have an offer in mind that I think solves that problem, and provides a generous out for members that feel otherwise. However, I’d like some advice from you:
What do you, or would you, look for in a monthly cigar subscription?
I have some goals I would like to hit before diving more in depth to this, but I want to be prepared and continue to hone my proposed offer.
As for today’s smoke, I forgot to snap a picture, but I smoked a Tatuaje Black Petit Robusto from the Short Smokes Sampler. This is quite possibly my favorite Tatuaje.. The blend smokes wonderfully in this format. It isn’t overpowering, nor mellow. It isn’t overly complex, nor a “one note song”. Always a pleasure!
Take care,
-Trevor
14 comments
Many people don’t know the make up of a cigar. They like this brand or that brand. Having a sampler with all the same wrapper will allow smokers to find out why they like the cigars they do. An educated smoker is a better smoker and an even better customer
That’s a tough one, especially as a total Noob to cigars. To me, much like a former wine club subscriber, when the cigars (wine) arrive(d) there was a small note of each cigar (wine) that detailed tasting notes, etc. I think if you did a five pack, then had a “This cigar has this, and this cigar has that” would be helpful. Even though you lead that description in your website, seems like an easy copy and paste to do for a ‘flyer’ in each month.
The 2 COTM’s I have used in the past, 1 of them that I still use is SmallBatch and what was the privada cigar club. 2 totally different offerings but 1 has fallen way down in quality and thus I dropped in a long time ago. Privada used to try and source some harder to find or old stuff that people had either forgotten about or never smoked. I was willing to spend the $30 a month knowing I would get 3ish cigars 2 normal product and 1 that was something I most likely have never had. I think something like that is needed in the market. Maybe not finding the hard to find stuff but a boutique cigar or an old blend that has fallen out of favor etc.
I think knowing what sellers really like. Maybe a subscription of YOUR top smoke or smokes of the month. Or maybe do monthly polls. Ex. A poll for the up coming month should be done maybe a month or 2 months before. :)
A good selection of the new and the old, which you already have. And a club I can trust, as I already do you. Your prices are already good so no fear there. I feel your ready now Trevor. 💯