Blind boxes are a product many of us are familiar with, and they’ve gained considerable popularity online in recent years. Both buyers and sellers of blind boxes are abundant.
I have a friend who made around $30 million in just six months selling blind boxes on TikTok a few years ago, demonstrating how well-received these products can be.
Today, I will break down a case study on how to run a profitable blind box account on Twitter.
Whether you’re a beginner or not, by following the project steps outlined in this article, you can create a highly profitable blind box account on Twitter.
Contents
Blind Box Niche Market Positioning
There are many types of blind box products, but which ones are more popular with users on Twitter?
Today’s Twitter account case study focuses on the niche market of: anime figure blind boxes.
Generally, for blind box products targeting male customers, electronic product blind boxes are often chosen, while for female customers, anime blind boxes are preferred. Both product categories are highly popular in the market, with a larger number of buyers. Additionally, both anime figures and electronic products typically have higher sales prices, resulting in higher profit margins.
Account Case Study
This account is run by a girl from China. Currently, the account has over 3,000 followers and was created in 2019. It has published over 60,000 tweets, indicating a very active blogger.
Although the account’s metrics might not seem impressive at first glance, the blogger’s earnings are likely substantial, as otherwise, they wouldn’t have continued posting so many tweets over the years.
Account Niche Positioning
The account was discovered through the search keyword “blind boxes” and has relatively high Twitter account authority due to its extensive content. Over four years, the account has posted at least 43 tweets per day, which is much more frequent compared to other accounts, leading to better recommendations on Twitter.
As mentioned earlier, this account specializes in selling anime figure blind boxes. The content is primarily focused on various aspects of blind boxes, including styles, prices, and more. An important aspect of the account’s positioning is its focus on products from Thailand.
Given that Thailand is relatively close to China, this significantly reduces shipping costs. Additionally, since the product costs are not very high, optimizing this aspect allows for competitive pricing.
Anime Blind Box Profit Analysis
The blogger’s account generates income primarily from selling anime figure blind boxes, with varying prices depending on the style. The cheapest blind boxes are priced at 330 Thai Baht (about $9), while the most expensive ones can reach 3,590 Thai Baht (about $100).
The cost of a single anime blind box is roughly $1, even for high-quality ones, which are around $5. As long as the selling price is above the purchase cost, there is definitely room for profit.
Since the blogger does not have a dedicated website or use other third-party platforms for sales, transactions are done solely through direct messages, making it difficult to analyze their income from data.
However, based on the current pricing and an average profit margin of $15 per box, the blogger would need to sell approximately 22 orders per day to earn over $10,000 a month. While this may seem challenging, with continuous marketing, increased monetization methods, and market expansion, achieving such order volumes is definitely feasible.
Twitter Account Traffic Analysis
If you’re not familiar with anime, you might not know the typical audience characteristics. Fans of anime figures are generally between 15 and 35 years old, with about 60% male and 40% female.
Given that the blogger is female, her follower base likely skews more female, reflecting a tendency for same-gender affinity.
Among these followers are many high school and college students, as well as various working professionals. There’s also a segment of fans known as “otaku,” who are homebodies with either family support or part-time jobs to sustain their hobby.
Since the blogger has focused on Thai users, her followers are predominantly from Thailand.
Twitter Anime Blind Box Project Operational Flow
Understanding the Anime Blind Box Market
The variety of anime blind boxes is vast, and it’s crucial to identify which types are more popular on Twitter. Currently, most blind boxes are themed around anime series, but there are also custom-made figures not related to any anime that have a good market presence.
To enhance user purchase rates, analyze the market to determine which types of blind boxes will attract more buyers.
Exploring Anime Trends
You can use search engines to find the most popular anime, such as “most popular anime right now” or “top anime of 2024.” Articles on these topics will list various anime series, which you can then use to find related blind box figures.
Researching Competitors
Competitors’ tweets provide valuable insights. They are already established in the niche and share various details about blind boxes, including styles and pricing. By reviewing their posts, you can gather information and create a solid foundation for your own content and sales.
Registering a Twitter Account
Creating a Twitter account is straightforward using a Google account. After registration, focus on optimizing your profile.
Nickname Setup
For marketing purposes, use a brand name combined with a keyword, such as “DD Blind Boxes.” This approach helps users recognize your brand and makes it easier for your account to be found through platform searches.
Profile Picture Setup
Consider using an image of an anime figure as your profile picture to immediately convey the nature of your business. Alternatively, you could create a unique brand-specific avatar to give a professional appearance.
Bio Setup
Your bio should explain what you do, including details about the anime figures you sell. Mention your working hours, and note that you do not accept pre-orders or installment payments. You can also include a link to your independent website or third-party sales platform.
Finding Suppliers
Finding a reliable source for high-quality, low-cost products is crucial. High costs can significantly reduce your profit margins. Ideally, find local manufacturers to keep costs down, but online platforms like Alibaba can also connect you with suppliers offering competitive prices. Other platforms to consider include AliExpress, Made-in-China, and Wholesale Central.
Logistics and Shipping
Choosing a reliable logistics company is essential. Different companies offer various shipping rates and services. Problems such as slow payment cycles for cash-on-delivery or issues with lost items can arise, so select a well-regarded logistics provider. Companies like DHL, FedEx, UPS, Expeditors, C.H. Robinson, and SF Express are reputable choices. Consider renting an overseas warehouse for efficient order fulfillment if your order volume justifies it.
Expanding Monetization Methods
To increase revenue, consider setting up an independent website where users can place orders directly. Although building a website requires a domain, server, and payment system, platforms like Shopify offer a streamlined solution for creating an online store quickly.
In addition, you can sell related products such as figure stands or protective cases to boost income. Another option is to offer custom figure services, partnering with manufacturers who can create personalized figures based on user requests.
Common Questions
Choosing Target Regions
If you want to focus on a specific region for marketing, consider the differences in target audiences. For example, in Japan, where the anime industry is highly developed, local consumers have easy access to various anime figures and may not be inclined to purchase online unless there is a significant price advantage.
It’s advisable to start with Asian countries such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and others. These countries have large populations, strong economic development, and close proximity to China, which helps keep logistics costs lower.
Next, consider Western countries like the UK, France, Germany, Russia, Portugal, and Spain. These countries have higher purchasing power, meaning there is a significant market for anime figures. Although shipping costs may be higher due to distance, you can adjust your pricing strategy to account for this.
Handling After-Sales Issues
In e-commerce, after-sales service is crucial, especially in international markets where returns and refusals can be common. Address issues such as whether returned or refused products need to be kept and how to handle customer complaints about product quality.
Good after-sales service can increase customer retention and repeat purchases, which are vital for long-term revenue. If the cost of products is low, you might consider absorbing some losses to reduce the complexity of after-sales issues.
Final Thoughts
Anime blind boxes are a relatively niche market, but with the growing popularity of anime among younger audiences, it is a promising area. The anime industry continues to expand, and many anime-related products can command high prices with substantial profit margins. Given the trend towards IP branding in anime, exploring various related niches can be highly lucrative.
