Amazon Gives You The Address. Here's How To Get The Email
The unsexy, old school back office strategy that most sellers never bother with — and why that’s a mistake.
Amazon and Walmart give you exactly what you need to ship the box.
The name. The address. The order details.
But the one thing that actually builds a real business relationship — the email address — that they keep for themselves.
And that’s not an accident.
They’re not being careless. They’re being strategic. The customer relationship belongs to them. You’re just the fulfillment center.
But there’s a back office move so simple, so old school, and so unsexy that most sellers never bother with it.
The Strategy — Step By Step
- Print a simple slip — One small product insert card included in every shipment. Clean, simple, professional.
- One irresistible offer — Don’t sell anything. Offer something genuinely valuable for FREE. This is critical — the customer just bought from you. They’re at peak excitement. Meet that energy with generosity, not a sales pitch.
- One short Bit.ly URL — Nobody types long URLs. Create a free Bit.ly link that’s clean and memorable.
Example: bit.ly/stitchtips - The URL leads to a simple landing page — Mailchimp has a free built-in landing page builder. No website needed. Just a headline, a value proposition, and an email capture field.
- Mailchimp automatically delivers the freebie — The moment they opt in, Mailchimp fires an automated email delivering exactly what you promised. Zero manual work on your end.
- You now own that relationship. Forever. — Not Amazon. Not Walmart. YOU.
Clean, professional, prints on any home inkjet or laser printer. Exactly what we use for our own insert slips. No design skills needed — just print, cut and drop in every box.
Shop on Amazon → ⓘ Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This is exactly what we use in our own business. Free landing pages, automated delivery, list management — all in one place. Free plan available. No credit card needed to start.
Try Mailchimp Free → ⓘ Referral link — I may earn a commission if you sign up. I use and recommend this tool personally.The Value Proposition Formula
“Want [specific desirable outcome]? Get our FREE [must have thing] at [bit.ly/link]”
Real example from our business:
We sell cross stitch patterns. Our insert reads:
The customer already loves cross stitch. They already bought from us. The tips guide feels like a gift — not a pitch. That’s the magic.
Instead of typing a URL, customers scan a QR code on your insert slip. Higher conversion, zero typing errors. Stick them directly on your packaging or inserts.
Shop on Amazon → ⓘ Affiliate link — I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.The Math Nobody Talks About
Most sellers obsess over social media followers they don’t own and ad costs that never stop.
Meanwhile:
- 1,000 shipments per month
- 10% slip conversion = 100 new email subscribers
- 1,200 new owned subscribers per year
- Cost per subscriber? Pennies
- From a piece of paper
And unlike a social media follower — you own every single one of those email addresses. No algorithm. No platform risk. No monthly ad budget.
Just a relationship.
Why This Works When Everything Else Doesn’t
Most marketing tries to interrupt strangers.
This strategy reaches someone who already raised their hand. They already searched for your product. They already trusted you enough to buy. They already opened the box with excitement.
That moment — right there — is the highest converting marketing window you will ever have with that customer.
Don’t waste it on a generic thank you card.
The Bigger Picture
Amazon built a trillion dollar business by owning the customer relationship at scale.
The back office move for small sellers? Build yours one slip at a time.
You already have the name. You already have the address.
Now go get the email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include a promotional insert in Amazon shipments?
Yes — Amazon allows product inserts as long as they don’t incentivize fake reviews or direct customers away from Amazon for purchasing purposes.
What should I put on a product insert card?
One clear offer, one short URL, one value proposition. Offer something genuinely free and valuable. Less is always more.
How do I create a landing page for email capture?
Mailchimp has a free built-in landing page builder — no website or tech skills needed. Setup takes under 30 minutes.
What is a good conversion rate for package inserts?
Industry average runs 3–10% depending on offer strength. A genuinely valuable freebie consistently outperforms discounts.
Does this work for Walmart Marketplace sellers too?
Absolutely — Walmart also withholds customer email addresses from sellers, making the package insert strategy equally valuable there.
What is the best free tool to shorten URLs for package inserts?
Bit.ly is free, reliable, and gives you click tracking so you can measure exactly how many people are scanning your insert. Alternatively, QR code stickers eliminate typing altogether and can boost conversion rates significantly.
TK Kramer runs the back office at his wife’s cross stitch pattern business. He writes about the unsexy, contrarian strategies that actually move the needle — the stuff the gurus forgot to mention, probably on purpose. Read more at Back Office Contrarian.