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Tutorial

How to create a series of Boxes

Split a large shoot into Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3, and let buyers unlock each part by owning the one before it.

5 minutes 7 steps Pro feature

How a series works

A series is a set of Boxes linked in order. Each Box points back to the one before it, and a buyer has to own that earlier Box before they can buy the next one. Part 1 is open to everyone; Part 2 opens up once someone owns Part 1; Part 3 once they own Part 2.

The link always lives on the later Box. Part 1 needs no setup at all.

Before you start: plan the parts

A series works best when each part stands on its own. Split the shoot along its natural chapters rather than cutting a long run of frames into equal piles.

One chapter per Box

A look, a location, a time of day or a lighting setup. Each part should feel complete.

30 to 50 images each

Cull every part to its strongest, most distinct frames. Fewer great images beat many similar ones.

Clear names

Use the same title with "Part 1", "Part 2" so buyers instantly see the order.

Not sure whether you need a series at all? Less Is More explains why big, repetitive sets sell worse, and when splitting makes sense.

Step by step

  1. Publish Part 1

    Upload, price and publish the first Box of the series as you normally would. It needs to be on sale, because buyers will have to own it before they can buy Part 2.

  2. Copy the full URL of Part 1

    Open Part 1's public page and copy the whole address from your browser, for example https://bentbox.co/buybox?abc123. The full URL is needed: the link is read from everything after the question mark, so pasting only the Box name or ID will not work.

  3. Open Part 2's Price & publish page

    Upload the files for Part 2, then open Manage box and go to Price & publish. This is the same page where you set the price, licence and options.

  4. Choose "Link to a previous box in a series"

    In section 3, Choose your options, scroll to the Extras panel and click "Link to a previous box in a series".

  5. Paste the URL and save

    Paste the full URL of Part 1 into the field and click Save. The link is saved straight away, separately from the Publish button, so you can set it before Part 2 goes on sale.

  6. Publish Part 2

    Finish the description, price and options for Part 2, then publish it or schedule it for later. From now on, buyers need to own Part 1 before they can buy Part 2.

  7. Repeat for each new part

    For Part 3, paste the URL of Part 2, not Part 1. Each Box points back to the one directly before it, so the series unlocks in order.

Link first, then publish. The link saves the moment you click Save in the dialog, on its own and not as part of Publish. Set it before Part 2 goes on sale, so nobody can buy Part 2 without owning Part 1.

Make the series work for you

  • Point buyers to the next partOn Part 1, use "Write a thank-you message" in Extras. Every buyer receives it at the time of sale, so it's the perfect place to say Part 2 is waiting.
  • Release parts over timeLink Part 2, then use "Save and schedule for later" to choose its publish date. Each release gives you a new reason to message your supporters.
  • Keep previews onWith preview thumbnails switched on, buyers see the first five images of each part. Put your strongest frames first.

Change or remove a link

  • Point to a different BoxOpen the later Box's Price & publish page, click "Link to a previous box in a series", paste the new URL and click Save.
  • Remove the requirementOpen the same dialog and click Delete. The Box is then open to every buyer again.

Frequently asked questions

Box series are a Pro feature. Upgrade to Pro to link a Box to a previous Box in a series.

No, and it is better not to. The link saves on its own as soon as you click Save in the dialog, so set it first and publish afterwards. That way Part 2 is never on sale without the requirement in place.

To Part 2. Each Box links to the one directly before it. Because Part 2 already requires Part 1, a buyer working through the series owns every earlier part by the time they reach the last one.

Yes. Open the Price & publish page of the later Box, click "Link to a previous box in a series" and either paste a different URL and save, or click Delete to remove the requirement.

The link is read from the part of the address after the question mark, which is the Box's unique ID. A name or a partial address does not contain it. Copy the address straight from the Box's public page to be safe.

We recommend 30 to 50 strong images per Box. If a shoot gives you more good, distinct images than that, it is a sign the material belongs in a series rather than one very large Box.

Box series are a Pro feature

Pro costs $9.99 a month and comes back as cashback in every month you reach your sales target. Read why smaller sets sell better.

Upgrade to Pro
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