Dec
30
Earn More, Find Customers
Filed Under Customers, Money | Leave a Comment
PROSPECTING FOR PROFITS
Looking to achieve higher profits in 2008? There’s only one way for that to happen, and that’s through planning. Wednesday’s newsletter eases you into the planning process. It’s easier than you imagine, and you’ll love the results at the end of each month.
GIFT BASKET NEWS ON THE NET
Are you familiar with all of the gift basket business blogs? Aside from the one I write, here’s where you’ll find links to two places to bookmark for great tips and advice.
IS A RENTED LIST FOR YOU?
I know of several gift basket firms that rent mailing lists to find new customers. Would you consider doing the same? Solo Business Marketing gives you the good and bad about renting a list and also points you to an article with more insight.
Technorati Tags: gift basket, gift baskets, gift basket business, renting a mailing list, gift basket blogs, how to earn more revenue
Dec
26
Set the Bar High in 2008
Filed Under Customers, Planning | Leave a Comment
According to the media, January 1st is the day to resolve to do something better or faster, to start achieving planned goals, or stop participating in a bad habit.
Their agenda focuses on this same topic every January 1.
What’s on your agenda? Gift basket sales won’t sprout unless you plant seeds on a daily basis. Opportunities for marketing and media promotion will materialize when you take advantage of the contacts you’ve made, both face to face and online.
There’s no magic formula to follow to achieve success, but as with any business, you must apply steadfast determination to move forward every day to gain sales, referrals, new contacts, and future business.
Of course, there will be unforeseen circumstances that cause setbacks and missteps. But that’s just a small and necessary piece of the puzzle.
Stay focused to reach your business goals, and your resolutions will come true.
Review the sample calendar for ideas to keep your baskets selling each month.
Can’t get to a favorite trade show this spring? Here’s what to do.
Technorati Tags: gift basket, gift baskets, business planning, gift basket business
Dec
23
Money, Ribbon, and Fame
Filed Under Publicity/Media Attention, Ribbon and Bows, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
INCREASE PROFIT WITH EACH SALE
Everyone has a budget in mind when ordering a gift basket, but you’ll find that each customer will spend an extra $5 to add balloons or additional treat that the receiver will appreciate. When you suggest these extras, that’s called upselling. Wednesday’s newsletter encourages you to upsell every order, putting more dollars in your bank account and broader smiles on client’s faces.
THE RULES OF RIBBON OWNERSHIP
Are you mad about ribbon? You’re not alone. There’s not one designer who has less than 20 rolls in stock, and if the spools aren’t organized, you’ll have a tangled mess on your hands. This article helps you treat ribbon right, and click on the link to see a photograph of how one designer organizes her ribbon.
READY FOR YOUR CLOSEUP?
If you didn’t pursue media attention before Christmas, now’s a great time to go after newspaper promotion. This tutorial will provide you with a blueprint for local fame.
Technorati Tags: what is upsell, how to upsell, organize ribbon, gift basket ribbon, bows, press releases, news releases, how to get media attention
Dec
19
Fast food chains ask if you want your meal supersized. Computer sellers offer three-year service agreements on new computers. Each time a Macy’s salesperson convinces a customer to open an account, the store increases their revenue.
These are examples of “upselling,” and it can work for you. Upselling is the act of increasing the sale by suggesting an added product or service that wasn’t part of the original price. It’s a process that turns a $50 order into a $75 sale.
See the new Gift Basket Dictionary for more terms and definitions.
Focus on upselling when a customer orders. Clients have specific budgets, but that won’t stop you from suggesting an additional product or enhancement to increase the sale. Upselling not only adds to your profits, it also helps the client make an extraordinary impression.
Your order form can include upsell product suggestions to offer customers. These items include balloons, mugs, popcorn, plush, and chocolates. Where do these products come from?
*Ordering too many chocolates, cookies, etc. Offer these additional products in designs that don’t include it.
*Taking advantage of a sale on foods or gifts. This is not the usual way you make purchases, but it’s a buying opportunity you could not overlook.
Try upselling the next time an order arrives. It’s a great way to satisfy the customer and increase your profits in the long run.
Technorati Tags: gift basket, gift baskets, how to upsell, gift basket dictionary, gift basket products, gift basket terms and definitions
Dec
16
How to Prepare for Big Orders
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PUT YOUR APPRECIATION IN PRINT
Customers love receiving notes expressing gratitude. Why? Because it convinces them that they’ve spent their money with the right person or company. Get more incentive from Wednesday’s newsletter to send a handwritten thank-you note after each gift basket is delivered.
ARE MEGA ORDERS A MAJOR HEADACHE?
The thought of getting a client to order 100 or more baskets is a dream come true for many designers. But are you really ready for the big time? Read tips from a designer who just completed her first big sale. What she shares will ensure that you don’t regret the order.
TEAMING UP TO SELL MORE
Thinking of selling your baskets in someone else’s shop? This type of arrangement, better known as consignment, is a popular method to increase sales when you don’t have a retail shop. This article provides insight on consignment sales and what to put into the agreement between you and the shop owner.
Technorati Tags: gift basket, gift baskets, how to thank your customers, how to sell on consignment , consignment selling
