Jan
30
How Many Baskets Will You Buy?
Filed Under Baskets | 2 Comments
If I were starting a gift basket business today, for the very first time, here’s how many baskets I’d buy and the three reasons behind my decision.
Number of baskets: 18
Size and shape of baskets:
Small - 5 (2 square, 3 oval)
Medium - 5 (3 square, 2 oval)
Large - 4 (2 rectangular, 2 oval)
Box containers - 4 (2 small, 2 large)
More information on selection is found on the baskets pages.
Reason for buying decision:
1. It’s necessary to have a range of sizes and shapes available for design experimentation and marketing purposes.
2. I pre-surveyed business professionals to gauge their interest in purchasing from me for upcoming events. Six baskets are pre-sold, and I don’t want to buy more baskets until the end of month.
3. Living in a large metropolitan area, I expect my aggressive sales techniques to sell most of my inventory within six weeks.
Is my approach different from yours? The answer is “yes” with good reason. No two gift basket businesses are alike. One person will choose six baskets because he won’t sell as quickly, and another person will purchase six dozen baskets because her Rolodex includes influential executives who’ll buy because of their current business relationship.
This is why no one else can tell you what to buy and how many to buy. I guarantee that you’ll make mistakes, but you’ll also make better choices as you move forward. In time you’ll laugh as you enter the bank with fat checks, all because you took a chance and purchased an initial quantity of baskets that works for you and only you.
Here’s one more tip: select baskets that are tall (higher perceived value), dark (burgundy and similar colors are considered “rich” in appearance), and handsome (all-around sturdy construction).
Visit this brand-new baskets site which will expand in time. It shows a variety of baskets that have been popular for my past designs and provides you with ideas for buying your initial and future inventory.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, wicker baskets, buying baskets
Jan
27
Develop Your Business, Print Advertising Methods
Filed Under Customers, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
FROM TORTOISE TO HARE
Every season can be fast or slow to deliver sales by phone or mail. The speed depends on how quickly you encourage business to come to you. Wednesday’s newsletter uncovers three methods, and from those you’ll be able to develop more.
SIZE UP YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE
Today’s customer is impressed when you take care of the little things during the order process, delivery, and post-sale. Do you take care of the small details? Learn how you rate.
PRINT STAYS PUT
What’s the most effective way to build your sales? The answer is print marketing by mail. Read insights about this from a print marketing expert, and see a three-month example of how to combine your print marketing and online marketing campaigns.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, customer service, effective marketing ideas, slow sales ideas
Jan
23
The Cure for Slow Sales
Filed Under Money, Publicity/Media Attention, Valentine's Day | Leave a Comment
It’s the start of a new year, and you may be experiencing a dry spell while clients recover from holiday spending. How do you convert their mood into profits?
1. Who purchased all-occasion baskets last January? Birthdays, anniversaries, and everyday events are the No. 1 reason for gift giving. Look in your files and dig out the money.
Did you follow these tips when selecting Valentine’s Day merchandise?
2. Which local firms need employee birthday or employee-of-the-month gifts and baskets to increase productivity and retention?
Individuals on your client list have connections to introduce you, by phone or in person, to human resources and sales executives. Explain to them how your business serves to keep their employees happy. Also consider treating the new contact to lunch (a low-cost marketing tactic). It’s a simple technique that increases your corporate client list and resulting sales.
3. Contact the media with tips on new, exciting, and exotic items available for Valentine’s Day. You’re a gift expert, so this article is perfect for your participation. The success article, Getting Your Name in the News, shows how to structure a media release.
Don’t wait for business to come to you. Be proactive. Put your gift baskets in the hands of people who appreciate your design style and act as cheerleaders to tell others about your great service.
That’s the cure. Are you prepared to try a dose to keep your business healthy?
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, slow sales, press releases, media relations, Valentine’s Day
Jan
20
SUPPLY SIDE STORY
A wholesaler sells exactly what you want, and they’re local, which makes it even better. But now you learn they’re closing. What’s the first step, besides crying, to find a suitable replacement? Wednesday’s newsletter contains solutions to keep your resource options open.
IS IT BETTER TO FAIL?
I don’t often find good humor online, but this story will make your sides ache. “Failure is Now An Option” explains why it’s okay to give up your pursuit of just about anything. You’ll find a link to the article at Solo Business Marketing.
A PHOTO MAY WIN YOU TWO BOOKS
Why is your Valentine’s Day gift basket the one everyone must have next month? Tell me in this new contest, and you might win you two of my books, autographed to you. See the rules and enter by Wednesday, January 23.
Technorati Tags: gift basket suppliers, Valentine’s Day gift basket
Jan
16
The last thing any of us want to see is a trusted and conveniently-located supplier hang a “closing sale” sign above their door. It affects the owner’s lifestyle, the community’s strength, and your business. How do you prepare to move forward without this resource?
1. Buy as much of the goods, within budget, that you’re sure to resell. Paying for speculative merchandise is an unnecessary expense, and it also wastes storage space. Stick with products and supplies you know customers will order.
2. Make time to search for the next best facility. Begin your search by asking the owner if he knows of or works with competing firms in your area. Next, conduct an online search through Google, Yahoo, and MSN. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that another supplier has opened in close proximity.
The audio CD, How to Find Products In and Around Your State, unleashes dozens of ideas to locate hidden warehouses. It’s the last title listed in the CD section.
3. Begin placing orders at well-known sources that deliver to your door. If you add up the miles traveled to suppliers, the numbers may be telling you it’s time to start ordering by phone. That will leave you more time for designing and marketing.
A Borders bookstore in my area is closing, and I made one trip there yesterday to save 40-75 percent.
My book, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business (4th edition), was in the business section. I’m giving away this book along with my new title, Marketing Solutions for the Home-Based Business, in a contest that ends on Wednesday, January 23.
This contest is open to worldwide gift basket designers. See the rules here.
Technorati Tags: gift basket contest, gift basket books, gift basket wholesale supplies
