Feb

27

Three Ways to Increase Corporate Sales

Filed Under Customers, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment

Networking and referrals continue to be top corporate client generators, but other methods exist that deserve your attention. The following three options may produce the additional revenue you’ve been seeking.

1. Subscribe to magazines that prospects and clients read to learn about their industry’s problems and how your gifts and baskets may solve problems, one of which may be not having enough time to pick up the phone to order.

This article helps you connect with corporate clients online.

2. Grab attention with great headlines and testimonials. Comments shared by mail from satisfied clients could be the deciding factor for a prospect that is ready to buy. Be sure to get the client’s permission before using their words.

3. Look a building’s occupant list when making a delivery. Individuals who work in the same building know each other. They ride together in elevators together and pass each other in hallways. This familiarity has the potential to uncover new sales, but no monies will be generated unless you begin asking clients about their corporate neighbors.

Here’s another tip on how to get corporate accounts.

There are many more ways to increase your corporate client list. Start with these three, or add them to your current idea bank.

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Feb

24

Contest Cash, Business Cards, Spring Ribbon

Filed Under Marketing Materials, Money, Ribbon and Bows | Leave a Comment

CONTESTS OFFER CASH PRIZES AND MORE
Do you consider entering business contests as one way to increase your capital? If not, you’re overlooking an option that some designers and entrepreneurs use to gain cash and valuable prizes. Wednesday’s newsletter shares news about one contest and three ways to invest the winnings whenever you’re ready to enter one of the many events on the Web.

BUSINESS CARD BASICS
If your business card’s overall appearance lacks the power to inspire sales, it’s time for a makeover. Visit the business card section at Solo Business Marketing to learn the basics of creating a dynamic card.

SPRING ROLLS ARE READY
Wholesalers and suppliers are stocked with spring ribbon in stripes, solids, sheers, and more. But before you replenish your supply, review this ribbon tutorial to determine what’s best to select for your customers.

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Feb

20

Finding Cash to Fill Your Baskets

Filed Under Money | Leave a Comment

The contest season is in full swing.

Companies are awarding products, services, and access to their private membership clubs.

Most of all, many of these firms are offering cash to the top winners.

Money is the ultimate motivator to capture names, Email addresses, and other data in exchange for a chance to win $5,000 or more.

For example, I’m mentoring three of my Golden Basket Club members as they compete in the Rice Business Plan Competition, which is awarding a $225,000 grand prize.

Entering and winning contests are just one way to increase your business capital. What would be your first investment with the newfound money?

  • A new computer with plenty of memory to house your customer database and financial management software, and speed to watch online business and design videos.
  • Equipment and supplies to re-structure your work area or the ability to move from the home space to a separate facility.
  • Reach a wider market through a marketing strategy you can now afford.

What other options are there to fund your gift basket business? Start with this money source page, then visit other pages in the section.

Also see the article, Where to Find Cash on the Internet, for more ideas on increasing your investment cash without digging into your own pocket.

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Feb

13

How Do You Sell Leftover Love?

Filed Under Mother's Day, Ribbon and Bows, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Valentine's Day | 2 Comments

Whenever I pass a Godiva retail store after Valentine’s Day, I see all of their specially-wrapped boxes on sale for half price. That’s how Godiva sells their after-occasion merchandise. But we’re different.

Gift basket designers don’t mark down; we find ways to sell this merchandise at full price.

When these items are added to other baskets, no one will know it’s left over because the product fits the new theme. That’s why we do our best to not buy merchandise that says “Valentine” on the product.

Here are three ways you can sell your Valentine’s merchandise before it has time to collect dust.

1. Team It with Complimentary Colors. Red looks great with white, purple, black, or pink. What’s in your inventory to create a corporate power theme or girly gift?

Visit the ribbon pages for great ideas to unify colors with stripes, solids, and sheers.

2. Create an “I’m Nuts About ‘Cha” Basket. Combine various packages of nuts (jars, cans, bags) with a leftover plush animal (bear, gorilla, puppy). This one’s great for husbands and boyfriends who need to apologize fast.

3. Decrease Your Orders for Mother’s Day Merchandise. Lots of Valentine’s Day products fit into gifts for this occasion, provided that it doesn’t say anything about February 14th.

See this article on Baskets for Mom. Now’s the time to start choosing products.

It’s not easy to buy the exact amount of merchandise for any special occasion. In fact, it’s practically impossible. But your products will still sell when you create special themes and make customers aware of these great, new baskets.

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Feb

10

Welcome to Gift Baskets, Create a Brochure

Filed Under Donation Requests, Marketing Materials, Startup Help | Leave a Comment

DONATIONS MAY DOUBLE YOUR SALES
When an organization requests you to donate a gift basket, do you run in the other direction or review your strategy to get the most for your donation? Wednesday’s newsletter hands down three tips to make sure your donated basket produces results.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR NEW AND CURRENT DESIGNERS
Are you new to the gift basket business, this newsletter, or the GiftBasketBusiness.com Web site? This message welcomes you to the industry and provides links to informative areas on the Internet with videos, articles, money sources, and more.

DO YOU HAVE A BROCHURE?
Making a brochure is easier today than in past years. Have you created one to mail to prospects and to remind clients what’s available for special occasions? This article explains what’s in my brochure, which I encourage you to copy for your own promotions.

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