Jun
29
Money for Business, Fragrance Mixing, Client Surveys
Filed Under Money, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
BASKET CASH FOR BUSINESS
Years ago, a New Jersey-based gift basket owner won $10,000 in cash and a laptop through an American Express contest. I was thrilled to read the story, but I’m sure she was more thrilled to use the money for her shop, which still thrives today. Wednesday’s newsletter tells you about another gift basket designer who won a grant and how you can uncover funds for your business.
MIXING CHOCOLATES AND SUDS
Can sweets and scents be combined in the same basket? I never gave the two a thought until I realized how strong a smell came from my perfumed soaps. This quick article provides more insight into this seemingly-problematic situation.
SERVING CLIENTS WITH SURVEYS
How do you know if your gift baskets benefit clients? Creating and distributing surveys are one way to find out. Best of all, it doesn’t take lots of time to put one together. This tip will lead you to another source that helps you launch a survey to sell more gifts and baskets.
Jun
25
Finding Money for Business
Filed Under Money | Leave a Comment
One day I’ll always remember is the day I received an Email from a woman telling me that she had just won a $3,000 grant to start her gift basket business. She found a link to the grant in an article I wrote about finding money for business.
I wrote the article after scouring the Internet to find real sources for money, not those fake come-ons offered by unscrupulous firms. One company offered a contest for business startups, and they were distributing $25,000 in seed money. That’s the link she visited.
After writing and submitting her plan, she won in her specified category. She was thrilled, and I was pleased to know that the contest was genuine.
Opportunities still exist to find money on the net. If there were none, I wouldn’t waste time mentioning it. I’ve personally found money some for startups at a New York foundation that specializes in helping aspiring entrepreneurs, students, non-profits, and others find cash.
Most of all, you must rely on yourself to fund your dream. There’s no getting around that. One way that many in business have done this is to set aside 10 percent of every employment paycheck, placing it into a savings account as startup money.
If you cannot withhold $30 from a $300 check, dedicate whatever percentage you can manage. It will take time to gather the necessary dollars, but each month you will have more than the last.
After that, the focus turns to reinvesting your business dollars. But that’s the subject for another newsletter.
You’ll find more information in the finding money section, which includes a page on contests and grant sources.
Jun
22
Trade Shows, Your Own Toolbox, Getting Past Gatekeepers
Filed Under Customers, Enhancements, TRADE SHOWS | Leave a Comment
TIME TO TALK TRADE SHOWS
There was a time when trade shows intimidated me. I didn’t want to go because exhibitors tried to sell me products that weren’t on my buying list. Wednesday’s newsletter puts your product needs in center focus, helping you to determine how to navigate each aisle so that you leave knowing you’ve made smart buying decisions for your best sales year.
GIFT BASKET DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE
After 18 years in business, a design repair toolbox is still part of my workspace arsenal, and it’s inside each vehicle during deliveries. The photo shown with this article is my exactly toolbox; you’ll see some of the items always on board. Read the article and tell all of us what’s in your toolbox.
NO MORE GATEKEEPER GAMES
We’ve all heard of the gatekeeper, the person who stands between you and the one with the power to buy your gift baskets. Do you know that there are ways to bypass this person? I share my top three ways to meet your prospect so that the gatekeeper is no longer a factor. Now’s the time to try these ideas so that you’re sure to earn your Christmas bonus.
Jun
18
What’s Your Trade Show Plan?
Filed Under TRADE SHOWS | Leave a Comment
It’s exciting to prepare for the trade show season.
Even if you plan to buy from favorite manufacturers and distributors who won’t exhibit at the shows you attend, you’ll still see great ideas, displays, and products to consider buying in the future. This is very important to keep your designs and marketing approach current and effective.
Here’s a list of things to look for before and during your visit.
1. Review the pre-show directory that arrives by mail. See which seminars and demonstrations are a good time investment, and highlight exhibitors that are a “must see” on your list.
I’m conducting gift basket, Web site, and marketing seminars in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Orlando, and Miami, which you’ll find listed on the Gift Basket Class site.
2. Some exhibitors schedule impromptu demos at their booth rather than on the seminar stage. Packaging and ribbon manufacturers are very adept at this. Go to their booths to see if a demo roster sheet of days and times is available.
You’ll see ribbon-making ideas, such as the one in this video, and packaging options, similar to what’s shown on the Retail Wraps site.
3. Request catalogs by mail rather than weigh yourself down with needless paper. It slows your productivity due to a sore back, arms, and legs.
Most trade shows prohibit wheeled carts, so do your body a favor: bring plenty of business cards with the correct address for catalog mailings. This will also guarantee that you continue to receive new issues when ready.
This article explains how to compile your catalogs for easy access.
Not able to attend your favorite trade show? Here’s what do to when travel is not an option.
Jun
15
Inventory Buying Tips, How to Create a Club
Filed Under Planning, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
BUY, BUY BETTER
How fast are you selling your inventory? If sales are going slow, it may be because you’ve chosen items you like and not the items customers prefer. Wednesday’s newsletter tells the story of where I went wrong with buying and how you can get on the fast track by learning from my mistakes.
OFFER CUSTOMERS CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Book sellers increase sales with a book-of-the-month club. Why can’t gift basket designers do the same? Here’s an article explaining how to start your own gift basket of the month club. Remember, if you don’t offer it, clients can’t buy it.
FACIALS ARE FOR THE BIRDS
There’s a new trend in facials. Shops are adding bird poop to the mix. Before you turn up your nose, read how spas are capitalizing on this trend and marketing it so skillfully that men and women are lining up for treatments.
