Aug
31
Your Retail Store Policy, Insurance Protection, Wholesale Supplies
Filed Under Insurance, Wholesale Suppliers | Leave a Comment
READY TO LAY DOWN THE LAW?
Most retail stores have a policy that outlines the buying, exchange, and return procedures that protect them from customer liabilities that may occur during the store’s existence. I say most stores because you may not have a policy, but that’s about to change.
Wednesday’s newsletter tells what happened to me when a client complained and the good and bad I experienced that finally convinced me to put store rules in print.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY
Do you consider business liability insurance to be an investment or expense? Like all insurance plans, it may be a burden to pay, but you certainly want coverage in place for unexpected disasters.
BEFORE I INCREASE THE WHOLESALE SUPPLIES LIST…
During September, the www.GiftBasketWholesaleSupplies.com site will expand to include new suppliers of baskets, foods, enhancements, and more. Is there a different or additional format that will help you find what you need?
Reply to this newsletter, and let me know. About 100 more listings will be added, and I appreciate your feedback on what will assist you on this site.
http://www.giftbasketwholesalesupplies.com/
Aug
27
What Are Your Terms?
Filed Under Customers | 2 Comments
I remember when a customer called me to demand a refund because a basket was not received by the recipient on a specific date. She was so irate that I thought she’d pass out on the phone. She called on a Saturday, and I told her I’d take care of everything on Monday.
I had no store policy when this happened, and this problem was a wake-up call for me to create one.
On Monday, I called the recipient, and he told me that not only was he out of the office all week, but that the buyer knew he was out. Still, he loved the basket, and I told him to enjoy the contents.
I refunded the buyer because I didn’t check ahead of time to ensure the recipient would be available, but guess what? Because I let the receiver keep the basket, he became a long-term client.
This type of problem can happen at any time, which is why creating and posting a list of terms and conditions is vitally important to your business.
Your sales terms may take a week to brainstorm, and sometimes longer.
Think about your new terms for a few days before posting them on your Web site. You’ll find more ideas for Web site creation on at Web Sites for Retailers.
Of course, you can add or edit the details at any time, but it’s best to finalize your rules as soon as possible and move on to sales and marketing.
Be sure to add the terms to your catalog when the next run is printed.
Stick to your policy, and you’ll have less problems with buyers who insist on returns, refunds, and credits.
Aug
24
Taste Test Promotions, Library Marketing, What Clients Say
Filed Under Planning, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
EAT YOUR WAY TO EXCELLENT SALES
A successful event, where you invite clients and qualified prospects to sample chips, dips, and other edibles, starts with a plan to get them buying after they’ve tasted the goods. Wednesday’s newsletter explains how to put together a profitable taste test program whether you operate a retail store or home-based business.
MARKETING BY THE BOOK
Library promotions often end with a patron winning some type of basket filled with books. That’s what recently occurred in Oklahoma. But do you know how to introduce your design talents to library officials, which will let you piggyback off their widely-publicized contest? I share some tips here so that you’ll know how to learn and earn.
WHAT DO YOUR CUSTOMERS SAY?
Restaurants live and die by critics’ reviews. What if that fate was the same for your business? This article gets you thinking about what customers really think about your service and how you can make sure everyone stays loyal.
Aug
20
Taste Test Profits
Filed Under Planning, Publicity/Media Attention | Leave a Comment
Launching a taste testing day for customers to sample crackers, cheeses, dips, and other gift basket treats isn’t just for large shops. Small stores and home-based businesses are taking advantage of this traffic-building promotion to gain sales and client loyalty.
Some customers will enter your shop to eat and go. You know that. But to make your sampling day successful, it’s important to attract a mix of past and current clients, corporate contacts, and the media. Here’s a strategy I’ve outline for several designers, with great results.
Your taste testing day can be set up as an open house or private event. The choice depends on your location and client type. Some store owners schedule both to attract different customer segments.
Each tasting station contains shallow bowls of product and plenty of spoons, toothpicks, and crackers for sampling. Place packages of each sampled product next to every bowl so customers see the item and easily bring it to the payment counter.
Also be sure to display small and large gift baskets filled with these same products strategically around the room.
Make sure you’ve hired enough staff for the event, whether full time or temporary, to keep each station clean and filled with samples.
Home-based gift basket designers can also host taste testing events. Some locations for the festivities include conference rooms at clients’ facilities and library conference centers. Any place with four walls and room to set up rented tables and chairs is fair game.
Remember to collect customers’ names, addresses, and Email addresses. A clipboard at the front door, checkout counter, or primary spot within the room helps to secure this information. Staff members can also help with the collection.
Taste testing events allow you to establish your business presence, build relationships, expand referrals, and increase sales year round.
Here are three articles that complement this idea:
Five Brownie Points that Boost Sales
Sell More by Giving Away Leftovers
How to Follow Up After the Sale
Aug
17
Business Relationships, How to Blog, Wrapping Up Ribbon
Filed Under Customers, Marketing Materials, Ribbon and Bows | Leave a Comment
HOW TO BUILD BUSINESS
Designers are beginning to write large holiday orders despite gloom and doom forecasts. What’s their secret? Wednesday’s newsletter centers on relationships that they build with clients all year long to ensure high-volume sales at year’s end and how you can do the same.
BLOGGING FOR DOLLARS
Is it time for you to create an online customer relationship with a blog? Some designers have one now, and others are just starting. Here are three reasons why gift basket makers blog and how this weekly project may benefit your sales.
READY TO RECEIVE RIBBON?
Fall and holiday ribbon you ordered at trade shows will be shipped to your office in the coming weeks. Is there room in your workspace to organize it? Read this blog article and learn what type of equipment designers install so that ribbon is right at their fingertips.
Aug
13
R is for Relationships
Filed Under Corporate Selling, Customers | Leave a Comment
One of my gift basket clients just received a holiday order to create and deliver 2,500 baskets. Another one is currently preparing 500 for one client and 300 for another, and she’s sure that other clients will soon place large orders.
Last week’s newsletter shared big order tips, and a previous newsletter gave pointers on finding hands-on help for big sales.
How do these designers get orders when so many firms are cutting back due to budget constraints? Both designers admitted me that their plans to develop better relationships with clients are the secret for their individuals success.
For example, if a client’s child bruised a knee during a sports activity, a small gift was sent as a get well gesture. When another client’s company was up against a competitor, the designer called to recommend a course of action (sending a gift basket to the prospect) to get the sale.
Working with their clients as a partner rather than simply taking a role as a gift provider is what’s made the difference. And the rewards don’t stop there. Referrals are up, and so are the number of client’s employees who receive gifts and baskets to encourage productivity.
Do you contact clients only when it’s time to give gifts, or are you someone who makes contact in good and bad times whether for personal or professional reasons? Great relationships are a major component in securing orders all year long.
Start building better relationships with your customers now and throughout 2009. The rewards are huge, and so are the profits.
Aug
10
Big Order Tips, Questions and Answers, Price Increases
Filed Under Customers, Planning | Leave a Comment
BIG ORDER, SMALL STEPS
My first mega sale was ordered by my insurance agent. She was clear on what she wanted for her 300 clients, and I was clear on how I’d make life easy for her while encouraging follow-up sales from recipients on her gift list. Wednesday’s newsletter breaks down some of the steps required to make the mega sale a smooth experience. You’ll be happy to have read these tips when your big sale arrives.
LOTS OF ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
What’s the burning question about gift baskets that you want to know? Perhaps it’s one of these three questions that I hear most often, and if not, you’ll find links in this post to a section at GiftBasketBusiness.com to learn more. You’re also welcomed to submit questions at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
IT’S OKAY TO INCREASE PRICES
Are you still trying to keep your gift basket prices intact even though inventory and administrative costs have risen? There’s another option: increase the value of your service so that customers will continue buying. Review this post, which will help you determine how to maintain customer satisfaction and stay successfully in business.
Save Time – Gift Basket Biz Plan
Popular Gift Basket Books
-
