Oct

12

Increase Sales, Ask Questions, Delivery Solutions

Filed Under Delivery Options, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Statistics | Comments Off

DO YOU SABOTAGE YOUR SALES?
Some corporate clients show great enthusiasm as you show them a selection of gift baskets, and that enthusiasm can be contagious. It can also harm your profit margin.

Wednesday’s newsletter shares three strategies to make sure you don’t give away the store while satisfying clients. These tips are very important, especially as you move closer to securing holiday sales.

SOLUTIONS TO FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
New designers often ask me about finding baskets and uncovering statistics. Many veterans want answers, too.

This in-depth article gives you the answers to five popular questions I hear from worldwide industry participants. I believe you’ll gain great insights, and I also encourage you to share your comments.

DELIVER ME FROM DRIVING
Is it wise to drive from town to town delivering your gift baskets, or is the better to find an alternative way to get your products into local clients’ hands?

This Q&A at Ask The Gift Basket Expert steers you to better delivery options than spending your time on the road.

Oct

8

Does “Yes” Mean “No” to Profits?

Filed Under Corporate Selling, Customers | 4 Comments

Has this happened to you – during a presentation, a corporate client asks if you can swap out biscotti in the sample gift basket for a high-end box of chocolates. You say “yes” to get the order.

Later, in your office, you calculate the price for the chocolates (8.00 versus the 1.25 biscotti) and learn that the swap will leave you with a very slim profit.

How can you make the client happy while ensuring substantial revenue each time orders are placed? Here are three solutions.

1. Say “let me check on that” when you’re unclear about the cost. Tell the client that you want to make sure they’re not being overcharged for the design change. In reality, you want to gauge your own profitability.

Call the client as soon as possible to follow up and close the deal. This check-before-you-say-yes scenario will not jeopardize the sale. Remember what happened in the above example.

2. Bring your own list of 3-5 items that can be exchanged for several products in the sample basket(s). Offer any of these items if asked for substitutes, and stick with these options unless you must resort to No. 1 above.

3. Make certain designs “as is” with no substitutions. If they aren’t acceptable for clients, offer your custom designs. This is a great option, as it can substantially elevate profits.

Problems are blessings in disguise because you must face this scenario and similar ones to grow. When mistakes occur, you can make changes and move forward confidently and profitably.

You’ll find high revenue lessons at GiftBasketCourse.com and more corporate tips on the Success Articles page and Success Tips page.

Oct

5

Double Your Selling Power, Embellished Bags, Wine Baskets

Filed Under Enhancements, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Wine/Alcohol | Comments Off

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE
If one auto dealer buys your gift baskets to thank customers for their car purchases, is it wise to pursue sales from other auto dealers? You bet. Wednesday’s newsletter doubles your options to sell baskets to multiple industry participants, increasing your bottom line faster and easier.

BEADS IN THE BAG
Are embellished bags in your inventory, or is this product one that’s perfect for your spa gift baskets but difficult to find? One wholesaler wants to sell to you but needs suggestions on how to get your attention. You’ll find her question at Ask The Gift Basket Expert where you can comment or ask more about these beaded beauties.

NO NEED TO WINE
Several bars in my region are for sale, and a liquor license comes with the purchase. That’s one way a non-homebased gift basket business can get this coveted item, but this article explains where to find non-alcoholic products, making a liquor license not worth the wait.

Oct

1

Double Sales in Similar Industries

Filed Under Sales-Increasing Strategies | Comments Off

Local real estate agents call you every month to confirm a standing order for 50 baskets to distribute to new home buyers. Pharmaceutical representatives always close the deal by sending thank-you baskets made by you.

These orders keep sales healthy and strong, but there’s more you can do to increase revenue in familiar industries.

For example, if one real estate firm buys your gifts and baskets as a customer motivator, then other firms in the same industry are likely to want the same results. Because of your track record, promoting baskets to others in real estate is a smart option to easily increase your sales.

Create a spreadsheet and document business names within the industries you serve. Concentrate on gathering data on firms within your city, county, or region. This information can be found at the county clerk’s office, through the Internet, or by searching the Yellow Pages. Each business name also includes telephone numbers, managers’ names, product or service sold, and areas they serve.

Make contact by calling or writing to each prospect. These techniques are covered in How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business and in Top 10 Letters, mentioned in a previous newsletter.

In either case, you explain the benefits on how your gifts and baskets make the difference between a general meeting and getting the sale. Have photographs ready to show popular baskets sold within each industry, and if possible, include recommendation letters from satisfied clients.

Expanding your reach to other industry participants improves your chances for higher sales with minimum effort.

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