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Dec
14
Getting Publicity, Gift Basket Clubs, How to Make Money with Gift Baskets
Filed Under Corporate Selling, Publicity/Media Attention | 2 Comments
BASKETS OF MEDIA ATTENTION
It’s amazing to see how many gift basket stories appear throughout December in newspapers worldwide. Some stories are all about designers, and others try to convince individuals to make their own gift baskets. It’s quite a collection.
Wednesday’s newspaper encourages you to get your 15 minutes of fame before the season is over. Seven designers I know have increased sales this year from media exposure. You’re next.
JOIN THE CLUB
What if you had a standing order every month from a minimum of 10 companies to deliver a specific gift basket? That’s what can happen when creating and promoting a gift basket club.
DESIGNERS’ RATES ARE RISING
About five years ago I was asked if it’s possible to make $30,000 a year in this business. That answer, which you’ll find in this GiftBasketArticles.com article, is still true, but what’s more better, the potential has grown even in this economy.
Eleven designers who I’ve worked with in the past three years have increased their sales to average $92,000 a year, with one third of the gross amount deducted for expenses.
As you read the article, substitute the $30,000 figure for a higher amount you can achieve on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis.
Dec
10
Get the Media to Maximize Your Sales
Filed Under Publicity/Media Attention | Comments Off
This is the week to contact newspaper reporters who want last-minute ideas for holiday gifts. Here are three ideas to get media attention and higher profits through people who will read about your designs.
Food Editor
Send this reporter information on new snack flavors and packaging shapes to add to gift baskets and stockings.
Health Editor
Inform the editor about healthy snack choices being added to today’s holiday baskets. Include a list of the ten most-popular healthy snacks.
Business Editor
Stories about uncommon or downright strange gift choices ordered by business staffers will get this editor’s attention. Another option is to tell the editor what local firms are ordering to impress clients and increase office productivity.
Sending news by Email is what reporters prefer most. Postal mail is second best. More about connecting with reporters is in this three-page press release distribution at SoloBusinessMarketing.com.
Getting Your Name in the News shares more tips for newspaper stories that turn into sales. That’s how I got a front-page gift basket story in my local paper.
You can also try a different route to find customers. Learn how that’s done in Using the Newspaper to Get More Sales.
The more you know about contacting the media, the more free publicity you’ll receive so you can turn thousands of potential customers into buyers.
Dec
7
Getting Enough or Too Much Business, In-Store Displays, Collection Problems
Filed Under Collection Problems, Customers, Display Techniques | Comments Off
IS YOUR CUP HALF EMPTY OR HALF FULL?
The media thrives on gloom and doom, and they’re steadily searching for gift basket designers to interview about how sales have nosedived. It’s a shame that they pass over talking to those of us who are pulling out all the stops to do well.
Wednesday’s newsletter focuses on sales at both ends, too many and too few, providing tips that I share from designers who understand business from either side. It’s not too late to put these ideas into place.
DISPLAY YOUR DESIGNS
Many of you may be creating in-store gift basket sections for the first time. I’ve worked with several small and large shops to make this year’s displays fun and festive and share what I’ve learned in this article so you can also create dazzling, sales-increasing displays.
You’ll also learn who received prizes in the gift basket business contest and read my thanks to all who participated.
COLLECT YOUR CASH
No way was I going to berate a designer who made and delivered a gift basket without first collecting payment. Years ago, I did that too, thinking the payment would be sent quickly. How wrong I was.
The problem and solution are found at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. How many of you have made this honest mistake?
Dec
3
Too Many Orders or Not Enough?
Filed Under Sales-Increasing Strategies | Comments Off
At this moment, you’re either deep into fulfilling orders or worse, filling very few. In either case, there’s a chance that you’ll get fed up with the gift basket business.
I remember, while completing an order for 150 baskets, saying to myself, “Enough!” Strangely, I shouted the same word during a summer sales drought.
What I’m about to suggest may not be what you want to hear, but these two solutions are high on veteran designers’ must-do list when they go through either situation. Here it is.
1. Stop production for one hour.
Moving away from the baskets will strengthen you rather than work against you.
Have some tea or coffee and cookies. Look at a picture of an island or favorite vacation spot. Try not to think about stress, even though you’ll return to the project shortly. Believe me, 60 minutes of down time is enough time to bring you out of the doldrums.
2. Pick up the phone and call the most-likely buyers who haven’t yet ordered.
Buyers are busy people who sometimes don’t make calls right away. Chances are that you’ll help them reduce their to-do list by contacting them first. That will put a smile on your face and theirs.
There are more tips in the two page pre-holiday Q&A to increase your holiday sales.
You’ll notice that in either case the solution is in your hands. Make a decision, take charge, and aim for the happiness you deserve.
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