Jan

11

Designer Tips, Overseas Baskets, Courier Help

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HOW WILL YOU SUCCEED IN 2009?

In 1995, after lackluster holiday sales, I vowed to turn my business around and decided to promote gift baskets on cable television in front of millions of viewers. That goal led me to numerous airings on The Food Network and New York morning shows. The result – thousands more dollars in sales over the previous year.

Wednesday’s newsletter encourages you to also dream big, revealing five tips from gift basket designers who share how they plan to increase sales in 2009 in hopes that their ideas will help you to develop a success strategy. You’ll also find a link to the first five tips, doubling your options.

ELEGANT EASTERN DESIGNS

Gift baskets made in the United States dominate worldwide attention, so it’s always terrific to see designs made in other countries. These beautiful gifts extend our collective creativity and provide new ways to construct masterpieces, usually without investing in additional products or supplies.

Click here for a link to a gift basket made in Seoul, Korea, and my thoughts on it and where you can buy supplies.

TIME TO CALL A COURIER

Businesses in all industries are re-grouping, looking at ways to increase sales or at least keep sales at last year’s pace. This is good news for you if you’ve been unable to find a dependable and affordable delivery service.

Use this article, written early last year, as a guide to locate a courier that’s ready to work with you, ending long delivery trips so you can concentrate on business.

Jan

7

5 More Designers Share Tips for 2009

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Last week, five designers shared their views on how to proceed with business in the first half of 2009. Some are moving forward with caution, while others will continue doing what’s always worked for them.

Here are the final five visions for success. I believe that within the 10 tips, you’ll carve a path to higher profits.

“I bought some merchandise before the holidays because of suggestions from prospects. They didn’t buy my baskets, so that was a big mistake. This year I’ll concentrate on satisfying current buyers instead of buying on speculation.”

Not sure what to buy? It can be a tough choice in the first years. Start with the basics, as suggested on this frequently-asked questions page.

*If it weren’t for my computerized inventory system, I would have overlooked selling products that were sitting in a big box (and should not have been in that box). My suggestion to everyone is use an inventory system for higher profits during the holidays and every day.”

“Don’t spend every dime you have on products. You are going to need some of your money every month for marketing, attending meetings, going to trade shows, and investing in conferences. That’s what I’ll concentrate on this year.”

You’ll find a list of U.S. trade shows at WebSitesForRetailers.com and at GiftBasketClass.com a listing of gift basket seminars I’ll conduct.

“Actually, I did pretty well this holiday because I get lots of referral business, but it doesn’t just come to me. I ask for it every time someone buys from me. I’ll keep doing that.”

“I started to call it quits early in 2008. Then I started doing things I considered tough like talking about my business to everyone. That got me lots of sales, so I’ll continue doing that this year. If you’re not your best cheerleader, who is?”

Jan

4

New Year Sales, Baby Gift Baskets, Selling Wholesale

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HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY START THE NEW YEAR

You’re certainly not alone if your 2008 sales were lower than what you sold in 2007. Though it was challenging, there are ways to gain market share in the first half of 2009, which will help to increase income in the second half of the year.

Wednesday’s newsletter reveals how five designers view what is achievable and how they will proceed. Consider their words inspiration to kick start your new year.

BABIES BRING BUNDLES OF SALES

Newspapers concentrate on many of the same stories when the year changes, including who gave birth to the first baby within each city. This is good news for you, because the stories also concentrate on the popularity of gift baskets for babies.

This article at the Gift Basket Business blog includes a link to a baby story and also shares ideas for creating baby baskets through a series of videos you can watch online.

IS IT TIME TO CONSIDER COLLABORATIONS?

One way to sell more gift baskets, as mentioned in Wednesday’s newsletter, is to split the profits with a retail store owner who will provide space to display your designs.

This option may be good for you, especially if you’re home based. That’s why selling gift baskets outright at a wholesale cost may be a better deal for you today than selling on consignment.

Here’s an article with information that helps you make a decision about this lucrative opportunity.

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