Jul
20
Trade Shows, Asking Questions, Imprinting Machines
Filed Under Customers, TRADE SHOWS, Wholesale Suppliers | Leave a Comment
FROM CHAOS TO CALM
There are certain expectations when you begin making gift baskets. First, you wonder if you’ll get sales, and when they arrive, you wonder how to organize everything, including travel. Wednesday’s newsletter provides trade show alternatives when you cannot travel, which includes magazines to get this month to read gift basket articles.
WHAT’S YOUR QUESTION?
Learning about the receiver, before you begin designing, ensures that the gift basket matches their preferences. What do you ask, and are the questions organized on paper rather than by memory? Here’s what I asked a client before dazzling 25 members of her day care staff.
HOW TO PRINT UP SALES
What type of ribbon imprinter is in your workspace, and can it do more than imprint on ribbon? One designer is searching for a special imprinter to satisfy her clients with different types of personalization. Her question is at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. Can you help her?
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.
May
11
Competitive Edge, Delivery Basics, Turning Down Clients
Filed Under Competition, Customers, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
HOW DO YOU KEEP A COMPETITIVE EDGE?
I once interviewed two gift baskets shop owners with stores just steps away from each other. Although they were close in proximity, the two stores focused on thriving rather than hurting each other financially. Wednesday’s newsletter shares three tips I learned from two other designers who handle competition in ways that you will appreciate and be able to do on your own.
GAS PUMP LESSONS
Are you maximizing every opportunity to conserve gas when delivering gift baskets or traveling to presentations? Here are several ways to save money or adjust your delivery prices suggested by shop owners (including a florist) who shared advice in my local newspaper.
SOMETIMES “NO” IS THE ANSWER
Requests for a $100 basket at a price of $25 are hard to fill, and that’s one of the reasons why Top 10 Letters is popular item to help to quickly decline a sale. Turning down opportunities is what participants in other industries are doing more frequently in this economy. Read what they’re facing and how you can also keep your blood pressure from boiling.
Mar
30
Containers, Take Clients to Lunch, Overcome Obstacles
Filed Under Containers, Customers, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
NO-BASKET OPTIONS ADD INTEREST
Umbrellas and rocking chairs are some of the unique containers I selected to grow my business quickly. There’s nothing wrong with baskets; I simply knew my customers and what motivated them to buy. Wednesday’s newsletter provides ideas for non-basket vessels that clients will appreciate.
LUNCH, LEARN, AND SELL
Question: How much will it cost you to treat a client to lunch? The answer: Pennies next to the sales and referrals that come from this almost-unheard of gesture. Read these tips if you’re ready to encourage orders while meeting with clients in a casual atmosphere.
HOW TO JUMP OVER AN OBSTACLE
Some prospects make it difficult for you to start a business relationship. You’ll have no choice but to give up on a few, but for others, it will take just one more step to get their attention and allegiance. Try the Side Door if the Front Door is Closed shares ideas on how to proceed.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, how to get more sales, how to overcome obstacles
Mar
16
Creative Gift Tags, Update Your Web Site
Filed Under Customers, Marketing Materials | Leave a Comment
STORIES FROM THE OTHER SIDE
A new client called me, insisting on specific items for her gift basket, items that normally cost $60. She wanted it all for $30. Then she said the words that canceled the sale: “I’ll send you a check.” Wednesday’s newsletter shares three more examples and solutions to situations that don’t happen every day but are important to know to keep your sanity while doing what you love.
CREATIVE WAYS TO CONNECT
Finding attractive gift tags and cards to accompany gifts and baskets is sometimes difficult, but that’s when your ingenuity takes charge. There are retail and wholesale sources, or you might make your own brand of tags. See this photograph showing the types of cards I use, and learn where to find your own.
RENEW YOUR ONLINE APPEARANCE
Is it time to update your Web site? You’re not alone. I’m going over my sites with a fine-toothed comb, and I’ll use the list provided here that outlines changes you may want to make on your site.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, gift tags, create a web site
