Feb

4

How to Steer Customers to Buy

Filed Under Customers | Comments Off

Creating new and interesting gift baskets and adding them to your Web site encourages customers and browsers to visit each month and order frequently.

As your site’s page numbers begin to increase, the navigation starts getting more complicated.

Adding a site map may be the answer. The navigation system on your home page contains the site’s main structure, but it doesn’t always help clients find what they want for corporate events, conferences, and everyday celebrations.

This is why an additional site map can boost business.

A site map is a handy tool if visitors neglect to bookmark a page, and it helps you provide every possible strategy to alert customers to special pages, gift ideas, return policy information and more.

The start of a new year is a great time to adjust your Web site. Perhaps a site map will prove to be a welcomed addition.

Not sure how to create your site map? Click here to see one at GiftBasketBusiness.com, visit a competitor’s site to see their structure (I bet they don’t have a site map, which is good news for you), or type “site map” into a search engine for ideas from Web sites worldwide.

Still don’t have a Web site? The steps I share at WebSitesForRetailers.com will get you started.

Dec

28

How to Make Clients Happy, Wine Baskets, Drop Shipping

Filed Under Customers, DROP SHIPPING, Wine/Alcohol | Comments Off

DO YOU SHED TEARS OVER SALES?

A designer who started her business in mid 2007 told me she’d never seen so many men shed tears until she delivered gift baskets to them for Father’s Day. Referrals from those deliveries expanded her business, and that’s when she cried tears of joy.

Wednesday’s newsletter explains why emotions play a big part in sales and provides ideas on how to capitalize on emotional selling in 2009. Sometimes it’s okay to be a cry baby.

DO CUSTOMERS WHINE ABOUT WINE?

Veteran designers already know the problems associated with illegally placing wine in gift baskets, even if it’s a one-shot deal.

If you’re new to the business, read this article about the threat of jail time when selling without a liquor license.

The article is based outside of the U.S., but the same laws may be relevant worldwide.

IS DROP SHIPPING IN YOUR FUTURE?

With the recession gripping everyone’s lifestyle, some gift basket retailers may be considering having some of their orders filled by drop shippers. Is this an option for you?

One new entrepreneur is thinking of going this route. Read my advice at Ask The Gift Basket Expert, and weigh in on this question if you currently work with a drop shipper.

Dec

24

Why Gift Baskets and Emotion Work Together

Filed Under Customers, Marketing Materials | Comments Off

A person who comes to the door to receive your carefully-made gift basket never pouts. You’ll always see a smile on her face, even if the occasion is not joyous.

It proves, without a doubt, that gift baskets and emotion are permanently connected, and this angle is critically important when planning your themes and marketing.

If you’re planning on an avalanche of sales in 2009, finish the following tasks before the New Year’s ball drops in New York’s Times Square.

1. List the phrases you remember hearing from customers or recipients when they see the gift basket for the first time or express satisfaction by phone when re-ordering.

These phrases provide clues on how to position your marketing messages.

2. Decide which customer sentences about your wonderful presentation, service, or delivery will be added to each page of your Web site. Then add it as quickly as possible.

Comments and feedback turn fence sitters into buyers.

3. Plan a series of literature, sent by Email and traditional mail, that keeps your name and product visible every month.

When customers frequently see your name, they finally get the connection and order from you every time an occasion calls for gifts and baskets.

Here are three investments that will put you on track.

101 Ways to Market Gift Baskets, book or Ebook

99 Marketing Ideas to Make More Money CD, January-June. You’ll save $15 when ordering the July-December CD with the first one.

Low-Cost Secrets for Landing Corporate Accounts CD

Every order that arrives in my office before December 31 will include a special gift worth a minimum $30 from our inventory.

The type of emotion you feel each time you receive an order is the same feeling customers enjoy every time you ring their doorbell. Commit to marketing today so that both you and customers smile all year long.

Dec

21

Completing Orders, Wholesale Club Contracts, Easy-to-Make Gifts

Filed Under Customers, Wholesale Selling | Comments Off

CAN YOU SEE THE FINISH LINE?

No matter how much you prepare, someone will call your studio at the last minute trying to get an order filled. There’s a good chance that this person called others who turned him/her down.

Wednesday’s newsletter keeps you focused on what you can realistically accomplish in the short term and how to continue the sales cycle throughout the new year. Whether you commit to a cut-off date or accept orders until Santa arrives is your call (in either case, you won’t be alone).

WHOLESALE CLUB CASH

Do you dream of having a wholesale club buy from you? If you’re not prepared for the ups and downs, the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare.

A designer asks what to consider before going after a club contract. You’ll find my answer at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. What’s your take on this?

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Like you, I love making gift baskets, but the easy gifts are my absolute favorite. That’s why suggesting quick-and-easy tote bag gifts to clients at this time of the year makes everyone happy. It’s easy on their budget, and easy for all of us to make as much bank as possible.

This tote bag gift idea may be a terrific option for you going into 2009.

Dec

17

How to Prepare for Last Minute Orders

Filed Under Customers, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Comments Off

Like it or not, our clients are late buyers. They forget to buy holiday gifts for every deserving client, and the only thing that jolts memories are advertisements, whether in print or on the Web.

Christmas is no exception. Even if you mail postcards or connect by phone, clients wait until the week before Christmas to order. They buy on impulse or with budget challenges, but the bottom line is that they eventually buy.

Here are three ways to encourage customers to speed up the order process.

1. Local Flair. Ordering from a well-known, out-of-state source may seem attractive, but if one thing about the gift is wrong, the entire presentation is wrecked. As the local designer, you are able to immediately correct any problems.

Here’s a list of benefits that convince clients to buy from you and not outside sources.

2. Fresh Focus. Larger companies may have a lot of stock, but is it fresh? Are the jelly beans soft? Are the butter cookies moist? Play up this angle to whet their palate for your products.

Some of us believe we’re competing with warehouse clubs. Read why that’s not true.

3. Web Appeal. Internet orders are a snap for you, especially if the client is in close proximity. Your home page is best arranged by filling it with holiday selection links and quick order options.

Here’s how to encourage customers to contact you through your site.

If your inventory runs low, fill in where necessary through local wholesale merchandisers. You can also consider low inventory a measure of success when turning down last-minute orders, and start focusing on New Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day gifts.

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