Can you imagine creating 300 gift baskets all by yourself?

When an order for that quantity arrived in my office, that’s when I drew the line on doing everything myself.

On one hand, it was thrilling to receive such an order. It was the big sale I dreamed about when I first started making gift baskets.

But then reality set in. I remember asking myself:

• How will I get the order ready?
• Where will the gift baskets be made?
• Where in the world will I store them?

One thing I didn’t do, as I realized the big jump my business was taking, was panic. Other designers made their way through this hurdle. It was now my turn.

How would you address this situation? Here are three things to keep in mind.

1. Space. A dedicated place that is available solely for gift basket making is critical. This cannot be done in an area that disrupts daily life, as either your family relationships or love for making gift baskets will suffer.

2. Help. Part timers, interns, and family members are the first candidates to support this effort. Without them, you will neither eat nor sleep to complete the order, and that will negatively affect your health.

3. Storage. Clothes closets and bathtubs are not the place for this order. A separate section in the place where the baskets are designed is appropriate, but if there’s no room, look for another location outside of your living space.

Start planning now on where large orders will be completed, because if the order hasn’t arrived yet, it will soon come your way.

LEARN MORE: If you want to know more about hiring part timers and interns for a wage you can absolutely afford to pay, join me on Thursday, October 28 for the one-hour teleseminar, How to Get All the Gift Basket Business You Need and Still Enjoy Your Life.

The free 20-minute preview call is scheduled for Monday, October 25 at 8:55 pm EST. Click here for all the details (including the one-hour business makeover bonus) at GiftBasketRadio.com so you can boost this necessary part of your business today.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is the world's expert on the gift basket industry, professional speaker, and author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business: Solutions You Can Use Today. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for DVDs, CDs, reports, tips, and more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Read these related articles:

1. Welcome to the Gift Baskets Newsletter

More than once, I’ve heard the question, “What if I market myself so well that I get lots of orders? How do I fill them?”
 
It’s smart for you to have this foresight, because if you don’t plan for mega sales, you won’t get them, and when you get orders to make 100+ baskets, you won’t know how to handle it.
 
Just as you must compile a list of places to buy backup products, creating a list of people who are willing and able to help you at a moment’s notice is also necessary. This list is different for everyone. Here’s an example of who may be added to yours.
 
1. Family members who live close to your location and are “pro” your success. Family can be very supportive, but the ones who watch you work while snacking on your inventory need not be called.
 
Here’s a list of five questions that increase sales as you prepare for mega orders.
 
2. Responsible high school students and college juniors and seniors. They are, by far, the most-helpful and energetic individuals I’ve recruited, and the same is true for many designers who’ve hired them. Work with school counselors to learn how to put your part-timers’ plan into action.
 
3. At-home moms and senior citizens. Both groups include dedicated individuals who enjoy getting the job done, and they will share smart ideas on streamlining the project for maximum success.
 
Search for these helpers through independent parents’ associations and senior centers. Both groups are usually found in your newspaper’s community news section.
 
Check out these ideas to grow your corporate gift basket sales.
 
Prepare to locate part-time help the same way you search for products – before you need them.

© 2008-2010 Shirley George Frazier. All rights reserved. Shirley George Frazier is the world's expert on the gift basket industry, professional speaker, and author of How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, The Gift Basket Design Book, and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business: Solutions You Can Use Today. Visit GiftBasketBusiness.com for DVDs, CDs, reports, tips, and more to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets.

Read these related articles:

1. Welcome to the Gift Baskets Newsletter
2. If You Want More Publicity for Your Gift Baskets, Check Out These Tips
3. Six Commandments for Holiday Success