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Get These Books to Prosper!
Sep
9
One Way to Fund Your Gift Basket Business
Filed Under Money | Comments Off
Designers who’ve recently entered the gift basket business have lots of questions, and these next three are frequently asked:
- Do I need a license?
- Where do I find products?
- Are there any grants?
When posted on message boards, all three answers are quickly addressed by veteran designers or by experts conducting classes, with the question about grant money usually resulting in a negative response.
Surprisingly, there are occasional exceptions to the rule. A few years ago, I read an article about a gift basket designer in New Jersey who won a contest sponsored by American Express and the Women’s National Basketball Association. Her winnings were $10,000 and a laptop computer.
Also, the Milwaukee Department of Commerce’s Entrepreneurial Training Grant Program awarded $11,530 to 17 Wisconsin-based business owners. Five of the awardees received $637 and the opportunity to create a business plan through the training program. One recipient plans to start a gift basket business with her grant.
The bottom line is that available monies exist through grants if you are diligent in your search. One woman entered a contest, and another enrolled in a grant program. Both took the time to search for resources and complete the necessary paperwork. The same benefits are also available to you.
Start your search for contests and grant monies through the money sources pages at GiftBasketBusiness.com.
Be aware of business programs sponsored by departments in your state or country. The information is usually posted online. Use search engines to uncover small business contests available on credit card and business sites. For example, a breakfast bar manufacturer once sponsored a business grant program.
The money’s out there, and when the event is launched, someone will enter and win. Will that person be you?
Mar
8
Web Sales, Basket Wrapping, Financial Tips
Filed Under Cellophane, Shrink Wrap, Bags, Money, Web Site Design/Maintenance | Comments Off
WEB SALES WORK WONDERS
Is your Web site’s contact page easy to find and complete? A designer in Georgia asked me to look at her page. It asked visitors to call her.
I suggested that she convert the page to a Web form, available free of charge online and easy to install. She’s now receiving regular queries, one which secured a $3,000 welcome gift basket order.
Wednesday’s newsletter reveals reasons why a Web site review and subsequent changes will increase your sales in the long run. It’s prime time to get your Web presence in order.
RAPPING ABOUT WRAP
Among the most-popular questions I hear at trade show seminars is, “How do you wrap that?” This is most often asked when I display containers such as upturned umbrellas, rocking chairs, and miniature vehicles.
I once thought that everything had to be wrapped, but that’s not true, specifically when the basket is hand delivered. This article provides insight on how to enclose these attractive, yet unusual, shapes.
CREATE YOUR OWN ECONOMIC ENVY
Designers in the Golden Basket Club have a proactive attitude about their businesses. They convince prospects to buy during casual conversations, and that’s what makes a sales drought less likely.
Some designers have opted for a different stance, one where they hope sales will increase on its own. Read this question and answer about the current economy at Ask The Gift Basket Expert, then decide if it’s better to wait or go after sales.
Feb
22
Start-Up Money, Get Organized, How to Donate
Filed Under Donation Requests, Money, Organize Your Workspace | Comments Off
IN THE MARKET FOR MONEY
Years ago, American Express and the Women’s Basketball League sponsored a small business contest. A gift basket designer, located about 30 minutes from my office, won the top prize of cash and a computer. I think about her good fortune every time I ride past her thriving location.
Wednesday’s newsletter reminds you that well-funded corporations continue to sponsor contests and other events that benefit your business. Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks, is running one now. Have you entered?
WELL OILED BUNCH OF BASKETS
A client called me to place an order. I grabbed an order form from a drawer directly under the phone. When the order was written on paper, I placed it on the front of a shelf above my worktable, similar to the way restaurant orders are positioned. That’s when I knew I had a good sales system in place.
This article shares more ways to ensure that your business is in working order, saving you lots of time and lowering your stress. If you’re disorganized, let these tips get you under control.
DONATION OR DUMPSTER?
Your inventory houses many products. Now that it’s 2009, is it time to clear out old goods that are too dated and dingy to sell? Some items may qualify as donations.
Click to read this story, which helps you decide how to discard items that clog your shelves and creative success. It’s time to dump it for good.
Feb
18
Cash Can Still be Found for Baskets
Filed Under Money | Comments Off
Companies such as Visa, Microsoft, and Oxygen don’t allow the economy to dictate their ongoing business contests, where large cash prizes are awarded through contests to new and current business owners who apply for the winnings.
These are just three companies that continue funding good business plans, and you have the potential to win. That’s what I realized after announcing to designers, years ago, that a $3,000 grant was available from an Internet-based company. A gift basket designer entered the contest, won the money, and promptly invested it in her business.
How would you use cash won in a contest? Would you buy:
Contests are one way to raise cash, and there are other methods. Start with this money source page, then visit other pages in the section.
Also see the article, Where to Find Cash on the Internet, for more ideas on increasing investment cash without digging into your own pocket.
Feb
8
Ideas to Increase Sales, How to Do the Math
Filed Under Money, Statistics | 2 Comments
ANOTHER ROUTE TO REVENUE
The first time I heard a customer say, “I didn’t know you sold that!” was the day I realized I needed a Web page that revealed my site’s entire structure. I thought the home page navigation was enough. When I added a map page, it allowed customers to come through the front or back door.
Wednesday’s newsletter explains the very-easy process of creating a map for your Web site that acts as an extra magnet, drawing customers to areas on your site they didn’t know existed. Sometimes you have to lead prospects and clients by the hand, and a site map helps you guide them virtually.
NUMBER CRUNCHING SHOWS WHERE YOU CASH IN
Looking at data may not be the most-glamorous part of your business, but it’s certainly as important as design and delivery.
Data lets you see what’s selling most often so that you can sell more of the same, and it shows what’s not so popular so you can either reconfigure it or get rid of it.
This article gives you a look at how 1-800-Flowers.com compiles their data, and their numbers show you why it’s vital to know where your sales stand.
HOW RED EARNS REWARDS
Whether this is your first Valentine’s Day selling gift baskets or your fifth, this article uncovers numerous ways to cash in and bring loved ones together.
It will also help you choose products that, if not sold by February 14th, can still be part of your inventory because your selected items by color and not by message.
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