Mar
8
Web Sales, Basket Wrapping, Financial Tips
Filed Under Cellophane, Shrink Wrap, Bags, Money, Web Site Design/Maintenance | Leave a Comment
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 | Leave a Comment
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 | Leave a Comment
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.
Nov
23
Earning a Profit, Giving to Charity, Male Buyers
Filed Under Donation Requests, Money | Leave a Comment
YOU’RE WORTH MORE
Anyone who’s been making gift baskets long enough to remember the AOL gift basket board will recall a designer who asked if it made financial sense to put $19 worth of product into a $25 gift basket. Many of us immediately advised her about lowering her costs in order to increase profits.
Wednesday’s newsletter encourages you to check your own profit margin to ensure that your income is as high as possible this holiday season and every other day you’re in business.
GET INVOLVED
This charitable season brings people together to create gifts and baskets for the needy. Are you involved? Your design expertise will put smiles on faces of children and other family members who receive gifts wrapped by you if you donate a few hours of time to a local charity.
Here’s a link to a story, with photos, of such an event to get you into the spirit. You’ll also see a photo, in the blog, of the trunk that’s part of the grand prize in the gift basket business contest.
MALE CALL
Men continue to be avid gift basket buyers. One designer notices many more men coming into her shop, and she wants to capitalize on sales to them.
Her question on increasing sales to men is at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. Read my response, and join the conversation.
Nov
19
Make Sure You Earn What You’re Worth
Filed Under Money | 2 Comments
As a gift basket designer, you deserve to make as much as possible from your expertise, creativity, and time invested honing your craft and expanding your education.
After all, what you create has a huge impact on the lives of many people and industries. Your gift baskets:
Review your profit margin before another day ends to ensure that you properly compensate yourself for this very unique and special talent.
Are you able to make a gift basket, charging three times the price of wholesale goods, or is your profit margin closer to a two times the markup? In either case, covering all costs and still having some left over to provide for personal needs is a good indicator.
From there, you continue searching for quality inventory at lower costs that continues to excite customers.
Contrary to some beliefs, everyone cannot design a custom, visually-appealing masterpiece that cements new and lasting bonds between people and companies. Your earnings must reflect this unique ability.
Articles that focus on making sure you make money:
10 Steps to Become a Successful Designer
Your Options to Find Cash on the Internet
Remember to enter the gift basket contest. The grand prize is valued at $300, and there are two more prizes. Deadline is 11/30. Get details here.
Sep
17
I’ve been contacted by some of you and a few of my clients who are concerned about sales this holiday due to financial worries of the firms who buy from you.
This concern is valid, but we’ve been here before, and the financial crisis will surely happen again. The good news is that you’re probably in a good position to make quick, strategic changes. There are no board of directors in your way, telling you not to move forward in the manner you choose.
So what are your options to attract old clients and new prospects?
1. Write a letter of encouragement and send it to current customers. Tell them that during these uncertain times, you’re ready to help them increase their business by delivering gifts and baskets to prospects they now have a chance to pursue.
An example letter was recently added to Top 10 Letters.
2. Make sure that you create multi-sized gift arrangements in your seasonal assortment. Designs made in small baskets to large, rectangular tins are corporate favorites. In addition, you can place a minimum order number on mugs to ensure that you sell multiples rather than singles (minimum of 3, 6, 12, etc.).
Selling multiples is easy when you remind clients, in conversation or on your Web site, how many people to place on their gift list (support staff, cleaning crew, doorman, etc.).
You’ll see a range of small, tall, and large designs on this baskets page.
There will always been a reason for some people to shout, “The sky is falling!” It’s better to concentrate on where the money is falling.
Save Time – Gift Basket Biz Plan
Popular Gift Basket Books
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