Gift Baskets Newsletter » Money

Earning More with Gift Baskets Means Making One Small Change

Shirley George Frazier — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:12:27 +0000

Starting now, ask yourself this question (and answer it as well) before buying inventory:

In how many different designs can I include this product?

The answer determines if you’ll make $100,000 in revenue this year or if you’ll earn closer to $250,000.

Here’s an example that explains inventory selection…

That was the topic of this week’s Basket Biz newsletter, and if you are a subscriber, you read the example and was able to put this very-important step into place for your business so you can start earning more from making and selling gift baskets.

Not a subscriber? Click this link to start your free subscription that delivers Basket Biz to your email every Thursday.

© 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.

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One Way to Fund Your Gift Basket Business

Shirley George Frazier — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:17:28 +0000

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?

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Web Sales, Basket Wrapping, Financial Tips

Shirley George Frazier — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 20:14:13 +0000

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.

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Start-Up Money, Get Organized, How to Donate

Shirley George Frazier — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:48:08 +0000

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.

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Cash Can Still be Found for Baskets

Shirley George Frazier — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:51:19 +0000

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:

A new computer with plenty of memory to house your customer database, financial management software, and speed to watch online business and design videos?

New workspace racks and other equipment to organize your expansive design area?

Advertisements in all of the newspapers, magazines, and radio spots to reach new customers who match your buyers’ profile?

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.

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