Feb

10

Who Thinks You’re Wasting Time with Gift Baskets?

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You’re surrounded by two types of people: the ones who believe in your dreams and the others who can find every reason why your goals won’t work.

It seems that the people who are negative about what you want to accomplish make the most impact on your decisions. Why is that?

My gift basket business may not have started if I had listened to an uncle who was dead-set against it. Read the story here entitled, Who’s Telling You Not to Start a Gift Basket Business?”

If you’re surrounded by people who put down your dream, how do you plan to push your fears aside and begin turning your dream into a reality?

Feb

15

Crafts Equals Cash, Time to Sell, Name Your Baskets

Filed Under Planning, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Startup Help | Leave a Comment

CAN CRAFTS MEAN MORE CASH?

Two years ago, I helped a gift basket designer write a press release with the title, “Her Craft is in the Basket,” and it was published in her state’s largest newspaper, along with her picture. The story piggybacked on March’s National Crafts Month. She received lots of calls, and best of all, she gained lots of sales.

Wednesday’s newsletter explains how this crafty focus can turn into big business for you, even if you want to be associated with business and not crafts.

BAD TIME TO SELL BASKETS?

I’m receiving lots of Emails from aspiring and current designers who, because of the economy, are nervous about starting and selling. Most of all, family members and friends are discouraging too many of us who believe carving out a career now is the right thing to do.

Here’s the story of how I started with gift baskets when a family member tried to convince me I was crazy. Does my experience remind you of your own?

THE NAME GAME

One of my Valentine’s Day baskets, named “Prisoner of Love,” was such a hot seller every season that it often sold out weeks before February 14, no matter how much inventory I bought.

That’s one of the reasons I encourage you to name your baskets, the subject of this Ask The Gift Basket Expert question. Read it to learn why design names are an important part of the sales process, plus read the numerous comments below my suggestions.

Oct

19

Gift Basket Selling, Special Services, Zoning Issues

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SHOW, TELL, SELL
This economy made lead you to hold lots of customers’ hands. They will think that it’s impossible to afford gifts, and it’s your responsibility to prove those thoughts wrong.

Wednesday’s newsletter shares a proven sales approach that’s working for designers who are writing sales right now, and you’ll also learn what to do if asked for substitutions.

HOW SPECIAL IS IT?
Do some clients request products that aren’t part of your inventory? Most of these items are classified as special services. I’ve had success selling some products, and so have other designers.

The key is to inform customers about charges for special items and payment terms so they know whether or not to proceed. You’ll read about a near special services fiasco in this article and what to do before you agree to providing this service.

ZEROING IN ON ZONING
My fall season gift basket classes have begun and with it a new group asking about zoning issues. The classic question is, “How can I make sure my block is zoned for home-based businesses?” This article points to two solutions if you’re trying to solve a zoning problem.

Sep

21

Gift Basket Sales, State-Made Baskets, Business Structure

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PUT SALES ON YOUR SIDE
Will your clients start ordering now that the financial markets are stabilizing? Wednesday’s newsletter shared two tips you can do now to begin loosening their purse strings (women) and wallets (men). Seven of you contacted me as of Friday, saying that these ideas have already made a difference.

HOW STATES HELP YOU SELL
One U.S. state is looking to populate their online space with Web site addresses belonging to gift basket makers. The same may be true in your state or country. Read which state is recruiting and how to learn if your region is doing the same, giving you another way to promote and profit.

WHAT’S YOUR BUSINESS STRUCTURE?
Sole proprietorship is the most-popular business structure for us, but perhaps it’s time to convert to limited liability (LLC) or a corporation. Ask The Gift Basket Expert forms an answer for a designer who wants to know if an attorney is needed when forming an LLC.

Sep

14

Emotional Selling, Creating a Friendly Site, Gift Basket Business

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PUT SOME FEELING IN IT

What do you sell? Is it gift baskets, or are you selling happiness, joy, and comfort wrapped in a beautiful package? Wednesday’s newsletter focuses on the emotions that clients express through your gifts and how to capitalize on what you really sell.

The offer to receive the report, Top 10 Secrets of Gift Basket Marketing that Puts Money in Your Pocket, when ordering the CD, 99 Marketing Ideas to Make More Money, expires today.

HOW TO STEER SALES TO YOUR REGISTER

There’s nothing that turns a person against your Web site more than the inability to find what they want. That’s why adding an easy-to-create site map, with a link to it on your home page, is considered friendly assistance.

Here’s more detail on making this special page a priority before the holidays.

INFORMATION FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS

Are you new to the gift basket industry? I welcome you and have created extensive information on the GiftBasketBusiness.com site and blog for your benefit.

This link introduces you to several Web sites of interest, including an industry dictionary, gift basket podcasts (online radio shows), and more that exist just for you.

Mar

9

Gift Basket Supplies, How to Network With Others

Filed Under Startup Help, Wholesale Suppliers | Leave a Comment

FINDING WHAT YOU NEED TO DESIGN
There are times you need sausage, cheese, crackers, and other main stays to create a design, but you also require specialty products when making a masterpiece the client will always remember.

Wednesday’s newsletter leads you to product sources in your state and in other regions to sell more of your gifts and baskets every day.

HOW TO MAKE NETWORKING EASIER
Is it difficult for you to meet new people during networking sessions? Sometimes it’s not easy for me either, but I bet that three steps I outline in How Not to Work a Room will help you make the most of each event.

HELP THIS DESIGNER
A designer asked a question on how to name gift baskets made with Amish products. Do you have any ideas? Read her dilemma (and respond if you wish) at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. Do you have a question about gift baskets? Send it through the Question Submission Rules link at the top of each page.

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Feb

10

Welcome to Gift Baskets, Create a Brochure

Filed Under Donation Requests, Marketing Materials, Startup Help | Leave a Comment

DONATIONS MAY DOUBLE YOUR SALES
When an organization requests you to donate a gift basket, do you run in the other direction or review your strategy to get the most for your donation? Wednesday’s newsletter hands down three tips to make sure your donated basket produces results.

HELPFUL LINKS FOR NEW AND CURRENT DESIGNERS
Are you new to the gift basket business, this newsletter, or the GiftBasketBusiness.com Web site? This message welcomes you to the industry and provides links to informative areas on the Internet with videos, articles, money sources, and more.

DO YOU HAVE A BROCHURE?
Making a brochure is easier today than in past years. Have you created one to mail to prospects and to remind clients what’s available for special occasions? This article explains what’s in my brochure, which I encourage you to copy for your own promotions.

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