Many gift basket designers believe that their businesses can stand on its own, selling to individuals and corporations who believe in their products.

Others feel that working with a franchise is a great option because the franchise name is instantly recognized, bringing many more sales than a standalone business may achieve.

While that may be true, there are many pros and cons to joining a franchise that go far beyond money.

You’ll learn more about this topic on the Gift Basket Business Facebook group page.

If franchises are not for you right now, perhaps being a member of a drop ship firm is more appealing. Drop ship membership pros and cons are found on several pages at GiftBasketBusiness.com, which also includes an introductory video.

© 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. How to Increase Sales, Buy Baskets, Drop Shipping
3. Are Containers in Your Future?

CREATE A GARDEN OF GROWTH

I remember when I thought my promotions weren’t helping my business. Nothing was working. All of a sudden, the phone rang off the hook, and sales seemed to be coming from everywhere. Did my clients wake up from a long nap, or were the seeds I planted months ago finally sprouting?

Wednesday’s newsletter plants seeds to inspire you to market every day in whatever method works in your region. I can tell you, from personal experience shared in the newsletter and above, that your efforts will not be in vain.

“B” IS DEFINITELY FOR BASKETS

All week you’ve been reading about baskets, the favored industry vessel that anchors most designs. Articles have centered around where to buy, how to add accents, designing with value in mind, and more.

Here’s the last entry, all about wrapping difficult shapes, and at the bottom you’ll find links to an entire week of ideas.

DROP SHIP SHORT CUTS

Drop shipping is here to stay. There’s lots of pro and con conversation about working with these firms and making sure they deliver what’s promised.

I just answered a question at Ask The Gift Basket Expert on how to choose a drop shipper. Read what I suggest, think about your experience, or consider my advice before selecting a drop ship company.

© 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. How to Make Clients Happy, Wine Baskets, Drop Shipping
2. Welcome to the Gift Baskets Newsletter
3. Is a Gift Basket Franchise in Your Future?