Oct

14

An Easy Way to Find Baskets

Baskets were everywhere when I started designing. I’m talking about empty baskets, the vessels that are the foundation for building the beautiful masterpieces our clients crave.

Now, due to consolidation, attractive baskets seem to be more difficult to find, especially in my state where I can see and touch what I’m buying before spending my money. Is this your problem, too?

A solution is closer than you think, and that’s the subject of this week’s newsletter.

You’ll find more about baskets here:

BasketsGiftBaskets.com
Basket Suppliers at GiftBasketBusiness.com
How to Price Nested Baskets

Jul

22

Another Way to Sell Mini Baskets

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How to you rid your inventory of the small-sized baskets that are too tiny to create a gift basket design?

That’s the subject of this week’s newsletter.

Designers no longer keep these dainty vessels in stock because they’ve learned a better method for turning these products into instant sales tools.

You’ll learn more about this technique and the new Basket Biz print newsletter, which is distributed online and by mail to premium subscribers.

Get your copy by enrolling here.

Product of the Week:

If you expect to sell many gift baskets this holiday season, results will be dismal if you fail to plan. Putting a strategy in place ahead of time and following that strategy in a step-by-step format is the only way to fill your bank account while making lots of clients and receivers happy. If you’re ready to develop a winning strategy, it’s time to book an appointment with me.

I have openings in my schedule to talk with nine serious-minded designers by phone or in person (if you’re in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut/Pennsylvania area) to get your plan in order before the big selling season begins.

Here are the dates and times (EST), and for this short-term opportunity this mentorship is $197, which is lower than the regular $350 investment. Choose a date and time, then click this link to schedule your appointment.

Once these dates are filled, there will be no additional opportunities to increase your business success.

Sunday, July 26 – 2:15-3:15 pm
Sunday, July 26 – 7:00-8:00 pm

Tuesday, July 28 – 12:30-1:30 pm
Tuesday, July 28 – 8:00-9:00 pm

Wednesday, July 29 – 2:30-3:30 pm

Thursday, July 30 – 11:15-12:15 pm
Thursday, July 30 – 7:30-8:30 pm

Friday, July 31 – 8:00-9:00 am

Saturday, August 1 – 7:45-8:45 pm

Click here now to schedule your appointment.

Jan

25

How to Increase Sales, Buy Baskets, Drop Shipping

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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.

Nov

2

How to Buy Baskets, Increase Sales, Anchor Products

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BASKET BUYING 101

After 18 years, I still break into a sweat when entering my favorite wholesale basket shop. I’m excited to see the new styles, shapes, colors, and sizes available for my clients, and I fill my cart with assortments that I know will sell quickly.

Wednesday’s newsletter focuses on basket buying and provides you with three tips to make sure you pick the best possible selection.

LOW SALES SOLUTIONS

If customers are not ordering as much as they did last year, what will you do – take it on the chin or make preparations to convince them to place orders?

Here’s an article that outlines three ways to give customers value while keeping your revenue on par with last year’s sales.

SOLID AND STURDY

Keeping products anchored in place can be a maddening task when you don’t know how it’s done.

A designer asks about techniques for product placement at Ask The Gift Basket Expert where I provide pointers for great designs. Read my advice to see if what I suggest is the way you assemble gift baskets.

Oct

29

Time to Buy Baskets?

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It’s okay to love baskets as much as you love ribbon. Each style and shape, sitting tall and pretty on warehouse shelves, seems to call your name, convincing you to include it with other baskets in your workspace.

There’s nothing wrong with buying inventory; it’s overbuying that causes trouble.

If you’re getting ready to buy baskets or re-stock existing inventory, here’s a three-part plan to stay in the profit zone.

1. Count how many designs you created starting in January, and determine if sales are strong enough to fill the same amount through the next three quarters.

Your basket buying tutorial starts on this page.

2. Document the style, cost, and supplier of the baskets you’ll buy. Ask a representative how many are in stock now so you have a general idea about future availability if needed at a moment’s notice.

See a collection of styles on the Baskets site.

3. Consider buying nested assortments. Nested baskets may save you money while making the most of your storage space.

Don’t understand the term “nested baskets,” or need help pricing them? You’ll find the definition and a handy price guide on this page.

With careful planning, you’ll buy a broad variety of baskets and sell them fast while satisfying customers and your bottom line.

Aug

3

Gift Basket Sales Tips, Where to Find Baskets, Corporate Sales

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SAVVY SALES TIPS
Before you buy that package of cocktail forks, ask yourself: How many of my designs are appropriate to sell this item quickly? Wednesday’s newsletter focuses on what to think before you buy and gives examples of outlandish items I may have bought before making better decisions. Also read the newsletter for three sales tips.

THREE WAYS TO FIND BASKETS
A Louisiana-based designer wants to know where to find baskets in her area. Wholesale suppliers are probably closer to her location than she realizes. On Ask The Gift Basket Expert, I provide her with three ideas to start her search. Join the conversation, and submit your own question.

OUT-OF-TOWNER OPPORTUNITIES
Meeting planners and other conference coordinators welcome attendees with basket and non-basket gifts. Are you ready to meet this lucrative demand? Here’s a number of ideas that make planners and guests happy while keeping your bank deposits high.

Jul

13

Gift Basket Pictures, Buying Baskets, Learning Online

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ARE YOUR GIFT BASKETS READY FOR A CLOSEUP?
Remember when Polaroid and 110-film cameras were the only picture-taking products available to snap photos for clients? It’s wonderful how technology has changed, allowing us to easily add photos on flyers, postcards, and Web sites. Wednesday’s newsletter exposes the versatility of digital images and how to use them to impress clients and sell more.

WHERE DO YOU BUY BASKETS?
It took some time, but I found four basket distributors less than 10 miles from my location. The same may be true for you, especially if you haven’t started your research to find a local source. You’ll find tips in this article to uncover local suppliers and consider trade shows as alternatives when close sources don’t exist.

AN EASY WAY TO LEARN ONLINE
Don’t have time to enroll in adult school classes? Hewlett-Packard makes learning simple through your computer. They offer an extensive list of business and technology courses at no charge to help you become more productive. Find out more about their courses through this article.