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.

CELLO-BRATE YOUR WRAP STYLE

Yesterday, at the Philadelphia Gift Show, attendees watched as I demonstrated how to wrap a small gift with three types of cellophane.

One print was an inside wrap, another enclosed the entire gift, and the third one was a fan topper. None of it clashed, which proves that multiple wraps can work together and look attractive.

Wednesday’s newsletter clears up questions you may have about cellophane and shares tips to ensure that you don’t overspend at trade shows while considering which prints will bring you the highest profits.

NEW LAWS FOR LITTLE ONES

Everyone gets nervous when government starts to intervene with product laws. That’s what’s happening in the U.S., where baby goods are now under strict examination for lead particles.

Are the products currently in your inventory destined for the trash? This article uncovers the new rules for your baby baskets, including links to explanations so that you find yourself on the right side of the law.

BASKETS IN YOUR BACKYARD

The closest wholesale supplier to my shop is just five minutes away, but that’s not true for everyone. Or is it?

A designer recently asked how to find products in her state. You’ll find my suggestions to locate sources at Ask The Gift Basket Expert. It may provide clues to help you uncover a source you didn’t know is steps away from your workshop.

The wrap chosen for each gift basket design determines how quickly it will sell. Isn’t that why you stock dozens of rolls in your workshop?

From pansies to paw prints, there’s a perfect pattern for every gift, and it has the ability to increase sales for such a small price.

I added flower-printed cello around saucers and tea cups filled with hard candies. That small gift sold out within days when those same cups and saucers wouldn’t sell on clearance.

Consider these three ideas before reaching for cellophane.

1. Take inventory. You’ll be encouraged at upcoming trade shows to buy more rolls, so it’s wise to know what you have, which patterns needs replenishing, and which ones are similar to current stock.

2. Create a backdrop. Photographs and in-store displays accented with fan toppers add height and elegance to designs, which for customers translates into higher perceived value.

3. Choose various widths. Many designers select 20- and 30-inch width cellophane rolls. However, veteran designers go for the 40-inch widths to promote their larger gift baskets, which is why they sell grand designs more often than petite sizes.

You’ll find photos, videos, and examples on the new Cellophane Wrap Tips site as well as 10 more design tips.

WHAT’S YOUR SALES PLAN?
How can you ensure that your gift basket sales exceed what you’d make working for someone else? Wednesday’s newsletter provides a simple mathematical breakdown to determine your sales goals and achieve a rewarding career in this field.

RAPPING ABOUT WRAP
Cellophane is a popular first choice as a gift basket wrap, but a shrink wrap machine is also a great long-term investment. Here’s a quick look at your wrapping options and how to view competitors during your decision making.

DADS WILL LOVE THIS BOX
Father’s Day is just around the corner. Looking for a unique way to wrap a gift box instead of or to accompany a gift basket? This Retail Wraps tutorial explains how to create a box resembling a vest, shirt, and tie. He’ll love it, and so will your customers.

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