Jul

29

Gift Basket Design Techniques that Increase Sales

Filed Under Baskets, Containers, Enhancements | Comments Off

What catches your eye when searching for home decor or landscaping products?

There’s something about the shape, color, and overall attractiveness that makes you select specific items. That’s the same principle that convinces customers to say yes to your gift baskets.

When asking for feedback on the reasons why a customer chose a particular gift, the person won’t always pinpoint your design elements, but their buying patterns will give you lots of insight on what makes them buy. Here are three factors that may be high on their preference list.

1. Think Tall. Height is a motivating criteria. I noticed this not only with my clients but also when judging gift baskets at conferences years ago where other designer judges gave high marks to tall designs.

Your baskets or container gifts qualify to be wide when the required size is large. Outside of that, build up, not out. That’s a strategy that seems to be consistent in our industry.

Read more about this in the article, Tall Baskets Add Height and Sales Value.

2. Color KaChing. Let food and fashion alert you to each season’s popular color choices. This is one tip I remember hearing from the president of The Color Association of the United States. For me, she was right.

The more I stayed aware of seasonal colors and applied them to my gift baskets through shred, tissue, and bows, the more my sales increased. Look at your inventory, check the holiday color palette, and match them together.

3. Name Fame. Themes are a big attraction with individuals and corporations, and both want a name associated with each design.

Your baskets may start with names such as Welcome to the World or A Star is Born for newborns. As you expand your designs, news articles and personal conversations will help to broaden your design name options. Remember that people resonate with theme names, so make sure each of your gift baskets has one.

The answer in this article to the question, Why Name a Gift Basket? sheds more light on this topic.

What other elements of gift basket design convince your customers to buy?

Apr

29

Free Advice Can Be Hazardous to Your Business

Filed Under Enhancements, Startup Help | Comments Off

FREE ADVICE ISN’T ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE

How many times have you shared your dream of gift basket business success with someone who gave you advice that didn’t work? You’re not alone.

Click here to find out how I learned not to listen to other people so that you benefit faster than I did.

WHERE TO FIND ENHANCEMENTS

Buying from a retail craft store is sometimes advantageous, but being in business requires you to buy products for a low cost that can be sold for maximum profit.

A designer recently asked where she can buy enhancements, and here’s my response.

Oct

5

Double Your Selling Power, Embellished Bags, Wine Baskets

Filed Under Enhancements, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Wine/Alcohol | Comments Off

TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE
If one auto dealer buys your gift baskets to thank customers for their car purchases, is it wise to pursue sales from other auto dealers? You bet. Wednesday’s newsletter doubles your options to sell baskets to multiple industry participants, increasing your bottom line faster and easier.

BEADS IN THE BAG
Are embellished bags in your inventory, or is this product one that’s perfect for your spa gift baskets but difficult to find? One wholesaler wants to sell to you but needs suggestions on how to get your attention. You’ll find her question at Ask The Gift Basket Expert where you can comment or ask more about these beaded beauties.

NO NEED TO WINE
Several bars in my region are for sale, and a liquor license comes with the purchase. That’s one way a non-homebased gift basket business can get this coveted item, but this article explains where to find non-alcoholic products, making a liquor license not worth the wait.

Jun

22

Trade Shows, Your Own Toolbox, Getting Past Gatekeepers

Filed Under Customers, Enhancements, TRADE SHOWS | Comments Off

TIME TO TALK TRADE SHOWS
There was a time when trade shows intimidated me. I didn’t want to go because exhibitors tried to sell me products that weren’t on my buying list. Wednesday’s newsletter puts your product needs in center focus, helping you to determine how to navigate each aisle so that you leave knowing you’ve made smart buying decisions for your best sales year.

GIFT BASKET DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE
After 18 years in business, a design repair toolbox is still part of my workspace arsenal, and it’s inside each vehicle during deliveries. The photo shown with this article is my exactly toolbox; you’ll see some of the items always on board. Read the article and tell all of us what’s in your toolbox.

NO MORE GATEKEEPER GAMES
We’ve all heard of the gatekeeper, the person who stands between you and the one with the power to buy your gift baskets. Do you know that there are ways to bypass this person? I share my top three ways to meet your prospect so that the gatekeeper is no longer a factor. Now’s the time to try these ideas so that you’re sure to earn your Christmas bonus.