Feb

24

Do You Wrap Other People’s Gift Baskets?

Filed Under Cellophane, Shrink Wrap, Bags, Ribbon and Bows | Leave a Comment

When I arrived at a bookstore to promote the book, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, a woman attending the event asked me to use the gift basket she brought to show people how to make and wrap it.

I declined her request, as I had my own gift basket with me. In addition, my policy at the time was to only wrap my gift baskets and not ones presented elsewhere or brought into my store.

Within months my policy changed because I began receiving many cellophane wrapping and bowmaking requests. It became a lucrative part of business because customers preferred my professional styling.

You’ll find cellophane wrapping tips and a video at CellophaneWrapTips.com.

What’s your policy on wrapping gift baskets that you didn’t make?

Nov

4

How Many Rolls of Ribbon Do You Own?

Filed Under Ribbon and Bows | 2 Comments

How much ribbon have you purchased since starting your gift basket business?

Ribbon is an obsession with us. The colors, styles, shapes, sizes and prints are more beautiful each season, and the opportunity to crown a gorgeous design with a stylish, hand-made bow can only be achieved when you have the perfect ribbon in stock.

If you’re not yet the owner of 50+ rolls, find out on the Ribbon and Bows page at GiftBasketBusiness.com why designers keep their stock plentiful.

Then join the lively discussion about ribbon on the Gift Basket Business Facebook group page, which you’ll find here.

Aug

17

Business Relationships, How to Blog, Wrapping Up Ribbon

Filed Under Customers, Marketing Materials, Ribbon and Bows | Leave a Comment

HOW TO BUILD BUSINESS
Designers are beginning to write large holiday orders despite gloom and doom forecasts. What’s their secret? Wednesday’s newsletter centers on relationships that they build with clients all year long to ensure high-volume sales at year’s end and how you can do the same.

BLOGGING FOR DOLLARS
Is it time for you to create an online customer relationship with a blog? Some designers have one now, and others are just starting. Here are three reasons why gift basket makers blog and how this weekly project may benefit your sales.

READY TO RECEIVE RIBBON?
Fall and holiday ribbon you ordered at trade shows will be shipped to your office in the coming weeks. Is there room in your workspace to organize it? Read this blog article and learn what type of equipment designers install so that ribbon is right at their fingertips.

Feb

24

Contest Cash, Business Cards, Spring Ribbon

Filed Under Marketing Materials, Money, Ribbon and Bows | Leave a Comment

CONTESTS OFFER CASH PRIZES AND MORE
Do you consider entering business contests as one way to increase your capital? If not, you’re overlooking an option that some designers and entrepreneurs use to gain cash and valuable prizes. Wednesday’s newsletter shares news about one contest and three ways to invest the winnings whenever you’re ready to enter one of the many events on the Web.

BUSINESS CARD BASICS
If your business card’s overall appearance lacks the power to inspire sales, it’s time for a makeover. Visit the business card section at Solo Business Marketing to learn the basics of creating a dynamic card.

SPRING ROLLS ARE READY
Wholesalers and suppliers are stocked with spring ribbon in stripes, solids, sheers, and more. But before you replenish your supply, review this ribbon tutorial to determine what’s best to select for your customers.

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Feb

13

How Do You Sell Leftover Love?

Filed Under Mother's Day, Ribbon and Bows, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Valentine's Day | 2 Comments

Whenever I pass a Godiva retail store after Valentine’s Day, I see all of their specially-wrapped boxes on sale for half price. That’s how Godiva sells their after-occasion merchandise. But we’re different.

Gift basket designers don’t mark down; we find ways to sell this merchandise at full price.

When these items are added to other baskets, no one will know it’s left over because the product fits the new theme. That’s why we do our best to not buy merchandise that says “Valentine” on the product.

Here are three ways you can sell your Valentine’s merchandise before it has time to collect dust.

1. Team It with Complimentary Colors. Red looks great with white, purple, black, or pink. What’s in your inventory to create a corporate power theme or girly gift?

Visit the ribbon pages for great ideas to unify colors with stripes, solids, and sheers.

2. Create an “I’m Nuts About ‘Cha” Basket. Combine various packages of nuts (jars, cans, bags) with a leftover plush animal (bear, gorilla, puppy). This one’s great for husbands and boyfriends who need to apologize fast.

3. Decrease Your Orders for Mother’s Day Merchandise. Lots of Valentine’s Day products fit into gifts for this occasion, provided that it doesn’t say anything about February 14th.

See this article on Baskets for Mom. Now’s the time to start choosing products.

It’s not easy to buy the exact amount of merchandise for any special occasion. In fact, it’s practically impossible. But your products will still sell when you create special themes and make customers aware of these great, new baskets.

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Dec

23

Money, Ribbon, and Fame

Filed Under Publicity/Media Attention, Ribbon and Bows, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment

INCREASE PROFIT WITH EACH SALE
Everyone has a budget in mind when ordering a gift basket, but you’ll find that each customer will spend an extra $5 to add balloons or additional treat that the receiver will appreciate. When you suggest these extras, that’s called upselling. Wednesday’s newsletter encourages you to upsell every order, putting more dollars in your bank account and broader smiles on client’s faces.

THE RULES OF RIBBON OWNERSHIP
Are you mad about ribbon? You’re not alone. There’s not one designer who has less than 20 rolls in stock, and if the spools aren’t organized, you’ll have a tangled mess on your hands. This article helps you treat ribbon right, and click on the link to see a photograph of how one designer organizes her ribbon.

READY FOR YOUR CLOSEUP?
If you didn’t pursue media attention before Christmas, now’s a great time to go after newspaper promotion. This tutorial will provide you with a blueprint for local fame.

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