Apr
27
Summer Gift Baskets, Photography, Marketing Materials
Filed Under Corporate Baskets, Marketing Materials, Photography | 2 Comments
MAKE SUMMER SALES SIZZLE
You’re working fast and furiously to create spring gift baskets, and suddenly, sales fall flat. It’s now summer, and you didn’t create a plan to keep sales strong. What can you do now to keep the revenue flowing? Wednesday’s newsletter reveals five methods to make the summer a sales bonanza and plant seeds you’ll reap in the fall and winter.
TAKE PHOTOS IN A SNAP
Do you remember to take pictures of each gift basket you make, whether for a customer or one made as an experimental design? Here’s a little encouragement to buy a camera that captures photos of your masterpieces.
ORDER YOUR MARKETING PIECES EARLY
I sometimes use all of my marketing materials and find that I have nothing else in stock as a substitute. Has this happened to you? Here’s a lesson in what may act as a backup and how not to let your materials deplete at the last minute.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, business marketing materials, how to increase summer sales, how to photograph your work
Apr
23
Prepare Now for Summer Sales
Filed Under Corporate Baskets, Planning | Leave a Comment
Certain questions are asked frequently at my trade show seminars, one of which is, “How do you keep sales up during the summer?”
I recall a few things before responding to this, keeping in mind that my answer doesn’t work for everyone, but at the least it provides fuel for other methods to maintain a healthy business during summer months.
First, I think about how much I needed a break versus working on designs. It’s certainly a balancing act when beautiful weather seems to call your name. Also, I remember the preparations I made in the spring to encourage sales and what other designers tell me they’ve done to keep revenues high.
Here are the five top methods that encourage summer sales.
1. Mention your collection of summertime baskets to customers as you deliver Administrative Professionals Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day baskets.
Here are ideas for Dad’s Day before you start buying.
2. Remind clients that summer baskets brighten the day for relatives whom you cannot visit during the season. Emotion is a big part of our sales message.
3. Create postcards showing a photograph of your children’s summer fun baskets, and send them to clients who have children and grandchildren. The convenience of quick delivery takes one more task off their list.
Learn more about postcard marketing.
4. Ask area colleges how you can include your back-to-school basket information in materials sent to students’ homes.
Here’s what’s popular in many back-to-school baskets.
5. Tell clients about your corporate baskets that express mid-year appreciation to independent offices or single departments within large corporations. Saying “thanks” before the December holidays stands out as a big gesture, and you’ll win loyalty.
One of these five ideas has the potential to create huge sales during the summer while you fit extended-weekend vacations into your plans.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, summer gift baskets, back to school baskets, corporate gift baskets, thank you gift baskets
Apr
9
Mother’s Day Money
Filed Under Corporate Baskets, Mother's Day | Leave a Comment
Designers often double up on duties this month to make Mother’s Day revenue foolproof. How is this accomplished?
1. Many of the same items purchased for Administrative Professionals Day are also bought for moms. This extra buying ensures that inventory doesn’t fall short (no running to retail stores to plug holes), and there’s little chance that a person who receives a support staff gift will receive the same thing for Mother’s Day.
Read these guidelines on buying and storing inventory.
2. Mother’s Day sales are often secured while taking Administrative Professionals Day orders. This upsell process is important to add on your order form so that you remember to get two sales with one call or visit.
3. Gift items that sell all year long are purchased now as alternative containers. Mugs and flower pot gifts are often selected by customers who either: a) buy multiples for both occasions, b) purchase for the first time to “test” your service, or c) budget strained due to other commitments.
Here are tips to sell gifts to budget-conscious clients.
You’ll find more ideas here to increase your Mother’s Day sales now before May arrives.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, Mother’s Day gift baskets, Administrative Professionals Day
Mar
19
Boost Your Corporate Sales in April
Filed Under Corporate Baskets, Planning | 2 Comments
No matter how much a company trims its workforce, secretarial support is still the backbone of every firm. This highly-skilled position, whether under the title of receptionist, clerk, secretary, or administrative executive, is prized by executives because the person in charge knows how to balance duties with discretion.
He or she is the one who ultimately runs the office, and in April, that person will be rewarded with a gift that expresses appreciation and gratitude.
Selling gift baskets to large and small companies for Administrative Professionals Week starts with documenting your contacts at each company. It doesn’t matter if you know the janitor or junior vice president; the key is to ask the person for their order and get referrals to contact others in charge of purchasing this year’s gifts.
Your inventory must be filled with a selection of foods and gifts that will reward those who serve in the front office and board room. When you’re ready to show your best baskets, in person and on your Web site, encourage prospects to buy from you to thank their support staff for a job well done.
The CD, 10 Sure-Fire Ways to Cash In on Administrative Professionals Week, provides detailed advice to gain sales that guarantee corporate orders well after April ends. Read, on this page, a full list on what’s included on this popular CD.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets business, Administrative Professionals Week
