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.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, Mother’s Day gift baskets, Valentine’s Day gift baskets, bowmaking ribbon, plush animals
Feb
3
Buying Baskets, Valentine’s Day, Increase Your Prices
Filed Under Baskets, Money, Valentine's Day | Leave a Comment
YOUR BASKET SELECTION MAY VARY
Why can’t there be one formula for every gift basket designer who buys empty baskets for the first time? There’s a simple answer: it’s just not possible. I show you in Wednesday’s newsletter how many baskets I’d buy if starting business today and why your choices will always be different.
WHO WON THE VALENTINE’S DAY CONTEST?
Meet the three winners who won How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business and Marketing Strategies for the Home-Based Business, plus get pointers from a top gift basket designer on how to get the work done if you become sick.
IT’S TIME TO RAISE YOUR PRICES
Hershey’s increased the price of chocolate twice last year, and everyone’s still eating sweets. Are you following their lead? Learn in this article why the nation’s largest candy maker attached a premium price to their product, then follow the five-step plan to raise your gift basket prices.
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, Valentine’s Day, where to buy baskets, increase your prices
Jan
23
The Cure for Slow Sales
Filed Under Money, Publicity/Media Attention, Valentine's Day | Leave a Comment
It’s the start of a new year, and you may be experiencing a dry spell while clients recover from holiday spending. How do you convert their mood into profits?
1. Who purchased all-occasion baskets last January? Birthdays, anniversaries, and everyday events are the No. 1 reason for gift giving. Look in your files and dig out the money.
Did you follow these tips when selecting Valentine’s Day merchandise?
2. Which local firms need employee birthday or employee-of-the-month gifts and baskets to increase productivity and retention?
Individuals on your client list have connections to introduce you, by phone or in person, to human resources and sales executives. Explain to them how your business serves to keep their employees happy. Also consider treating the new contact to lunch (a low-cost marketing tactic). It’s a simple technique that increases your corporate client list and resulting sales.
3. Contact the media with tips on new, exciting, and exotic items available for Valentine’s Day. You’re a gift expert, so this article is perfect for your participation. The success article, Getting Your Name in the News, shows how to structure a media release.
Don’t wait for business to come to you. Be proactive. Put your gift baskets in the hands of people who appreciate your design style and act as cheerleaders to tell others about your great service.
That’s the cure. Are you prepared to try a dose to keep your business healthy?
Technorati Tags: gift baskets, slow sales, press releases, media relations, Valentine’s Day
Jan
6
Valentine’s Day, Instant Chat Services
Filed Under Customers, TRADE SHOWS, Valentine's Day | Leave a Comment
TRADE SHOW TIPS
I just (and I do mean just) arrived in the office from attending the Philadelphia Gift Show, where most buyers’ foot apparel is the sneaker. It’s mandatory to wear comfortable shoes while at trade shows. Wednesday’s newsletter gives you the lowdown on what else is required to make your show time pay off.
PINK IS THE COLOR OF PROFIT
Here’s what will happen if you start buying Valentine’s Day inventory now: 1) better product selection, 2) early sales, 3) higher profits than last year. Sound like a plan? Use this article as a primer to jumpstart your February 14th revenue.
COLLECT MORE CASH THROUGH CUSTOMER CHATS
If you install an instant chat service on your Web site, online conversations between you and site visitors may encourage more of them to buy. It’s worth a shot, especially when some chat services are free of charge. Review this article at Solo Business Marketing, and consider the benefits.
Technorati Tags: gift basket, gift baskets, Valentine’s Day, instant chat service
