Nov
11
An Easy Way to Market Each Month
Filed Under Planning, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
It’s possible for you to get so wrapped up in creating gift baskets that you overlook the need to market your business.
When that happens, your gift basket business becomes more of a hobby than a profit-based enterprise.
How do long-time designers ensure that marketing is an automatic process? They implement three steps:
1. Choose the product that customers prefer receiving each month to learn about new designs.
2. Rotate several options for clients to review and purchase occasional and everyday themes.
3. Set up the marketing system in six months intervals so that automation is completed in that time frame.
You’ll find more marketing options in the book, 101 Ways to Market Your Gift Baskets.
Oct
28
If you’re starting your gift basket business now, there’s good news as well as valid concern about your future.
The good news is that gift baskets sell briskly, as this is the time when individuals and corporations order more frequently than at other times.
Concerns about building your business range from creating a steady stream of sales during non-holiday months to staying updated with the latest industry trends.
One new gift basket designer asked me about her potential, and you’ll find her question and my answer at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
After reading the post, you’re welcomed to give the designer more feedback from your perspective and experience.
Feb
15
Crafts Equals Cash, Time to Sell, Name Your Baskets
Filed Under Planning, Sales-Increasing Strategies, Startup Help | Leave a Comment
CAN CRAFTS MEAN MORE CASH?
Two years ago, I helped a gift basket designer write a press release with the title, “Her Craft is in the Basket,” and it was published in her state’s largest newspaper, along with her picture. The story piggybacked on March’s National Crafts Month. She received lots of calls, and best of all, she gained lots of sales.
Wednesday’s newsletter explains how this crafty focus can turn into big business for you, even if you want to be associated with business and not crafts.
BAD TIME TO SELL BASKETS?
I’m receiving lots of Emails from aspiring and current designers who, because of the economy, are nervous about starting and selling. Most of all, family members and friends are discouraging too many of us who believe carving out a career now is the right thing to do.
Here’s the story of how I started with gift baskets when a family member tried to convince me I was crazy. Does my experience remind you of your own?
THE NAME GAME
One of my Valentine’s Day baskets, named “Prisoner of Love,” was such a hot seller every season that it often sold out weeks before February 14, no matter how much inventory I bought.
That’s one of the reasons I encourage you to name your baskets, the subject of this Ask The Gift Basket Expert question. Read it to learn why design names are an important part of the sales process, plus read the numerous comments below my suggestions.
Jan
7
5 More Designers Share Tips for 2009
Filed Under Planning | Leave a Comment
Last week, five designers shared their views on how to proceed with business in the first half of 2009. Some are moving forward with caution, while others will continue doing what’s always worked for them.
Here are the final five visions for success. I believe that within the 10 tips, you’ll carve a path to higher profits.
“I bought some merchandise before the holidays because of suggestions from prospects. They didn’t buy my baskets, so that was a big mistake. This year I’ll concentrate on satisfying current buyers instead of buying on speculation.”
Not sure what to buy? It can be a tough choice in the first years. Start with the basics, as suggested on this frequently-asked questions page.
*If it weren’t for my computerized inventory system, I would have overlooked selling products that were sitting in a big box (and should not have been in that box). My suggestion to everyone is use an inventory system for higher profits during the holidays and every day.”
“Don’t spend every dime you have on products. You are going to need some of your money every month for marketing, attending meetings, going to trade shows, and investing in conferences. That’s what I’ll concentrate on this year.”
You’ll find a list of U.S. trade shows at WebSitesForRetailers.com and at GiftBasketClass.com a listing of gift basket seminars I’ll conduct.
“Actually, I did pretty well this holiday because I get lots of referral business, but it doesn’t just come to me. I ask for it every time someone buys from me. I’ll keep doing that.”
“I started to call it quits early in 2008. Then I started doing things I considered tough like talking about my business to everyone. That got me lots of sales, so I’ll continue doing that this year. If you’re not your best cheerleader, who is?”
Aug
24
Taste Test Promotions, Library Marketing, What Clients Say
Filed Under Planning, Sales-Increasing Strategies | Leave a Comment
EAT YOUR WAY TO EXCELLENT SALES
A successful event, where you invite clients and qualified prospects to sample chips, dips, and other edibles, starts with a plan to get them buying after they’ve tasted the goods. Wednesday’s newsletter explains how to put together a profitable taste test program whether you operate a retail store or home-based business.
MARKETING BY THE BOOK
Library promotions often end with a patron winning some type of basket filled with books. That’s what recently occurred in Oklahoma. But do you know how to introduce your design talents to library officials, which will let you piggyback off their widely-publicized contest? I share some tips here so that you’ll know how to learn and earn.
WHAT DO YOUR CUSTOMERS SAY?
Restaurants live and die by critics’ reviews. What if that fate was the same for your business? This article gets you thinking about what customers really think about your service and how you can make sure everyone stays loyal.
Aug
20
Taste Test Profits
Filed Under Planning, Publicity/Media Attention | Leave a Comment
Launching a taste testing day for customers to sample crackers, cheeses, dips, and other gift basket treats isn’t just for large shops. Small stores and home-based businesses are taking advantage of this traffic-building promotion to gain sales and client loyalty.
Some customers will enter your shop to eat and go. You know that. But to make your sampling day successful, it’s important to attract a mix of past and current clients, corporate contacts, and the media. Here’s a strategy I’ve outline for several designers, with great results.
Your taste testing day can be set up as an open house or private event. The choice depends on your location and client type. Some store owners schedule both to attract different customer segments.
Each tasting station contains shallow bowls of product and plenty of spoons, toothpicks, and crackers for sampling. Place packages of each sampled product next to every bowl so customers see the item and easily bring it to the payment counter.
Also be sure to display small and large gift baskets filled with these same products strategically around the room.
Make sure you’ve hired enough staff for the event, whether full time or temporary, to keep each station clean and filled with samples.
Home-based gift basket designers can also host taste testing events. Some locations for the festivities include conference rooms at clients’ facilities and library conference centers. Any place with four walls and room to set up rented tables and chairs is fair game.
Remember to collect customers’ names, addresses, and Email addresses. A clipboard at the front door, checkout counter, or primary spot within the room helps to secure this information. Staff members can also help with the collection.
Taste testing events allow you to establish your business presence, build relationships, expand referrals, and increase sales year round.
Here are three articles that complement this idea:
Five Brownie Points that Boost Sales
Sell More by Giving Away Leftovers
How to Follow Up After the Sale
Aug
10
Big Order Tips, Questions and Answers, Price Increases
Filed Under Customers, Planning | Leave a Comment
BIG ORDER, SMALL STEPS
My first mega sale was ordered by my insurance agent. She was clear on what she wanted for her 300 clients, and I was clear on how I’d make life easy for her while encouraging follow-up sales from recipients on her gift list. Wednesday’s newsletter breaks down some of the steps required to make the mega sale a smooth experience. You’ll be happy to have read these tips when your big sale arrives.
LOTS OF ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
What’s the burning question about gift baskets that you want to know? Perhaps it’s one of these three questions that I hear most often, and if not, you’ll find links in this post to a section at GiftBasketBusiness.com to learn more. You’re also welcomed to submit questions at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
IT’S OKAY TO INCREASE PRICES
Are you still trying to keep your gift basket prices intact even though inventory and administrative costs have risen? There’s another option: increase the value of your service so that customers will continue buying. Review this post, which will help you determine how to maintain customer satisfaction and stay successfully in business.
Save Time – Gift Basket Biz Plan
Popular Gift Basket Books
-
