Dec
8
If You Want More Publicity for Your Gift Baskets, Check Out These Tips
Filed Under Publicity/Media Attention, Startup Help | Comments Off
Small businesses are known to use the same techniques year after year to gain attention through the media.
They know not to re-invent the wheel when tried-and-true methods work.
Here’s a list of popular ways to get press attention:
- Making presentations to large and small groups, at corporate events and morning business meetings.
- Appearing on radio talk shows that focus on general business and financial issues.
The final three tips are revealed in Basket Biz, the newsletter solely for gift basket professionals published every Thursday.
Subscribe by clicking on this page link to learn, grow, and profit with gift baskets throughout 2012.
Jul
8
How to Get Sales from Media Publicity
Filed Under Publicity/Media Attention | Comments Off
Have you noticed the publicity that gift baskets get in the media?
This newsletter edition uncovers three easy ways to get free media coverage for your gift baskets and how to keep reporters interested in printing your news.
Newspapers and local television are charged with informing readers about information that enhancements their lifestyle. That’s why gift baskets are often the subject in many section of printed and televised news.
Want to know more? Click here to subscribe to Basket Biz Newsletter. If you’re looking for methods to increase sales over your Basket Biz is a crucial part of this goal.
Product of the Week:
YOUR TURN FOR MEDIA ATTENTION: Having trouble writing a news release that gets noticed by the press? Put my long-time experience to work for you. I’ll write a news release for you about a specialty of your gift basket business that reporters in your area will find interesting.
I’ll also submit it and help you if the media contacts you for more details.
This service, which I provide to retailers and wholesalers who have been featured in their local newspapers with my help, is usually $297, but I’ll discount this valuable service by $50 until Tuesday, July 14, for the first six designers who sign up through this link.
Dec
14
Getting Publicity, Gift Basket Clubs, How to Make Money with Gift Baskets
Filed Under Corporate Selling, Publicity/Media Attention | 2 Comments
BASKETS OF MEDIA ATTENTION
It’s amazing to see how many gift basket stories appear throughout December in newspapers worldwide. Some stories are all about designers, and others try to convince individuals to make their own gift baskets. It’s quite a collection.
Wednesday’s newspaper encourages you to get your 15 minutes of fame before the season is over. Seven designers I know have increased sales this year from media exposure. You’re next.
JOIN THE CLUB
What if you had a standing order every month from a minimum of 10 companies to deliver a specific gift basket? That’s what can happen when creating and promoting a gift basket club.
DESIGNERS’ RATES ARE RISING
About five years ago I was asked if it’s possible to make $30,000 a year in this business. That answer, which you’ll find in this GiftBasketArticles.com article, is still true, but what’s more better, the potential has grown even in this economy.
Eleven designers who I’ve worked with in the past three years have increased their sales to average $92,000 a year, with one third of the gross amount deducted for expenses.
As you read the article, substitute the $30,000 figure for a higher amount you can achieve on a monthly, weekly, and daily basis.
Dec
10
Get the Media to Maximize Your Sales
Filed Under Publicity/Media Attention | Comments Off
This is the week to contact newspaper reporters who want last-minute ideas for holiday gifts. Here are three ideas to get media attention and higher profits through people who will read about your designs.
Food Editor
Send this reporter information on new snack flavors and packaging shapes to add to gift baskets and stockings.
Health Editor
Inform the editor about healthy snack choices being added to today’s holiday baskets. Include a list of the ten most-popular healthy snacks.
Business Editor
Stories about uncommon or downright strange gift choices ordered by business staffers will get this editor’s attention. Another option is to tell the editor what local firms are ordering to impress clients and increase office productivity.
Sending news by Email is what reporters prefer most. Postal mail is second best. More about connecting with reporters is in this three-page press release distribution at SoloBusinessMarketing.com.
Getting Your Name in the News shares more tips for newspaper stories that turn into sales. That’s how I got a front-page gift basket story in my local paper.
You can also try a different route to find customers. Learn how that’s done in Using the Newspaper to Get More Sales.
The more you know about contacting the media, the more free publicity you’ll receive so you can turn thousands of potential customers into buyers.
Aug
20
Taste Test Profits
Filed Under Planning, Publicity/Media Attention | Comments Off
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





