Jul
8
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
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 | 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
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
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.
Technorati Tags: what is upsell, how to upsell, organize ribbon, gift basket ribbon, bows, press releases, news releases, how to get media attention
Nov
14
Gift baskets are an industry where experience truly is the best teacher. I can count on both hands how many times I’ve tried to make a sale where there was no sale, where I spent too much time working with a person who wasn’t going to buy in the first place.
The same is true for many designers I’ve met and who’ve consulted with me on building their businesses.
Here are three warning signs that say, “You’re not getting the sale.”
1. The client cannot make a decision. After appearing on a television show, one of the workers asked me to create a gift basket for her relative. We spoke five times by phone, and she still didn’t know what she wanted. I ended my pursuit by recommending that she buy from a local retailer.
How to Get Holiday Media Coverage provides insight on getting selling without spending money.
2. The client wants too much product for too little money. This is self explanatory, and if you haven’t experienced this situation, you will this holiday season. I guarantee you that by breaking even or losing money on this type of sale, you will not make it up the next time you work with this client.
3. You’re not ready to handle a large order. What a rush of excitement you feel when hearing that the client wants 100 or more gift baskets, but do you have room and staff to turn the order around quickly? Is accepting the order and then failing to deliver worth ruining your reputation?
Evaluate the sales process as it develops. If you find yourself going in circles, question the client to uncover the solution. Your gut will tell you when to stop and move on to working with people who are ready and willing to buy.
Learn more about making your cash register ring in part 2 of the Pre-Holiday Q&A report.
Save Time – Gift Basket Biz Plan
Popular Gift Basket Books
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