How to Step into Sales Opportunities

May 1, 2008 · Filed Under Products and Supplies 

While running errands last weekend, I saw the cutest baby and toddler shoes selling at deep discounts. Shoes are one of many specialty containers I talk about in this article.

They’re not only a great reminder of how small my daughter once was, I also immediately thought about how these petite shoes create wonderful “foot in the door” and appreciation gifts.

At four dollars for each pair, it was difficult to not buy several dozen. Do you also find yourself applying brakes before overbuying?

It’s smart to take a deep breath and consider a sales plan before spending your hard-earned cash on products and services. That’s how I curbed my spending before buying the decorative shoe you see above which I filled with bath beads. It’s a great item that sold well, but I was careful not to purchase too many even though they were six dollars a pair.

Overspending not only extended my budget, it also exhausted my storage space, a problem mentioned in Buying and Storing Products.

Here are three ideas that worked to sell my shoe-based gifts:

  • An insurance agent requested an apology gift, and the shoe was a symbol of “putting his foot in his mouth.”
  • A podiatrist asked me to create several gifts to send to prospects whose employees were on their feet all day.
  • A food manufacturer ordered 75 gifts to congratulate employees who participated in a charity race.

    • What do you think about shoe-based gifts? Do you currently offer them to clients, or do you believe that they’re an item that clients will walk by?

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    Comments

    6 Responses to “How to Step into Sales Opportunities”

    1. geena on May 1st, 2008 9:34 am

      What do they do with an empty shoe once the goodies are all gone? Do you give them as a pair of shoes?

      At least a pair of shoes has the chance at another life after a trip to Goodwill. A single shoe just goes to the landfill.

    2. Shirley George Frazier on May 1st, 2008 9:51 am

      Hey Geena,

      You make an outstanding point in your question.

      What I do to keep a single shoe from going to a landfill, at least in the short term, is place a note in the bottom of the inside shoe that says, “Need a refill? Email (company name) at (Email address)” or something similar.

      For me, it works to keep the customer connection open for additional sales opportunities.

      I’m so glad you commented.

    3. Charlene on May 5th, 2008 1:34 pm

      What kind of shoes do you use? In some cases a baby shoe is not appropriate or the jeweled shoe in your article. Please offer some other types of shoes that would work?

    4. Shirley George Frazier on May 5th, 2008 2:06 pm

      Hi Charlene,

      The shoe I use depends on the type of marketing appropriate for each business.

      Baby or toddler shoe - introducing yourself or your client to a new business.

      Workboot - for marketing to or use by construction firms, contractors, and architects.

      Decorative shoe (the photo you see) - you or your clients send this type to interior designers, organizing firms, and woman-owned businesses.

      You can always “go shoeless” by choosing a traditional box container or something in the Lucite family to get a client’s attention or help your client get attention.

      So glad you asked this, Charlene. Follow-up questions are always welcomed!

    5. Charlene on June 12th, 2008 6:16 pm

      I am working on a quote for a large corporation to send baskets to out of town executives when they arrive at the hotel. Can you offer any “WOW” factors for an inexpensive basket. I want to exceed the “preceived value” of the basket.

    6. Shirley George Frazier on June 13th, 2008 9:26 am

      Hi Charlene,

      “Wow” factors, to me, are the enhancements added to each basket or gift package.

      For example, a mug, beverage, and biscotti appear more dazzling when ting ting, sparklers, large bows, and other extravagant adornments are included.

      Best of luck with the quote.

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