Outstanding Gift Ideas for Out-of-Towners

May 26, 2008 · Filed Under No-Basket Gifts · 2 Comments 

Did you see the All-American Gift Guide in Successful Meetings’s May issue? This magazine, subtitled The Authority on Meetings and Incentives, chose products from all 50 states that they consider worthy of presenting to individuals who attend meetings and conventions.

I wrote an article about working with meeting planners and am glad that the Successful Meeting’s article provides more inspiration.

No gift baskets were selected for giving, but as you review the article, you’ll see that many gift basket components are featured. That includes everything from a handmade Arizona basket to Kansas trail mixes to New Jersey salt water taffy.

Keep in mind that this list offers “unique gifts and edible treats under $20, along with a higher-end suggestion for good measure.” So if you’re looking to satisfy meeting planners who plan to bring hundreds of visitors to your state, no-basket gifts might make the most impact to get the sale.

Look at one gift from Pennsylvania as a model.

“The Welcome Box from A Little Bit of Philly includes two bags of Herr’s Potato Chips, two packages of Tasty Cakes, and two waters or sodas. $12″

The actual box isn’t shown in the magazine’s print version, but use your imagine and connections to select a petite box to represent your state. How about a tote bag or a handled, carryall boxes sold by many suppliers? Those boxes will hold a variety of items made in your state.

Best of all, this type of mega-ordered gift won’t require lots of styling. Items and literature are placed into the container, the ends are closed, and the welcome gift is ready for presentation.

Have you offered this type of welcome gift to meeting planners? Does this idea provide you with inspiration to approach these buyers?

Tags: , ,

Gift Baskets on Consignment, Summer Sales, and More

May 23, 2008 · Filed Under Gift Basket Themes, Sales and Marketing · 2 Comments 

Is it more profitable to offer gift baskets to retail shops on consignment, or is it best to sell gift baskets at a wholesale cost? Read the answer posted this morning at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.

Do you have a question about your business? You’re welcome to submit it here.

Is the summer sale season slow for you? This article provides ideas on how to make summer more profitable.

Speaking of summer, Flora Brown’s Wordless Wednesday photo at Gift Basket Business World shows a unique gardening design in a watering can that you can duplicate.

Get out from under the baskets this weekend and do something fun.

Tags: , , ,

How to Answer Questions Before They’re Asked

May 22, 2008 · Filed Under Customer Service · 2 Comments 

Do you provide your Web site’s visitors with a frequently-asked questions area?

This information is just as important as the gift baskets you create. The answers provide prospective clients with a comfort zone, letting them know in advance that their order will be handled with care and that you’ll respond to them in a timely manner.

I created a frequently-asked questions area for this site as I found myself responding to similar questions about starting a gift basket business, how to select products, and other important basics.

What do site visitors and customers ask? Put yourself in their shoes. If you were buying a gift basket for the first time, what would be your concerns? That’s what you consider when creating your own FAQ page.

These questions help get you started.

  • What are your hours of operation?
  • Do you ship to other countries?
  • Can I pick up the basket if I’m in the area?
  • Will you make a custom order if I want something that’s not shown on your site?
  • Can I exchange one product in a basket for another?

    • Also include questions that haven’t been asked but will give visitors ordering ideas that they haven’t considered.

  • What type of non-basket gifts do you make?
  • I’m a meeting planner. What types of gifts and baskets do you create for conventions?
  • How do you handle orders that are to be delivered discreetly?

    • Add a portion of your FAQs to a brochure for mailing to prospects and with deliveries.

    The more information you provide, the easier the order process becomes for the person who found your site.

    Tags: , , ,

    Sweet Shop’s Recession Approach Helps You Sell

    May 21, 2008 · Filed Under Sales and Marketing · Comment 

    A chocolate shop’s revenue down 12 percent from last year’s sales due to the economy?

    I was a bit surprised to read about this in Crain’s New York Business. It proves that no product, no matter how delicious, is recession proof.

    What did the owner do to curtail the drop?

    “…the entrepreneur took action recently, dispatching his staff to nearby corners to hand out coupons offering free hot chocolate or a piece of candy. The results: sweet. Store sales rose 20 percent after each coupon blitz.”

    The shop’s owner realizes that short-term solutions don’t last, so he’s considering other ways to boost business.

    This situation is similar to what you may be facing. If you own a store, a similar street corner coupon distribution may introduce new people to your gifts and baskets and create a healthy revenue boost (learn if your town requires a permit for street promotions). But what if you don’t own a shop and are concerned about sales?

  • Find events to display and get buzz about your gift baskets. Spring activities, auctions, and other affairs are on every business and charitable event calendar. It’s the same type of calendar you create for yourself, as shown here. Get involved and promote your goods.

  • Father’s Day is almost here. Contact the local media with your expert advice on how giving dad more than a necktie will put a smile on his face. This article provides Dad’s day ideas.

    • You may not be a well-financed chocolatier with a store in New York City, but their sales solutions can quickly be molded into profitable ideas that put your gift baskets into customers’ hands.

    Tags: , , ,

    « Previous Page — Next Page »