Gift Basket Business Owners Still Optimistic
Are seasonal orders starting to arrive, or are customers slow to place orders?
Two New York designers notice the economic change, but that’s not stopping them from pursuing sales. Their story is highlighted in Staten Island’s SILive.com.
Here’s a line from the article that I continue to hear echoed by designers worldwide.
“Like many other new entrepreneurs today, they understand the economy is slow, but they stay motivated.”
I also thought that money sources for starting and sustaining a business would slow, but I still see contests and grants offered by large corporations and organizations who believe in new enterprises.
As you start or grow your business, also consider which business structure is better (solo proprietorship, LLC, etc.). Ask The Gift Basket Expert answers the question of choosing a business structure for your gift basket business.
There’s nothing wrong with operating as a sole proprietorship. However, another structure may be more beneficial. Review the options, and stay as you are or change if needed.
Some States Help You Market Gift Baskets
The Pride of NY program in New York State recently began soliciting farm owners who happen to make gift baskets so that a complete list of makers can be featured on a Web site promoting holiday baskets.
You can read the brief article here.
The program states that it’s looking for farmers, but they may also add your name to the list if you’re in New York.
For example, you make Welcome to New York, I Love New York, or Big Apple baskets made with products produced in the state. It makes sense for you to call or Email the contact person to learn if you qualify for a listing because these baskets feature New York products.
My point, for all of you no matter where you’re located, is to look beyond the limitations created by a few words (…looking to identify farmers, processors,…) and get yourself listed in as many places online and offline as possible.
You’ll reach prospects who are seemingly out of reach, turning them into loyal customers who refer their friends and family members.
I remember when Elaine Essary, owner of The Basket Bar, contacted me to see if she qualified for mention in The Gift Basket Design Book. I had certain stipulations for inclusion, and even though Elaine thought she may not qualify, she still contacted me.
Her story was so compelling that I decided to feature her. That’s what can happen when you’re passionate about succeeding no matter what barriers seem to be ahead.
Every U.S. state has a department of agriculture (even New Jersey, a state that tried to eliminate theirs). Visit your state’s department online to see if they will link to your site this holiday, especially if you create a gift basket with state-made products.
Is this an opportunity to sell more this season? Check for yourself.
Gift Basket Tips to Sell More During the Holidays
Are you familiar with the term Blog Carnival?
It’s an online event where experts write about a particular topic focused around a central theme, and links to each article are featured on a participating blog.
Today is the launch of your gift basket blog carnival. This month’s theme - Tips to Prepare for Holiday Sales.
1.
There are seven ways to prepare for and gain orders. Do you practice them? Flora Brown of Gift Basket Business World pinpoints each step in Are You Up for a Profitable Holiday Season?
2.
Getting holiday sales can be an uphill battle if your Web site doesn’t stand out. Adriana Copaceanu of The Gift Basket Exchange Blog reviews an online tool in her Stomping the Search Engines 2 Review that may come in handy so you can get back to designing.
3.
How do you arrange products on silver trays? In an upright position or flat? Ask The Gift Basket Expert tackles this tough problem.
You’ll find a “Leave a Reply” or “Comments” link on each site that lets you join the conversation by adding your opinion or asking questions.
What do you think about this month’s theme, and what other issues are important to you?
Can Visitors Navigate Your Gift Basket Site?
Creating new and interesting gift baskets and adding them to your Web site for visitors to see and order is what keeps people returning each month.
But after a while, the site begins to expand, and your navigation becomes more complicated.
Making a site map may be the answer.
The navigation system on your home page contains the site’s main structure, but it doesn’t always lead clients to designs needed for corporate events, conferences, and everyday celebrations.
A site map is a handy tool if visitors neglect to bookmark a page, and it helps validate that you did everything possible to alert customers to return policies and other service issues.
Months before the holidays arrive is a great time to make Web site adjustments. Perhaps a site map will be a welcomed upgrade.
Not sure how to create your site map? Click here to see the GiftBasketBusiness.com site map, or type “site map” into a search engine for more ideas.
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