My Gift Basket Income Dropped. Now What?
I’m hearing and reading about how corporate clients are cutting back on ordering gift baskets.
This may not be happening to you, but it is a situation that some are facing this holiday season.
Earlier this week I wrote about Terry and Wally August and how their income decreased (so far) this year to $1 million from $1.3 million in 2005.
This week I also read an article on a Nashville, Tennessee television Web site about a gift basket business with a 60 percent drop in sales.
“When people order basket they want more of a $25 to $30 range baskets instead of maybe a $50 to $60 range basket,”…
Some customers cannot be cajoled, convinced, or influenced in any way to spend more than or as much as last year. You know that. But what are the options to try and get clients to order?
The bottom line is to offer incentives, perks that won’t bite into your budget but be seen as valuable to buyers.
The fact that your customers want to stay in business is the exact reason why giving gift baskets to their loyal customers is imperative. This is what you tell them on the phone, by letter, through postcards, and on your Web site.
A drop in income calls for an increase in client communication. That’s your action plan.
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Grant Money Available to Start a Gift Basket Business
“Those who are looking for the money, we want to let them know we are giving away more than $500,000 in grant money just sitting there waiting for someone to meet the criteria,”…
Money to start your business - yes, it’s still out there if you look for it, even as the media constantly paints a doom and gloom economic picture.
A representative for The Center for Business Development at Indiana State University stated the above quote in Monday’s MyWabashValley.com. You can read the article here, and I hope that Indiana-based gift basket designers and aspiring designers apply.
This type of program is the reason I talk about where to find money sources, which begins on this page. Monies continue to be available. It’s a matter of you looking for it, uncovering sources, and applying for funds.
It’s important to realize that no institution will simply hand you the money. As the article states, one of the key factors is to be “willing to put forth the effort.” That goes beyond a mere idea. You must:
Most of all, prepare a complete plan that focuses on a specific underserved gift basket niche. That’s what will truly get attention and funding.
If you’re not based in Indiana, there’s still possibility that a business development center in your state or country has such a program. It’s up to you to find it.
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Gift Basket Donations Do Receivers a World of Good
Some of the most heartfelt stories associated with gift baskets are the ones where our product benefits someone in need.
That’s the focus of a story about gift basket donations to benefit a woman with brain cancer featured in The-Review.com.
Click on the article’s picture to see closeup of the gift baskets. Aren’t the containers and overall styling terrific?
The square wood container is a classic look, great for individuals or as a corporate gift, and the pumpkin is also attractive.
This story is a terrific example of how gift baskets brighten everyone’s day, especially the person they benefit.
In the past, I’ve suggested how to choose charities that receive your gift baskets and how donations can increase your income.
Libraries are also fond of having gift baskets at their fund-raising events, and I’ve shared ideas on linking your gift baskets with them.
I often suggest to my clients to donate one basket per month to a charity that’s close to their heart. That donation serves to:
What’s your opinion about the gift baskets shown in the picture?
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