After arriving home on Sunday from a week’s vacation, it was a thrill to find this article online about Sue Monhait’s gift basket business.

Sue is one of the winners of my Valentine’s Day contest held several years ago.

Her business is all about delivering works of art to her customers, as you’ll read in the article.

Here’s a quote I especially appreciate:

“We try to do the most upscale product — not necessarily most expensive, but we want to make it brands that are not typically found in the area. It makes it extra special.”

What Sue says personifies her years of experience, understanding of what customers appreciate, and dedication to creating gorgeous arrangements that cannot be found anywhere else.

This article proves three things:

1. Gift baskets continue to be newsworthy, so your story is of interest to reporters.

2. Customers want unique and extraordinary gifts from designers like you.

3. The newspaper is still a great place to market your business.

Congratulations, Sue!

How does this article motivate you to contact your local reporter for a similar story about your gift basket business?

Shirley George Frazier

Related articles:

1. Here’s Why Gift Baskets are Still a Newspaper Favorite

Does your local newspaper profile businesses?

In this example, a profile is an article about a business where the reporter asks you questions and you respond in a way that familiarizes readers with who you are and what you do.

You can read the general definition of profile here in the Gift Basket Dictionary.

A profiles changes your business from what may look stiff and stuffy on the outside into a place they want to visit, buy from, and refer to others.

You might talk a lot about your business, but it’s up to the reporter which information is added.

Here’s a profile I read in this morning’s GulfBreezeNews.com about a Florida-based gift basket shop. The company is a franchise of a firm located in Canada.

See the picture of the business owner on the left? You’ll recognize some of the containers shown in the background that package the gifts. Also, look at the wall behind her. You can see part of the business logo.

An attractive logo is very important to brand your business. LogoWorks is one company that creates logos, and there may be other firms in your area that provide this service.

If you don’t yet have a logo, consider investing in one for your business. The affordable price (especially with today’s Internet technology) is worth the investment to separate yourself from other gift basket businesses.

GiftBasketBusiness.com has a logo, and I just had one made for my personal name. You can see the results at the top, right corner of ShirleySpeaks.com. What do you think?

If your newspaper writes business profiles, contact the reporter to start a dialogue that increases their interest about you and, hopefully, turns into an article that brands your business for success.

GREAT NEWS! Later today, I’ll announce a contest that’s easy to enter and valuable to win. Stay tuned.

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Seeing Fancifull Gift Baskets owners Terry and Wally August featured in yesterday’s Los Angeles Times brought back great memories of meeting them and touring their gorgeous shop, a fixture next to Paramount Studios.

Upon entering, I was mesmerized by large, lush designs created in bronze containers and customized baby strollers.

The administration area was to the left, and multiple shelves holding gourmet foods, gifts, and spa items was to the right.

Beyond the shelves, I saw four workers creating gift baskets to be delivered that day. The shop also housed a cooler for fresh flowers, and to the left, behind the administration area, was a huge storage room for finished gift baskets waiting for delivery.

Terry’s and Wally’s operation is well known and very successful, but it’s not immune to a drop in sales, and that’s the focus in the Los Angeles Times story. It’s a must read, and you’ll find it here along with a terrific picture (they’re both as down to earth as shown).

This makeover article provides them with tips to:

Note: The term advisory board was just added to the dictionary.

If you’re looking for a quick workspace makeover, this audio CD will help, and 101 marketing tips are found in this book, delivered fast by Email.

Be sure to have a pen and paper handy as you read this makeover, as it will surely help you brainstorm ideas to consider for your business.

If an expert came to your shop, what advice would you seek?

NOTICE: Until late December, I’ll feature articles more often here than the regular three times weekly schedule, as gift basket stories will become plentiful between now and the holidays.

Shirley George Frazier

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