Intuit, the makers of QuickBooks and Quicken, are one of many companies sponsoring small business contests that you can enter to win cash and prizes.

The information about their contest can be found through this link, but don’t stop your search for winning opportunities there. Type the words small business contest into any search engine to find other contests.

There are other search terms to consider, such as including your city, state, or country’s name in the phrase. That’s what I’ve done in the past to not only help gift basket designers find contests but also help them to win an average $3,000 in cash.

It’s important today to continue expanding your design style and marketing your gift baskets as aggressively as possible. However, I also encourage you to spare a few minutes each month or, at a minimum, every quarter, to find contests online or through your local newspaper to enter and hopefully win.

The first time I did this, back in the mid 1990s, I won a suite of small business software through a home office magazine contest. Even though the magazine is out of publication, I still have the original congratulations letter and magazine issue that announced my name as a winner. I know you’ll keep the same when you’re notified.

Watch the credit card companies’ sites closely, as they are frequent contest sponsors, and you’ll find more help to uncover contests through this link to several pages at GiftBasketBusiness.com.

How often do you monitor business contests where sponsors are giving away cash and prizes?

Shirley George Frazier

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I was so pleased when the trunk that’s part of the grand prize in the gift basket business contest arrived. You’ll see its photo on the left.

Its rich, brown color and leather strap trim will make a great addition to your offerings.

Be sure to see the contest information here if you haven’t yet entered.

Years ago, when I invested in my first large trunk, I created an enormous gift with luxury items so that clients knew that both small and large gifts were available at my shop.

If you don’t let clients know about your full assortment, they’ll only come to you for smaller designs. You want them to know the broad range of options you offer.

Gift baskets continue to be in the news as a donation item for needy families. Here’s one of those stories, which includes a photo of 350 gift baskets and the volunteers who made them.

Click on the photo, and another window will open for you to scroll through three pictures of the baskets and makers.

I encourage you to take part in a gift basket donation event in your area. Lending your expertise to worthy causes, especially during the holidays, is a wonderful way to support others. I’m also looking for a local group.

Next week, the rest of the first-place bounty will arrive, and I’ll show you a complete photo of the grand prize.

Shirley George Frazier

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Many ideas and opportunities to build your business are planned here throughout 2009, but why wait until then to launch a contest?

There are three prizes, and best of all, entering in super easy. Some of you may already be eligible.

GRAND PRIZE – Value $300

The “Nothing is Ordinary” Deluxe Gift Basket Kit containing a:

This is the type of kit to keep, resell, or create as a promotional incentive gift to boost your business.

These specialty items will arrive in my office next week (there’s much more contents), and I’ll post a photograph so you can drool while awaiting the contest results.

SECOND PRIZE – Value $200

The Ultimate Resource Materials Kit

THIRD PRIZE – Value $100

Cash prize of $100 sent directly to your electronic account.

ELIGIBILITY

This contest is open to gift basket designers and related professionals worldwide. Products are mailed to winners, and the cash prize is sent electronically to an online account.

HOW TO ENTER

Subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed, and confirm your subscription when the confirmation arrives by Email. That’s all!

Look for the box shown at left. It’s located at the top of this blog’s middle column. Add your Email address, press the subscribe button, wait for the Email confirmation, confirm, and you’re already eligible.

If you already receive updated blog posts by Email, you’re already entered.

CONTEST START/END

The contest starts today and ends Sunday, November 30. Three winners will be chosen at random in my office. Notification is by Wednesday, December 3, and the winners will be announced here on Friday, December 5.

All winners grant GiftBasketBusiness.com permission to publish their names, business names, and any comments provided by Email about their surprise, happiness, etc.

All questions and feedback about this contest are welcomed in the comments section.

This is the first of many contests, and the prizes will increase both in value and type.

Thank you for entering. I can’t wait to draw your name.

Shirley George Frazier

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