How to Link Your Gift Baskets with Libraries
An Oklahoma library sponsored a contest through their adult reading program, and they recently awarded one of their patrons with the winning prize: “a gift basket full of books by authors with an Oklahoma connection.”
Here’s a photograph of the winner and her gift basket prize published in News-Star.com. The shrink wrap that closes the books and gifts within the basket is nice and tight.
The bow may not be the big, puffy enhancement we make, but the rectangular-shaped gift tag is very noticeable.
It’s not easy to assemble numerous books in a creative way within a basket, so the method in which books are placed inside is adequate, especially if a professional designer did not make this basket.
Libraries often sponsor events to increase readership. Does that give you any ideas on working with them to increase your promotion through their events? There may be potential depending on your region.
School is almost back in session, and that means there will be more people of all ages visiting libraries. If you think there’s a chance to gain exposure through this facility, speak with the main librarian or other person in charge to learn about events on their calendar.
Your gift basket design talent may bring you exposure through linking with a worthy institution.
Back-to-School Baskets, the short version.
Back-to-School Baskets, the long version.
Related Post: Mixing Charities with Gift Baskets
Choosing Charities to Get Your Gift Baskets
Designers frequently receive requests to donate gift baskets for raffles, auctions, and other charity-based functions.
How do you decide who will get or if you will give?
The two questions I’m often asked are:
Here are my suggestions.
1. Donate to the events that are closest to your heart, the events that align themselves with the causes in which you believe. This allows you to contact like-minded people with the highest potential to order after the event.
2. Set a limit on how much you will donate each month. When you reach that limit, tell the requesting charity, “We’ve reached our monthly donation limit.” It’s that simple.
The items that go into charity baskets depend on the event, and you can also base your selection on items you consider to be slow sellers. The article, How to Sell More by Giving Away Leftovers, will provide insight on this.
What’s your policy for handling donations?
Mixing Charity with Gift Baskets
Two weeks ago, in the Gift Baskets Newsletter, I explained the process of wholesaling your gifts through hospital gift shops and how it may be an overlooked revenue stream.
The other side of the coin is assisting hospitals to create gift baskets as donations or for benefits and auctions. I was reminded of this in a recent Fort Morgan Times article.
“The baskets will be sold in a silent auction to raise funds for the hospital’s Relay For Life team,…”
Read about some of the products and themes chosen by hospital staff members.
I have three tips if you believe this type of charity will promote your expertise while giving back to a worthy cause.
1. Contact the public relations office to introduce yourself and let the person in charge know about your commitment to charities and functions associated with the hospital.
2. Put your fears about creating competition to rest. It’s highly unlikely that your participation will unleash an army of professional designers at the facility.
3. Get close-up photographs of the event’s designs. The newspaper picture shows more of the empty table and less of the gift baskets.
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