How Gift Basket Photographs Generate Loyalty and New Business
A florist in New Zealand was recently highlighted as one that Emails photos to clients showing the bouquet arrangement before it’s mailed or delivered to recipients.
Many of us have practiced this for years.
In fact, lots of designers mailed a photograph of the requested gift basket to each client along with a note of thanks when the Internet didn’t exist.
If this isn’t a habit you practice, perhaps now is the time to include a photograph by mail or Email each time you thank clients.
This is one of the reasons why photography, discussed on this page at GiftBasketBusiness.com, plays a huge part in marketing your business.
You don’t need to set up a photo studio in your workspace, although it may be helpful. Setting the gift basket on a table in front of a solid-colored wall is adequate.
The picture also acts as a great reminder when clients call and ask questions about previous designs create for them.
There are six more ways that I’ve turned each photograph into a revenue generator. How has photographing your completed designs generated new business?
Picture Taking – Where Do You Draw the Line?
Taking this picture outside of a New York City-based gift basket and flower shop was no easy feat.
The shop is located on Broadway, and if you’ve never walked on that street, you can imagine how busy it is during rush hour (when the photo was snapped) or any other time, especially since it’s a few blocks north of Macy’s.
It’s almost impossible to take a street-level picture with people walking past the window every two seconds. Thankfully, there was a brief lull in traffic, and my camera was poised and waiting for that moment.
The photo was captured not for competitive reasons but to ask you the following question.
How many times have you seen a gift basket design inside a competitive store and wanted to take a picture to remember the technique?
The consensus on doing this is don’t. It’s considered as rude and simply not permitted on private property.
I remember reading, on a now-defunct message board, how one new designer was shocked that she was escorted out of a gift basket shop because of her in-store picture taking. She couldn’t understand why the owner didn’t let her take pictures “in the spirit of camaraderie.”
We’ve talked about taking pictures inside of other people’s shop at Ask The Gift Basket Expert, where you’ll find many insightful comments about this practice.
Even public photography can be viewed as dangerous. Although you’re outside on the street, the proprietor may still not be pleased with picture taking, as they don’t know if you’re friend or foe.
What’s been your experience with someone taking pictures of your gift baskets?
Take a Picture Before You Deliver
Have you created a fabulous design, closed it in a box or handed it to the courier, and five minutes later realized that you forgot to take a picture?
“Oh no!” was once a popular phrase in my workspace, but no more.
It’s very important that you to start and continually expand your gift basket design photographs, and the holiday season is a crucial time to capture digital images of your creativity.
Rather than shouting “Oh no!” as the courier drives away, the task of picture taking is now planted firmly on my customized check sheet that ensures no part of each order is overlooked.
This check sheet is followed step by step, from documenting the order to sending a note of thanks by mail (part of post-order marketing) immediately after delivery.
You’ll find tips about choosing a camera on the Photography page.
What one-of-a-kind design did you create that left your workspace before you committed it to digital memory?
Photograph Holiday Gift Baskets Now
If you see gift basket displays anywhere that you can legally take photographs, capture those pictures as soon as possible.
Decorations will soon be dismantled and with it your chance to collect ideas to merge with your own next season. That means there’s not much time to snap photos, but you can still get it done.
Also, consider handing the project to your partner, child, family member, or another person who loves picture taking. This is how I collect ideas for business and to share with you, and it’s an easy process because of digital photography’s cost, which is really an investment in your future.
Photographs don’t have to focus solely on gift baskets. Displays of all types are open; just be sure that you’re not on private property as you snap.
This type of picture taking is just as important as the photos taken of each gift basket you make before it’s delivered to customers and recipients. Before long, you’ll have a gallery of shots that shows your expertise and increase sales.
You’ll find more about gift basket photography on this page.
Why Photographs Benefit Your Gift Basket Business
My camera is with me wherever I travel.
It’s easy to pull the camera from my bag and snap a photograph that’s inspiring, thought provoking, or simply sweet.
I’ll take pictures while walking in New York City, waiting in a car at a stop light, and also from hotel windows at heights that would otherwise prohibit the photo.
I even ask friends or family to take pictures of me posing with clients or baskets or both. Thanks to Flora Brown of Gift Basket Business World for snapping the above photo while I was on stage at the California Gift Show.
Most of all, I snap photos of gift baskets I display at trade shows and find in places where picture taking is permitted.
Are you this passionate about taking pictures of each design you create, of snapping photos outside of your competitor’s storefront (from a distance, please), and of creative opportunities that easily transfer to your basket design style?
The best part about today’s digital photography technology is that you can delete whatever isn’t helpful or needed, which saves money once spent to develop photos. The cheapest camera is an investment in your business longevity.
Here are two more reasons why photographs are beneficial:
A designer recently asked me about the backgrounds chosen for my gift basket pictures. Read my response at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
Then visit the photography page for more information on choosing a camera and putting it to use.
Is your camera a faithful friend and partner, by your side wherever you travel?
Gift Basket Books
-
-
Visit Our Sponsors
