What is your angle for getting news coverage about your gift baskets before the holidays?

You may think that the local press is a waste of time to pursue because of the Internet’s dominance in today’s society.

However, regional marketing is still key in promoting and increasing revenue in a market you reach directly.

How will you get an editor’s attention and start capitalizing on the promotion you deserve?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Newspapers will, on occasion, publish a story about gift baskets that focuses on items to include.

That’s what I found yesterday in an online news article from Springfield, IL, which you can read here.

What these articles lack are photographs that bring the “what to include” information to life, and even though photos may be included in the print version, I highly doubt that such images accompany the print article.

One good thing about the “do-it-yourself gift basket” article is that it proves that newspaper readers are interested in gift baskets.

Because of this, wouldn’t it be better for you to contact your local media with a story idea around spring or summer gift baskets, items to include that are made in your state or country, and information on why customization is important?

Such an article might convince some people to make their own basket designs, but not many will attempt it, and they certainly won’t make a professionally-styled gift basket. So, submitting information to convince a newspaper to print a story about gift baskets will bring you more customers because you’re the person providing information to the newspaper.

What’s your time table for contacting an editor to include you in a story that hundreds of potential customers will read?

Shirley George Frazier

Related articles:

1. How to Get Your Gift Baskets in the Media
2. What’s Your Favorite Type of Shred?
3. Separating Gift Basket Facts from Fiction

When I mailed a press release to my local newspaper, the editor didn’t print my story.

And you know what? I was prepared.

I didn’t expect the editor to drop everything and focus on me.

I understood, from everything I’d read about sending press releases, that it takes time and consistency to get noticed.

That’s when the real work to get my gift baskets mentioned in the paper began.

I continued sending news about Valentine’s Day and classes I was to conduct and similar stories that coincided with gift giving occasions.

Then, one day in August, a writer from the newspaper called me. He was writing a story about the changing face of Labor Day and how entrepreneurs from all cultures were creating businesses.

All of the consistency I followed paid off the next month as my gift baskets showed up front and center on the Sunday paper’s front page. Business flourished, and I’ve never looked back from that point.

That’s an example of a lesson I’ll share tonight during the teleseminar 10 Ways to Change Your Gift Basket Sales from Drab to Fab.

There are times you look at your sales and ask yourself, “How am I going to make more money from this?” I’m here to tell you that it’s not only possible to earn more revenue, it’s waiting for you to grab it.

I encourage you to join me this evening to find out how, and bring your questions, too. I’ll answer as many of your specific concerns as possible. Click this link to learn more about tonight’s telephone-based event.

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

This one-paragraph story about a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new gift basket company located in Florida surfaced in my Email.

I was hoping to see more fanfare in the picture for this event.

When you open a business for the first time, specifically in a location that encourages walk-in customers, here’s what will bring more life to the festivities:

1. Send invitations to the mayor, congressman, and other elected officials.

2. Hire a professional photographer to take pictures, especially pictures that clearly show gift baskets around and among the crowd.

3. Add balloons, streamers, and other items on the door, window, and other parts of the facility to heighten awareness.

Another big draw is to get the community involved with the grand opening, such as hosting some type of gift basket-making contest. That’s more interactive than having an huge pair of faux scissors cut a wide ribbon.

There’s nothing wrong with what’s shown in the article’s photograph. However, the occasion could have appeared more festive.

How would you celebrate the opening of your newly-opened gift basket shop?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Here’s a challenge that seems out of reach but is available if you’re ready to come out of your comfort zone: show your Administrative Professionals Week gift baskets on a morning television or cable show.

This is an sales bonanza you can achieve, and here’s why:

1. There’s a huge corporate audience in your area that wants to know how your baskets increase employee productivity.

2. This exposure will blossom into new opportunities from places you’ve only dreamed of.

3. Your sales will triple, at a minimum, and the potential for additional sales during the year will be unlimited.

Chapter 12 in How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business explains what happened during my first television appearance as well as tips for you to development a relationship with a show’s producer and secure more time on air.

You can also hear these tips on a CD.

The first time for me was fun and scary, but most of all it was profitable.

What’s your first step to meet this challenge, secure your fame, and skyrocket sales?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Gift basket articles are plentiful on the Web through media sources that are constantly searching for designers to interview now that the holiday season is here.

Here are two citings to stories that may be of interest to you.

My hope is that the article links added below are still be available online when you read this.

Company Adds Person Touch to Gift Baskets, an article from NewsAdvance.com in Virginia, interviews a designer in business for just under 20 years. The insightful point in this story is that she decided to work with a drop shipper this year.

Here’s her quote about the partnership:

“This year, I decided that with the economy, maybe we could do more business without having to stock thousands of items.”

You’ll find a video about working with drop shippers on this page.

California’s MyDesert.com interviewed the owner/designer of Gift Baskets and More in a snapshot article revealing details about the year started, number of employees, and costs.

One point I’m glad to read is that the designer not only wrote a business plan before starting but also reviews it regularly. This is a tip I stress in the book, How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

Here’s what she says about her plan and pricing strategy.

“I update it every quarter. For instance, in this current economic climate, I lowered my price points to meet my objectives.”

It’s not too late to send your local media details about your business to encourage promotion. If you’ve already contacted the media, what did they say or Email about writing your story?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.

Do you live in one of the seven worst U.S. states to start a business?

U.S. News and World Report announced this week which states are said to be bad for business and reasons why.

You can find out here which states made it to the bottom.

Why does it seem that strange and disheartening things make it to the top of the news pile? Sometimes it seems that the only way you can make the news is if someone decides to sue.

Can you see the headline?

Baskets of Trouble for Gift Owner

Here’s a better one.

Basket Case Goes to Court

The CD, Legal Tips to Keep Your Company Out of Court, covers lots of the basics to stay on the right side of the law. Buy it as an investment for business longevity.

Thankfully, court-based stories about gift baskets aren’t top news stories, except where politicians buy our goods without getting approval from local governments. Let’s hope it stays that way.

If you live in one of the so-called worst states for business, you can turn this designation into a publicity opportunity. It will take some writing on your part, but from my experience, it’s worth the time.

1. Write a brief response to U.S. News & World Report’s editor explaining how your state has benefited you as a business owner.

2. Write a commentary for submission in your local newspaper’s opinion column, citing the article and why you feel that the “worse for business” designation is unworthy of the state.

I searched the listing for my state. It’s not there. If it were, I’d have fired off a letter before suggesting you do so.

These letters boost your state and community standing as a business owner, and with that often comes the potential for business from people who read your name, business name, and city at the end of each editorial (remember to add that information, too.).

If you live in one of the “worst for business states,” or if you did live in one, how would you seek to change U.S. News & World Report’s mind and get yourself publicity at the same time?

Shirley George Frazier

No related posts.