Is Starting a Gift Basket Blog for You?
I’m noticing that quite a few gift basket designers are starting their own blogs. My Internet alert systems notify me when someone has set up a new one.
Here’s the explanation of a blog in case you’re not familiar with the definition. You’re reading a blog right now.
Why are designers blogging? I can think of three reasons. They:
1. Polled customers and found that many of them are Web surfers, so setting up a blog to inform them about gifts and baskets is a dynamic way to stay in touch online.
2. Realize that blogs are indexed quicker in search engines than Web sites, which may increase their search rankings faster.
3. Decided that creating a blog has the potential to reach more prospects and clients than a separate newsletter.
Speaking of newsletters, are you subscribed to the one that complements this blog? It’s published every Wednesday and Sunday. Subscribe here, and read back issues at GiftBasketsNewsletter.com.
Create and launch a blog of any of the three reasons above or reasons that match your marketing plan make blogging appropriate. But don’t start one because it’s trendy.
If you have no plan to blog consistently, which means a commitment to write an entry at least once a week, then blogging is not for you.
Instead, choose to reach customers through online newsletters (also called Ezines), postcards, five-minute talks in their offices, and other ways that cement relationships and encourage sales.
Do you have a blog? How does it help you connect with customers?
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How to Create an Online Signature that Promotes Your Business
Can you afford to own or rent a billboard to promote your gift baskets? It’s possible when there’s no cost.
Leaving a customized signature each time you post an online question, response, or business introduction is critical to help spread the word about your gifts and baskets.
It’s the equivalent of leaving business cards all over the Web.
Speaking of online questions, a new solution is available at Ask The Gift Basket Expert.
Your signature, which is created through your Email account or saved in word processing or Notepad for copying and pasting, contains words that inspire readers to visit your site. Any of the following is appropriate as part of your signature:
1) Your Name
2) Business Name
3) Business Slogan or Tag Line
4) Web Site Address
5) Telephone Number
6) Optional Special Occasion Tag Line, such as “Visit Today for Holiday Baskets
that Build Your Business”
Here’s one of my current signatures:
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Do you have what it takes to make money with gift baskets?
http://www.giftbasketbusiness.com/SuccessTips/tensteps.htm
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Here’s one to get you started:
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Baskets n’ Bows
Making gift giving simple and easy is what we do for you.
Call today for a free brochure.
http://www.basketsnbowscompany.com/
(932) 555-5252
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Notice that the “Making gift giving…” tagline focuses on a benefit that’s very important to prospects who are time stressed or have difficulty choosing what to buy. Consider this type of value-added statement as you decide how to promote.
Keep your signature as concise as possible. Signatures that are too wordy won’t be read, and others, which are laced with dashes and dots to resemble faces and gestures, are best reserved for art students.
Consult your Email host’s instructions for creating your electronic billboard. Also, look at other people’s signatures for more ideas on how to create a memorable message that gets results.
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Gift Basket Business News
Have you visited the various online sites that provide you with gift business ideas and opportunities?
The sites I maintain are listed on this page, and Flora Brown of Gift Basket Business World also shares a roster of her sites through her post, Where Can I Find Gift Basket Business Ideas?
Scroll down to also find a list of products Flora shares from the recent Fancy Food Show.
It’s almost time to head back to school for millions of students worldwide. Lorie Obernauer of Apex Gift Foods schools you in this post on how to get your gift baskets into their dorm rooms.
This back-to-school baskets article shares ideas on what to put into your designs.
Where did you buy your imprinting machine? A designer is looking for one that imprints favor confetti cards as well as ribbon.
You can read her question and my answer at Ask The Gift Basket Expert, and I encourage you to join the conversation if use an imprinter, want to buy an imprinter, or know where this machine is sold.
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A Look at Your Web Sales Strategy
Have you read Make a Great First Impression at Flora Brown’s Gift Basket Business World?
You may know and practice these tips religiously when picking up the phone and managing your Web site, but it’s always great to read a reminder to keep you on track.
Lorie Obernauer of Apex Gift Foods also shares Web site strategies in Is Your Gift Basket Web Site User Friendly?
It’s one thing to get your site up and running. From there, care and maintenance is required to keep visitors returning.
Speaking of Web sites, I’m currently attending the World Tea Expo in Las Vegas where my seminar is all about Web site creation. Some of the ideas I’ll share with attendees are listed on the Web Sites for Retailers site.
When I return from Las Vegas, I look forward to sharing product ideas and a few photos from the area.
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