Gift baskets for first-time college students are popular. Why? Here’s your education for back to school baskets.
Designing for degrees
My first time making a college gift basket didn’t occur because a customer asked me to make one. A writer for the best-known gift trade magazine asked me to make one to feature in her article.
The picture you see above is the finished design.
It was easy to put it together (this definitive how-to will help you as well), and for authenticity, I drove to a university’s location and set up the photo shoot on their front lawn.
College sales make the grade
The photo and description on how to make back to school gift baskets was so popular that I received dozens of orders that year. I didn’t think orders would arrive, especially since there’s strong competition in my area, but my experience proves that you never know how marketing delivers results.
These gift baskets, mainly sold in late summer, may not be on your sales list. If not, my question is why not?
Perhaps the college market isn’t big in your area, or maybe you tried these baskets in the past and your efforts yielded no sales. In that case, your decision is understandable, but I urge you to take another look at the potential.
Round out your education for back to school baskets and contents
College students aren’t the only age returning to the classroom. There are also designs you can make for kindergarten, grade school, and high school students. Each level won’t receive the same items, but here’s an example of what you might add.
- Writing instruments
- Lined paper and/or pads
- Art supplies
- Healthy snacks
- Soaps (learn about combining foods and personal care products)
- Socks and/or slippers
- Waste can (container possibility)
- Flashlight
- Battery-operated candle
Find out what the student prefers, and customize your design through colors and specific products.
Where to find ideas to sell
How will you market your college gifts? I can think of many options, including ones that directly target school staff. That’s a group you wouldn’t consider as part of the target market.
You’ll find good ideas in the two ebooks, Gift Basket Marketing, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Any of the total 104 marketing insights can bring you huge sales.
You’ll certainly make more than the cost of the ebooks. The key is taking action after reading the content and taking notes on what ideas you’ll try.
There was no Internet when I began selling back to school baskets. Looking back, that made my marketing very focused, and I prospered. Looking at today’s options, you have many more opportunities. The goal is to choose the right ones that target your intended customers.
How will your sales score an A as students return to college?
