Got Promotional Items? Dress Them UP

Promotional items have been one of the contributing factors of a company's success. But now, companies are passing up their normal pens and coffee mugs for a more dressed up promotion.

Dressing up your promotional items has never been easier. Instead of giving a potential client a single pen, mug, calendar or calculator package them into one of the following:

Gift Bag

Coffee mug with candy or pre-packaged foods

Or

Bundle the items to create a stackable gift basket.

Dressing up your promotional items is a clever way to increase profits.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 3:50 PM   0 Comments

Gift-Giving Ideas For Grandparents' Day

Recently I received an email about gift-giving ideas for Grandparents' Day. Grandparents' Day is Sunday September 7, 2008.

Now what are you going to do for your grandparents? Here’s my advice…

Because baby boomers and mature seniors don’t enjoy their golden years the way they should, a gift that reflects their hobby, favorite past time, prior career or other memorable occasion, will definitely make all the sacrifices they made for the rest of the family totally worth it.

If your grandparents don’t have any dietary restrictions, enjoy some gourmet edibles on us to make this special day one they are sure to remember.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 10:45 PM   2 Comments

Why Corporations Use Gift Baskets?

Below you will find five common reasons why corporations use gift baskets…

1. Turn Prospects Into Clients

Door-opening gifts help business owners introduce their companies to prospects who in turn, starts doing business with them.

2. Can Be Personalized to Reflect Your Clients Profession

Studies link inserting items that reflect your clients’ profession into a gift basket increases response rate. Clients take special notice of anyone who acts as a partner in advancing their career.

3. Convenient for Independent Professionals and Executives

Because busy Executives, health care professionals and those affiliated with other facilities have little time to shop for gifts, ordering corporate gift baskets or Portland fruit arrangements takes the job of finding the perfect gift off their agenda so they can focus on other important tasks.

4. Great Business Travel Gifts

Business travel gifts are ideal if you are a parent who has a job that requires you to travel often to meet face-to-face with clients. Give your child a gift basket to reassure them of your love and to relieve the guilt of you leaving them behind.

5. Increase Business Over the Competition

To increase business over the competition, gift baskets are used to thank customers for their patronage while enticing prospects to remember you.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 2:35 PM   0 Comments

How to Wrap With Tulle

Wrapping with tulle requires only a few simple steps.

To really understand wrapping baskets with tulle, you need to know how to wrap with cellophane.

Why Knowing How to Wrap With Cello Makes Sense.

Cellophane is cost effective which allows for mistakes if more practice is needed. Because cello comes in many sizes, you will have a better understanding and control over wrapping a variety of baskets and containers. As a result you will create gift basket designs that appeal to any market.


Tags: tulle advice wide roll tulle tulle wrap wrapping gift baskets

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 9:52 PM   0 Comments

Keeping Customers for Life

There are so many gift basket marketing strategies but very few focuses on keeping customers for life. After all, if you don't build customer loyalty, you can forget about making any kind of income.

Here are some strategies on keeping customers for life...

Gift Basket Coupons

This encourages customers to buy more and more often. This offer is an excellent way to increase your profits.

Gift Basket Give-Aways

Reward customers for repeat buisness. Give a gift basket as a token of your appreciation.

Small Corporate Gifts

Hand deliver or mail a small corporate gift to a customer that hasn't ordered in a while. This will encourage them to continue during business with you.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 11:02 PM   0 Comments

5 Tips For Expired Products

As long as you are in the gift basket industry, you will be faced with expired products. There's no way to completely avoid it, but there are some things you can do to minimize the amount and free up space at the same time.

These are 5 tips to take the headache out of dealing with those pesky expired items.

1. Buy what your customers like.

Avoid items you like or things you think your customers will like. I know sometimes we like to try new things. But, I also know the old saying, “if it ain't broke, then don't try to fix it."

2. Don't overbuy.

Just because an item sold well last year, doesn't mean it will sell this year. Reorder on an as needed basis instead of stocking up.

3. Use them as promotional and marketing tools.

Products that are a month away from expiring are great for soliciting new business.

4. Donate them to food banks.

This is a great way to give back to your community and it's also tax deductible.

5. Use them in sample baskets.

Because you never know when someone will want to see your work, pre make the sample baskets to prevent you from making them the day before a meeting.

The expired date only means you can't sell to the public. Continue to seek creative ways to use the expired items other than throwing them in the trash.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 11:53 PM   0 Comments

Krosher Products For Jewish Holidays

Gift Baskets for Jewish Holidays will require Krosher products.

When deciding on a Jewish holiday gift basket, it is important to respect the Kosher laws that Jewish families follow. In Kosher law meat and dairy products are kept separated and no pork is consumed.

With this in mind, order a gift basket with no meat and cheese or select an elegant fruit basket as an alternative.


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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 10:17 PM   0 Comments

Corporate Gifting Program-Could it Benefit Your Company?

Our corporate gifting program was designed for busy professionals like you. Because your time is important, there's no need to worry about last minute gifts.

By participating in the Corporate gifting program, your clients will receive their gifts on a recurring basis pre-determined by you. Just give us your list and we'll take care of the rest.

There's no better way to remind clients that you’re still the best than with a corporate gift basket. Call or email us today.

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corporate gifting program

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 5:50 PM   0 Comments

Selling Gift Baskets At Flea Markets- Is This You?

Now you are thinking about selling your gift baskets at flea markets. Let's take a look inside a flea market. Before we get started, we'll assume it's indoors...

The building...an open place that reminds you of a warehouse with sections divided into numbered booths.

The booths...nothing fancy, the only thing that separates your space from your neighbor is a partition or piece of plywood that you had to buy.

Hours...normally open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Vendors...anybody who pays the booth rent that day gets to sell their products to the public.

Now...get ready for this.

The products...they are usually inexpensive and the quality is not guaranteed.

When thinking of flea markets, you automatically think discount and cheap.

There is nothing wrong with selling your baskets at flea markets, if it's just a hobby and you need some extra cash for the weekend. But for serious gift basket designers, your baskets will not be appreciated by the type of customers that shop at flea markets.

Why? You ask…because they are there looking for a deal. If they wanted to pay full price for something, they would be at the mall.

Desperation causes some to reduce the quality of their baskets. Like any business, it takes patience and marketing. Those that follow this advice will be the ones who succeed.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 4:49 PM   0 Comments

WANTED! Corporate Gift Baskets

Corporate gift baskets make the best corporate gifts. Corporate gifts are popular because you understand that building a business is based on building and maintaining relationships.

We create custom gift baskets for busy professionals who understand that making a great impression is the only option.

Our gifts are appropriate for both male and female. And that’s not all! They attract new customers, promote your brand and maintain positive relations with existing customers.

To remind your clients that you are still the best in the business, place your order online or call us today.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 1:35 PM   0 Comments

Yes- You Can Own a Successful Gift Basket Business

I know what it's like to want to own a successful gift basket business.

You want to get started but fear making alot of mistakes. Better yet...Read books that leave you with more questions than it answered. And not only that, but...Hope your message board post will get a reply.

Fear no more. I will show you exactly how...And tell you all the tools, everything you need to get started...immediately.

What's more...You will learn where to purchase inventory, marketing techniques that work, how to present your gift baskets to potential clients, how to optimize your website, best way to set up your workspace, and gift basket designs.

It's a fact that nobody gets to the top alone. You will seek information from somewhere or someone on that road to success.

I don't care if it's an article you read on the internet or advice for the best loan from a bank rep...You will need somebody.

To avoid the mistakes made by many and achieve the success of some, call us today.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 7:23 AM   0 Comments

Cello Bags

Using cello bags to wrap gift baskets depend on preference.

Gift basket designers choose this method for many reasons. For starters, cello bags are convenient and less time goes into wrapping the baskets.

Cello bags come in many different sizes. However, there will be cases where the bags just won't fit all types of baskets and containers.

Keep in mind that the fit of the bag may be loose which gives the gift an untidy appearance.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 10:35 PM   0 Comments

It's Mother's Day

Can you believe it's almost Mother's Day? It seems to come sooner and sooner each year. Because this day is extra special, treat mom right. Think of gift basket designs that are perfect for her.

Planters in any color are great for designing gifts. Fill it with all the treats mom likes. Add a Mother’s Day themed tea cup, wall plaque or cd for the special touch. And don't forget the floral enhancements.

After the treats are gone, she can now plant her favorite plant in her new planter, sip morning tea in her new tea cup, and she has a wall plaque to add to her home decor. Mom is sure to rave over this one.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 7:49 AM   1 Comments

Purchasing Inventory

Is most of your inventory purchased from Sam's or Costco? Do you only buy inventory when an order is placed? Or do you have inventory on hand at all times?

These are the questions smart shoppers are asking. When the occasion arises for gift baskets, customers don't like to wait a long time.

Gift baskets full of products purchased from retail stores are typically over priced. If you are making purchases from a gift basket company filled with store bought things, why do you need them?

Impress the recipient with a unique gift basket that includes items that can't be found at a local store.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 2:14 PM   0 Comments

Using Tulle To Wrap Gift Baskets

Using tulle to wrap gift baskets is a costly alternative to cellophane. Not only is it more expensive, it does not give a professional look, and the products in the basket can not be seen through it.

To get the best use from tulle, use it in place of shred. Tulle softens the look of the gift. It's great for baby, wedding, or bath and pamper gift baskets.

With this method, a spool of tulle should last a long time. However, if you're wrapping baskets with it, it's sure to break the bank.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 3:39 PM   0 Comments

What Do Corporate Clients Want?

The goal for every business is to secure a thriving corporate account. Acquiring a couple of good paying corporate accounts can sustain a business through out the year.

Corporate clients expect you to work around their budget and offer impressive designs. Most budgets can be accommodated. But some won't like the options they are given for the amount of money they are willing to spend. Now what do you do?

Getting more than one corporate account is achievable with a little planning. Here are some things to help you out:

Weigh your options if…

This is your first corporate account and you think it will be worth you absorbing the cost to meet their needs.

You have many good paying corporate accounts already- The profit you make off them will afford you the extra cost.

Put your company’s best interest first if you plan on staying in business. When you're out of business that corporate account will be someone else’s.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 7:31 AM   0 Comments

How's Your Website Performing?

When I started my gift basket business, I thought all I had to do was create a website and the sales would come pouring in. Boy was I wrong!

After 6 months of being online and wasting $600 on a web designer, I still had zero traffic. Desperate for an online presence, I decided to educate myself on owning an online business.

Yes! When you decided to create a website where customers can make purchases, you are now the proud owner of an online business. To avoid the mistakes I did...

DON'T
Use free websites- search engines will ignore you.

Use too many graphics- they do not add value to your website and search engine spiders can not recognize them.

Hire a web designer before you have basic website knowledge.

Use music- music does not mix with all websites. People seeking to send a gift do not want to hear music.

Allow popups- they quickly annoy website visitors.

DO'S
Register your own domain name.

Choose a web hosting company.

Write good content for your website.

Build your own site with some type of web software.

Hire a web designer- caution: If your site requires constant updates, make sure you have complete control over your site. Having access to your website files helps you avoid calling the web designer to do updates and paying maintenance fees.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 9:53 PM   0 Comments

Meeting New Business Associates

The key to meeting new business associates is the 30 second introduction.

The more unique it is the more likely it will grab the attention of the intended audience.

I have gone to networking events and was asked to give a 30 second introduction of my business without giving any thought to its effectiveness.

Now I've took a little time to revise my 30 second introduction when meeting new business associates. I started with these basics.

Unique selling proposition

This is what makes your business different from the competition.

What’s in it for me?

Because customers ask this all the time, let them know how your company can help their company.

Make them remember you

Leave something with them that makes you stand out from the crowd.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 10:53 PM   0 Comments

An Opportunity To Reward Staff

Administrative Professionals Week is April 20th-26th. It has become one of the largest workplace observances.

This is the week for corporations to show appreciation to their Secretaries, Receptionists and other support staff. Show them why giving a gift basket offers an alternative to the normal flowers and candy.

Present appreciation baskets based on some of the things the staff likes. We offer specialty shopping complementary for items that are not readily available. Or order a gift basket that can be shared by the entire office with a theme based on your type of business.

If your employee morale has been suffering, this is the perfect opportunity to reward them and breathe new life into your business.

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Permalink posted by Tammie Allen @ 6:27 PM   2 Comments

Bon Voyage Gift Baskets

It's travel season. With Spring break here and Summer around the corner, now is the time to wish those many travelers Bon Voyage.

Bon Voyage gift baskets make great travel gifts. Once they were only purchased through travel agents and cruise lines.

Now you can order a gift basket based on the destination of the traveler. Here’s an idea: for a trip to the beach include sunscreen and for a ski trip; throw in some hot chocolate and a chapstick.

New Seasons brings new ideas. Because some occasions are not as popular, we forget about them. However, at The Gourmet Gift Shop, our goal is to create custom gifts that are a welcome acknowledgement for any person, for any occasion at anytime. Place your order today.

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