No matter what type of business you have, there is always going to be competition. However, that's not the problem. The problem is to ignore them. Below are the first steps to sizing up your competition.

1. Check out their website. You should be able to get the history of the company, information on the owners or management team, possibly financial info and more.

2. Know their prices. Because of new and discontinued products, everything a company sells may not be on their website. To get an adequate idea of the prices, call them up as if you are a new or existing customer.

3. Visit their Store. This is your chance to check out their customer service and to see what else you may like or dislike about what they are doing.

4. Attend Industry Trade Shows. You never know...your competition may be a participant. This is your opportunity to be up close with their customers and vendors and another chance to look for what they may be doing better.

5. Repeat. Every month or so, repeat 1 through 3.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking you don’t have to research your competition. It’s the only way you will succeed in business.

Tags: advice business competition

Labels: advice, business, competition

                     

Starting a new business is a dream come true for some and for others, it remains that...A DREAM.

The biggest mistake you can make when launching a new business is to worry about those people that you are not even talking to.

Don't be concerned about the perception of people that are not your target audience. Of course, your competitors view you as inferior. That's their job...they are your competition!

The goal in business is to find and keep your audience. Here's two ways to do this...

Warm-Call and Business Travel Gifts
Great for meeting clients face to face and when soliciting new business.

Birthday and Holiday Cards
Both are an effective way to keep and stay in touch with clients.

Don't feel you have to know everything when you're just starting or be what others want you to be. If I had waited until I knew everything about gift baskets, I would have never started The Gourmet Gift Boutique.

Tags: advice business

Labels: advice, business

                     

Gift baskets are key to building a successful marketing campaign for your business. There are many ways to advantageously use gift baskets to increase leads, sales, and create customer loyalty. Show your appreciation for your customers by handing out small gifts. Give them for every referral that your customers send to your business. Check back often for more tips on how to make gift baskets work for your business.

Tags: advice marketing advertise business gift baskets

Labels: advertise, advice, business, gift baskets, marketing

                     

We've all been feeling the affects of the economy, some more than others. But have you thought about how the economy is affecting your business and sales?

If you think waiting for the economy to get better is the best option for your business, you're wrong.

Check out these strategies businesses and organizations are using to get through these tough times.

Promotional Gifts
Give out promotional gift baskets to people who are interested or more likely to purchase your products or services.

Drop a Note
Stay connected to your customers by keeping in touch. Solo professionals and entrepreneurs use a greeting card program to send customers a personalized thank you card or a note on a regular basis to make sure their address and phone number is the same and to receive special offers.

Reduce Customers' Expense
Your customers are searching for the best deals right now. Reduce their cost by picking up the tab. Offer complimentary shipping or buy one get one free deals.

Employee Marketing Program
Encourage employee productivity while getting the best advertising- Word of Mouth. As an incentive to the top producer, reward them with a gift basket that is sent on a pre determined recurring basis.

I strongly encourage you to use these strategies as a guide for your business survival. I can tell you that they work because I use them myself.

Tags: sales business marketing gift baskets

Labels: business, gift baskets, marketing, sales

                     

We know times are tight. Now you can promote your business on a budget using gift baskets for just $15.

Gift baskets are useful to your business because they translate into more money for you.

Did you know...?

By using gift baskets to promote your business leads to increased positive word of mouth and a vast rise in the bottom line.

And...

By recognizing employees with a gift basket improves their customer service skills and the service they provide your clients improves.

Visit www.thegourmetgiftsshop.com and see how you can promote your business. If you don't see what you want, just call our idea experts at (404) 247-5504.

Tags: gift baskets promotion business

Labels: business, gift baskets, promotion

                     

Unless you find a more cost-effective way to get your message out, your business is doomed.

To avoid costly mistakes, follow these do’s and don’ts to market your products and services.

DON'T
Target strangers with something they don’t want to hear about.

Approach strangers with a product they’ve never heard of.

Use sales methods that annoy people.

Pitch a sale that people don’t understand.

Ask for money too soon.

DO
Target existing customers; once a customer, always a customer.

Amaze your clients with great corporate gift baskets and service.

Package your product in a format the customer appreciates.

Ask for referrals.

Offer something complimentary.

Tags: cost effective corporate baskets business

Labels: business, corporate baskets, cost effective

                     

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.

Tags: corporate baskets advice business

Labels: advice, business, corporate baskets