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.

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

                     

Few things remain popular year after year, decade after decade. Gift baskets are the exception! While other fads come and go, gift baskets remain one of the most welcome and popular items you can give someone for any occasion.

Consider electronic items. Ipods, Gameboys, Nintendo - all of these are great gifts, but are usually replaced by the newest craze in a very short period of time. Years ago, Beanie Babies were all the rage, but now not so much. Most items have a limited "shelf life", or period where they are extremely popular. This is not the case with gift baskets. They are still a special gift you can personalize and give for holidays, birthdays, Mothers day and any other occasion that requires something special and unique.

Many companies and large corporations give gift baskets for secretary's day and Christmas, to show their employees their appreciation. Gift baskets can be customized for any holiday or event that is coming up! You can fill them with almost anything - candles, cheese and gourmet foods, body care products, baby shower items, delectable sweets, nuts, coffee and popcorn are good examples.

Whether you have a wedding coming up, a baby on the way or simply need a special gift that will let the recipient know you put thought in to it, gift baskets are the perfect choice. Trends come and go like the seasons. Show someone special that you took the time to choose something extraordinary just for them - get a customized gift basket!

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Labels: custom baskets, gift baskets, welcome gift

                     

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

                     

Get our St. Patrick's Day gift baskets and corporate gifts for only $20.

This sale will expire in 10 days so place your order TODAY to guarantee this price.

Don't Miss Out On All of this...

A $20 gift basket valued at $45.

Customize the corporate gift basket for your business for FREE!

Keep your name in front of your customers for less!

Only at The Gourmet Gift Boutique has making a great impression been this affordable. Call our gift experts at (404) 247-5504 or visit www.thegourmetgiftsshop.com.

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gift baskets

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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.

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Labels: business, gift baskets, promotion

                     

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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Labels: advice, gift baskets, promotional items

                     

Corporations need gift baskets because gift giving should be apart of an ongoing, year long business strategy. To demonstrate good will, should not be based on events and holidays alone. Buying gift baskets also revolves around these popular themes...

Thank You
After the closing of a sale or major deal, give a gift basket to say thank you.

Appreciation
For taking time out of their busy schedule to meet with you, send the prospect a gift basket as a token of your appreciation.

Apology
During a company’s life, mix-ups, blunders and other errors will occur, express your regret with an apology gift basket.

Happy Birthday
Has a store sent you a birthday gift for making a purchase? A birthday gift basket is an effective way to stay in touch with everyone who has made a purchase from you.

Administrative Professionals Week
Acknowledge your Secretary, Administrative Assistant, and other support staff with a gift basket for their contribution in the work place.

Congratulations
Give a gift basket to a client after a major purchase or job promotion.

Happy New Year
To make your company stand out in a grand way, instead of sending a Happy Holidays gift, send a New Year’s basket at the beginning of the year.

Condolences
Offer your sympathy and support to a client after bad news with a condolence gift basket.

Employee of the Month
To say job well done, to promote team work, and to generate on the job enthusiasm give a gift basket as an employee reward.

Milestones
Celebrate a colleague’s retirement with a gourmet gift basket. Other milestones include, surpassing sales goals and anniversaries.

Tags: corporate baskets gift baskets

Labels: corporate baskets, gift baskets

                     

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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Labels: advice, gift baskets, inventory

                     

What a great way to make a living- by making a gift that sells itself. You can start your own gift basket business from scratch or choose a franchise or a business opportunity.

There is no rulebook that you can follow to avoid mistakes when starting a new gift basket business from scratch. But you can play by your own rules. You get to run the business the way you want and sell in any area you choose.

To limit the hassle of researching how to begin your new venture, there are business opportunities and franchises. A business opportunity is an operating system based on setting the company up for operation. However, just like starting a company from scratch, you get to run the business the way you want. A franchise works a little bit different. With a franchise, it’s required by the franchisor that you operate the company under their name and use their operating system. You are only allowed to do business in a defined area chosen by the franchisor and required to pay on going franchise fees or royalties.

Because investing in a new business is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, take your time and research the best strategy for your personal goals.

Tags: gift basket business advice gift baskets

Labels: advice, gift basket business, gift baskets

                     

Who says the economy is bad? My sales have been at an all time high. If you think nobody is buying gift baskets, you have better think again.

My customer's budgets are limited but not to the point were they can't spend anything. During these times they are not buying $40 baskets- not even $30 baskets. So I had to think like my customers. Here are some questions I asked myself:

1. Will they be recognizing a lot of people?

2. How can I give them the most for their money?

3. How can I meet their needs and keep my own expenses low?

I had to tweak my marketing plan. In addition to my regular line of baskets, now I offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets that range from $2.50 to $20. They don't cost me a lot of money, they don't take a lot of time to make, and I still make a profit. This has been a hit with my customers. My last order was for 161 $2.50 gifts. Because they are now purchasing in volume, it averages more than selling one or two baskets at $40 or $50.

Keeping sales up in a bad economy can easily be achieved by implementing small changes. This is a great way to maintain your budget and market your business too.

P.S. If you have tried this and it has helped you, send us an email and let us know. Or if you have done something different that is working for you, we would love to hear about it.

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Labels: advice, gift baskets, news, sales

                     

Everybody wants to know how to increase their sales and make more money. Sales is sales no matter what product it is. You have to define your niche and know how the customer will benefit from buying what you are selling.

Just because everybody buys gift baskets, does not mean I will be able to sell to all of them. That's a battle I will definitely loose.

If you define your niche, then you can tailor a presentation just for that market. Only you know the image you want for your company and the type of customers you want to serve.

Now that the niche is out of the way, it is time to list how the product will benefit the customer. Customers don't know how the product will help them. If they knew, they would have called you instead of you contacting them. It's your job to convince them to buy.

At The Gourmet Gift Shop you will find gift ideas that companies have used to increase sales. Our gift baskets are used to open the doors to new business, express appreciation, and sending condolences.

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Labels: advice, gift baskets, sales

                     

Customers sometimes ask for alcohol or wine in a gift basket. Our company does not possess a liquor license. Because of this and to avoid legal trouble, we do not supply alcohol of any type in our baskets.

Bottled water and sparkling cider are great alternatives to alcohol. For a special look, we include champagne flutes or other cocktail glasses.

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The Gourmet Gift Boutique is now offering gift basket workshops. Our workshops are an opportunity for you to tap into your own creativity while learning your craft from the most talented gift basket professionals in the industry.

The classes are structured to accommodate most schedules and budgets. Choose from group or private classes at your location or ours. We've designed each hands-on workshop to have a limited number of students so that our instructors can provide you with the one-on-one guidance you desire.

You can expect to learn new designs, refine your talent, and boost your confidence enough to become experimental, challenge, strengthen, and evolve your creativity. Call or email us to enroll. $100 reserves your space.

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Enclosure cards are also known as gift cards. They are used to display a personalized note from the sender to the recipient and then attached to the gift basket.

Instead of including one card in the envelope, we enclose a second one. Both cards are placed inside the envelope always with your message displayed first.

Now, the recipient has the gift card to keep and a referral card to keep or pass on to friends and family.

As a token of our appreciation, complimentary upgrades are given to referrals and new customers.

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Labels: advice, gift baskets, news

                     

If you are like me and millions of other entrepreneurs and small business owners, then the need for start-up and working capital is essential for your business.

The US Small Business Administration now provides its "Community Express" Loan Program, geared primarily to minorities, women, veteran, and businesses in traditionally under-served areas. The loans are funded by two SBA approved lending institutions: Innovative Bank and Superior Financial Group .

The "Community Express" program offers qualified small business owners loans up to $50,000 with a 7 or 10 year term, no prepayment penalty, minimal paperwork and technical assistance as needed. The program is structured to ensure that the borrowers receive appropriate pre and post loan management and technical assistance to help insure a successful business experience.

Contact the banks to find out where you can receive technical assistance in your area prior to applying for the loan. These loans are expensive and should be considered as a last resort for financing. I applied and was approved for this loan in June 2007 by Innovative Bank.

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After firing my CPA, I needed my monthly sales and use taxes prepared. I contacted another industry professional for a referral. During our conversation, she stated hers are filed and paid every quarter.

The process of paying taxes need to be addressed after you have registered with your city or state to sell gift baskets. Electing to pay taxes monthly or quarterly are options offered by local government agencies.

Consult a competent CPA or visit your State Department of Revenue's website for instructions on Sales and Use Tax preparation. Filing and paying taxes on time will prevent unwanted penalties later.

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Labels: advice, consultant, expert, gift baskets, gift industry, gifts, news, reviews, sales

                     

A friend asked me to bring samples of my baskets to her job. After putting her off for sometime, I finally decided to do it. She managed to get me one order that resulted in a cancel after I told her the order would include a delivery charge and local taxes.

A gift basket company is not something that’s run from a kitchen table. Because of their lack of respect for my company, that's one order I didn't try to save. Be very careful of people who do not view your profession as a legitimate business.

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