When’s the last time a direct mail piece made you feel like a business was talking to you directly?

Probably never.

One of the main reasons that personalized gourmet gift basket marketing outperforms direct mail is that with gift baskets, you can speak to your prospects on a 1 on 1 basis.

You can engage them, build a relationship with them.

Personalization Helps to Make it Possible.

Inserting items that reflect your client’s profession into a gift basket is such a simple step, but studies link it to increase response rate.

Personalization doesn’t have to stop at someone’s profession. You can include just about anything in your gift:

v/ Industry news and articles

v/ Client birthday cards

v/ Thank you cards

v/ Promotional items

Here's our recommendations for more personalization ideas.

Tags: personalization news industry prospects

Labels: industry, news, personalization, prospects

                     

I normally don’t recommend other blogs as valuable resources for gift basket professionals.

Not to discourage you, but… it’s hard to find blogs that deliver good information for the gift industry.

However, because I’m such a cheerleader for other gift basket professionals, I have to recommend Apex Gift Basket Pros.

First of all, it’s a blog catering to the gift basket industry. It has plenty of
information on promotion, marketing and even product buying. New and soon-to-be gift basket designers will appreciate the easy to follow tips.

If you find this resource to be as valuable as I did, click here to let me know.

Tags: gift basket blogs advice information resource news

Labels: blogs, information, news, resource

                     

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.

Tags: corporate baskets corporate gifts advice news

Labels: advice, corporate baskets, corporate gifts, gifts, news

                     

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.

Tags: online gift basket business advice sales news

Labels: advice, gift basket business, news, online, sales

                     

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.

Tags: sales gift baskets advice news

Labels: advice, gift baskets, news, sales

                     

This weekend, I received an order for 5 teacher appreciation gift baskets. The client stated she had seen some gift baskets from other companies that were not well put together and were priced outrageously. She said she was so impressed with my work and the prices associated with it.

All too often many companies don't have a method for pricing their products and services and most over charge for an inferior product. Your profit and credibility depends on pricing your product or service accurately.

Sometimes the products I normally use for a $40 order won't fill that certain basket or container. Do you think I give my customers a half filled basket? Of course not!

Always practice exceeding your customer’s expectations. Consider their needs first. By giving just a little you will be rewarded a lot.

Tags: gift basket pricing advice news

Labels: advice, gift basket pricing, news

                     

You never have to worry about whether or not a gift that you purchased from us was delivered.

When you place an order, we practice getting at least two contact numbers for the recipient. This allows us to check the accuracy of their address and schedule a date and time that someone will be available to accept the gift basket.

In the event that all arrangements are made, and the recipient is still not home, we try to leave the basket at the door or somewhere safe near the house. Sometimes neighbors accept the gift on the recipient's behalf. The neighbor simply signs a confirmation of delivery and we leave a Sorry We Missed You note for the recipient with the exact location of where the basket was left.

Tags: advice gift basket delivery reviews news gift industry consultant

Labels: advice, gift basket delivery, news

                     

The first step in gift basket design is the filler for the baskets. Most baskets or containers will need filler in the bottom to support the products.

Although, newsprint, brown paper bags, and newspaper have been the most commonly used in the gift basket industry, they are a bad choice for filler. Not only will they not support a basket full of products, they make an unprofessional appearance for the recipient when the basket is opened.

Tags: advice baskets news

Labels: advice, baskets, news

                     

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.

Tags: enclosure cards news baskets gift basket cards

Labels: advice, gift baskets, news

                     

The use of dropshippers offers another option for starting a gift basket business. With this option, there is no inventory to purchase. The dropshipper fills the orders and ships it to you.

Because the only items that would be available to you would be what the dropshipper offers, I decided against this method. You can trust that I employ the most creative gift basket designers who enjoy putting baskets together.

By not using a dropshipper, there are no limits to what I offer. You now have conveniences like…

Same day delivery, customized gift baskets, and product guarantees.

Running a gift basket business using a dropshipper can be an alternative for some people. However, The Gourmet Gift Shop enjoys offering a service to customers that they won't find anywhere else.

Tags: advice news dropshippers

Labels: advice, baskets, expert, gifts, news

                     

Choosing a business name is an exciting and important step. Before deciding on a name, determine your niche market, as well as, any other direction you may consider taking the company in the future. In other words, are you starting in your home with hopes of moving into a retail space?

In the gift basket industry, corporations remain the largest buyers of gift baskets. Consider a name that conveys credibility and strength of a company that can handle anything and will be around for years to come.

Tags: advice corporate baskets reviews news

Labels: advice, baskets, corporate, news, reviews

                     

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.

Tags: advice sales gift industry consultant gifts news reviews gift baskets expert

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

                     

The main website and online store of The Gourmet Gift Shop, Inc. of Stockbridge, Georgia, was completely redesigned and launched today with a new feature, this Gift Basket Expert Advice blog. We create elegant gift baskets for all occasions.

Please bookmark our site and return often for advice and tips to learn more about the features, quality, plus news and reviews of new gift basket products. All of our products are of the finest gourmet quality. Gift baskets may be purchased online using PayPal and all major credit cards. All orders ship within 24 hours.

Tags: advice baskets custom corporate gifts holiday individual news reviews sales

Labels: advice, basket, corporate, custom, gifts, holiday, individual, news, reviews, sales