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.

Tags: sales corporate baskets St. Patrick's Day
gift baskets

Labels: corporate baskets, gift baskets, sales, St. Patrick's Day

                     

Using the wrong methods of getting and keeping customers can cost you dearly. What if you could get more customers and increase your sales without giving up so much of your profits? I bet you can.

Here are a few ways to help you get them...

Be Generous

Give out two gifts to your customers. One for the customer and the other one for the office staff to share.

Thank Customers for Their Business

Give them a gift with your company’s name and phone number embossed on the ribbon.

Remind Customers to Reorder

Include a reorder form in the gift basket for when they are running low on your product.

Create Store Traffic

Run an ad in print, radio, or in your store window and offer a free gourmet gift with a purchase or just for coming in.

Turn One-Time Buyers into Loyal, Lifelong Customers

Don't let your customer relationships wither and die after just one sale.

Use The Gourmet Gift Shop's gift baskets to make more sales and boost your profit-per-customer.

Tags: gourmet gift basket getting customers keeping customers sales

Labels: getting customers, gourmet gift basket, keeping customers, sales

                     

Marketing your business with gourmet gift baskets is an easy and effective way to drive sales. Print your name and logo on customized advertising items for your marketing needs and included them in the basket.

The Gourmet Gift Shop has a variety of products to suite every industry, occasion or theme. Customized gift baskets are perfect as a thank you gift to your customers. And what's more...Show off team spirit by handing out personalized gifts to reward employees.

Let The Gourmet Gift Shop help you manage your budget and your marketing needs.

Tags: gourmet gift baskets customized gift baskets sales

Labels: customized gift baskets, gourmet gift baskets, sales

                     

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.

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Labels: advice, gift baskets, news, sales

                     

You're probably asked by customers who make your basket deliveries. The type of delivery method you choose ultimately depends on preference and sales volume.

Your choice of delivery includes, but is not limited to, delivering your baskets yourself, hiring a contractor, a delivery service or courier.

Because no one can represent your company like you, delivering your own baskets is the obvious choice. As sales increase, time will not permit self delivery and outsourcing will be needed.

Consider a contractors agreement when hiring contractors for your protection and theirs. Because delivery services charge different rates for different area codes, price the deliveries competitively to cover the costs.

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Labels: advice, baskets, 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

                     

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

                     

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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Labels: advice, gift baskets, 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