How Can I Fill Gift Basket Orders with a Limited Inventory?
Posted on May 4, 2012
Filed Under Business Basics, Products and Supplies | Comments Off
Erika asks: “It seems that every time a person asks me to make a gift basket, I don’t have everything they want. How do I get around this problem without buying lots more products?”
As a designer, you want to accommodate every person who calls, but this isn’t possible without buying one of everything in the marketplace, and even then there will be a problem with size, color, or shape.
Think about large stores such as Macy’s and Harrods. They own a huge amount of inventory. However, people who shop at those stores walk out every day without purchasing. Even if this fact doesn’t solve your dilemma, it proves that you’re in good company.
The only thing you can do is continually review your inventory to match it with what customers consistently request. Stock the basic items such as cookies, crackers, cheese, popcorn, nuts, and beverages, and also keep gift items for spa and baby baskets in inventory. Wholesale providers are listed at Gift Basket Wholesale Supplies and Organic Wholesale Supplies.
Whatever your customers order most often is your target. You cannot stock everything, but you can satisfy most people who buy.
What’s the First Step Before Making a Gift Basket?
Posted on April 6, 2012
Filed Under Startup Help | Comments Off
Dawn asks:
“I’m ready to start making gift baskets. Is there one thing to do before I start that’s more important than anything else?”
The one thing to do before you buy a basket or bag of shred is to know if making gift baskets will be your hobby or a profession.
That one decision will determine how much you buy, if you’ll set up a workspace, and whether or not marketing will be part of your overall plan.
Going the hobby or profession route will also let you decide how much money you’ll invest.
If this is a hobby, you’ll make gift baskets for special occasions and buy products from retailers to create each design.
If this is a profession, setting up a dedicated workspace is the encouraged along with buying products from wholesale sources.
Click this link for tips on making gift baskets as a business.
Making gift baskets as a hobby or profession is a talent. Both options helps you to decide how far with that talent you’re willing to go.
What Makes Corporations Buy Gift Baskets?
Posted on March 2, 2012
Filed Under Corporate Accounts | Comments Off
Emily asks:
“I’m trying to get corporations to buy my gift baskets, but it’s not working out. What’s the best way for me to get these accounts?”
Corporations, like individuals, buy from people they know, like, and trust.
If you send a letter, postcard, or other marketing material to a corporation, and it doesn’t have the name of a specific person (example — Attention: Marketing Department), that’s a sure way to have your material thrown into the garbage.
You have to know someone within the corporate business to get their attention. That connection creates a 360-degree change in your ability to convince a corporation to buy from you.
It’s also important to recognize which departments within an organization, and which people within those departments, have the power to say “yes” and approve the order. Without it, you’ll find yourself talking to powerless people who will eat all of your samples, smile, and watch you walk out the door without a sale.
This is a huge hurdle that’s discussed by phone in the Golden Basket Club with Elite members who are breaking through corporate barriers to get sales and expand their businesses.
Get to know all about the corporations you target for marketing, which hopefully leads to bountiful sales in the near future.
