Where are the Gift Trade Shows?

Posted on June 15, 2010 
Filed Under Trade Shows | Leave a Comment

Gabby asks:

How can I find gift trade shows that are near my location?

I don’t know your exact location, but if you’re in the United States, here are three tips to find trade shows in your area.

1. Ask gift basket designers you know on Twitter or Facebook for information on where they attend shows, and give them specific information on where you’re located. You may learn of a show that’s in your region and also meet the designers who recommend the show.

2. Look for an online listing such as this trade show locations page at WebSitesForRetailers.com.

3. Place the words gift trade show into your preferred search engine and click on the results that match your request.

A blog article entitled, Where Are Trade Shows Outside of the U.S.?, will help you locate non-U.S. events.

Is There a Better Place than Retail Stores to Buy Enhancements?

Posted on April 29, 2010 
Filed Under Products and Supplies | Leave a Comment

Ruby asks:

“I go to retail craft stores to buy picks and other enhancements, but there must be another place where I can get them for a better price. Where do I look?”

Start by finding a local floral supplier in your area. You’ll find this resource by learning where wholesale flowers are delivered for distribution to local florists.

These companies are usually open for trade business (not the general public) selling baskets, containers, enhancements, ribbon, and other supplies to retail companies just like yours.

A Yellow Page directory will help you locate these wholesalers, which are usually listed under “floral suppliers.” If you no longer receive the directory and are in the United States, look for the same term within a search engine. For example, if you’re located in Maryland, you enter the search in this exact manner:

“floral supplies”+Maryland

If outside of the U.S., this same search term may be helpful by typing the name of your city, province, or country in the space where the word Maryland is shown above.

This is how I found four floral suppliers in my area. You may not find as many, but there’s a good chance you at least find one that sells low-cost, high-quality enhancements and other items to create gift baskets.

Is it Better to Make Cheap Gift Baskets or Quality Designs?

Posted on March 25, 2010 
Filed Under Sales and Marketing | Leave a Comment

Dawn asks:

“What can I say when customers tell me that they can buy gift baskets cheaper from another place?”

This problem is common, especially if you’re new to the gift basket business and are still searching for clients who recognize your talents and service.

People who tell you that they can get gift baskets cheaper elsewhere are not clients for you. These are individuals who want everything for a budget price, people who don’t separate price from quality.

You may not realize this, but hearing these words from people to whom you’re trying to sell is an advantage.

You get to see individuals, up close and personal, who are not part of your target market. This lets you bypass them in the future and head straight for people who only buy quality goods from reputable and reliable designers. That’s you.

There are many phrases you can say to people who favor budget buying that separates you from discounters. Here’s my favorite:

Here’s my card. Come back when you’re ready for quality gifts and outstanding service.

Designers: What do you say when people tell you about low-quality, mass market baskets they buy elsewhere?

Next Page →