How Do I Market My Gift Baskets?
Edith asks:
“How do I market my gift baskets? I can design but am not sure how to sell.”
There are three parts to my answer.
1. When you originally decided to start a gift basket business, who was your target customer? In other words, what made you decide to get into this business?
Whoever was sharing their gift-finding problem with you is a good start to recognizing your target market.
2. Where’s the best place to reach your market (the people who will buy from you)? Is it in magazines, at networking events, or through social media?
The people in your target market will share their activities with you so that your marketing messages reach them. Your customers are probably similar to those served by other gift basket designers, and you’ll find their solutions in the book 101 Ways to Market Your Gift Baskets.
3. Take advantage of appointments set up with independent professionals such as accountants and educators.
After speaking with them about the main reason for the meeting, you can turn the tables at the end by talking about your business and how your gift baskets benefit their lifestyles.
Related Questions:
Getting Corporate Clients to Order
How to Market Gift Baskets for Men
How Do I Get Customers for My Home-Based Business?
How Do I Send a Brochure When I Don’t Have One?
Brenda asks:
“I’m getting calls from people who want me to send them a brochure, and because I don’t have one, I keep telling them to visit my Web site.
I feel like I’m losing sales because I hear these people say they don’t have a computer. How can I send a brochure when I don’t have one, don’t know how to make one, and don’t want to have them made because of the expense?”
I’m not sure which way you view a brochure, because in one sentence you say you think you’re losing money without one, and in another sentence you say that it’s an expense.
A brochure is either considered as an investment in your business or as an expense because its creation and distribution won’t increase your profits.
If you choose to not make a brochure, then stick to that choice. No designer can satisfy everyone that comes their way. However, keep tabs on the number of people requesting a brochure, because in time you may realize that there is a large amount of orders you’re deflecting without one.
Online printers make brochure creation available, and the investment of time and money may be worthwhile.
Look at the brochures through this link and this one, too (look for two more pages of brochure designs through those linked pages).
They weren’t made with online printer support because the Web wasn’t as popular then as it is now, but today these types of brochures can be designed online.
If your primary customers have computer connections, perhaps you don’t need a brochure. The decision is yours to make or break. Monitor the requests, and stay focused with or without printed material.
How Do I Keep Business Going Now?
Savannah asks:
“My gift basket sales are way down now, and I know I’m not alone. I’m very concerned. How do I keep my doors open while waiting for this economy to bounce back?”
The media continues to paint a grim economic picture, and while the facts are true, I still believe that “waiting for this economy to bounce back” will destroy your business.
These three examples represent reasons for buying gifts and baskets, and your business is in a great position to get these sales.
When a baseball is hit, the on-field team runs toward the ball rather than wait for the ball to roll to them. Waiting allows the other team to score or get into position to score. So, for you, waiting is similar to allowing a competitor to get the account.
Get into the sales game by going after clients rather than waiting for them to come to you.
Invest in breakfast or lunch with a loyal client. Mail letters or postcards. Do what’s necessary, within your budget, to make contact.
Waiting for the economy to get better is not an option.
Gift Basket Biz Plan
Featured Book
Gift Basket Books
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