Archive for April, 2009
If you’re not already of the Gift Basket Association, check out an example of the newsletter you’ll receive when you join. In addition to some great suggestions for increasing your business (mini gift baskets, baskets for Seniors, and personalizing products), author Debbie Quintana also offers her ideas for supporting and giving back in our local communities.
Join the Gift Basket Association now for just $8.25 per month and be part of a growing number of gift basket professionals who are learning and growing together.
April 29th, 2009
According to Platform-A, AOL’s advertising business, more and more people are using on-line generated coupons for purchases than the traditional newspaper coupons that were popular in the past. Furthermore, “younger couples are the most likely life-stage group to use online coupons, indicating an opportunity to influence product choices within this segment.” Full story.
With this in mind, those of us in the gift basket industry might try incorporating more of this type of marketing on our web sites.This can be done simply. Create a coupon using Microsoft Publisher or any other design software that you use. Most software includes templates that you can use. Save your coupon to your desktop. Then simply upload the coupon to your web site just as you upload photos of your gift baskets. Send an email to your customers directing them to your web site in order to print the coupon.
A few other tips: Make sure you are very clear about the promotion you offer (Save $5 on your next purchase; Get 10% off your next purchase, Receive a discount on a particular category of products such as all Baby Baskets, etc.). State the dates when the coupon can be used. Also be sure to indicate if there are certain items that you carry that for which the coupon does not apply. Use your logo or your “tag line” on all your coupons.
April 18th, 2009
National Pet Week will be observed the week of May 4th and this is a grand opportunity to introduce some new basket designs to your line. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturer’s Association, almost 40% of U.S. households include a dog or cat. Moreover, pet owners are mad about their pets! (That’s me with my wonderful, loyal, best friend!) “Amidst one of the worst economic downturns in decades, the pet industry continues to remain robust. Total pet spending topped $43 billion in 2008, and a 4.9 percent increase to $45.4 billion is projected for 2009, according to the American Pet Products Association.
Check out Gift Basket Business.com for resources on pet products. Create some new baskets for dogs and cats that also include a gift certificate for a local pet spa or pet day care facility. This way, you can double your marketing efforts by joining forces with these other businesses to promote “luxury” items for the family pet.
April 14th, 2009
Check out the all new Gift Basket Association and join with others who are ready to prosper! Debbie Quintana, who is the driving force behind this new group, is dedicated to offering gift basket business owners and designers a fresh look for success.
The Gift Basket Association will be a asset for gift basket retailers, suppliers and educators. In addition to offering product resources, Debbie is anxious to share ideas on we can use technology and new business marketing tools to help our businesses grow.
Membership is just $8.25 per month and includes a wide range of benefits. Go to The Gift Basket Association and join now!
April 12th, 2009
If you’re not reading Ari Weinzweig’s articles in Specialty Food Magazine, you’re missing out. In each issue, he writes about how he keeps his business growing. Articles include topics on staff training, sales and marketing, trends in the industry, and in the March issue, he writes about how we can keep focused during these stressful economic times.
Weinzweig believes that as leaders of our businesses, we need to keep ourselves balanced. Our employees pick up on our mindsets. If we’re not positive, with a balanced outlook about the ups and downs of our businesses, how can we expect our employees to stay motivated?
I agree. I believe that I have to take care of myself in order to be available to my friends, family, colleagues and employees. The better I am, the more I can give to the people around me. If I can stay positive, even in the midst of chaos, then my employees will pick up on this attitude. In turn, they will be more positive with customers. So I make sure that everyday, I take some time for meditation, spiritual readings, walk my dog several times and practice “presence” (Weinzweig refers to this as “being in the moment”). These are the things that help me stay centered. I also rely on friends, and ask myself constantly “how can I be of service in this situation”. By keeping my mind off my own troubles, and looking for ways that I can be helpful to others, I always discover a new sense of purpose and serenity. And with this perspective, I am more prepared to deal with the challenges of the day.
In Weinzweig’s article, you can read about ten things that he does to help himself “stay grounded through many years of challenges, obstacles, diversions and distractions”.What are you doing to keep yourself balanced and centered?
April 7th, 2009
