Gift Basket Business Blog » Web Site Ideas

Gift Basket Business Owners: Sign Up for Success

Lorie Obernauer — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 02:56:42 +0000

The Blogging Success Summit 2011 is for you if you’re thinking about starting a blog for your gift basket business. It’s for you if you’re an experienced blogger and want better results. This on-line business conference will take place over three weeks in February, 2011. Instructors will be presenting their sessions live… in real time…on your computer screen….in your office or your home.

You will hear from 23 of the most well respected blogging experts will be featured. “They’ll reveal all the latest techniques and proven business-building tactics that you need to know to immediately benefit from blogging.” You will learn how to:

market your blog
build an engaging blog presence
increase traffic to your blog and your sales
integrate social media platforms with your blog
build loyal readers

You will also have opportunities to network with other bloggers, ask questions and get immediate answers.

Subject Lines You Want to “Click”

Lorie Obernauer — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 04:37:58 +0000

How you can be sure that your emails will be opened? The July issue of Target Marketing describes six sure-fire methods to insure that your emails….and your direct mail pieces….will be opened.

Read the full article to learn classic techniques that have been used for years and still work today. Some suggestions include:

Offer time-savers and enhanced performance. “Find the newest products and trends on the most updated and easy to use web site”
Use a provocative question or statement. “Are you ready to be the best?”

Make sure that your email subject lines and direct mail pieces entice your customers to learn more.

Test Your Gift Basket Business Website

Lorie Obernauer — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:38:35 +0000

How engaging is your web site design? You can answer this question by taking a test that appeared in the July online issue of Target Marketing magazine.

Author Joe Dysart poses five questions that will help you take a new look at your website. You’ll learn:

the maximum number of clicks that it should take to get to critical information
what you should put on the right side and left side of the home page
how often you should check out the effectiveness of your promotions
the best time to ask visitors to register
how fast your pages should download

Read the full article to learn how you can make your website be most effective.

Best Practices for Email Marketing

Lorie Obernauer — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 03:03:28 +0000

I just found a web site that includes a wealth of information about email marketing. Email Marketing Reports includes “hundreds of articles, reviews and links to help you start or improve your opt-in email marketing (whether you send one or a million emails).

Here’s a list of what you’ll find on the site:

Email advertising basics
Email marketing services
Email list software
Email and social media
Strategies and tactics
Online copywriting
Email formats & layouts
Email deliverability
Building an email list
Email marketing metrics
Publishing e-newsletters
Anti-spam laws | Blogs
Blacklists | Books
Wireless / mobile email

Need I say more? If you use emails to connect with your customers, take some time to browse Email Marketing Reports. It will be worth your time: there’s lots to learn.

Gift Basket Customers Anticipate Your Messages

Lorie Obernauer — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 19:29:04 +0000

In the September issue of Target Marketing, I learned a lot of new marketing techniques in an article titled “Positive Anticipation”. Author Pat Friesen shares 13 tips on how to include the emotion of anticipation in your marketing messages. Why is it important to build anticipation into your marketing messages: “Anticipation leads to customer engagement and engagement leads to responses…clicks, calls and visits.”

Whether you communicate by email or snail mail, Friesen’s suggestions are easily applied. For example, her first tip, “create that special feeling” explains how words can make a difference. Words like ‘exclusive’ or ‘by invitation only’ can make your customers feel special…and that can lead to loyalty. Keep a thesaurus handy to come up with creative words to describe your products and services. In another tip, the author explains that pre-announcements, such as a Save the Date card, can increase customer responses by 30% – 40%. This leaves your customers watching and waiting for notice of your promotions.

Read the full article to learn more effective marketing tips for both your email and US mail promotions.

Don’t Forget About Print for Gift Basket Marketing

Lorie Obernauer — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:51:33 +0000

In May, 2010, FedEX Office released the results of its third annual survey of small businesses. Read the full article and consider their findings as you make your marketing for the remainder of the year.

The first interesting and encouraging finding: “almost three-quarters (72%) of small business owners say they will be the driving force behind the U.S. economic recovery in 2010″. This optimism is a real testament to the veracity of small business owners and the importance of small businesses in the marketplace.

Other provocative findings: 61% believe traditional marketing and advertising methods are more effective than web-based counterparts at bringing in customers”. And 44% of small business owners plan to grow business in 2010 by increasing communication with customers via printed materials”.

While we need to keep up with our on-line presence, don’t forget about more traditional avenues for advertising such as newsletters and direct mail.

Don’t Miss the National Gift Basket Convention

Lorie Obernauer — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 13:22:50 +0000

Mark your calendars and make your travel plans: The Ultimate Gift Show National Gift Basket Professional Convention will be held in Canton, Ohio, July 23 – 25. Don’t miss this opportunity for 13 hours of seminars, 10 hours of trade show, unlimited networking and hands-on workshops.

Check out the fantastic selection of educational seminars and workshops. Top leaders in the gift basket industry will be sharing their best ideas! You’ll learn how to organize your design room for maximum efficiency and your displays for maximum impact. Debbie Quintana, from the Gift Basket Association, will tell you how to promote yourself and your business. Learn how to expand bridal events with Mary Anne Jacobs. Get tips on managing your inventory, handling your customer service phones and much much more.

You still have time to take advantage of special registration and hotel rates. Don’t miss this premier industry event!

A Newsletter for Your Gift Basket Business

Lorie Obernauer — Sat, 15 May 2010 02:45:45 +0000

A newsletter can help you create a distinctive identity for your business. It’s a way to communicate regularly with your customers; let them know about special promotions, new products, and share other interesting information with them that will make them want to visit your web site or store.

I recently read an informative blog post about the importance of choosing a name for your newsletter. The writer suggested quite a few great tips for making this determination:

Determine your focus. What do you want your customers to think about your business? What image do you want to portray?
Think about a name that’s friendly and inviting. Keep it short, but concise so that it’s easy to remember and if emailing, so that it will fit into the subject line.
Set your expectations for delivery. How often will you publish your newsletter.

While you’re thinking about your newsletter, check out this publication from SCORE. Author Roger Parker lists 12 steps for a successful newsletter and makes several suggestions about stylist things such as layout, spacing, columns, color and more.

Build Your Gift Basket Business’s On-Line Presence

Lorie Obernauer — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:43:44 +0000

Want to make it easier for your customers to find you online? Major search engines now have local business listing sections. According to Daniel Owen, vice president of a New York interactive advertising agency, “these sections allow you to list your local business for free” (read full story).

Check out these search engines for information on how to add your business to their business listing sections.

You might also want to consider paid search marketing as a means to help customers find your online business. But before going in that direction, learn how that process works. I found a series of articles called “Introduction to Search Engine Submission”. Although written a few years ago, I found it to be a good primer on how search engines work. You can also read read Biznology Newsletter and Blog. for a more recent “take” on the topic.

Does Your Gift Basket Business Include a Web Site?

Lorie Obernauer — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:13:32 +0000

So why does your business need a web site? According to an article I recently read, we all need web sites because “websites work”. No matter what your business or profession, a website can generate business, promote goodwill among customers and prospects, and deliver strong marketing messages.”

Even if you’re not ready to sell your gift baskets on a web site, you can still set up a web site that will describe the products and services that you offer and methods that customers can use to get in touch with you. “The vast majority of business websites are still information and communication rather than purchase-oriented”. If you want to set up this type of site, read about 4 simple steps to take to set up your site.

If you’re ready to set up an e-commerce sight so that you can sell your gift baskets on-line, be sure to check out Web Sites: How to Create, Promote, and Profit On-Line” by Shirley George Frazier. Shirley is a “professional speaker and Internet entrepreneur with more than 25 profitable Web sites, shares quick and easy steps to create and market your online space.”