Want an Easier Holiday Season?

Tuesday September 23, 2008 • Leave a Comment 

September 23, 2008
Issue 24

worldofthanks.gifGift basket designers are busy gathering orders, conducting corporate presentations and planning designs in preparation for the holidays. Like some of them, you may have already begun to feel overwhelmed.
 
One thing that will ease the pressure for you is being able to fill orders even when you are tired, busy with other orders or get orders for designs you don’t stock.
 
How can you make the holiday season easier?
 
Sell ready made gift basket designs.
 
Savvy designers stock these ready made gift baskets so they can enjoy the holiday season without added stress. You can too.
 
When an order is placed, you can simply ship the ready made design and thus enjoy the profits more quickly.
 
To help you find companies that offer ready made gift baskets, visit our new free online directory http://www.readymadegiftbaskets.com now.
 
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Are You Ready for the Holidays?

Tuesday September 2, 2008 • Leave a Comment 

valentinebag1.gifIssue 211

The fourth quarter is the busiest and most profitable time of the year for gift basket businesses. Being prepared ensures that you enjoy your share of these profits.

Here are three tips to get you started:

1. Contact clients from last holiday season. Send them a copy of the recipients and contact information from last year asking them to revise and update their gift list. This will impress them with your efficiency and make reordering easy and convenient.

2. Give an incentive for ordering early. Some will be motivated by a discount on the total order. Others may prefer free shipping, but I caution you on this one since shipping costs have skyrocketed.

3. Update your website with current holiday photos and enticing headings. Check your e-commerce system to be sure orders go through smoothly.Get more great tips in this article “Are You Up for a Profitable Holiday Season?”



Get Answers to Your Gift Basket Questions

Tuesday November 27, 2007 • Leave a Comment 

holiday-basket.jpgNewcomers and veterans ask many questions as they manage their businesses during the holidays. Based on my 16+ years of retail experience I’ve created these answers on websites, my blog and a variety of products. Use this handy guide to direct you to answers to the most frequently asked questions.
 
1. I’m just getting started. Do I need a license or permit?
2. How can I possibly compete with Costco?
3. Where do I sell my gift baskets?
4. Can I add wine to my gift baskets?
5. What are some tips you can give me about holiday orders?
6. How do I make products stand up in a basket without handles?
7. How do I price my baskets?
8. What’s the difference between Kwanzaa and Christmas?
9. Can you show me how to shrinkwrap?
10. Where can I find containers like trays, buckets, drums, etc.?

If your question wasn’t answered, email it to me at flora@giftbasketbusinessworld.com



Countdown to the Holidays: Lower Your Anxiety, Increase Your Profits

Tuesday November 6, 2007 • Leave a Comment 

As you move into high gear for the upcoming holidays you may be feeling excitement or anxiety. You may even feel a little scared.

By now you may have gotten so many orders that you wonder if you’ll be able to get them all done in time. Or you may not have gotten any orders and are having that sinking feeling that you’ll be left with cases of gingerbread cookies or cheese shaped like snowmen.

No matter where you fit within these two scenarios, there are a number of tips that can help you get through this season.
 
Read the full article~



Is Your Workspace Ready for Holiday Orders?

Tuesday October 9, 2007 • Leave a Comment 

According to the International Data Corp. nearly 27 million people were working from home at the end of 2006.
 
Working from home for gift basket designers means more than just setting up an office and meeting deadlines. It also means providing adequate storage for products and supplies and ample workspace for assembling designs.
 
If you’re like most gift basket designers you actively seek corporate orders, especially for the holidays. When you win large contracts, however, is your workspace ready to handle the assembly of these gift baskets?
 
Here are some ways others have met this challenge:
 
1. Rent or sublease an industrial space or a commercial kitchen for the months prior to the holidays.
2. Arrange to assemble the designs at the warehouse or other vacant space owned by your client.
3. Clear space for assembly tables in your garage, attic or basement.
4. Assemble gift baskets in small quantities in your regular workspace and store finished designs elsewhere.
5. Outsource the assembly of your designs to a fulfillment service. Some even take care of the delivery.
6. Work an agreement with a business that has adequate workspace to use it during the hours when their business is closed.