Gift Basket Online Newsletter

 What do you say when someone asks what you do? If you say “I make gift baskets” you’re missing an opportunity to spotlight your most unique benefit and spark interest that could lead to sales. 
Psychologists say that we spend our lives trying to increase our pleasure or reduce our pain. With this in mind, we are most interested in things that help us accomplish one of these goals. So, create an elevator speech that tells the listener how you will do one of these and you’ll have his/her attention.

 
The elevator speech is a 30-60 second description of the benefits of your business. It was dubbed this because it should be short enough to spill out during an elevator ride from the lobby to the top floor of one of the MONY towers. At the end of your spiel, the listener should be intrigued enough to ask you to tell him/her more. 

To create your elevator speech think of one of the greatest benefits of your business. It doesn’t need to have the name of your business nor even the name of your product in it. For example, instead of saying “I do baskets” how about something like “I help business clients make more money through referrals” or “Making an error with a business client is very stressful and could cause you to lose that client. We reduce this stress and help recover the wronged client.” 
Wouldn’t one of these make you want to know more about my business? 
Work on your own elevator speech so that the next time someone says “What do you do?” you are prepared to turn the spotlight on your greatest benefit, and differentiate yourself from the competition.

Does it seem that some businesses grow magically? Not so. Making your business grow takes hard work and involves many strategies. Your goal, however, should be to find the free and low-cost strategies first. Testimonials are not only a free avenue to increased sales, but they are also very effective. 

Think of almost any weight-loss television commercial and they are laden with testimonials. But also notice that the testimonials are not vague endorsements. They have at least two elements that spell success: they seem unsolicited (although in the case of infomercials and ads we know this isn’t true), and they show specific, measurable results. You can use this strategy in your gift basket business as well. 

First, your testimonials should be unsolicited. That means that a client who enjoyed your product or noticed increased profits because of your service writes a note or email on their own. Don’t try writing your own.
The manufactured testimonial is more transparent than a sheet of cellophane. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t ask someone to convert an unsolicited verbal testimonial into a written one. 
Second, your testimonials are best when they show measurable results. This is not so easy, but it’s fabulously successful when you can get it. 
Think of how exciting it sounds to hear a once-obese person declare: “I lost 120 pounds in 8 months.” or “I went from a size 28 to a size 8 in 6 weeks.” Don’t you have the urge to fork over whatever the cost if you could get such results. Of course, in the case of weight-loss ads disclaimers flash at the bottom of the screen saying the results are not typical. 
But in the case of your gift basket business your results will be typical, because they are a reflection of the way you do each and every order. 
Here are some testimonials I’ve received about Gift Basket Business World. Thanks to these subscribers who took time to share their satisfaction with me. 
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What a great newsletter! Your depth of knowledge that you have acquired in the gift basket industry will definitely help by business grow to the next level.

Thanks again, 
Mary O’Rourke Baskets On Occasion, Inc.

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I wanted to let you know how much your newsletters have helped me build my gift basket business.  I have been in business since 2003 (the business is not my main source of income so I’ve had the time to learn about everything at my own pace).  The business has steadily grown each year with new customers coming on every year. I have been subscribing to your tips for several years.  You always give great advice and I often find myself printing out the newsletter to refer to later.

Thank you so much for giving all of us hope in this business that we all love so much!

Sincerely,

Sue Dibrindisi
Paradise City Gift Baskets
Florence, Massachusetts
 

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What a terrific lesson in your newsletter. Readers will truly be inspired by what you’ve shared, and they will move forward and prosper.

Sincerely,
Shirley FrazierGift Basket Business

I could always count on a groan from my children when I gathered them round to share what I call “Lessons of Life” that I had abstracted from what most would see as uneventful occurrences.  One such lesson that applies to business became apparent when in an episode of 1970′s TV show, Rockford, the private detective played by actor James Garner, pulls out a fist full of business cards to find just the one that he will need to convince the receptionist that he’s authorized to enter their office. When asked by his cohort, “Where did you get all these cards?” he answered matter-of-factly, “I made them.”  

Hold on. I’m not advocating that you create a variety of business cards nor that you deceive gatekeepers. What I am suggesting is that you research the companies you plan to approach to see how best you can help them.  

Rockford always knew which type of technicians frequented the premises, and which type of profession would spring open the “gate” held so tightly closed by a dutiful secretary. He also knew the right words to say that would convince the company that he was legitimate.  

So, I’m suggesting that you should learn about the industry you want to approach. If you’ve found your niche industry, consider joining one of their associations. Speak their language. Learn about their important conferences, their key events during the year. 

Another lesson of life revealed itself in the sales paper from my local grocery store. They were advertising whole raw chickens for $3.99 on the front page, and whole rotisserie chickens for $4.99 on the next. Now I don’t know about you, but with my busy schedule that ready-to-eat chicken (even though it costs more) is what will land in my basket.

Okay, so what’s the lesson here?  

Your customers will pay more for convenience.  Stop underpricing your gift baskets, and please charge for delivery. Since we all buy with our emotions and not with our heads, we search for purchases that relieve pain or give pleasure. Tell your customers the benefits you provide, not the features of your product.  

Can you bear one more lesson of life?  

On the very same day that the Depression of the 30′s began, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York proceeded with their plans to construct one of the world’s grandest hotels. In the midst of more joblessness, hunger and despair than our country had seen, their construction continued uninterrupted.  On the night of their grand opening, dignitaries, politicians and wealthy guests turned out in all their regalia, in stark contrast to the abject poverty of many others only a few doors away.

What lesson can there possibly be in this for you? 

For one thing, because of the Waldorf’s construction project many workmen had jobs at a time when many other companies were going under. So what at first seems like crass disregard for others, really turned out to help many grateful families.

Another thing that is apparent is that the Waldorf had a vision that would not be dimmed nor deferred by the circumstances. Don’t let your business efforts be dimmed by constant news of economic downturns.

No matter what the economic climate, continue to promote your business and offer a valuable service. Your success not only benefits your company but your community and our country as well.