| You may create extraordinary gift baskets, but | | | | can get a substantial amount of free publicity simply |
| unless you have customers who know about them | | | | by sharing the story of how you started your new |
| and buy them, your gift basket business will not | | | | company. Not all stories get run, so to increase your |
| make any money. With proper planning and focus, | | | | chances, include information on how your services |
| finding your customers does not have to be difficult, | | | | benefit the community and submit a photo with your |
| and you do not even have to be a salesperson. | | | | press release. |
| Since these custom designed gifts can be purchased | | | | If you are selling to individuals, you can advertise in |
| by many different types of customers (individuals, | | | | coupon mailers to residential neighborhoods. Displaying |
| businesses, men, women, last-minute shoppers, etc..) | | | | your items at farmers markets can also get you |
| the first step is to figure out the target market for | | | | good exposure. Hosting a free workshop on making |
| your gift baskets. Who will want to buy your | | | | gifts or gift baskets can also help you reach your |
| products? And where do they normally shop? Gift | | | | target market, and let them meet you face to face. |
| baskets can be sold online, through mail order | | | | Many times organizations are looking for people to |
| catalogs, in retail malls, gift shops, even grocery | | | | present workshops, so with the right group, you can |
| stores. It is difficult and time-consuming to try and | | | | meet many potential buyers at one time without |
| sell to everyone, so pick a niche and focus your | | | | having to go find them. |
| efforts there. | | | | If you prefer to work with businesses, it may be |
| Putting together a marketing plan actually takes less | | | | worth your while to drop off sample gift baskets |
| time than struggling at the last minute with | | | | with the appropriate office staff, including information |
| trial-and-error promotions. Marketing plan templates | | | | on your services and price rates. You will want to |
| are widely available on the internet, and you can | | | | provide professional brochures and business cards as |
| complete a professional plan yourself without the | | | | well, as this is the first impression you will likely make |
| cost of hiring someone to do it for you. A plan will | | | | on a company. Professionalism counts, especially with |
| also help you establish a marketing budget and | | | | businesses, as they are usually sending gift baskets |
| timeline, so you are better able to manage your | | | | to clients. You can save money and still achieve |
| business. | | | | professional-looking print materials by using |
| So what are some of the promotional techniques | | | | do-it-yourself design and print companies online. |
| that you can use to sell your gift baskets? | | | | Speaking of the internet, a third option is to sell your |
| One option is to work with local retailers like gift | | | | gift baskets through your own website. Many gift |
| shops or boutiques where salespeople can promote | | | | baskets are sold online, so you will need to make |
| your products for you. Choose establishments where | | | | your company stand out by creating unique items |
| shoppers are likely to be looking for gifts and that | | | | and offering your baskets to a specific niche market. |
| the business owner does not already sell gift baskets. | | | | Get a local listing on Google for free and list your |
| Think about the clients and create a custom product | | | | company in local directories, so you can attract local |
| for their ideal client. For example, a lingerie shop | | | | clients. Similar to above, you can write a press |
| would not likely sell the same type of gift basket as | | | | release, but this time submit it online through internet |
| a florist or local bookstore. | | | | press release distribution sites and direct people to |
| Approach the shop owner with some samples and an | | | | your website. Before you establish a substantial |
| attractive business proposal so that the person can | | | | clientele, you may want to advertise on high traffic |
| quickly see a benefit to working with you. The less | | | | websites that sell gift-type items. |
| work they have to do, the more likely they are to | | | | A fourth way to get noticed is to donate some of |
| do business with you. | | | | your gift baskets to community organizations when |
| A second option is to sell your creations directly | | | | they have raffles or are trying to raise money. You |
| without going through a middleman, either from your | | | | can establish goodwill and give people the opportunity |
| home or in your own shop. You can announce the | | | | to try your product at the same - without much |
| grand opening of your business in your local paper, | | | | effort. If you select a group that closely matches |
| but instead of paying for an ad, you can submit a | | | | your target market, this can be a very effective |
| press release for free. | | | | marketing method - and you do not have to feel like |
| You do not have to be a professional writer to | | | | you are selling. |
| submit a press release to your local newspaper. You | | | | |