After watching a bowmaking demonstration at a gift basket convention many years ago, I excitedly rushed back to my studio to try the new techniques I had learned.

Or so I thought.

Little did I realize, until I was teaching the technique in a class years later, that I was doing a variation of what I had originally learned.

Has that happened to you? You put a new twist on a design or bowmaking technique that yields a slightly different and perhaps even better version of the original.

At an inventors audition at a development center, first place went to creators of a peanut butter and jelly gun. These inventors were motivated to find a better way or an improved gadget for something they already did.

Now you’re probably thinking, what does this have to do with gift baskets?

Lots.

Over the years, many new inventions have entered the gift basket industry: shrinkwrap bags, themed gift boxes with matching accessories, glue dots, printed cellophane and mesh netting. At the same time, designers have created clever ways to make designing, selling and even storing supplies easier.

One technique I like when using shrinkwrap bags, for example, is to place the empty basket in the shrink bag first, then build the design. That way I don’t have to risk toppling the contents when I lift the full basket to place it in the bag. I demonstrate this technique on my DVD, Basic Gift Basket Design.

What about you? What’s in your gift basket of tricks? You may have created a gadget, a substance, a technique or even a marketable product. Share how you’ve made the business of gift baskets easier.

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Learn the do’s and don’ts about making money from niche corporate sales. Listen as I share how I captured niche lucrative sales on a newly released audio CD, Make Money with Corporate Niche Sales. I spill insider secrets and reveal some mistakes I made so you can avoid them.
 
Place your order by June 1st and receive these bonuses:

•  a special report, “Corporate v.s. Consumer Sales”
• a sample letter of introduction
• a sample proposal
• a special report, “How to Successfully Target Niche Markets”, that includes things to consider, who to contact and suggested niche markets
   

Determining your niche market can maximize your marketing budget and increast your profits. Here are three ways to do that.

1. What do your current and most frequent clients have in common?

For example, when you analyze your current customer base let’s say you discover that a number of them order golf-themed gift baskets. Because you already stock some golf-themed gift items and packaging for them, you already have supplies to serve a niche. Conduct research to see if there is a market for golf-themed speciality gift basket.

2. What is unique about your product or service?

You may have a product or service that is different from the average. One gift basket designer created a unique container that had a pedestal and was requested a lot by her interior designer clients. This unique container may be focal point for creating a niche that would different from others.

3. What part of the market is not being served or is underserved?

One gift basket designer discovered that no one in her area was serving the funeral market. She attended a funeral convention, met people in the mortuary industry and created a niche designing a unique sympathy gift basket. Funeral directors would take one of her baskets each time they called on a family to discuss funeral plans.

If you haven’t considered serving corporate niche markets, it’s time you did. Learn the do’s and don’ts about making money from niche corporate sales. Listen as I share how I captured niche lucrative sales on a newly released audio CD, Make Money with Corporate Niche Sales. I spill insider secrets and reveal some mistakes I made so you can avoid them.
 
Place your order by June 1st and receive these bonuses:

•  a special report, “Corporate v.s. Consumer Sales”
• a sample letter of introduction
• a sample proposal
• a special report, “How to Successfully Target Niche Markets”, that includes things to consider, who to contact and suggested niche markets
   

Corporate and consumer sales differ in a number of ways. Here are three of them.

1. The potential for profit is greater with corporate sales.

The consumer typically buys a gift basket on rare occasions, and only for very special gifts.

The corporate client who selects gift baskets for her needs, on the other hand, will often place frequent or recurring orders.

2. The corporate client has a budget.

Ask a consumer how much they want to spend on a gift basket and their eyes glaze over.

A corporate client knows exactly how much they have budgeted for gifts.

3. The corporate client has limited time and is ready to get down to business.

Whether placing an order by phone or in your store,the consumer loves to browse before buying.

Although the corporate client can be very selective, they also count on your expertise to help them zero in on just the right gift basket idea.

If you haven’t considered serving corporate markets, it’s time you did. Learn the do’s and don’ts about making money from niche corporate sales. Listen as I share how I captured niche lucrative sales on a newly released audio CD, Make Money with Corporate Niche Sales. I spill insider secrets and reveal some mistakes I made so you can avoid them.
 
Place your order by June 1st and receive these bonuses:

•  a special report, “Corporate v.s. Consumer Sales”
• a sample letter of introduction
• a sample proposal
• a special report, “How to Successfully Target Niche Markets”, that includes things to consider, who to contact and suggested niche markets
   

It is common for new gift basket business owners to start off trying to serve a wide variety of customers. One of my clients, for example, not only sells over 20 themes of gift baskets, but also makes floral bouquets, balloon arrangements and candy bouquets. My advice to her and you is to consider corporate niche sales.

Corporate niche sales focus on a specialized part of a larger market.

If you wanted to have your blinds cleaned well would you call a general cleaning service or a specialist in cleaning blinds who knew exactly which products to use to avoid damaging your blinds and make them look like new?

A company specializing in cleaning blinds is serving a niche market. There are three reasons niche sales can bring more profits.

1. People seeking a specialized service are willing to pay more. Cosmetic dentists command higher fees than general dentists because patients seeking cosmetic dentistry are motivated to pay more.

2. You can narrow your inventory costs and storage. When placing orders you may qualify for better volume discounts since you know exactly what to order for your niche.

3. There is not as much competition in a niche market as in the general market place. Gift basket companies that specialize in sending college care packages are far fewer than general gift basket companies.

If you haven’t considered serving corporate niche markets, it’s time you did. Learn the do’s and don’ts about making money from niche corporate sales. Listen as I share how I captured niche lucrative sales on a newly released audio CD, Make Money with Corporate Niche Sales. I spill insider secrets and reveal some mistakes I made so you can avoid them.
 
Place your order by June 1st and receive these bonuses:

•  a special report, “Corporate v.s. Consumer Sales”
• a sample letter of introduction
• a sample proposal
• a special report, “How to Successfully Target Niche Markets”, that includes things to consider, who to contact and suggested niche markets
   

Summer time is a great time to explore new and fun ways to market your gift basket business. One of these is the local county fair.

To find out where and when the fairs are taking place go to your state’s department of food and agriculture website. The listings will give you the contact information so you can learn what events and activities are planned. Be sure to check on guidelines and restrictions, especially on food contents. The fair organizers can help direct you to the companies and groups most likely to need prizes and raffle giveaways.

But don’t stop at county fairs. Search for the fairs that focus on health, careers, diversity and more. A health fair in Beverly Hills, CA, for example, will feature basket giveaways. Some fairs will have their own websites loaded with information.

From my county’s upcoming fair website, the Orange County Fair, I learned about the headliners of concerts and the many types of competitions that will give prizes. I can sign up for their free newsletter and even volunteer to work some part of the fair if I wish.

If you don’t find an opportunity to sell your gift baskets, how about donating one or sponsoring a gift? Now is the time to find out what fairs are nearby with marketing opportunities just waiting for you.

 
With many retail chain stores cutting back on locations or closing altogether, mall owners are eagerly courting mom and pop stores to fill those spaces.

If you’ve longed to move your gift basket business from home to a retail location, now is an ideal time. Not only are mall owners more flexible with fees, but are offering short-term leases according to an article in the Patriot Ledger.

Being able to operate your business in a mall setting will give you a chance to decide if this is the best venue for your business. Also, by getting acquainted with the other store owners in the mall, you can learn more about the retail industry than you could from home.

You shouldn’t get too comfortable in your retail location, however, since the mall owners are biding their time until the economy turns and they are able to lure back big stores willing to enter into long-term leases.  In the meantime, consider this a time to test the waters.

Check out the malls in your area and talk to the management.

I’m a great believer in finding your niche and developing it. But I also support the idea of capitalizing on untapped sources of income that are hiding in our businesses.

What are some of these?

1. Partner with a complementary business. Work with a florist, balloon artist or caterer to expand in the wedding and party market. While one of them may supply the decor or refreshments, you could provide the centerpieces of welcome gifts.

2. Offer your design services to groups or companies who want gift baskets but don’t know how to make them: specialty stores, nonprofit organizations, churches, and fundraisers.

3. Offer products on your website that complement your designs, but are created by and shipped by another company. An affiliate arrangement enables you to get a percentage of a sale without doing any of the work. Many major companies offer affiliate partnerships. Learn more about making profits from affiliate partnerships.

4. Sell ad space on your website to companies who are targeting the same market you are. If your clients are corporate or small businesses, they also need business cards, website design services, printing services and more.

5. Provide consultation or classes for newcomers to the gift basket business.

6. If you have a large amount of retail or warehouse space consider subleasing to another business.

7. Bring quality traffic to your site by posting comments on message boards and blogs frequented by your target client.

8. Publish a newsletter with information and tips that are of value to your clients. You will keep them informed of new products and services in each issue, of course.

These are just a few of the ways to tap into the hidden riches in your gift basket business. What are some ways that have worked for you?