Like delegating, outsourcing is another way to free up your time and enable you to focus on your area of expertise within your business.

Outsourcing is subcontracting with an external third party to carry out some of the operations or tasks of your company. Unlike delegating where you have personal contact with the workers, in outsourcing you are often working with people or companies you may never meet in person.

Creating the marketing material is an area where I outsourced. While I enjoy creating, graphics and layout are not my strong suit. So, when I wanted a logo created, I went to an online company, Elance, and hired a designer who happened to be located overseas. He was quick, talented and priced right.

Dropshipping is a type of outsourcing popular with gift basket companies who want to sell gift baskets, but not create all the themes themselves. A gourmet gift basket company, for example, may get an order for a baby theme. They want to satisfy the customer, but don’t want to stock the baby items since they don’t get request for this theme too often. So, they contract with a gift basket dropshipper who specializes in baby themes. This dropshipper creates and ships the design directly to the customer. Find gift basket dropship companies on this free online directory.

Outsourcing arrangement typically take place by computer or telephone. Even though you may not meet providers face to face, it’s still important to do your research and check out credentials, portfolio and references before you hire them. This way you can maintain the quality that will help your business succeed.

 Gifts that require light labor are those that need some wrapping or enhancement, but not much.

1. Each year, stores such as Costco and Trader Joes sell chocolates that are delicious and popular. Wrapping a box of truffles in printed cellophane with a dashing bow works well for low budgets. Don’t worry that your customers will recognize these products. They probably already like them and will be delighted to see them all dressed up.

2. The plastic portfolios found in office supply stores were intended for documents, but make wonderful gifts when filled with snacks and wrapped with bow.

I created such a design for a real estate firm for their associates during Administrative Professionals Week.

3. Fill a tin box, imprinted box or gable box with candy, cookies or other affordable pre-wrapped snacks.

Find out where to get a wide variety of containers from www.GiftBaskets Containers.com, our free online directory, listing over 100 wholesale sources. You will discover companies that offer baskets made of willow, grapevine, bamboo, birch, twig, coco bark, mesh, shabby chic, galvanized metal, wood, ceramic, paper mache and wire.

You can also crates, starter trunks chests, themed boxes, tins, movie reel tins, trays, planters, bird cages, picket fence, picnic baskets. You’ll find companies that carry containers in all types of shapes: round, rectangular, hexagonal and even some shaped like the major states of the USA.

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Short-cuts, low labor and high profits can be yours by incorporating

• Drop-shipping
• Ready-Made Gift Baskets
• Consignment and Partnering

The first time I was asked by a potential client to make $5 gifts I had to hold back a laugh.

Was she kidding? There was no way I could imagine making a profit from $5 gifts, even if she did want to order 100 of them.

If you haven’t already encountered the client who wants low cost gifts–under $25–you will.

Of course you have the choice of turning away such orders or referring them to others.

Many basketeers set a minimum such as $25, and don’t offer anything for less.

By dismissing low-cost gifts, however, especially during tough economic times, you will turn away many corporate clients looking for large quantity orders for special events, conventions, giveaways, tokens and more,  

If you decide to provide low-cost gifts, how will you possibly satisfy such customer demands and make profits at the same time? This week’s blog will be devoted to answering this question.

1. Establish a pricing formula that allows you to profit.

Many basketeers triple the total wholesale costs to determine the retail price of a standard gift basket. A $25 gift basket, for example, would cost no more than $8.33 in materials and contents. 

For gifts under $8, however, I adjust my formula to doubling the total cost, since for these I use stand-alones that require little to no labor. So, for a $5 gift, for example, I’d locate a gift that cost no more than $2.50.

2. Consider the quantity before you accept the order. An order for 1,000 gifts may be  worth your time more than three $5 gifts. This only works, of course, if you can provide the large orders with little to no labor.

3. Become a shrewd shopper and a clever designer so you can find gift items that require little to no labor on your part.

 Short-cuts, low labor and high profits can be yours by considering

• Drop-shipping
• Ready-Made Gift Baskets
• Consignment and Partnering