| If you have an existing gift basket business, or are | | | | judged by your baskets though, not the cards. |
| planning to start up a gift basket business or home | | | | Another idea would be to approach brew pub and |
| based gift basket business or just add a sideline to a | | | | tavern owners. You could provide an endless supply |
| business you have now, one of the most important | | | | of gift baskets for them to use for their giveaways |
| things to consider is the type of gift baskets you'll | | | | to customers. They usually have contests and |
| offer. | | | | various kinds of drawings for their customers. I know |
| You can offer a wide range of gift baskets, focus on | | | | a lot of restaurant and tavern owners. I used to list |
| a unique specialty gift basket or do a combination of | | | | and sell restaurants and taverns when I had my real |
| both. I recommend doing both. | | | | estate company. I know how they think and work. |
| For the newbie, start out with a focus on one type | | | | Just make up two or three or more good demos for |
| of gift basket, and then later add a strong line of gift | | | | them to choose from. Have different price ranges |
| baskets, after you get your foot in the door. This is | | | | from less to more expensive and two or three |
| often the best approach when you're new. You'll be | | | | differently filled baskets. Have two or three different |
| tying up less money in inventory too. | | | | types of containers if possible. Traditional wicker |
| Here are two possible specialty gift baskets to | | | | baskets are good. Try a totally different kind of |
| consider. The first is a gift basket for nurses. Make | | | | USEABLE container if you can think of something |
| up a demo gift basket. I know marketing. For | | | | appropriate. |
| marketing your specialty gift basket you may have | | | | For this crowd make your gift baskets humorous, |
| to get really creative. Take your demo to one of the | | | | not serious. Include things you think brewpub or |
| local hospitals and wander though the cafeteria and | | | | tavern patrons might like. Specialty cheeses, crackers, |
| set it down on a table while you have a beverage. | | | | pretzels, chips, nuts, other food items. Unfortunately |
| People will assume you are delivering it to a patient. | | | | they probably don't want healthy snacks. Maybe |
| Take plenty of business cards. Ask administration if | | | | specialty beers, specialty coffees, hot chocolate |
| you can post your business card on the hospital | | | | mixes, t-shirts, baseball caps, coffee mugs, |
| message board. Stop at the gift shop, show the | | | | corkscrews, bar items, playing cards, auto-related |
| demo gift basket and ask if they would take any on | | | | items and small auto safety items. These are just a |
| consignment. If they do and get enough orders, | | | | few of the items to consider. |
| they'll probably start ordering regularly from you | | | | Magic shop items will make your baskets unique and |
| without consignment. If you know of any health | | | | lots of FUN. Make sure you get some of these in |
| professionals, show them your demo baskets or | | | | every basket. Visit your local magic shop, usually |
| even give them one and ask for referrals in | | | | found in the larger cities. If you don't have a magic |
| exchange. | | | | shop try to find a magic catalog. You should be able |
| Nurses don't have time to shop. They love to get | | | | to find some on the Internet. Even retail prices are |
| and give gifts. They can't get out of the hospital for | | | | usually cheap for these items if you can't arrange |
| breaks or at lunchtime because it's usually against | | | | wholesale. You may not be buying enough wholesale |
| hospital policy to leave the premises. I know. I used | | | | in the beginning to warrant a wholesale account. |
| to be a nurse. They are prime candidates for your | | | | Often minimum orders may be too high to make |
| baskets. You can have gift baskets that are full of | | | | sense. |
| nurse specialty and other medical items, a nurse's | | | | There are dozens of other specialty baskets you can |
| relaxation gift basket and so on. They like the | | | | make of course. But for the other gift baskets in |
| medical theme baskets because they can use the | | | | your gift basket business you will want to focus on |
| items or give some of the items in the gift basket to | | | | gourmet food gift baskets, fruit baskets if you come |
| other nurses and other health professionals they | | | | from an area that has plenty of fruit all year, |
| work with or know. | | | | corporate gift baskets which are real money-makers, |
| Once you get a few nurses buying you'll find they | | | | but competitive, and bath and body gift baskets. |
| are good repeat customers. Plus they have plenty of | | | | Custom or personalized gift baskets are another |
| associates they can recommend you to. Make sure | | | | option too. |
| you supply them with business cards. Fliers get lost | | | | With these tips, ideas and suggestions, you should be |
| or thrown away. Business cards are easier to keep | | | | well on your way to choosing a specialty gift basket |
| track of. Business cards are cheap or you can make | | | | line for your new, existing, or work-at-home or home |
| your own. They don't have to be fancy but make | | | | based gift basket business, gift shop or as a sideline |
| them a little appealing. Your business is going to be | | | | to another business. |