Do you have a SPECIAL story that you would like to share of something that happened to when you filled a gift basket order or delivered a gift basket on a certain occasion?

Simply write us a short essay and tell us your TRUE STORY of what happened:

It might be something unusual, or something very touching as a result of delivering a gift basket.

It might be something memorable that you will NEVER ever forget about an order or a customer.

It might be something that was funny or unbelievable that happened in the course of running your gift basket business.

Send in your TRUE story as a 600 to 1200 word essay to contest@giftbasketbusinessworld.com. Include your full name, website, email and a phone number with your entry. If we publish your story in our blog we will give you one copy of any of our products (not services) of your choice. This is a great opportunity to receive one of our popular directories, audio CDs or DVDs. Enter today. Every entrant has an opportunity to win.

Contest Details

Contest begins April 2, 2008 and ends April 30, 2008.
Your entry must be sent by email to contest@giftbasketbusinessworld.com
and dated no later than midnight, April 30, 2008.

All entries become property of Flora Brown Associates with full rights to publish in our blog and/or other print and electronic publications.
Contest prize is a free copy of any product created by Flora Brown Associates and Gift Basket Business World, but not to include classes and consultation.

Multiple prizes may be awarded, but only one prize will be awarded per acceptable entry.

Shortly after I began my gift basket business in the 90's I hired a webmaster to set up my first website. Since I had no knowledge of how websites worked nor skills to design one I was very dependent on my webmaster.

A few years later, with my second webmaster, I became frustrated when I had to wait until he could get around to making the changes I requested. Worse of all was being unable to add new features because my webmaster didn't understand them or know how to add them.

I soon realized that I needed to learn some basics about websites and the Internet.

I wasn't interested in becoming a webmaster or an expert. I just wanted to gain enough knowledge and skill to be able to help with or maintain my own website.

Once I understood how websites and the Internet work, I was able to make dramatic changes to my own websites. At the same time, my profits began to increase.

Now I've created a free course to share with you some of the tips that made a big difference in my websites. Once you confirm signing up for this course you will begin receiving lessons in your email right away.

This course is not designed to teach the technical skills needed by a web designer nor replace hiring a webmaster. It was created to teach you how be of help in designing, maintaining and optimizing your website so you can bring about the changes and results you want.

For those of you who want a more in depth, step-by-step guide to dramatically improving your website, I've created a report Prescription for a Successful Gift Basket Website Available as an instant download this one-of-a-kind report can help you make the choices and changes in your website that lead to success and increased profits.

Whether you are just starting a website or wanting to improve an existing gift basket website, the free course and report will save you enormous time, money and aggravation.

Using baskets to carry gifts stems back to the beginning of mankind. Folks in most cultures carried fruit, bread and wine to share with neighbors and friends during the holidays or to cheer the sick. The basket for carrying precious gifts is found through history and literature. Little Red Riding Hood carried treats to her grandmother in a basket.

But baskets always played more serious roles. Being placed in a basket and hidden among the reeds saved Moses from a certain death at Pharoah's direction. Betsy Ross put stars and stripes on the first U.S. flag using needle and thread pulled from her sewing basket.

Gift baskets are now used not just for personal, but also for business gifts. They are now commonly used for thank you, apology, congratulations, and birthday. During the holidays many companies choose gift baskets to extend holiday greetings to their best clients and colleagues.

Modern gift baskets feature varied containers and contents. Any item that will hold gift items can serve as the container: planters, top hats, trays, trunks, wagons, and so on. Contents can range from gourmet food to bath products to toys and whatever the imagination can conceive.
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About the Author

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift basket retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. Visit her main website at Gift Basket Business World and sign up for her free weekly newsletter here Gift Basket Business World Newsletter

When I began my gift basket business I set out to learn as much as I could about the business first. I called my creative friends hoping they could direct me to sources and classes. They told me about the t first gift show I ever attended , as well as the names of some of the wholesalers they knew.

At the California Gift Show, I attended gift basket seminars and picked up copies of gift and decorative accessories magazine. As I walked the aisles looking at all of the thousands of product and supply choices I realized that I had some decisions to make. I needed some guidelines on which things to buy.

Your first challenge as a gift basket business owner is to decide who your customers will be. Once you decide this you'll be able to select the right gourmet and gift items.

Family and friends will probably be your first customers. But soon you will need to go beyond them.

Customers fall into two major groups: the individual consumer and the business or corporate customer.

Individual consumers are unpredictable, not clear on how much they want to spend, and buy only a few gift baskets a year. Corporate clients, on the other hand, consider gifts as part of their marketing budgets and they plan ahead.

You don't have to settle on just one category, but you should decide on which one will be your primary target customer. Once you decide on your target customer, you need to find out for which occasions they give gifts, their budgets and their preferred themes and gourmet foods. Armed with this information you're better ready to plan your inventory and supplies.

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About the Author

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift basket retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. Visit her main website at Gift Basket Business World and sign up for her free weekly newsletter here Gift Basket Business World Newsletter

Just as you started your business selling to your family and friends, you can also look to them to help you get more customers. Ask them to suggest others who use gifts frequently, and also refer you to the decision makers at their jobs.

There are several sources, but networking is the easiest and most affordable way to build a customer base. Your most effective networking takes place among the kind of customers you would like to get. Think about where they gather.

Business networks are the most common. A variety of professions are represented and members often count on leads from each other. They meet regularly, sometimes having weekly breakfast and dinner meetings. Groups such as BNI, Leads and Women's Referral Service fall into this category.

Civic groups are popular in many cities. Here you will meet other professionals and business owners, as well as civic leaders. Chambers of Commerce, Elks, Rotary and Soroptomists make up this category.

Another way to build your customer base is to display your gift baskets at craft shows, holiday boutiques and expos. Have a drawing with a gift basket as the prize so you can collect names and contact information. Now you can mail or email fliers, reminders, and sales announcements to stimulate sales.
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About the Author

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift basket retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies. Visit her main website at Gift Basket Business World and sign up for her free weekly newsletter here Gift Basket Business World Newsletter

Gift baskets are more than just a collection of food and gifts. They solve problems for the gift buyer.

The individual consumer wants to impress the recipient and be remembered for their thoughtful birthday, wedding or other gift. Your gift basket service saves them from shopping and shipping.

Specialists in many fields (orthodontists, for example) count on referrals for their clients. How are they thanking their colleagues who feed them new clients? This is important to them, but they don't have time to shop and deliver. You do.

Companies in the hospitality industry bristle at the thought of a dissatisfied customer. A quick gift with an apology can help quell an upset customer, thus increasing the likelihood of a repeat visit.

Sensitive industries such as funeral homes must appear professional and caring. It's not uncommon for directors to have an account with a florist or gift basket business for gifts to the grieving family.

Realtors and builders are keenly aware of the power of gifts to increase their referrals. And yet, they are short on time. When you offer them creativity and convenience, it's often a winning deal for both of you.

Interior designers going after big accounts want to leave an impressive and memorable gift when they call on potential customers. A small tasteful gift could become a big money-maker for you.

Car dealers consult their customer satisfaction ratings religiously. Some dealers, especially of luxury cars, give new car buyers a gift basket to say thank you and ensure great referrals.

Decide which market you will approach, then begin contacting your market.
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About the Author

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus at Fullerton College, educational consultant, gift basket expert, writer and professional motivational speaker. From her websites, blogs and newsletters she motivates small business owners and gift basket retailers with sales-generating ideas, marketing tips, design ideas and business success strategies.Visit her main website at Gift Basket Business World and sign up for her free weekly newsletter here Gift Basket Business World Newsletter