Non-Profit and Charity Gift Baskets

As a gift basket company, we have numerous requests annually to donate gift baskets to various charities and fundraisers The donations requests range in price and support small organizations, large organizations, youth, battered women, those in need and more. All are very important and each cause is worth donating to. However, as a business owner, if I want to stay in business, I have to bring in revenue. I have to purchase my products and to do so, I have to make basket sales. So, I have struggled to find solutions that will allow me to support Colorado communities and still generate revenue. If anyone has ideas, I would love to hear them

To date, my solution is creating a Basket Designs Non-Profit program. The program is a buyone, get one free program. By doing this I am able to at least cover my cost of goods and it allows people to split the price of one basket, and have two gift baskets to put towards their cause. I also realize there is non-tangible benefit in the advertising I may get by having my gift baskets in front people. However, I have yet to see a real benefit to this type of advertising.

I want to donate and be a good member of the Colorado and local communities. I want to help since I can. However, I want to stay in business. So, if you are a non-profit group and in need of donations for fundraisers, I invite you to call us.

One other note, as very seasoned marketing professional (I have sold radio ads for 15-years) in order to "sell" your cause to a potential donator, you have to show them what benefits they receive by doing so. We as business owners, especially in small towns know that we have to be good to the community to bring in business, but we also have to be sound businesspeople or we can't contribute to the community. Therefore, you really should have a features and benefits aspect to present to a business owner when asking for the donation. Buisness owners have to say no sometimes. Please realize that there is a point when the donation budget is dry and that they most likely believe in your cause, but they have responsibilities to employees, citizens, family and the like and cannot always make their budget work for all the donations that come their way.

Call us for ideas, suggestions and non-profit program gift baskets.

www.basketdesignsplus.com
970-370-3381
1-877-842-3843

Valentine's Day is most commonly associated with romacee and love. But, it is also a nice way to send your son or daughter, mom or dad or friend a nice little token of how much you love and care about them. From kid appropriate gift baskets to romantic and friendship gift baskets, we at Basket Designs will find the perfect items to fill a gift basket for that special person in your life.

Gift askets are a great alternative to flowers and can be cutomized with photo items such as mugs, mousepads and the like to give the gift basket a real customized and personal look. They can be themed according to a person's hobby or interests, such as sports, western or even microbrews and wines. We work hard every day to make each and every gift basket perfect, unique and personal.

Our prices are reasonable and competative. Why shop at discount stores for plastic-tasting chocolate when you can have gourmet, find chocolates, cookies, cheese and crackers and other wonderful, gourmet foods in a gift baskets for about the same price with a gorgeous presentation all ready for you to give or send. Call us or go to www.basketdesignsplus.com for ideas and basket samples. If you want further suggestions or ideas, just call at 1-877-842-3842.

We also offer volume discounts and non-proft plans.

The Power of Appreciation

Who does not want to feel appreciated? From the mom who works to keep the house clean to the construction worker who works 7 days a week in the heat and the cold to the radio station employee who drives in adverse weather conditions to work just so that they can tell others to stay home and not brave the roads. A "Thank You" to your star employees or to your employer who helped you out when you needed it or a "Thank You" to your neighbor who checks on your dogs when you go on vacation means everything. A sincere setiment- a kind thought makes a person feel appreciated and needed. The perfect way to show appreciation is with a gourmet gift baskets from Basket Designs. Our hand-picked gourmet popcorn, chocolate, coffee, pretzels and dip, cherry amaretto jelly or Colorado smoked sausage fill a basket and make a nice show of appreciation. We at Basket Designs, appreciate you as a customer. That is why we take the time to carefully design and pick the best in gourmet foods and gift items for each and every basket that goes out our door. We know you are choosing our company to send your personal, special thoughts and we value you choosing us over other companies to do so.

Our gift baskets can also be made with classy candles, soft bathrobes, slippers and lotions. We also have fun games, mugs and tea cups, wine glasses, kitchen accessories, cookbooks, photo frames, stuffed animals and much more. We offer specialty gift baskets for coffee/tea lovers, golf and sports enthusiasts, including NASCAR, baking gift baskets, bereavement gift baskets and new baby and new home gifts.

So show your appreciation...send a personalized gift basket today!

Volume discounts are available and reasonable shipping rates. We ship anywhere and have a quick and dependable turnaround time.

Visit www.basketdesignsplus.com for photos, imformation and ideas and Thank You~ We appreciate you!

Asking For the Sale

In my experience as a media consultant and marketing representative, I find that in many cases people are afraid to ask for the sale. Sometimes its a matter of insecurity or fear, or it may be that a salesperson simply forgets to ask for the sale.

As a gift basket company owner, I feel that it is most effective to close a conversation by asking for the sale. Many times, potential gift basket buyers are seeking ideas and advice. They want to feel important and want to know that they and their needs are important. I spend the first few minutes of a conversation deciding if the potential gift basket buyer is in a hurry, if they want to talk or if they just want to place a gift order and be done with me. That is important in determining how I handle the rest of the call or conversation. Once, I determine what type of person they are, I can shorten my descriptions or add even more details to my descriptions- but I always want to tell them how important they are to me and my company. I want to be a person they can confide in or that they know they can count on for a quick, professional transaction. Once, the conversation has taken place and ideas have been exchanged, I don't ask what do you think? or are you interested? I ask, where can I send this? or how many can I design for you? or even how soon does this need to be delivered?- always assuming that they are going to buy...or, asking for the sale? Once in a while I even use what can I do to earn you business? Asking for the sale may not always get the sale, but how do you know if don't ask. The worst they can do is say no.

Ask for the sale and don't take it personally if they say no this time, they might just say yest next time, but you could lose out on a sale if you don't ask. One other note, when asking for the sale, don't be too pushy or make them feel bad about not wanting to purchase from you. If you do, they will remember how you made them feel and will never be a customer. As, I have mentioned in a previous blog, people want to feel good and want to feel good about their purchasing decisions, so be sure to make them feel good about whatever they decide.

I invite to you my website at www.basketdesignsplus.com or the sister site a www.basketsonline.com

What can I do to earn your business?


Lorrie Boyer
Designer, Owner- Basket Designs, LLC
1-877-842-3843

Wedding Gifts during the Holidays

Whether its an anniversary or weddding that you are invited to right around Christmas or Thanksgiving, time and budgets are tight.

Basket Designs can handle your time crunches! It is our job to do the work for you. If you have a special request, no problem, we can handle it and create that special gift from you. If you need some ideas- no problem there either. We have a great variety of wedding and annivesary gift selections for any taste and style. We can even add in monogramed towels and/or notecards. Our services include shipping anywhere in the United States. So, you could have it shipped to you, or to the Bride and Groom's residence. If you question, where to ship, www.giftsguru.info says that the proper thing to do is to ship to the Bride's parents' home. We take the worry off you and we love what we do, and you will love our services too...and so will the Bride and Groom.

As for budge, www.giftsguru.info cites the national gift spending averages as this:
U.S. National Average

In the U.S., the national averages spent on wedding gifts fall into 3 categories. Each category is determined by the relationship of the guests to the bridal couple.
1. If buying for a co-worker or a distant family member, guests tend to spend $50-$75 each on a wedding gift.

2. Those attending the wedding of a relative or friend are likely to spend $75-$100 each on a wedding gift.

3. When a close relative or close friend gets married, the wedding gift will probably cost $100-$150 or more per each guest.

This may not be appropriate in your town or city. It is good to check with peers and learn what wedding gifts customarily cost where you live.

Bottom line, is that gift spenditures is a personal decisison that only you can decide. Basket Designs can create elegant, professional looking gift baskets based on any budget; $15-$500. With Christmas time here, it is hard to find extra money to purchase wedding gifts on top of the Christmas gift list, thats why we are to work with your budget and keep you from taking more time to shop for wedding gifts. We also accept Visa and Mastercards and paypal.

Call us for ideas. We can customize for you and work under your budget. Volume discounts also available. For Colorado Gift baskets, we have special products and themes.

We look forward to working for you and sending your special sentiments.
970-370-3381
1-877-842-3843

www.basketdesignsplus.com
www.basketsonline.com for Colorado Gift Baskets

Gifting on a Limited Budget

This Holiday season, it seems that businesses and companies are remembering the importance of their clients. I read a twitter link that said that many are opting to purchase gift baskets versus giving employees a bonus or a raise. It would seem to me that this is because of the fact that without customers and loyal return customers, employees won't have jobs. Therefore, as a professional gift basket designer it is important that I cater to the needs of companies, in terms of value and quality. I want them to come back to me over and over for their gift basket needs. I am an expert in designing tasteful, elegant gifts that truly represent the sentiments of the company and their style.

If large deluxe baskets are not in the budget for this, how about smaller gift baskets that still hold eye appeal and give joy. Or, how about gift bags filled like a gift basket. For large numbers of people or for crowds, we have nice quality cellophane bags that can be filled with gourmet gift items and look festive and nice. Another idea- how about family or office gift baskets. These are larger baskets, but have more items to accodmate several people rather than individual gift baskets- all still get the job done in sending your thoughts of Holiday cheer and appreciation and still make you look good and makes you memorable!

Basket Designs staffers are very attentive to the gifts that are created and take pride in every step of the way. Our goal is to create a gift that represents you and saves you time and money. We are honest, dependable and are very much relationship building experts. Our sister company, at basketsonline.com has been helping companies to build relationships since 1991 and is an award winning company. We love what we do. We want to serve you and our best form of self promotion is by promoting your company.

Marketing and retaining customers is about making them fee good and making them feel valualble. Without customers you don't have a business, so make them feel special and make them want to tell the world about you in excitement when they receive a Holiday Gift basket from Basket Designs.

Volume discounts available. Customizing available. Ship anywhere in the United States.

http://www.basketdesignsplus.com/

http://www.basketsonline.com/

Visual Precision Marketing

November is here and that means it is time to start thinking about Holiday gifting. For companies and businesses that means showing your customers how much you appreciate them. Not only do Basket Designs gift baskets make for a memorable gift, they also help to build business because they will make people feel good. As, I have said before, when people feel good they will continue to do business with your company and will spread the word when they are touched that you thought enough of them to send the a gift.

Basket Designs gift baskets are a multi-media form of advertising. They can help build your companies brand with logo merchandise that can be incorporated into the basket, imprinted ribbon, stickers and by attaching business cards. Being a 13-year veteran in media (print and broadcast), I can tell you that people respond to media that touches them and has a call-to-action. Customers will feel good when they get a basket and therefore will be more apt to continue their relations with you and to tell others about your company. Furthermore, this precision marketing approach is intamite, meaningful and will be far more reaching among a customer's circle of friends and family than a mass radio or newspaper ad. Not only is a good marekting tool, it is just a nice thing to do and being nice to others will get you everywhere!

Also, employees are what makes your company. They are the company. Don't forget to show your appreciation to them too. Rather than flowers or a plant, rather than money or gift cards, make their gifts thoughtful and from the heart. Basket Designs gift baskets can create custom gift baskets that represent your feelings of appreciation, while making them feel good about the work they do for you. The visual value of these gift baskets overrides a card or money and will touch their hearts. Our gift baskets are great for company morale and will create a sense of company community, not to mention the quality and taste of our products are top-notch.

Whether for clients or employees, everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated. Our gift baskets provide for a visual show of how much you value them. All of our products are hand selected for taste and quality.We take pride in our work and will work to serve your in whatever your sentiments may be. We will work hard to earn and keep your buisness and want you to feel good about your decisons. Let us take care of you.

Gourmet foods and gifts in all gift basket designs.

Call today for suggestions or to discuss your ideas on gift baskets for the Holidays. Volume discounts are available.