I've posted here a few weeks back regarding starting a gift basket biz. Really appreciated the help & advice I received.
I am now into the process of starting the biz.
Have obtained biz license, biz # & gotten banking established.
Also have bought in supplies.
I am now working on advertising & marketing.
Planning on hitting the Real Estate companies & hotels.
Just wondering if someone has any ideas on what approach I should take, or if someone reading has any experience with this type of
marketing.
Have already approached one real estate agent & he has advised me
he will be using my services.
But this was realatively easy for me as I had already had dealings
with this person involving buying property.
Appreciate any help I can get.
Thanks
Cora

Congratulations Cora!

You've started your marketing the best way... Mine your contact list first. Who do you know? Let them all know what you are now doing and find out who THEY know who can take advantage of your services.

Until the business is self-sustaining, garnering referrals from people you know is the easiest way to go.

T

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!

The best way to market is to get a marketing company to guide you on the best way to go. You need to do research on your market to make sure its going to be prosperous. I own a marketing company and give free consultions.

Cora,

Congratulations on taking the first step into entreprenuership - you started.

Tina is right mine your contacts first. That includes family, friends, vendors, dentist, doctors, lawyers, gardener, etc. Some of them may purchase your products for their businesses or refer you to someone who may be interested.

Research local companies to find out who the purchasing or procurement person is. This is especially for bigger companies like hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

Networking at real estate or hotel events is a good opportunbity to introduce yourself and your company in a casual setting. Website is another good way to marketing your products as well as having a portfolio of completed baskets for satisfied customers.

Ask your real estate person who committed to using your service for referrals also I would suggest nailing down the number of baskets or length of time he is willing to commit in writing.

Public relations is another way to get the word out position yourself as an expert in gift giving for you local media outlets. One story angle could be that gift baskets are not just for women. Of course with Father's Day already passing you may want to hold on to this one for next year or for Veteran's Day in November.

Another story idea is unique gift basket ideas for the hard to please or the person who has everything.

You are on the right track just keep moving forward. Always ask current customers for testimonials and referrals. You may want to do sample baskets for your portfolio shots and then you can bring one to the meeting with potential business customers as a leave behind. Yes it is a little costly but may prove effective. Try it out on no more than five potentials and see what happens. Try different scenarios -leaving it behind and see if that was a deciding factor, just showing it as a "live" example of your work and taking it back with you. Either way they will see what you can do.

Keep us posted on your progress.