Marketing Tools at Grove Baskets

Today at my LeTip group, I was asked what marketing tools does Grove Baskets use. My marketing plan has two lines of marketing; budgeted and do it myself. We spend a small amount of Grove's budgeted dollars on marketing tools that take a little more of our time. Here are some of our tools.

At Grove Baskets it is a priority to develop our own local network of business connections. Sometimes this is a reciprocal relationship and at other times it is simply to pay if forward. We know that to grow you must always work on building new relationships. Networking offers multiple opportunities to work with other business owners.

1. Stacia and I have both enjoyed Speed Networking. This is not for every business or for every person, but it is a great way to shake hands, collect business cards and give a three or four minute elevator speech. In each 'one on one' you are provided with an opportunity to individualize your message to each player. This is rapid fire elevator speaking!
2. I belong to our County Women's Business Organization. At NJAWBO I am involved with Programs and look for speakers that will be of value to our members and guests.
3. As a member of the local chamber I take advantage of the varied menu of networking opportunities they offer. The programs are usually held at local restaurants.

For print marketing I send out flyers and postcards. This is usually to announce an event at Grove Baskets or to promote a special offer. I mail this to my customer list, which we continually update and build. We repeat mail to our data base. How many times does a potential lead need to hear from you before they remember you? The mail list brings in new customers and serves as a reminder to our existing clients.

Over the ten years selling gift baskets we have been collecting our customers email addressee's, and add to this list by networking. (Remember those business cards?) I use web-based marketing to send email marketing promotions. This delivers our store promotions to our customers timely and it never fails to spark an interest in our product.

My personal favorite is spending time every week engaged in online social networking, I speak of LinkEd In. It was slow learning at first, but now I move around the areas with more expertise. I am looking forward to developing this tool as I realize that online marketing has powerful potential.

• This past month I found a speaker for a dinner meeting for one of my groups. I answered a question she asked.
• Our original web designer that created the http://www.grovebaskets.com/ website, found me on this site. Ten years ago he was a college student in NYC, we mailed him our photos. We never met him face to face, even still.

These are some of the tools that we use today. When the need arises, we love the press, be it paid or free. The more the merrier...which leads this Blog right into the holidays...yes I went there! I have to close with a Fabulous Holiday Offer:

Open House at Grove Baskets and Gifts

August 13, 2009 - 11:00am to 2:00pm

Location 627 Bloomfield Ave, West Caldwell, NJ

We are offering a huge discount on holiday orders booked at our OPEN HOUSE.

For more information go to our website: http://www.thoughtsinabasket.com/

275% Profit Gain in Down Economy

Promoting your Business during a recession has been proven to be extremely profitable.

• In the gift basket industry we also believe that this is the time to promote your business.
• We offer Gift Baskets for Corporations to Thank Customers for their business, Reward Referral Sources for bringing in new business and Show Appreciation to their Customers.

How many times have you heard these words: “The most important time to promote your businesses is during a down economy”?

OK, just like you, when I hear those words, I admit that it sounds like a ploy to get me to buy someone’s product. Then why do I believe this to be true?

Think about this for a minute:

• The economy has slowed way down.
• Your competition, if they are still in the game, has slowed down their spending.
• Everyone’s marketing budget has been reduced.

Promotions and marketing is usually looked at as an expense but if you can turn this around and look at marketing as an investment, you will turn your sales volume up dramatically in the long run.
At McGraw Hill, researchers studying past recessions found that businesses that are aggressive in their sales and marketing during down economies have experienced revenue growth of 275% during the first year following the downturn. Conversely the study showed that businesses that cut back on these same expenses show growth of only 19%.

Now you tell me, should the dollars you spend on sales and marketing be considered expenses or investments?

Your client is missing you and they have noticed that there has been less attention spent on them. Do you want your clients to think of you before your competition?
This is the time to take advantage of the reduced sales traffic and invest in your future. Call us at Grove Baskets and Gifts to discuss how we can help you reach that 275% turnaround in sales. (973) 226-4430 and visit us at our website, http://www.thoughtsinabasket.com/