10 Ways to Keep Your Customers Coming Back!

Business competition can be fierce in today’s economy. Trying to land new customers costs more than keeping your current customers.  So, how does a business keep their customers from seeking cheaper alternatives or going with your competition?  There are many things you can do, but here are 10 ways that can help you keep your customers coming back and remain loyal to you.

1. Acclimate your customer to your business over time.  When you have a new customer, bring them up to speed with what you offer by sending them emails, cards or samples so they learn about your business and what you offer.  This process helps your customer build a rapport with you and what you offer.
2. Appreciate your customers.  Always say thank you to your customers.  Show them your appreciation with a simple thank you card, or at certain times of the year, send them a small gift.
3. Take customer care seriously. Customer service goes a long with you’re your guarantee.  Always put your customers first. Try to get to the root of their problem. Often, their issues may not be with the product or service but with some other factor of the purchase.  Make it right with your customer and they will not only come back, but tell others about you.
4. Remind your customers that they made the right purchase.  Let’s face it, most people experience buyer’s remorse no matter what you buy. I have bought inexpensive things and still take them back because I just didn’t feel right about purchasing it.  Help your customer through this period with emails, notes or additional product information to help reinforce their buying decision.
5. Create a customer feedback process. Seek out your customer’s feedback early after their purchase to make sure that their purchase was smooth and the product is working for them. This is part of the customer care process but builds immediate trust in your business.
6. Create a strong product or service guarantee. An ironclad guarantee will always build trust and create a higher value in your product or service. Many businesses offer a “no questions” guarantee. If you want to keep a customer coming back for life, then always honor a refund or make it right with them.  You will gain their trust and keep them coming back.
7. Create value-added products and promotions.  “Buy one, get one” or “free gifts with purchase” can always peak interests of your current or potential clients.  This adds value to your customers purchase and can help reinforce their decision to do business with you.
8. Know your customers.  It’s important to keep information specific to your customers in a database or contact manager.  Your customer’s anniversaries, or birthdays are great customer contact points.  Simple cards or gifts can do amazing things for your business.  Remind them that they are important to you even when they aren’t purchasing something.
9. Create a buyer’s program.  Reward your customers for making multiple purchases by offering a buying program.  When your customer makes multiple purchases over time, offer a reward. Perhaps it is a free service or product, but make it worthwhile and something desirable so they will want to achieve it.   Along these lines you can also create a referral reward for your customers.  Refer your business to someone they know wins them a reward of some type.  Not only do you build strong customer bonds, but you get new customers too!
10. Stay in touch.  This can’t be stressed enough.  Monthly email newsletters and post cards are easy ways to stay in touch.  Do you have a new product or service that you are going to offer?  Then why not ask your current customers to trial it and get their opinion.  This makes your customers feel part of what you are doing and gives them a feeling of accomplishment in your success.

There you go, 10 simple ideas to help build a strong client base and keep your customers coming back.  It is not difficult to keep customers as long as you are putting them first.  Remember that simple rule and you will not only keep customers but also bring more with their referrals.

Remember, when you need gift ideas or ways to reach out to your customers, THE original basket boutique can help with gifts large or small.  Let us help you find the perfect gift that sends the right message to your customer. We will work with any budget and just like our advice; we guarantee your satisfaction!

Tags: basket business, business marketing, creative business, customer appreciation, gift basket business, Marketing, recognition programs, small business advice, Top 10 Reasons for Gift Baskets
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Original Ideas for Administrative Professional Gifts

Don’t Forget Your Administrative Professional

In 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) started honoring office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week.  Now, Administrative Professionals week is one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and other major holidays.  This is truly the time to thank those tireless administrative professionals who keep our offices running like clockwork and make our jobs easier.

In 2000, the International Association of Administrative Professionals changed the name for what was then called Professional Secretaries Week and Professional Secretaries Day to what we now know as Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day. This was done to keep up with the changing job titles and added responsibilities that are now taken on by a modern day Administrative Professionals.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor statistics, there are over 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States.  There are over 8.9 million working in other administrative support roles. Canada employees over 475, 000 administrative professionals and millions are working in offices worldwide.

This year, Administrative Professionals Week is April 18-24 and Administrative Professionals Day is Wednesday, April 21.

This year, you might consider a versatile gift that will remind your administrative professional how much you value them for long after this special week.  Here are some ideas to help you with giving the perfect gift this year.

1. Coffee Mug filed with delectable goodies such as chocolate, coffee, tea, cocoa, or other snacks.  Wrapped in beautiful cello with a festive bow, this simple gift will certainly get your administrative professional’s attention. The coffee mug can be used over and over, which reminds your admin how important they are day after day. Gifts such as these run $15-$25 on average.  This makes it affordable for the whole office.
2. A pen and pencil holder or tray for their desk can be filled with tasty treats that are sure to put a smile on their face.
3. Lunch Tote gift baskets are the gifts that keep on giving.  Have it filled with “tear & share” items like caramel corn, cheese straws, truffles and other delicious snacks that can be shared by all.  Tote gift baskets are a little more expensive, but how valuable are your administrative professionals? It’s a small price to pay for those who do so much for us.
4. A popcorn bucket makes a really cool and fun gift for your administrative professional. You can put your administrative professional’s favorite DVD in the popcorn basket along with some other movie snacks.  Not sure what your admins’s favorite movie is?  Then get them some movie tickets or a gift certificate to Blockbuster.
5. Finally, any basket, music box, crate, or other unique container can be a perfect gift basket. Large or small, a creative gift professional can make it into the perfect administrative professional gift.

So, there are five ideas on how you can show your appreciation for all that your administrative professionals do for you.  Don’t delay or wait until the last minute.  Think ahead and order now so you can be sure to get the perfect gift this year.  A regular old store bought gift just won’t due these days. You need to stand out really show your appreciation with something unique, new and original.  To all the Administrative Professionals out there reading this story, send the link to your boss.  They will get the hint!  Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

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Sheri Beckham is the owner of THE original basket boutique, gift basket franchise in Gulf Breeze, Florida serving the Pensacola area. If you are looking for something original, contact Sheri at (877) 622-3248.  THE original basket boutique can ship nationwide or deliver across town.  We have gifts in all price ranges and can handle one or one hundred, which ever you need.  You can also find us online on our gift basket store at http://www.obbpensacola.com.

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Get the Most Out of Business Gifts

The right business gift can do amazing things for your company.  They are given to say, “thank you”, build relationships, foster goodwill or just show business thoughtfulness.  The right kind of gift can help your business relationships flourish and grow, while the wrong gifts could quickly cause a business relationship to go south. The right gift should reflect your creativity, good taste, and to some extent your personality.

When giving business gifts, there are some simple guidelines you can follow to ensure your business gift giving is a great experience and you get the most out of your thoughtful gesture. Here are ten ideas that will help you get the most out of your gift giving:

1. First, be sure that the company you are sending the gift to can accept gifts.  Some businesses have written policies that prohibit accepting gifts for any reason. You may also find companies that place limits on the costs of the gifts.  It is just a good idea to be sure before you give.
2. Use good timing when sending a gift. If you are saying “thank you” for something, it should be sent within a few days of the event so the gift is pertinent to the situation.
3. Be sure your gift reflects your company image and your personality.
4. For the maximum impact, personalize your gift. With a little imagination and originality, you can make your gift truly stand out.
5. Your gift should reflect the value you place on the relationship. As an example, if you are a realtor, and sell a million dollar home, your closing gift will be larger than one of someone how purchased a one hundred thousand dollar home.  Each client is important, but you certainly make more on one over the other so you can recognize this with a more personalized gift.
6. Send gifts that are appropriate for businesses and one that will not interrupt someone’s place of work.
7. Be sure that your gifts reflect “good-taste” and are of high quality. Gourmet products in any price range will speak highly of your business and you.
8. Make a list of the gifts you send to avoid duplicating the gift.
9. Don’t use major holidays as your only reason to send gifts each year. You will get noticed more when a gift is not expected.
10. Be sure that you check the spelling of the business and recipients name if you are sending a personalized gift.

Gift giving can be a valuable and important part of your marketing strategy.  You should place a high value on your current customers. A good portion of your marketing budget should be directed to customer retention.  Gift giving is an easy way to reach out and touch your customers several times a year to show them how much you value them.

If you are not sure on the type of gifts to give, then consider a gift consultant. Someone who specializes in gifts can direct you on the appropriate gift and price value for each of your particular clients. Also, a gift consultant can take the pressure off of remembering special dates and events.  You can use a gift consultant to send gifts that are appropriate for the situation at the right time. Don’t let gift giving be a hassle for your business.  Make it fun! Get help if you need it. Giving business gifts will not only help you with customer retention, but they will strengthen the bond you share with your customers.

Happy Gifting!

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Sheri Beckham is a gift consultant, gift basket professional and owner of THE original basket boutique, gift basket franchise located in Gulf Breeze, Fl.

For more information about Sheri or THE original basket boutique please contact us or call Toll Free: (877) 622-3248 or http://www.obbpensacola.com

Image: by Maggie Smith / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: basket boutique, basket business, branded gift basket, business gifts, creative business, customer appreciation, gift basket, gift basket business, gift baskets, original basket, recognition programs, Top 10 Reasons for Gift Baskets
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What’s Your Favorite Color?

Do you have a favorite color? You may not realize it but colors actually speak to us. Not only are colors symbolic, but they can evoke emotions or physiological responses. Most of us from our youth are taught that colors mean something such as red meaning stop and green means go. When we see pink or light blue balloons being delivered, it is likely to mean that a baby girl or boy has been born. The entire spectrum of colors has meaning and connotations. When you buy a gift for someone, do you know what the colors could mean?  Here are the basic colors and their meanings.

Red

Red is the color or power. Is associated with fire and blood so it is often associated with strength, determination, passion, love or desire. Red is a strong emotional color, which draws attention and signifies Stop or Danger. Red has been proven to evoke natural body responses such as raising blood pressure or increasing respiration. When used in advertising, it is usually complimented by a contrasting color shade of red to “tone” down the effects.  Red is such a versatile color because it is used to show love, desire and passion while at the same time, anger, danger and stop.

Yellow

Yellow is a color generally associated with happiness, joy and energy.  Yellow is a warm color that gets people’s attention, which is why taxicabs were painted yellow. Yellow is often used to promote children’s products.  Yellow in advertising is used to highlight the most important elements of your product or design.  Yellow should be used for lighthearted items but not typically for high end products.

Orange

Orange is a combination of red and yellow.  The energy of red and happiness of yellow form a color that represents enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, success and encouragement. It is a citrus color so it is associated with healthy food and stimulates appetites. Orange is also the color for strength and endurance. It should be used to catch attention or highlight important aspects of your product or design.  Orange is a wonderful color for promoting food and children’s toys.

Green

The color green is typically associated with nature. When you see green, you think of freshness, fertility, harmony, growth, and money. It is also a safety color, which is associated with “Go” or “good”.  Green is a healing color because it is the most restful color on the human eye and has been shown to improve vision. You should use green when you are trying to promote feelings of safety or trust. Green should also be used when you are trying to promote environmentally friendly products.

Blue

Blue is a color that is associated with loyalty, trust, confidence, faith, truth, or wisdom. It is the color of the sea and sky. Blue is a color that evokes calm feelings and tranquility. The color blue has been shown to slow the human metabolism and produce a calming affect on people. Unlike red, yellow and orange, which are emotional colors; blue is linked to human intellect and consciousness.  You would use blue to promote products related to cleanliness, water or precision high-tech products. Blue is a masculine color is typically associated with males. Blue is used a in corporate America because is linked to expertise, stability and trustworthiness.

Purple

Purple is a combination of blue and purple which is a combination of stability and energy. Purple is associated with royalty, luxury, wisdom, dignity, creativity, mystery and magic. The color purple is favored by young people and used in advertising to youth. If you want to portray elegance and a touch of class, use purple in your products.

White

White is the color of goodness, purity, innocence and perfection. The color white signifies safety and perfection. When compared to black, it is considered the positive or good.  White is the color of snow, so in advertising, it is associated with cleanliness and coolness. White is also used with tech products to signify simplicity. Apple computer has made use of the color white on their products to promote just that, simplicity or ease of use. White is also associated with charitable organizations.

Black

Elegance, formality, power, death, evil, fear or mysteries are typically associated with the color black. Black can have a negative connotation and is the opposite of white.  Black is used for strength and authority; it is also considered to be very formal and prestigious color. Black can also be the color of grief.  Black is often worn to make someone look thinner so it is a color that gives the feeling of depth and perspective. Black is a great color to use as a contrast to other colors. It helps to create powerful combinations when used with other power colors like red and orange.

So now you know more about colors and their meanings. At The original basket boutique, color is always taken into consideration when designing our gifts. We know that some colors just go together so we use them in everyday gifts, but often times a client will want to send a special message. We custom make these gifts to specifically address the client’s needs and desires using colors.

The next time you are considering a gift, think about the colors and what it means. You always want to be sure you are sending the right message!

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Sheri Beckham is a gift basket professional and owner of THE original basket boutique, gift basket franchise located in Gulf Breeze, Fl.

For more information about Sheri or THE original basket boutique please contact us or call Toll Free: (877) 622-3248

Tags: basket business, gift basket business, gift basket franchise, gift business, home business opportunity, original basket
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Extending Your Brand with Gift Baskets

When is a gift more than just a gift?

A gift basket is more than just a gift basket when you can use a gift basket to serve more than one purpose. You give gifts for many reasons. Individuals and businesses use them to say thank you, show appreciation, congratulate, and acknowledge events, but many businesses miss a true marketing opportunity if they are not using a gift to extend or enforce their brand.

Gift baskets are a great way to extend and enforce your brand for many reasons. A gift basket can be branded with personalized ribbon that has your logo and business name, your company colors and logo merchandise can be mixed in the gift basket design. A gift basket with branded merchandise can serve an entire office. A shareable gift basket not only shows your appreciation, but the branded items you can include will be used by the office members keeping your name top of mind and helping to reinforce your brand.

A branded gift basket is a subtle way to show your company colors and name. If your business only has one or two points of contact with a customer a gift basket can be used to pull in more support from the entire organization.  Your business may not interact with some customers more than a few times a year. When you are not seeing them, your customer is bombarded with competitors who are trying to woo them away. Gifts or gift baskets used during holidays, special events, birthdays or anniversaries give you another chance to put your business in front of your customers.

Be original with your gifts for customers. Even an inexpensive coffee mug with some goodies inside make can make an impact on your customers. When giving gift baskets, considering using Gift a reusable container so your customer has something they will use long after the gift basket treats are gone. A branded cooler gift basket or leather box can be used for a long time. You are constantly putting your brand in front of them when they use your gift. This helps reinforce your brand year round.

If you are looking for ways to recognize your top clients, business partners or just to thank someone for a job well done, then consider a branded gift basket. You will be pleased with the outcome. For more information about branded gift baskets, contact Sheri at THE original basket boutique. Our specialty is making your business stand out from the crowd with original gift and gifting plans for your business.

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Sheri Beckham is a gift basket professional and owner of THE original basket boutique, gift basket franchise located in Gulf Breeze, Fl.

For more information about Sheri or THE original basket boutique please contact us or call Toll Free: (877) 622-3248 or http://www.obbpensacola.com

Tags: basket boutique, basket business, branded gift basket, business gifts, creative business, customer appreciation, gift basket, gift basket business, gift basket franchise, gift baskets, Marketing
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