- 1). Get some business cards and brochures made and put them out anywhere that will let you. Try supermarket bulletin boards, restaurant check out tables and real estate offices. There are just too many places to list here, but just think of anywhere a lot of people go. List your phone number and email address so people can contact you easily, and start taking orders.
- 2). Buy some baskets and other supplies. You can go to your local craft, hobby or department store for your supplies. Then go buy the personalized items. For example if you are doing a basket for a baby shower and you know it is a girl, you can get a blanket, towel and washcloth and diapering products. Then it's always nice to add a gift card from a baby store, so they can pick out something they need or want and didn't get at the shower. What you will put in your basket can also depend on the price range your customer wants to spend. Make sure you keep all of your receipts so you can figure out what to charge.
- 3). Gather all of your supplies and gift items and put them together in the basket. It's nice to make the basket something they can use later too. Using our example, use a white wicker basket with low sides. Then the new Mom can put the diapering supplies in it next to the changing table, to keep them all together in one place. You won't need much filler in a low sided basket but you could use some pink shredded paper for decoration. Arrange your items so you can see everything. You can use the gooey glue to hold the items together. Cut a square of shrink wrap that will fit your basket. Put the wrap under the basket and pull up the sides and tie a ribbon around the ends at the top. Use the blow dryer to shrink the wrap. If your customer wants, you can write up a little baby card and write the to and from in gold or pink ink.
- 4). Figure your costs. Gather your receipts and add up what everything cost you to make the basket. Then figure out the hours it took you to make it. Give yourself an hourly wage. Don't forget to add a figure for gas in the car to get to the store to pick everything out. Do some research as to what a similar basket would cost if you bought it at a store. Check local baby stores and gift baskets online. Set your price to be slightly under those so you'll be sure to get the business. The difference between your cost plus your wage and the selling price is your profit. After you get a reputation for having the best gift baskets around you can increase your price.
- 5). Make some baskets up ahead of time. You can make up some of the more common baskets in advance of your orders to get things moving a little faster. Some suggestions might be an anniversary basket including a couple bottles of wine, some fancy chocolates, a cork screw and two stemless wine glasses. Instead of using a regular basket, put this in a fancy metal ice bowl to chill the wine in. Coffee lovers baskets are a favorite. Include a mug, some gourmet coffee, flavored spoons and a gift card to Starbucks. Another great one is a metal bucket with different kinds of beer and bags of pretzels and snacks for football season. Include a football novelty item. Be creative and make your baskets different than the common everyday baskets you can buy in the store and you'll have lots of customers in no time.
Source...