27 July 2008
Brochure Writing Tips
31/07/08 23:55 Filed in: Success Scoop
Internet may have lessened the need for printed business tools, but it hasn’t completely eliminated brochures, business cards, sales flyers and catalogs. Clients need something about your business to put in their files. Plus, printed materials can help drive customers and clients to your site. When you’re ready to write your next brochure, these tips may help you get focused.
1. Target the best markets for your services and write the brochure to that specific market.
2. Decide what you want to achieve with the brochure.
3. Narrow the objectives of the brochure to no more than 3.
4. Stay on a narrow course of action. Don’t stray from the objective.
5. Increasingly build the case for your objective from the beginning to the end.
6. A brochure is drama; a flyer is action; a catalog lists ALL your products and services. Brochures are not flyers or catalogs.
Keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be on the road to a beautiful brochure!
1. Target the best markets for your services and write the brochure to that specific market.
2. Decide what you want to achieve with the brochure.
3. Narrow the objectives of the brochure to no more than 3.
4. Stay on a narrow course of action. Don’t stray from the objective.
5. Increasingly build the case for your objective from the beginning to the end.
6. A brochure is drama; a flyer is action; a catalog lists ALL your products and services. Brochures are not flyers or catalogs.
Keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be on the road to a beautiful brochure!
2008 Holiday Color Trends
28/07/08 11:31 Filed in: Gift Buyer Review
Holiday color trends are all over the board this year. Instead of mega categories, trends in 2008 are micro-centered -- as electic and diverse as the fragmented U.S. consumer demographics. Some of the influencing themes and motifs are:
1. Concern for the environment
2. Retro-to-the-’60’s (peace and love)
3. Fair Trade merchandise
4. Old world opulence (Russia)
Earth-driven color tones dominate the environmental color trend. Sky blue, fern green, sand beige, bark brown, and vibrant wild flower brights; with copper and nickel as strong metallics. In the peace and love category, wild, vivid, visionary colors splash holiday theme merchandise. With the Russian and old world, think deep jewel tones and dazzling metallics. Fair trade color trends tend to reflect the dark tones of mahagony and ebony, with splashes of blackened primary tones (red, orange, green and blue), livened up with tropical blends.
It’s great to read about color trends, but with gift baskets, designers don’t have to think too much about it, since industry manufacturers and distributors have already stocked the latest for the holidays. Just open the catalogs, think about your own customer base, and order the trendiest packaging and supply colors in every style and motif!
1. Concern for the environment
2. Retro-to-the-’60’s (peace and love)
3. Fair Trade merchandise
4. Old world opulence (Russia)
Earth-driven color tones dominate the environmental color trend. Sky blue, fern green, sand beige, bark brown, and vibrant wild flower brights; with copper and nickel as strong metallics. In the peace and love category, wild, vivid, visionary colors splash holiday theme merchandise. With the Russian and old world, think deep jewel tones and dazzling metallics. Fair trade color trends tend to reflect the dark tones of mahagony and ebony, with splashes of blackened primary tones (red, orange, green and blue), livened up with tropical blends.
It’s great to read about color trends, but with gift baskets, designers don’t have to think too much about it, since industry manufacturers and distributors have already stocked the latest for the holidays. Just open the catalogs, think about your own customer base, and order the trendiest packaging and supply colors in every style and motif!
"Must-Stock" Holiday Book
28/07/08 11:03 Filed in: Gift Buyer Review
Making your Christmas inventory list? Be sure to put this outstanding new book in your “must order” column: “The Paper Bag Christmas” by Kevin Alan Milne (www.centerstreet.com). It will make you laugh, cry, and maybe even take a look at the way Americans celebrate the season.
"The Paper Bag Christmas", reads like a Christmas classic -- warm, funny, sweet, inspiring, humbling, and nostalgic. The celebration of Christmas as the birth of Jesus is artfully woven into the story, pulled through like a golden thread among the heart-melting yarn. In this first novel by Milne, a young boy named Mo meets Dr. Chris K. Ringle, a wise, warm, witty but mysterious oncologist who seemingly moonlights as a volunteer mall Santa. Mo and his brother are invited to become volunteer “elves”, working with D. Ringle on the children’s floor of the local hospital. Dr. Ringle promises Mo that he will receive exactly what he NEVER wanted for Christmas, but it will be more wonderful than anything he could ever hope to receive. On Christmas Day, Mo is given a gift he would never forget, and it changes his life.
When you put this book in your holiday baskets, be sure to include a peppermint candy cane and a handkerchief or mini Kleenex pack. Watch for a holiday design photo featuring the book -- coming soon on the blog!
"The Paper Bag Christmas", reads like a Christmas classic -- warm, funny, sweet, inspiring, humbling, and nostalgic. The celebration of Christmas as the birth of Jesus is artfully woven into the story, pulled through like a golden thread among the heart-melting yarn. In this first novel by Milne, a young boy named Mo meets Dr. Chris K. Ringle, a wise, warm, witty but mysterious oncologist who seemingly moonlights as a volunteer mall Santa. Mo and his brother are invited to become volunteer “elves”, working with D. Ringle on the children’s floor of the local hospital. Dr. Ringle promises Mo that he will receive exactly what he NEVER wanted for Christmas, but it will be more wonderful than anything he could ever hope to receive. On Christmas Day, Mo is given a gift he would never forget, and it changes his life.
When you put this book in your holiday baskets, be sure to include a peppermint candy cane and a handkerchief or mini Kleenex pack. Watch for a holiday design photo featuring the book -- coming soon on the blog!
Buy, Separate, and Save
28/07/08 01:10 Filed in: Success Scoop
Just a few minutes of solitude in a warm bath is a blessing for a busy woman. Giving a spa gift is a warm, empathic expression of friendship. A gift like the one shown here can be so affordable, it’s easy to share often.
Look for closeout bath sets after Christmas, or sometimes Mother’s Day that can be used for any occasion or any time of the year. Often, these sets will be on sale for 75% to 90% off the retail price. Avoid holiday-specific labels, and look for containers that are easy to make “seasonless” by removing a bow or decorative accent.
Open and separate items into groups of accessories and soaps. Once separated, items can be mixed and matched throughout the year. In the gift basket shown here, items from three different premade gift sets were used. An inspirational book and candles (not in any premade set) were mixed with spa accessories to make a custom gift set -- like no other on the market! Total cost? About $5 !!!
The bow makes the basket. A multi-hued organza bow (purple/lavender) wrapped the basket, and topped the large light blue nylon netting bow.
Mix Shreds and Save
28/07/08 00:54 Filed in: Success Scoop
Why mix Easter grass into regular gift basket shred? It only makes sense if you buy the Easter grass after the season, when it is on sale at a 90% discount. Then, the Easter grass does two good things:
1- adds volume to the shred, which stretches your supply dollars
2- gives a nice touch of shiny texture to the shred.
To mix the two together, empty the contents of the Easter grass, and white parchment shred (or another color) on a table. Take a handful of each, one in each hand, and push them together. With fingers from both hands, pull back a portion of each shred. Continue the ‘pulling’ motion until the shreds are equally mixed.
Some designers all it, ‘kneading’ the shreds. Mixing two or more colors of shred is a good technique for enriching the color and texture of a gift basket.
1- adds volume to the shred, which stretches your supply dollars
2- gives a nice touch of shiny texture to the shred.
To mix the two together, empty the contents of the Easter grass, and white parchment shred (or another color) on a table. Take a handful of each, one in each hand, and push them together. With fingers from both hands, pull back a portion of each shred. Continue the ‘pulling’ motion until the shreds are equally mixed.
Some designers all it, ‘kneading’ the shreds. Mixing two or more colors of shred is a good technique for enriching the color and texture of a gift basket.
Sympathy Wreath Basket
28/07/08 00:49 Filed in: Gift Tips
On the next unfortunate occasion when a sympathy gift is needed, create a gift that wreaths the bereaved in your love and empathy. When I give a bereavement basket, there are several things I like to include: a container that can be used as a keepsake trunk/box; flowers for the grave (often a wreath); photo frame or album for photos of the deceased; and a book of comfort. In addition, depending on the friend, I may also include a journal and pen, candles, coffee and gourmet foods, a garden stone, or other useful items linked to healing. In addition, handkerchiefs are usually included in baskets for women. I hope you’ll find this helpful as you reach out in love to help a friend heal after a loss.
Chocolate Bar Centerpiece
28/07/08 00:47 Filed in: Gift Wrap Ideas
It isn’t really a tiered wedding cake, but it makes an elegant, tasty centerpiece. It’s very easy. Just run two strips of double-stick tape around an upside down gift box. Press wrapped chocolates against the tape, then tie a ribbon around the chocolate bars for added stability. In the centerpiece shown here, tiers of boxes were used to create the wedding cake effect. Gold candies were used to cover open spaces on the lowest box, and a bridal garter covered the sides of the third tier box (this box can be packed with mints, nuts, or a special door prize). To top off the centerpiece, I used a purchased tiered tri-stacked box of truffles. A bride and groom would be cute here, too, or a small floral bouquet (corsage?). Use your imagination! Guests LOVE this centerpiece!
Fall Blessing Gift Basket
28/07/08 00:28 Filed in: New from Gift Basket Review
Sharing a blessing with a gift doesn’t have to bust your budget. Shop smart, and buy off-season for amazing deals on containers, ribbons, florals, and other supplies! This beautiful basket was put together with less than $12 of merchandise, ribbon and florals. Inside the beautiful basket are: three boxes of yummy gourmet sweets, and a single serve pack of great coffee. (The foods are all fresh -- never purchased off-season!)
What makes this basket so beautiful are the copper florals -- purchased for only $1.25 at a local salvage store.
A video download will be available soon -- free for subscribing members -- at www.gbreview.com. When it is posted, watch and learn how to pack a round container with a small opening.
Wildlife Watchers
28/07/08 00:23 Filed in: Gift Tips
Design a gift for wildlife watchers! No matter where the binoculars are used -- backyard or wilderness preserve -- the gift is sure to be enjoyed. Tuck in a wildlife book, an observation journal, coffee (to catch the best views of wildlife, early starts are a must!), and cookies, chocolate, trail mix, or biscotti.
Glittered copper florals are a great contrast against the rough wood of the green container. The copper is picked up on the label of the coffee, and in the ribbon -- all arranged to draw the eye in a circular motion through the design.
This design was made with a low container (a $1.99 bargain). To build height and achieve a more powerful presentation, a smaller box was placed on top a foundation in the center back of the container. If this sounds confusing, you can download a video from the wwwgbreview.com website (available July, 2008). More tips are included for achieving a full look, and avoiding the pyramid shape caused by stacking the box inside the container.
Lodge Gift Basket
28/07/08 00:10 Filed in: Success Scoop
Ski lodges and resorts in wilderness preserves welcome VIP’s with special in-room gift basket deliveries. You can create this same cozy emotion with a gift design that brings out a tasteful rugged mood -- and do it on a budget. This design cost about $10 to make -- and all the items were bought at retail stores. The handsome flocked black container was purchased at closeout for $2.99. Inside are two packs of Walker’s Shortbread, coffee, and a mug. A floral arrangement is anchored in the mug. What gives this design such strong visual power? The blend of patterned and solid tissue and ribbon that muscle the red and black color theme.
To transform the design from holiday to everyday, replace the holiday florals with a green potted plant. Move the ribbon from the top to replace the ornament. That’s it! Now the design works for July as well as December.
To learn more about budget designs, buying off-season retail bargains, and more, look for articles and videos in the summer 2008 GBR Online issue, or later in the 2008 GBR archives (gbreview.com).
Divided Basket
28/07/08 00:05 Filed in: Gift Tips
Yes, you CAN have fresh florals or potted plants in the same basket as gourmet foods. Keep the live plant contained in a plastic liner, and wrap the gourmet goodies separately on the side.
This design features a mini tree, decorated with ornaments on one side, with cookie treats filling the remaining half. A combination of patterned/solid tissue and ribbon fills out the design, adding to the rich visuals.
Despite it’s lavish look, the basket only cost about $12 to make -- buying everything at retail outlets. To find great bargains, shop off-season. Invest extra in tissue and ribbon. You’ll discover amazing ways to use these supplies to transform ordinary merchandise into extraordinary presentations.