Hi Everyone!

Welcome to the second issue of the Basket Biz Cafe Newsletter! I'm so glad to have you as a member of our newsletter readers. Just a note here, if you see crazy characters in the text, it's to help this newsletter get through the spam filters to reach your inbox instead of your junk mail box, I really do know how to spell!

What's In This Issue

1. Editor's Note: Getting Our Business In Line
2. Feature Articles: Do’s and Don’ts for the Internet Marketing Newbie (Part 1) by Debra Hamer
3. Gift Basket Idea of the Month: Beautiful Baby Basket & Valentine's Day Ideas
4. Business Tip of the Month: RSS and How To Stay Up To Date Using This New Technology
5. New Inventory, Sale Items & Upcoming Items - New Sale Items~Last of the Christmas Items Marked WAY Down! New Baby & Valentine's Items Have Arrived! See Right Column =>
6. Upcoming Events - Right Column =>
7. GBWS Sponsors - Right Column =>

Editor's Note

Wow, what a busy month for my customers! It's so great to see you guys doing so well. I hope everyone made it through without dying on your feet first!

It's been a good month around here, a bit slow but good. I decided to get back into the industry at a good time, I knew I wouldn't be able to sell much for the Christmas season as most my customer would already have purchased the items they needed to get through. That gave me time to get my business in order.

As some of you who checked out our site when we first went online will remember, at first we didn't even accept credit cards. It took us a while to get approved by the merchant company so we were trying to take orders using PayPal. I learned quickly that you guys didn't want to use PayPal, I had tons of abandoned shopping carts! Well, that's been remedied, we now accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover. It's all automatic and easy.

If PayPal is the only option you offer, you might want to consider what happened to us and try to determine if it's hampering your sales. If so, consider getting a merchant account. Joni Damico, owner of NSGA (National Specialty Gift Association), offers her members a discounted merchant account through Discover. You can check out NSGA at www.nsgaonline.com. If you join, tell her I sent you.

The other thing we started without was a business phone line. I knew that would have to be the first thing to get but being a new start-up and working out of my home for the time being, I didn't want to spend the huge sum of money that Alltel wanted to set up a business line. Well, I found an alternative that some of you who are just starting out might want to consider.

It's called Vonage. It's a phone line that works over my Internet connection! Isn't that cool? The technology is called VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). And, IT'S CHEAP!! I signed up for unlimited long distance to U.S. and Canada for just $24.95 a month. There was a set-up fee and I had to buy a phone because I didn't have an extra one laying around but basically, that was it. I think the total to get set-up (excluding the phone) was just $60 some odd dollars. And I just recently added a toll-free number for just $5 more a month, those of you who ship your gift baskets all over the U.S. might want to consider adding the toll-free line. You can't beat it for just $5 a month more!

It was really easy to set up, Vonage sent me a router with a phone jack. I had to call for help but they were really nice and helped me through it. If you need a business phone line, check this out, here's the link - www.vonage.com .

One other thing I set up that will really help our customers is a blog. What's a blog? It's short for weblog. It's a chronilogical posting of things that are going on at our company. I plan to use it to keep you guys updated as to when new items arrive and are posted to the site. I also will talk about things I learn in the industry and just give you ramblings that are interesting. Here's the link:

http://www.giftbasketwholesalesupply.com/blog/

Below you'll find an article I wrote about RSS Feeds. Read the article to learn how to stay abreast of current events you like to follow including the updating of our blog.

So, that's it for my part of the newsletterI hope you enjoy the rest. As I told you last month, I'm going to keep the format the same each month so you'll be able to read it and find what you want quickly. If you would like to contribute a gift basket idea or article, by all means, please do, just email me. And don't forget to send me your feedback as well. So, I can keep your letters out of my spam filter, use the following email address - editor@giftbasketwholesalesupply.com

Featured Articles

by Debra Hamer

Part 2 will follow in next month's newsletter.

I, myself, being an internet marketing “newbie” (endearing term used to refer to people who have just started their own internet business and don’t know what the ---- they are doing) have learned a few things and would like to share my observations, tribulations, and triumphs with my fellow “newbies”. In sharing my experiences I hope I can help you avoid some of the pitfalls and obstacles you will face. Let’s try to avoid some of those “Information Overload” headaches as well. I don’t want you to walk through the same mud puddle if I can point it out and help you avoid it.

First, in this article which is Part 1, I will list some important “DO’s”. Part 2 will cover the DON’Ts.

• Do take your time, one step at a time. Do understand that building your business is not something than can be done in a matter of days, not even months in most cases. It’s going to take time, lots of time.
  
• Do practice Patience! I know it’s not one of my virtues either and it’s really hard to put into practice, but to save your sanity, try to be patient!
  
• Do understand in the beginning you will be suffocated with so much information and resources your head will hurt (that’s where the Information Overload headache comes from) and you will not know which direction to take first. You’ll just be spinning your wheels if you try to go off into 20 different directions at once. Remember, concentrate on one thing at a time!
  
• Do use your best judgment when weeding through all of the information. Throw away the obvious hype and keep what you feel is resourceful and useful.
  
• Do make it a goal to accomplish one task each day. Later when you can handle it add one or two more tasks. Progress slowly.
  
• Do look for free resources, there’s plenty out there on the internet to help you build and promote your business. There’s also a lot of hype and misinformation and just plain bad information, so definitely use your best judgement.
  
• Do join some good internet marketing forums. You will find a lot of advice and tips on how to promote your business. Many people there are also “newbies” and you can bounce ideas off of each other. Many will post what has worked or hasn’t worked for them. Learn from the internet marketing experts, they were in your shoes at one time, benefit from their experiences.
  
• Do file and organize the information you receive for retrieval later on. Organize your email by creating folders to keep information categorized and easy to find. Keep a log in Microsoft Excel with all of your affiliate ID’s, affiliate URL’s, and memberships.
  
• Do learn some basic HTML code. This will make it easier for you to change, delete, and make any additions to your website. If you don’t know how to add a link to your website then how will you exchange links with other websites to increase your search engine rankings. Go to http://www.htmlgoodies.com and take their basic HTML tutorial. Read my article titled “Why You Should Learn HTML” on my Articles and News page at http://www.profitfromhomebiz.com .
  
• Do realize that it’s going to take a lot of work and time to establish your business. Especially, a business on the internet. It’s not an auto-pilot business. You will probably spend more hours working at this business than you would a regular 9 to 5 job.
  
• Chances are you are new to internet marketing, so do study and learn as much as you can before you just jump in. Know what to expect and be prepared.
  
• Do realize that having an internet business is just like having a business in the “real” world. You need to have a plan, you need to advertise, and you must have a budget.
  
• Do download the “30 Days to Success” E-book written by Stone Evans. You can find a free copy on my website at http://www.profitfromhomebiz.com. You will need to provide your name and email address which will subscribe you to my Home Business Tips Newsletter (which is full of internet marketing tips and articles), and then you can download the E-book. It gives you a day by day guide on how to promote your business online. It’s an invaluable tool!
  
• Do believe in yourself and your abilities. Believe in your success!

I divided this article into two parts so you would not fall asleep trying to read the whole article at once. Part 1 of this article has covered the DO’s for the internet marketing newbie. Part 2 of the article will cover the DON’Ts. Be on the lookout for the part 2!

*NOTE FROM REBA: Part 2 will be in the issue of our newsletter at the end of January 2005.

About the Author: Debra Hamer is the owner of the http://profitfromhomebiz.com website where you can find lots of tips, tools and resources for starting your own work at home business. Visit her PlugInProfitSite at http://www.pluginprofitsite.com/main-4256 to have your own website setup and ready to go within 24 hours, complete with everything you need to start making a profit.

Gift Basket Idea of the Month

This month we are featuring a Baby Basket, it's the one you'll see on our homepage when you visit.

I know, you're thinking, but you should have done a Valentine's Day basket, right? Well, I would have but the shipment with our best Valentine's Day stuff just got here on Christmas Eve. I really felt I needed to get the basket ready before that so it would be ready for this issue. I'm sorry, but that's how it worked out. I will, however, give you some example themes to use that will work with the new items we just got ~ those will follow at the end of this section. :-)

So, what went into this basket? First, I used a nice rectangular basket that measures 13" wide x 7" deep x 6" tall. Since we don't have any baskets in our inventory yet, I purchased it at Michaels. When I saw it, I knew it was perfect to use with the Baby's Love Baby Book as a backer. The book is 9" wide (11" tall) and would fit perfectly. I absolutely LOVE the colors of that book, they're perfect for a baby girl or a baby boy. And the lavender is the perfect compliment to any color you choose to use.

Then I just picked out some baby accessories. I decided to make this one for a girl but it will just as easily go blue for a boy or even yellow or green. Anyway, I used a baby bottle, a bottle/nipple brush, a brush and comb set, a pacifier, a fleece blanket, a cow rattle and a Bundle of Joy bib. I also added 5 disposible diapers that I purchased at the dollar store; I don't recommend you use cheap dollar store diapers, use a high quality small disposible diaper. As enhancements, I used a purple stuffed giraffe, pink silk carnations and a pink and lavender hand-tied bow.

When I started I didn't quite know how it would all fit, I just knew I wanted to use the book as the backer and put the rolled diapers across the front. I then got the idea to also roll the blanket and it fit very nicely behind the diapers. I arranged the newsprint base so it raised the blanket just a bit higher than the row of diapers. Then I started putting the rest of the stuff in and it all fit nicely. At first I wasn't going to put the bib draped over the front but I tried it and it looked nice, so I left it.

Since I was able to get everything to fit fairly tightly into the basket, it wasn't necessary to use any picks. I did however use the newsprint to make the book stay tightly propped and the diaper row stay pushed up against the front of the basket. I used the ribbons around the rolled diapers to hold the brush and comb set and the bottle and bottle/nipple brush as well as the giraffe stayed because I made an indention in the newsprint base, making the newsprint wrap around the items. As for the cow rattle, I just layed it on top but I think you could probably tie it in with one of the diaper rolls by using one of the "keys" that are part of the the rattle. The pacifier was just tied to the blanket roll.

After it was constructed there were gaps around the book and I knew it needed an enhancement somewhere. The pink silk carnations were perfect.

Here's list of the items and their prices:

I purchased the carnations on a bush at the craft store, the bush had about eight stems, I used most of it in this basket. The price of the bush was $3.95. Keep your eyes open for sales of up to 50% off at craft stores for your enhancements, and stock up then. Only purchase bushes of blooms that are of neutral and natural colors.

Ideas for using our Valentine's Day items:

• Frog Mugs and Photo Frame - My Prince Charming, Kiss Me Basket
• Sweet Stuff Valentine's Bears - just like the bears have printed on them; Bee My Honey, I Love You Angel, and You're My Love Bug
• Valentine Love Ceramic Photo Frames - perfect addition to a basket with chocolate. You don't want to add a candle because of the fragrance transfer from the candle to the chocolate, so use a frame that says, "True Love", "I Love You", "Kiss", or "Love". These frames are perfect for conveying your message.
• Beanie "Mollie" Puppies - Although these puppies can be used year round, the colors are PERFECT for Valentine's Day and what says "I Love You" better than a super soft little puppie?
• "Gigi" Beanie Poodles - Again, a wonderful addition to a basket that uses chocolate, no worry about frangrance transfer but these little poodles are adorable and have a red hearts on their ears and printed on the ribbon around their necks.

In regards to the Valentine's items listed above, I just want to warn you, the stock on these items is very limited. Being we just opened our business, we're being very careful with the items we invest in and the quantity we stock. Until we've had some time to grow, I'm afraid our seasonal inventory will not be as "deep" as I would like as we cannot afford to hold too much over until the next year. However, if we find that these items are selling well, I can get more but it takes about a week for shipping, soooo, only if we run low very early on, like in the first week of January, will I consider ordering more. Just wanted you to be aware, it's first come, first served. :-)

Business Tip of the Month

By Reba Collins

Have you seen them yet? The little orange graphics that say XML or RSS? Have you ever wondered what the heck they are? Yeah, me to. And, being as curious as a cat, I had to find out!

It wasn't hard to get most of the info I needed. All I did was search for RSS at Google and a ton of resources came up. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Hmmm...really simple? Yeah, it really is pretty simple and it makes keeping up with news, sports, entertainment and business, well, really simple.

Basically, what happens is, say you read the Wall Street Journal, CNN and ESPN everyday. You also read a couple of business newsletters weekly or when they get delivered to your email inbox and you read your niece's blog (short for weblog [web-log]) that gets updated 'whenever'. Okay, so you go to each of the websites each day and do your thing, right? Well, if those sites offer an RSS Feed (which they do - look for the little orange RSS or XML graphic) then you can have their content or articles sent directly to your computer. No more going through multiple websites, it's all delivered to you in an RSS Reader right on your computer. And oh, there are also web based readers as well, you just choose the one you prefer.

Now, what's so great about that? Well, let's take our website, www.GiftBasketWholesaleSupply.com, as an example. Let's say you set up all your news sites, newsletters and blogs so you can read them in your RSS Reader and then you find out that Gift Basket Wholesale Supply has a blog that's updated whenever new items are posted to the site (that's our plan). AND...that blog has an RSS Feed...voila!, you add Gift Basket Wholesale Supply's RSS Feed to your RSS Reader and you don't have to worry about checking the site for new stuff ever again. Now, you're notified AUTOMATICALLY by way of a posting to their blog that is delivered to your RSS Reader. Isn't that wonderful? How many other suppliers offer this service? Well, if I were you, I'd find out because your life could get a whole lot easier! And what's so great about an RSS Feed is you don't have to deal with any spam, you only get the content you ASK for! Cool, huh?

Okay, so now what are you supposed to do? You want to start reading your news and business reports in an RSS reader but you don't know what to do or how to get started. Well, I did the research...I found THE BEST resource for you to use to get started. It's CNET, a wonderful techie site that takes techie info and breaks it down for the rest of us. There's a page that explains RSS, and there's a great video as well. You'll also find links and reviews to all the different readers (be careful, some are free, some are not). You've gotta go there and check it out, here are direct links to both the pages mentioned.

How To Read RSS Feeds: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10088_7-5143460.html?tag=nav

RSS: Feel The Need For Feeds? Video (you'll have to wait a second while the video downloads): http://www.cnet.com/av/video/flash/rss_tutorial.html?tag=video

And lastly, I want to tell you what I use to read my RSS Feeds.

First, the desktop RSS Reader I use is called FeedReader. It's very similar to an email program and even makes the same tah-dah sound that Outlook Express makes for a new email when a feed is updated. The best thing is...it's free, all you have to do is download and install it. Here's the link:

http://www.feedreader.com

Second, I also like to use MyYahoo. To use MyYahoo, you just have to sign up for an account at Yahoo.com, it's free. Most people already have one anyway. If you use Yahoo Mail or participate in Yahoo Groups, you already have an account. Just go to Yahoo.com, be sure you're signed in and click the MyYahoo button at the very top of the page.

MyYahoo will let you customize your page and pulls only the information you want to read. To add an RSS Feed, click on the Add Content link, when you get to the next page click on the 'Add RSS by URL' link that's right next to the 'Find' button. On the resulting page you can enter the RSS Feed URL. (Don't worry, the video will tell you how to get the feed URL, remember, there's a link above to CNET's video). It's that simple!

Lastly, there is one other RSS Reader that I've heard great things about, it's called FeedDemon. CNet has it as one of it's top rated readers and I've talked with a few friends that say they couldn't live without it. I guess, it's worth looking at, huh? Here's the link:

http://www.feeddemon.com/

So, I hope now you're as curious as I was about RSS! Believe me, it's the way you'll be handling all the internet content you read on a regular basis, so go get started now and get a jump on your friends! I think we got a jump on our competition here at Gift Basket Wholesale Supply, were you able to find any other suppliers who update you with an RSS Feed from their blog? That's what I thought.

OH, almost forgot, be sure to check out our blog and if you don't want to get started with an RSS Feed Reader, at least put it in your bookmarks! Here's the link:

http://www.giftbasketwholesalesupply.com/blog/

OH, wait a minute! At top of this page, in the right-hand column, you know what you'll find? You guessed it, an RSS Feed so you can subscribe to this newsletter!

Want to Interview or Contribute?

If you would like to be considered to be interviewed for an article to be published in this newsletter, please email me at the following link: "Editor" We will consider gift basket companies and other vendors who supply the industry as long as they don't compete with our product offerings.

Also, if you would like to contribute an article, I will consider any article that would be helpful to our industry and I will include an "Author's Info" box and link to your website. Just email me at the following link: "Editor" .

We do not pay for articles or interviews and we reserve the right to only publish those we choose to use and think are appropriate for our audience.

Until Next Time

Thanks for joining in reading this great information. I'm hopeful that you learned a lot. So, I'll be talking with you next month, until then,

Good Luck, God Bless and Happy Gift Basketeering!

Happy New Year!

Reba Collins
Gift Basket Wholesale Supply
www.giftbasketwholesalesupply.com