Birthday coming up? Graduation party? Holiday coming up and no time to go shopping for gifts? Looking for something different and personal? Try Cafepress.com -- with its huge selection of highly customizable and unique gift ideas shipped directly from the web store to any address in the world! You have two options when you use cafepress. First, you may select from literally thousands of designs -- photos, logos, images, illustration, cartoons, paintings, you name it, created by artists from around the world. When you find the design you like you can browse a number of products the artist has printed the design on -- t-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, intimates, baseball cups and many many more... including to house wares, office products, cards, stickers, etc. The list is truly endless and you can use the internal cafepress engine to search the designs using tag words or sentences.
The second option is probably the most interesting and unique opportunity to create something special. Through their create & buy service, Cafepress allows you to upload your own designs, decorate your own products and eventually buy or send them to friends. The process of setting up a “store” is quite simple as long as you follow some very clear and logical instructions in order to upload your digital content, select the products you want to feature, and finally price and buy them. At the end you will be given a web page in the cafepress server where the products you have chosen are listed. Most important this simple process is free! You only pay for the final products you buy and you can even wait a few weeks before you make up your mind. No one will rush or pressure you to make a purchase. Why? Because the products you created do not exist until you buy them. The process is on demand and unless there is a customer there is no printing, no inventory and no product.
But you don't only have to be a customer. The whole beauty of cafepress is that you have the option to make your store public, in other words make it available for others to see your product creations and buy from you. Public designs are added to the search engine and can be viewed by all the people visiting the Cafepress site and possibly bought. Cafepress even gives you the option to choose what percentage of profit you would like to make on a product and makes arrangements of how and when you would like to get paid. You can go even a step further and sign up for what they call a “premium shop” where you can further customize your shop appearance, introduce sections to your shop and play with the HTML code of your page. Though this costs a few dollars per month is really worth it if you are looking to make a business out of your designs. There are a few rules and restrictions -- obviously you can’t sell trademarked or copywriten ideas, but overall there are no limitations to what you can upload and print. Recently cafepress introduced additional products and services. Though the traditional promotional products like t-shirts, apparel, mugs etc. are the main core of the business, the company is now venturing into the publishing business introducing print in demand services where new and unpublished writers can see their books published and musicians and performing artists may have their work offered in CDs and DVDs.
So are you simply looking to buy some unique gifts or are you planning to build your own Name Brand Empire? The key is to be realistic. There have been several “shops” earning a respectable amount of cash though their products other “shops” enjoy limited exposure and very few or no sales at all. You see, this is the Internet and like anything else in order to generate sales you need to get traffic to your site. For example, there are hundreds of designs showcasing the flag of the USA. At the time this article was being written, the tag/keyword “USA flag” brings up 8920 designs a total of 170.000 products. You can see how your product can be lost in the crowd. The internal search engine has its own rules and if you have joined Cafepress recently, tagged your design with wrong tags or made no sales then your USA flag design is probably sitting at the bottom of the list and won’t bee seen. If your design is number 1000th on the list, it's likely it will never be visited -- no one goes that deep. There are several ways to work around that -- submit your page in the search engines yourself or even generate your own traffic by exchanging links with other shopkeepers. These solutions normally take time, effort and money to accomplish any significant sales. The best way to overcome these growing pains and generate the desirable traffic to your shop is by visiting the cafepress forums and learning from the experiences of the other “shopkeepers.” See what they are doing and follow their footsteps. Who knows -- one day you might be walking in the street and see a complete stranger wearing one of your t-shirts!
The Cafepress idea of gifts and home business.
Christmas Gifts For Business Travellers
Does the person special in your life do a lot of traveling? Business travelers have to while away a lot of hours sitting in planes trains and automobiles. They are burdened down with a lot of luggage and often have to while away the hours in waiting areas.
Here are some great gift ideas for the traveler in your life:
Miniatures - everything & anything, but in a small / miniature size. Perfumes, aftershaves, deodorants & shaving foams all serve to lighten the load for the weary traveler. Miniature bottles of genuine malt whisky and other alcoholic spirits help your travel ling buddy to relax before and after a flight!
Hand Held Playstation - this is great for whiling away the hours whilst waiting patiently for the delayed flight / train. Make sure you include the best shoot and kill games for those who are highly stressed.
Travel & Neck Pillows - these are great for sleeping or relaxing on a long journey. Make sure you include a bottle of therapeutic oils that ease the stress and strains of the rat race. It is definitely worth spending a little more and buying one that stays inflated and lasts for several trips.
Blow up Balls (not dolls!) - These are great for keeping fit whilst stuck in a hotel in the middle of nowhere. It is amazing the range of exercises a keep fit enthusiast can do with just a blow up ball!
Luxury Hot Water Bottle - Ideal for cold nights in under heated hotels.
Grooming Kit - Make sure it has all the essential high quality grooming aids. This way when they return after a long journey they will still look good enough to jump in bed with!
iPod Nano - This is a portable media player that is amazingly small. It can play all their favorite tracks and it can store up to five hours of video and TV shows. This will serve to keep the bored traveler entertained for hours at a time.
Latest Digital Camera - These are now so good… who needs an old fashioned camera with film? Make sure it has a built in flash and a decent memory card.
Sunglasses - Who would not appreciate a pair of designer shades? You need to know your partner really well to figure out which design will suit their face shape without them being present.
Satellite Navigation System - If your partner drives a lot and does not have one of these, then this gift will blow away any doubts that they ever had about you…
Annual Multi-trip Travelers Insurance - If you have been together a long time and romance is no longer an issue… then why not buy them a practical gift? This gift will also serve to ease your worries about who will pay the bills if anything happens to your loved one!
A really romantic idea is to have their gift waiting for them when they finally reach their hotel room. Have their favourite bottle of wine or some lovely flowers delivered on the day of their arrival and their face will light up when they reach their destination.
Changing Business Etiquette Affects Secretary's Day Gifts
Once upon a time a boss could take his secretary to lunch, or give flowers and candy for what began in 1952 as "National Secretaries Week". Today, the etiquette for what is now known as "Administrative Professionals Week" has changed, according to human resources experts. It's leaving bosses wondering what kind of gifts are appropriate to give their office staff in today's workplace.
"There's increasing concern over what's proper for a boss to give an employee in the workplace," said Daniel Karpelman, who edits gifting advice for GiftCertificates.com. "Are flowers too personal? Is taking your admin for lunch and cocktails inappropriate? Bosses are worried about crossing the line in the current atmosphere of workplace etiquette and potential liability."
Karpelman notes that giving the right corporate gifts can not only motivate and reward, but helps build employee commitment and strengthens your organization from within. Taking time to choose the right gift can enhance the employee's appreciation of the gesture.
"Gifts that demonstrate some thought and effort are always better than something that feels hastily purchased, said Karpelman. "Many people enjoy a gift certificate to their favorite store - they are thrilled that you've recognized their diverse interests and given them a choice! When accompanied by a handwritten note, your gesture is sure to be appreciated; everyone likes to be recognized for hard work."
If you're puzzled on what interests your staff members might have, GiftCertificates.com has an innovative solution - a SuperCertificate® which gives your employee the gift of choice. Imagine sending your secretary on a virtual shopping spree with a certificate redeemable at over 200 top stores and restaurants including gifts like clothing, jewelry, electronics, movie tickets and much more. SuperCertificates® are easy to give, never expire and can even be sent by email.
Karpelman adds that although it's only natural for co-workers to compare their gifts, the monetary value of your gift certificate need not be the same for everyone on your staff. "If there are wide discrepancies in the gifts that you give, be aware that hurt feelings could arise. However if the same individual has worked for you steadily for 20 years, it would be perfectly appropriate for that person's gift to be substantially more significant than for someone who has only been with the company for six months."
Whether you call them secretaries or administrative professionals, a stellar one is the heart of a well-run organization. This year, National Administrative Professionals Week is April 23-29. Make sure you don't miss this opportunity to let your staff know how much they are appreciated with a gift that is appropriate and welcomed.
Are Corporate Awards and Corporate Gifts Beneficial for your Business?
With the increased challenges that all companies are faced with, many corporations have implemented various initiatives to continue to grow corporate earnings and shareholder value, some have discovered the strategic value of corporate awards and corporate gifts.
From the boardroom to the frontlines to the client across the country, corporate awards and gifts offer many benefits to enhance performance. Not only are you showing your appreciation to the employee or customer, you setting a standard of thanks for the hard work and dedication.
Corporate Awards Benefits: A company’s success depends on its employees and their abilities. With the incentive of a corporate award or corporate gift you attract and retain current employees to pursue for more in the workplace. Corporate awards are great for:
• Direction
• Talent Retention
• Sales Goals
• Public Relations
• A Direct affect on the company’s bottom line.
Things to Consider when giving a Corporate Award: How many times do you give the award? Most companies have an annual corporate dinner or function where the years corporate awards are given out. This would be the best time to show your appreciation.
What type of recognition do you want the award to represent? You definitely want to make this award stand out and make it represent the kind of hard work that was accomplished. What kind of statement do you want to the corporate award to make? You want it to make it so that everyone else will strive for that award next year. A statement shows gratitude but also envy.
From the small business to the major corporation, corporate awards will have an increased performance level. No company should underestimate the power of corporate awards. Your business will gain a critical view of your operations and challenge to improve the business and company as a whole.
Benefits of Corporate Gifts: As major holidays are approaching, many companies will be thinking about giving your customers (and possibly employees) corporate gifts. Sending corporate gifts does not always have to be thought about during the holidays. Many other occasions such as referrals, completion of a project, customer’s birthday or even a business anniversary can be acceptable times to send a gift. When sending the gift, make sure that you add a personal touch, as this can go a long way. Include a hand-written note, or wrap the gift yourself. You can even present the gift in person to give it that extra touch. There are not a lot of do’s or don’t when sending a corporate gift but the key is to make sure that the added touch is there to show the person that you are grateful for what has been accomplished.
Companies should not underestimate the power of business awards and gifts. Not only do corporate awards show true appreciation, it makes other employees strive to become a standout in their field. Sending corporate gifts also reassures your thanks to the employee or client that you appreciate the hard work and dedication that it takes to run the business. These kind gestures will not only build your relationships but it will help you build the company by utilizing its maximum potential.
Are Corporate Awards and Corporate Gifts Beneficial for your Business?
With the increased challenges that all companies are faced with, many corporations have implemented various initiatives to continue to grow corporate earnings and shareholder value, some have discovered the strategic value of corporate awards and corporate gifts.
From the boardroom to the frontlines to the client across the country, corporate awards and gifts offer many benefits to enhance performance. Not only are you showing your appreciation to the employee or customer, you setting a standard of thanks for the hard work and dedication.
Corporate Awards Benefits: A company’s success depends on its employees and their abilities. With the incentive of a corporate award or corporate gift you attract and retain current employees to pursue for more in the workplace. Corporate awards are great for:
• Direction
• Talent Retention
• Sales Goals
• Public Relations
• A Direct affect on the company’s bottom line.
Things to Consider when giving a Corporate Award: How many times do you give the award? Most companies have an annual corporate dinner or function where the years corporate awards are given out. This would be the best time to show your appreciation.
What type of recognition do you want the award to represent? You definitely want to make this award stand out and make it represent the kind of hard work that was accomplished. What kind of statement do you want to the corporate award to make? You want it to make it so that everyone else will strive for that award next year. A statement shows gratitude but also envy.
From the small business to the major corporation, corporate awards will have an increased performance level. No company should underestimate the power of corporate awards. Your business will gain a critical view of your operations and challenge to improve the business and company as a whole.
Benefits of Corporate Gifts: As major holidays are approaching, many companies will be thinking about giving your customers (and possibly employees) corporate gifts. Sending corporate gifts does not always have to be thought about during the holidays. Many other occasions such as referrals, completion of a project, customer’s birthday or even a business anniversary can be acceptable times to send a gift. When sending the gift, make sure that you add a personal touch, as this can go a long way. Include a hand-written note, or wrap the gift yourself. You can even present the gift in person to give it that extra touch. There are not a lot of do’s or don’t when sending a corporate gift but the key is to make sure that the added touch is there to show the person that you are grateful for what has been accomplished.
Companies should not underestimate the power of business awards and gifts. Not only do corporate awards show true appreciation, it makes other employees strive to become a standout in their field. Sending corporate gifts also reassures your thanks to the employee or client that you appreciate the hard work and dedication that it takes to run the business. These kind gestures will not only build your relationships but it will help you build the company by utilizing its maximum potential.