Creative Holiday Promotions Aren't Just for Christmas: Ignoring the Rest of the Calendar Means Missed Marketing Opportunities for Business Owners

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) February 2, 2007

Business owners who think holiday promotion is over now that Christmas has passed should seriously think again, according to marketing and custom gift consultant, Imoni Washington.

From well-known dates like St. Patrick's Day, to the lesser-known American Chocolate Week, Washington says every month offers multiple opportunities for creative promotions. Figuring out how to capitalize on those opportunities is also one of her specialties. As owner and designer at BasketsofMaryland.com, Washington prides herself on being able to help her clients come up with unique promotion and customer retention strategies.

Lisa Ennis owner of Eccentrics, The Spa Sanctuary recently began using Washington's expertise to help promote new spa services. Focusing on Valentine's Day, Washington put together a luxurious chocolate theme for the entire salon.

First, a large gift basket teaming with chocolate soufflé hand soaps and real truffle treats was designed for the reception desk. One lucky customer will get to take the basket home at the end of the Valentine's Day promotion. "People love the basket and want to know how they can receive it," Ennis notes. To help draw more attention to the event, Washington also made smaller baskets for each hair stylist's workstation, complete with chocolate hairdryers.

Along with coming up with creative holiday themes, Washington enjoys dreaming up custom features like the chocolate dryers. "For Valentine's Day, a bank could send a client a gift basket of chocolate money, a construction company can send a basket full of chocolate tools, a sports marketing company can send a box of chocolate covered strawberries decorated like footballs and so on," she said.

Washington is available through her website BasketsofMaryland.com or by calling 410-551-4554. More information about unusual holidays and observances can be found in the annual guide Chase's Calendar of Events (available at most libraries).

About Baskets of Maryland:

Baskets of Maryland creates themed gift baskets for individual and corporate clients nationwide. The company was launched in 2003 as a local supplier in the Baltimore area. Its initial clients consisted of restaurant customers, and the baskets featured novelties depicting Maryland seafood. As Baskets of Maryland grows, its client base continues to expand beyond restaurants to include corporations in a variety of industries, including law firms, mortgage companies, hotels, insurance agencies and convention centers.

In 2005, the company began offering its baskets for sale online at http://www.basketsofmaryland.com. It provides clients with consultation services and baskets tailored to meet its clients' needs. The company also offers custom-imprinted ribbons and private labeling.

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