Creativity: the Key to Developing New Custom Gifts by Classic Legacy

Creativty is the key that I've found that helps me develop new products.   Creativity is fueled by new experiences and looking at those travels or adventures in a new light.   On a recent trip I saw the use of marble in many elements of design.   It clicked with me that we could use marble to create some wonderful new designs.   Sometimes the best designs are inspired by travel and that is the case with our new Classic Legacy Marble collection.   The bottle stoppers have an Italian Marble 2" square top.   We then embellish the marble with vintage Images, your logo, or photographs.   The coasters are a 4" square and have a cork base.    Each of these products will come in a presentation gift box.   I also wanted to present these at the upcoming markets and we can do that!   Look at the display that I created using a terra cotta planter!   Look for these unique designs at the upcoming markets.  I'm leaving to go to Dallas this week.  Please stop by the Howard Gardiner Showroom in Suite 1743 Trade Mart to see all the latest designs.   

Keys to making Classic Legacy your Most Successful Line

Make Classic Legacy one of your most successful lines by:

1.Embracing Trends:   (A) Jewelry especially rings and bracelets are hot. (B) Wine Accessories-our bottle stoppers are our top selling category.  (C) Offer tools to customers -such as photos of products to be used for advertising and Facebook.

2. Noticing Themes of YOUR customers:   (A) "Who Dat",  (B)Crowns,  (C) Texas, and (D) Golf

3.  Asking Your Customers What they need:  (A) Develop themes for special occassions.  (B)  Develop Custom Gifts for Anniversaries.  (C) It all begins with just a jpeg image of a logo, photo, or painting.

4.  Communicating with Classic Legacy:  (A) Tell us your ideas! Be a part of product development!  (B) Let us know about events in your area.  (C) Be a part of communicating online...email and Facebook.  (D)  Let us know what you need!

5. Committing to Learn along with us!  I'll be the first to admit that these two years have changed the way we do business.  I want to learn with you and I invite you to explore our website, newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, and blog.  I also find the telephone very important....so give us a call anytime!   We are here to serve you and your customers! 

 

     

Custom Gifts How to Expand After Your Original Product Launch

Classic Legacy can help you expand your custom gifts beyond your initial selection.    Design is begun when you send us a jpeg image of your logo, painting or photo.   We then work with our graphic artist and create a screen sample for you to actually see what your logo will look like on the product of your choice.   With your approval we then begin!   Last year Scott Air Force Base ask us to create custom botle stoppers using their logo.   These turned out to be such a great gift for their contacts.   This year the buyer has been promoted and wanted to give thank you gifts to some of his collegues.   He wanted to use the same custom medallion and we were able to expand his choices by showing him our many different gifts that would work with this medallion.   He chose money clips and purse mirrors......something for both men and women!   Remember custom gifts are not just a one time thing!    Your custom medallion can be used on so many different items and we are here to help and advise you with your selections.  

Classic Legacy Designer's Ideas & Inspiration for Custom Gifts on Memorial Day 2010

 Classic Legacy customers ask me where I get my ideas for new products.   I am always curious about life.....both the past and the present!   I have been transcribing World War II letters written by my husband's grandfather to his grandmother.   These letters were in the bottom of an old trunk and had not been touched for years.   The letters were tied together lovingly with string and carefully arranged in chronological order.   I'm now reading each one and entering them into word documents on my computer.    My goal is to send a letter a day to my "distribution list"  which includes many cousins and family members.   We are getting to know more personally the events of 1943-1946 and all the hardships, trials, joy, dispcipline, and training that they endured.   It is my challenge to remain curious about everything and for this Memorial Day of 2010 I am grateful to know Edward Finnell who was a Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army.   Let me know what you are curious about.   You never know Classic Legacy may be able to make your dreams come true my creating a custom gift for you!   This photo shows one of the letters that have been saved.  The paperweight is from the Classic Legacy collection.  

Marketing Tips I've learned from Classic Legacy Facebook Fans

Marketing tips that help build community are great.   Some of my best teachers are Classic Legacy business partners.  Here are some ideas that have recently been shared on Facebook.   These ideas all have built loyality and community spirit. 

• Raffles and Drawings are effective for Jon Margeaux  "Raffle to help us raise the funds to buy banners designating our cultural district in midtown. 5 prizes-"
• Recipes are a great way to create interest in Taste of Kentucky's gifts with tips on Grilling and cooking.
• Events are a fun way to make friends.   Girls Gone Wine seems to always be having fun.  I especially like the event of gathering to see the movie Sex in the City 2.
• Videos let us see another dimension.  V. Sattui does a good job of introducing their new iphone ap.
• Special Deals are appreciated by everyone.   The Greenbrier recently teamed with Delta Airlines and offered a great deal.
• Calendar Days  (each day of the month offers a different discount)  Wednesday is green day at Cotton Tails.......look for deals on anything green!

How Facebook Helps Classic Legacy- Designer of Custom Gifts

      I am learning all I can about social media.   My goal is to be better able to serve our customers by using all the tools of social media including Facebook.  I was recently reading posts from our Classic Legacy customers and realized how important it is for me to understand who my customers are, what they like, what their city looks like, and who their customers are.   With Facebook I am able to see many of those intagible things!   I want to  share with you one of my  favorite recent Facebook posts.  Pam DeBlieux, of Choates, posted a YouTube video.  It gives me the flavor of Natchitoches and even though I've never been there I have a better idea of how to create custom gifts for Choates. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9YBYVjihgs  Take a look!   I encourage you to use Facebook to share so we can get to know each other better!

Custom Gifts for National Military Appreciation Month

      I just found out that the month of May each year is National Military Appreciation Month.   What a great way to honor our military by taking the time to remember what they have done for us and thank them.   I have begun a family project that is related to military appreciation.   I am organizing hand written letters written from 1943 to 1946 during World War II.   These are personal letters from my husband's grandfather.......and they are a treasure.   They are truly making me proud of our military and all they have done for us through the years.  My goal is to enter one letter a day into a digital file so they can be saved for generations to come.  Recently we just shipped a custom order to a military customer.   Through the years the Air Education Training Command has commisioned Classic Legacy to produce custom bottle stoppers for them.   These bottle stoppers have been presented as gifts all over the world.   I truly appreciate Randolph AFB and the Air Education Training and Command!

Custom Gifts make your Specialty Store Distinct

     Classic Legacy specializes in gifts with themes and custom designs.   We work with large wineries, resorts, and hotels but many of our partners are small businesses.   They survive by being unique and having merchandise that is not available in big box stores.   That is a challenge.   Classic Legacy has found that custom gifts for these stores is a perfect fit.   The process begins by listening to your needs.....what is the thing that your town or area is known for?   What special event or charity is on the calendar?   All we need is a jpeg image to begin.   The image can be just a word....such as the name of your town. It can be a logo. It can be a photograph or it can be an image from a painting.   Classic Legacy will then take that image and our graphic artist will show you how it will look on your gift.    Once the sample is approved we begin!   Our minimum order for custom gifts is only 24 pieces!    Most customers however do at least 60 pieces and that may even be split among several different gifts.....alll using the same image.   When a quantity of 60 is ordered there is no set up fee.   Let your customers know that this service is available.   What questions do you have?   We are here to serve you and your customers! 

5 Great Ways to say thanks on Admin Professional Day

       Admin Professional Day is a wonderful way to remember all the vital professionals that help businesses run smoothly.   Classic Legacy offers many gifts that are used as a tangible thank you.   Desk accessories are needed, so why not make them attractive!   We embellish our accessories with reproduction antique medallions.   Here are 5 great ways to say thanks!  (1) Letter openers are available with many medallions and one of the most popular styles is with an initial.   (2) Note Pads come in handy to write down reminders.  (3) Business Card holders can express individual style such as our fleur de lis theme.  Nancy's Corner in New Orleans loves these!  (4) Paperweights can even be customized with your company logo or one of our many silver medallions. And (5) our photo frames are great desk accessories also.....We need reminders of those we love close by.  Our 4" x 6"  frame is engravable and we embellish it with silver medallions.  Let's all remember to say thanks on Admin Professional Day!

6 Reasons why Custom Gifts work for Top Rated Resorts

Classic Legacy specializes in creating custom gifts for top rated resorts.   Our customers just have to  provide a jpeg image (a photo, logo, or painting) and then  a medallion or charm is  created for  wonderful custom gifts.   Many resorts use custom gifts and these are some of the reasons that they like  custom gifts.     Custom gifts enable resorts to:

1. Enhance their image.

2. Develop a theme for which they are known.

3.Promote a special event such as an anniversary.

4. Create a tangilble lasting memory that their customers can take home.

5. Offer unique products such as custom bottle stoppers and wine accessories.

6. Set themselves apart from their competitors.