business client gift

50 Great Reasons to Give a Gift (BY CYNTHIA IRONSON) different times throughout the year. “Send a client a gift in mid-December and they may or may not notice it,” says Jeanine Weide, a personal shopper and gift-giving expert. “Send the same client a gift in June and you’ll blow them out of the water.” The reason to give a gift doesn’t have to be complicated – or expensive. Here are 50 simple reasons to keep on giving all year long. October 2007 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS 49 Forget the holidays. Here are 50 other reasons to give a gift today, tomorrow, and throughout the year. ant to save some time this holiday season? Ditch the holiday gift-giving list. That’s right, throw it straight into the trash. While your mom and your spouse may be annoyed, chances are, those on your corporate gift list won’t notice a bit. As companies look to differentiate themselves in the minds of their clients, many are forgoing the traditional gift around the holidays and instead gifting their customers at W GIFT GIVING from page 49 Reasons #1 to #4: Booth Visits, Babies, Promotions Give a gift because … Your client got a promotion. It’s a big day for them, and acknowledging their success and new status shows you don’t just think of them as a buyer. Let them know how impressed you are with an upscale portfolio or briefcase for all those important meetings they will be attending. Be sure to have it imprinted with their name. Your client visited your trade show booth. Hey, they took the time to come see you. You take the time to thank them … and then be sure to follow up with them after you send the gift. Your thoughtfulness might just inspire them to place an order. One item to consider: A cool, inexpensive tote bag they can use to lug their materials home from the show. Your client placed her 10, 100, 1,000 order with you. You know how hard it is to maintain client loyalty these days. Reward such relationships with incentives to stick with you for future orders. 1 2 Available from asi/43766 3 Available from asi/66887 Give a gift because … You want to thank the client for an important order. Sometimes an order can be the ‘break into a new client’ order, which will then lead to the entire account. Available from Your client attended your meetasi/36230 Referrals ing, seminar or workshop. ConOne excellent reason companies give gifts to ducting or hosting semclients is to show appreciation for a referral. inars and other events “I personally give my clients a gift when they can be prime networkhave gone out of their way to refer someone ing opportunities for to me,” says Mara Villa of Advertising Magic you and your company. Inc., a promotional products distributorship. Be sure every attendee “I have given gift cards to my clients, gets a gift, such as a sometimes for $25, and sometimes $50, to one pen, mug or portfoof their favorite stores. This always goes over lio set with all of your Available from asi/89320 well, and my clients call or e-mail me with contact information imprinted on them, of their appreciation. I tell them that referrals course. A handwritten follow-up thank you are very precious to me and it’s a very small note afterwards can work wonders as well. Your client had a child or grandchild born to the family. “What better way to communicate that you care for a client than to acknowledge the birth of their child or grandchild?” says Gossett. A cozy baby blanket is a nice idea. Or how about a basket full of soothing lotions for mom? 4 way that I can thank them for their valuable gift to me.” Reasons #6 to #19: Inventions, Illness, New Pets 6 Reason #5: 7 50 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS October 2007 tive tic-tac-toe game your client can put on his desk. Your client is retiring. They’ve given you so much business over the 12 years and now they are off to a life of leisure. What’s their favorite thing to do in their downtime? If it’s camping, send them camping gear. If they will be traveling, luggage and Over 10,000 Lanyard Options Available Lanyards by: Available from asi/67866 Someone registered at your Web site. People register at Web sites all the time. And what do they get in return? Well, access to all of your great ideas and information, but you should stand out from the sea of sites by sending a small gift. Think cool pens or magnets. Your client is welcoming a new partner. How about sending each a gift; perhaps matching mugs or an upscale coffee carafe for the conference room, where they are sure to do some stellar brainstorming together? Add a bag of gourmet coffee and you’ll really wow ’em. Your client opened up Available from a new facility or asi/61125 branch office. They are branching out. Send them a card with a tree seedling. It’s your client’s birthday. No matter how old we get, everyone feels special on their big day. If you remember your client’s birthday every year, there is no way they will forget you. One fun gift: an execu- 8 asi/68707 Knit-In Direct Screen Print Starting at $2.50 Starting at $3.38 9 10 Sublimated Starting at $3.10 Plain Starting at $1.39 11 For these and more visit us at: www.marathonmfg.com October 2007 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS 51 GIFT GIVING from page 51 “Send a client a gift in mid-December and they may or may not notice it. Send the same client a gift in June and you’ll blow them out of the water.” – Jeanine Weide, personal shopper other travel-related items would be perfect. Don’t forget that they will advise whoever fills their position that they should do business with you. Your client has reached a company milestone – say, 5, 10, 25 years with the company. Their company will recognize their loyalty, but you will shine if you remember them too. Think about: vases, watches, specially etched champagne bottles, or a celebration-themed basket of assorted goodies. Your client is injured or ill and needs to be cheered up. An inspirational book would lift spirits. How about a necklace that says “Courage,” “Hope,” or “Survivor”? A tea cup, sent along with specialty teas could be sent with your “warm wishes.” Your client got a new pet. Leashes, pet snacks, dishes and the like come to mind. But you can also be a little different by sending a doggy T-shirt imprinted with the new puppy’s name and date he arrived. It’s the anniversary of your client’s product or invention. Send a book or calendar featuring famous inventors and predict your client’s own fame in the future. Your client is taking the trip of lifetime. They’re excited. Be excited for them and show it by sending them a book 13 14 15 about their destination. Other ideas: logoed flip flops or towels. Your client earns a vacation for excellent sales performance. Take her out to dinner and present her with your own award. Or give her a CD with music from her destination. Your team hits a company goal or completes an important project. Salespeople usually don’t earn their successes on their own. Reward everyone who helps out, from the company receptionist to the sales assistant to the customer service reps. 18 19 Available from asi/95280 cial gift. Then, make sure it really is special. Think: gift cards, food baskets, spa gifts, luxury wearables and more. Your client or your client’s company is honored with an award. Heck, maybe your own company got an award! Give gifts to the people who made it happen. A holiday rolls around that is less known for corporate gift-giving, like Thanksgiving, New Year’s or Valentine’s Day. If your client or employee is particularly patriotic, how about Flag Day? It’s an environmental holiday like Earth Day or Arbor Day, for greenminded clients. Plant a tree in your client’s name and send them a card with the details. Dignitaries, or other important people, are visiting the company. Spare no expense. You want them to have the best impression of your company and to spread the word. Your client celebrates a big wedding anniversary. Champagne anyone? A set of crystal flutes, engraved with the Reasons #20 to #35: Congrats, Just Because and What’s Up? Give a gift when … Your client raises money for a charity, or creates an alliance with a charitable organization. Why not send them a gift of appreciation for their helping your community. A bobble head of them as a superhero comes to mind. Also make a donation yourself. Your product is bought or your offer accepted by the first 10, 25, or 50 people. Whatever number it is you choose, be sure to let everyone know beforehand that the first to respond will get a spe- 22 23 20 21 16 17 24 25 Available from asi/34256 52 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS October 2007 26 date of their marriage and their names would be lovely and appreciated. Your client introduces a new product or service. Here are some ideas: a dollar sign key chain; custom wine charms, in the shape of their new product; or something that will highlight the “launch” or “out of this world” service, such as an astronautshaped pen. A new season starts – especially if your client really enjoys a sport or hobby during a particular time of year, like the start of winter for an avid skier or the beginning of the growing season for a gardener. Your client’s child graduates from high school, college or grad school. Send a gift the whole family can enjoy. Food or candy usually works for everyone. 27 28 29 Your client gets ing mug with their favorite married, remarteam’s logo on it would be ried or has a commitment ideal. ceremony. If it’s appropriHave a medical ate, how about a gift for a appointment? breakup or divorce? This Bring a thank you gift to can even be a humorous gift, your doctor, dentist or like a custom voodoo doll. practitioner – or the front desk at your doctor’s office. After all, laughter is the best stress reliever. It all depends They are some of the most on how well you know the underappreciated but important people in your life. person. Know your client is Available from asi/51185 Send a “just because” obsessed with a pargift to someone you ticular national league sport? Send them do business with just to let them know a gift when the season starts. There are all you appreciate them. One idea: a card sorts of sports-related items available in that, when opened, plays fun or inspirational the industry. A stadium cushion or tailgat- music. 30 32 31 33 October 2007 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS 53 GIFT GIVING from page 53 10 46 41 42 43 44 45 47 48 49 50 Send a “What’s Up?” gift to a client you haven’t heard from lately. Let’s face it: Everyone’s living in the fast lane these days. A present from you will force them to slow down for a moment and remember you’re there to help. Give a gift to commemorate a deal between two companies. A client appreciates when you pay continuing attention to what’s happening on their end, not only when you’re looking for an order from them. 34 35 Reasons #36 to #40: Contacts, Screw-Ups and Visits Give a gift because … It’s the anniversary of your client’s first order with you. Actually, there are all kinds of anniversaries you can celebrate with your client … even the anniversary of the time their order was screwed up and now you both can laugh about it. Your client will likely recall how you rose to the challenge to save the day. Give an “I’m sorry” gift to your client after you mess up an order. Another reason to give a gift: when a client has been gracious to you after an order goes wrong. Send a gift to your client when they open up new sales contacts for you at their company. This should be something they will personally enjoy. After all, they made the effort to get you more business and likely will again. Leave a gift when you visit your client’s business. You’d bring a gift to your friend if you were visiting their home, wouldn’t you? Why should your client, who is hosting you also, be any different? A logoed desk accessory would make a perfect gift. Give a gift to clients when your own company crosses a milestone. Some ideas include a pocket planner, wall calendar or pen touting the number of years you’ve been in business. ● Cynthia Ironson is a freelance writer based in New York. 36 37 38 39 40 54 SUCCESSFUL PROMOTIONS October 2007