Choosing gifts for clients can be a taxing task. Here are some tips to help you out of this maze.
1. Personalize it – Clients are impressed with a gift that tells them you’ve taken the time to get to know them. If your client has a fascination for wines then give a nice bottle of his favorite.
Similarly, try to find their area of interest and try gifting them according to that..
If you don’t have time to think of a personalized gift for each client, think of one gift that you could engrave with each client’s name. For instance, a nice travel alarm clock, or a brass wreath hanger, or a magnifying glass is a good option.
2. Don’t forget the card – Be sure to attach a card or letter with each gift, personalized to the client, and signed by you. Also, be sure to wrap the gifts nicely. First impressions do count.
3. Avoid “trash and trinkets” – Don’t send cheap things with your logo on them. While you may consider it “branding,” your client will most likely throw it away.
4. Designate a gift coordinator – If you’re a really small business, this may be you. But if you have a staff, consider assigning one person to coordinate all the gift details – from purchasing, to wrapping, to delivering. Client gifting can get complicated and time-consuming, so make sure the designated gift coordinator is detail oriented and well-organized. Assigning someone besides you to be in charge will ensure you don’t get distracted from the job of building your business.
5. If your budget is small, think about giving your clients gift certificates for free product or services. If you’re a consultant or in a service business, give them a free hour of your time, or a percentage off on their next purchase. Be creative!