What is the Secret to Giving Great Business Gifts?

The secret to giving great business gifts  is simple — make them as memorable as possible.

This may sound like oversimplification but never underestimate how effective a creative gift can be.  Just be careful that you don’t make a costly mistake that could have a negative effect on your business when choosing a business gift.

If you’re in business, you most likely send thank you gifts to your customers either at holidays or other times of the year.

It’s natural to think of sending a gift around the holidays. But, you may want to reconsider. The holiday season is ironically the least effective time to give a gift because they become just one of many gifts that are received. Instead, wait until an unexpected time to give something memorable.

It could be “just a little something” to let them know that you are thinking of them and appreciate their business.  Those are the best kind because they are a surprise that comes when least expected.

If you take the time to appreciate your clients when they least expect it, you’ll stand out. If you show that you took extra time to tailor the gift to the recipient, then they’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness.

You might also consider sending your holiday gift during the Thanksgiving season when the recipients will be receiving fewer gifts making yours stand out as “extra special.”

It is important to remember that regardless of what you send and when you send it, unless it is a food gift that will be quickly eaten, the gift will be an expression of your company that can stay around the recipient’s office or home indefinitely.  That’s why it is essential to never overlook the importance of thank-you gifts.  Send something bland and boring and it will be tossed into a drawer or trash can.  So think about what you are sending.

Wish I Had a Wish List

When does gift-giving get tricky?

Whenever you decide to send a gift — unless you just send the same thing year after year or decide to send nothing at all.

You shouldn’t just close your eyes and pick any old gift.  A gift that will be remembered will shout your message and image without your saying a word.  It doesn’t matter what it costs as long as it has a high perceived value.  Having it imprinted with your company name or logo ensures that you will be remembered as the one who sent it.

‘Tis Better to Give

Let’s face it.  Business relationships are frequently cold — with no personal feelings built in.

Whether you believe it or not, many thank-you gifts — even yours — are not appreciated.  I remember when I was a Realtor, our office received dozens of popcorn tins and similar gifts during the holidays.  They were stacked in the back room and opened one by one.  But the cards were tossed and we had no idea who sent which tin of popcorn.

But one year, one of the title companies sent each of us a desk accessory that became a vital asset to our individual desks.  It was filled with Maple Ridge Farms wonderfully delicious candies and nuts and imprinted with the title company’s name.  We loved the candy. which was soon forgotten, but that desk accessory reminded us throughout the year that the title company cared about each one of us and didn’t just send a generic popcorn tin to the whole office as several of the others did.  And, you can guess where most of our title work went whenever we had a sale.

Another company sent us a gorgeous huge gift basket filled with enough food for all of us to enjoy.

 It was accompanied by a beautiful holiday greeting card.  This gift basket was put out in the break room with the card in front of it so that we all knew which company had sent it each time we took an item from the basket to enjoy at our desk.

The Cash Equation

As much as we hate to think it matters, how much that thank-you gift costs can be important.

 When you send corporate gifts, it can be touchy.  But it shouldn’t be.  It’s all about perception — and quality combined with creativity — equals perception.

Still not sure what to send your clients? Here are a few suggestions:

• Everyday items are usually a good way to help ensure effective, long-lasting exposure to advertising. Consider a product your clients will use two or three times a week – or even daily.  Maple Ridge Farms has some unique items like a classic barrel wooden cup which can be used to hold pens and pencils, wooden cutting boards, and even a cheese grater that comes with the gourmet cheese.
• Gift baskets are an easy choice.  Just make sure that you don’t head down to your nearest Sam’s Club or Costco and pick one up to send.  You want your gift to be unique and you certainly don’t want to have them see how much you paid for it the next time they are in the same discount store. At shopcreativegifts.com we have a wide range of gift baskets and other gifts that you won’t find in your local discount store.
• Books. For many busy professionals, digging into a good book is an excellent way to unwind after a grueling 10-hour day. While it’s almost impossible to keep up with everyone’s reading tastes, you might consider picking up a relatively innocuous best-seller and presenting it with a pair of attractive bookends – stone gargoyles, miniature globes, polished rocks, shaped metal, etc. or even have us combine it into a gift basket with treats for them to enjoy while reading.
• Smoked Ham or Turkey on a bamboo cutting board imprinted with your company name is one of those thank-you gifts that gives a WOW impression and reminds them of you whenever they use the cutting board in their kitchen.

Creativity Still Wins

Whether you give food, books, or something else, be sure the gift fits the recipient, portrays at least a modicum of thought and reminds them of you.

Creativity should reign supreme, of course. Don’t send them something they deal with every day. You want to send ‘em something a bit different.

If you want to be remembered, you have to create a reason for them to remember you.

In today’s “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately?” marketplace, that should be incentive enough.