You have most likely been the recipient of corporate or promotional gifting. Whether it was just a branded pen, a gift basket, or a gift certificate, you probably have something tucked away in a drawer. How many times have you put it on a shelf or in a drawer and forgotten all about it? You appreciated the thought, but it might not have been something you needed or that appealed to you. Keep that in mind when thinking about ideas for gifts for your clients. Think about the best and the worst gifts you’ve received!
Approach client gifting with the same creativity you use in your design business, and it can be a successful marketing tool that comes naturally.
Make the Most of Client Gifts
First of all, focus on the recipients. If you are thorough in your interview process with your clients, then you will have learned a great deal about them. Among other things, you will know how they use their home, how they entertain, their interests, activities, and where they like to travel.
Next, use gift-giving to separate you from the competition. Don’t view it as an expense, but rather as an investment. It can be an investment that actually helps increase profits and creates an automatic marketing resource. If you are effective in your client gift giving, the value will not be calculated by their cost. People appreciate the gifts that don’t add to the clutter but that they use and enjoy often. And they particularly enjoy it if it’s something they typically would not purchase themselves. Gifts don’t have to be large or expensive to be remembered and appreciated. Rather, a personal and thoughtful gift is what will remain in a client’s memory.
Below are some ideas for possible gifts to keep on your list. Just remember that they are not one-size-fits-all, and every client will appreciate something different.
Food and Beverage Ideas
One Hope Wine
One Hope Wine not only has a variety of gift boxes, but giving back is integrated into every bottle. A percentage of each bottle sold benefits a charitable cause, from breast cancer to veterans. You can select a nonprofit that your clients support, so you are really giving them two gifts in one.
This is a gift that could be given at the end of the project or as a special holiday gift, including their anniversary, or the first anniversary of the completion of the project.
Chocolate and other food gift baskets
Chocolate and food baskets are the types of gifts that could be sent as a small “welcome” when a client signs the contract. They could also be sent at a key point during the project – possibly if a major segment was completed, or if an item was delayed, damaged, etc. Truly, they are great small tokens for any time!
Cacao and Cardamom: A U.S. company based in Houston, TX, has a variety of flavors and creative shapes.
Mirabelle Chocolates: A U.S. company based in Brooklyn, NY, specializing in chocolate and with very creative packaging.
Olive and Cocoa: A U.S. company based in Salt Lake City, UT, with a variety of products from which to choose to customize your gift.
Harry and David: Not everyone loves chocolate (how could that be?!) They have a variety of items from which to choose.
Gift certificate: Gift certificates can be enclosed in a card with a note for the occasion. Consider one from a client’s favorite restaurant or market, or somewhere appropriate for a special occasion.
Project related
Branded tape measure: There are various places online where you can get tape measures and have them monogrammed with your firm’s brand on one side and the client’s name on the other, for example. You might also see if you can find a local business that provides this service.
Notebooks – monogrammed: You can find a variety of Rhodia pads to select and then have a client’s name put on them. You can brand it by tying it with one of your branded ribbons or attaching a branded notecard.
Blackwing pencils (and pads): Often, people appreciate getting away from technology and enjoying the creativity of using a pen or pencil for a change. Consider grounded gifts like this.
Miscellaneous:
Spa gift card: For the client who enjoys a spa day, this can be a great gift enclosed in a card with a note to enjoy a day of relaxation.
Hotel gift card: Can be a lovely surprise for the client going through a major renovation. The opportunity to get away for a few days.
Shutterfly book: This can be a fun gift at the end of a project with photos of before, during, and after. Be sure to personalize it with notes related to the project throughout. It can also be a great silent marketing tool, as they may enjoy sharing it with their friends
Decorative accessory for their home: This piece might be something that they had admired or you felt was a perfect finishing touch.
When possible, gift local
Keep your eyes open for local businesses and people you know who might have produced something special you could adopt for gifts.
Discover a local business with specialty products that might manufacture a product just for your firm. Just make sure you can whitelabel it with your firm’s branding. Or even if the product itself is not specifically made for you, you might identify a group of products that would be a great fit for your clients, and then have your private label attached. Oil and vinegar pairings make great gifts and can be found at many stores, locally and online.
Partner with Local Businesses
Another idea is to seek out small local businesses that will make great long-term business partners. Develop a relationship where you are a third-party marketer for their business, and they will help refer business to you (just be sure to share who your ideal client is!). Look for local retailers who are very effective merchandisers with displays that draw you in and who create a reason to return often.
There was a gourmet specialty food store in my past hometown, and they offered private shopping. You invite guests/clients, they close the store for the evening, they serve food and wine, and share the newest award-winning foods, latest gadgets, and everyone who attends receives a personalized shopping bag. You might add a special gift from you to each of your guests/clients and include an individual note with each. This could become an event you hold for special clients (and possibly special vendors), and it will become something they look forward to.
When is the best time to send gifts to your clients?
Successful businesses stay in touch with their clients for life, constantly giving them easy ways to do business again and again. Create positive memories of their experience.
After Signing
Start new clients out by giving them a small gift when they sign the contract. This might be the time to gift them with a tape measure or a notebook. These are things they can use throughout the progression of the project and beyond. Something small, but useful. Make sure your logo or website is present on the gift, so it can keep on working for you!
During the Project
Then, during the project, consider a gift certificate to the client’s favorite restaurant. If they are going through a kitchen remodel, this can be extra impactful. Let them know you appreciate their patience and gift them with a night out. Or a spa day might help them relax and escape the construction! Again, it depends on their likes and interests, so those notes you took at the beginning of the project can be very valuable.
End of the Project
At the end of the project, it’s time to celebrate! Again, depending on the client and what they enjoy, you might send them a gift box including a special wine or the makings of their favorite cocktail. Or they might be more appreciative of a special accent piece for their home. It might be something they had admired, or you feel adds the finishing touch to the project.
After the Project
In honor of their birthday or anniversary, you might send a card and a small personal token of appreciation. If there is a specific food they enjoy, think about sending that food from a local store. Or possibly flowers or a plant from a local florist or nursery. But remember to connect the gift to the notes you have on file regarding their personal preferences.
Gifts can be even more memorable when they arrive unexpectedly. They offer you the opportunity to let the client know you were thinking about them and to stay connected. Maybe you read in the paper about an award or honor they have received. Or possibly it’s the anniversary of the completion of their project. Maybe you know about a special event they are hosting, and you send something that can be used for that event – a special accessory, wine, or a floral arrangement.
During the Holiday Season
From Thanksgiving through the end of the year, the holiday season is often very busy. If you are going to send cards, do so early, or they get lost in the shuffle. The same can be said for gifts. Unless it’s something memorable and useful for them, you might want to use other times of the year to send gifts to avoid them sitting on the shelf until they are found in January! Although you might establish a particular gift that has special meaning and is connected to you and your firm. A friend of mine was known for sending a beautiful live wreath every Christmas. Her clients looked forward to it every year!
A final recommendation is to get the book Giftology by John Ruhlin. It’s a wonderful book about the art and science of gift giving while also using it to increase referrals and strengthen retention.
Be creative – it’s who you are!