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10 Tips for Client Gift Giving
As
a company or individual business owner, you like to thank your clients
for their business and referrals; one way is with an annual client gift.
Client gifts are given to what we call our “average” or “regular”
customers. It is not custom to give a gift to a client you are pursuing
or a past client. In this lean economy, you need to view client gift
giving as a part of your overall strategy of keeping the clients you
have.
Maybe you are already doing this and your clients love your gifts. But,
what if your competitor gives a gift and you don’t? The message that you
send is that you value the client and their business.
Here are some guidelines to follow for client gift giving:
1. The first thing you need to do is to stay within your corporate or
business guidelines. Check out the policies on client gift giving,
before you invest.
2. If you give your gifts out once a year at the end of the year, stand
out from the crowd and give your clients an appreciation gift earlier in
November.
3. Have you been giving your clients the same gift every year? The last
thing you want is for a client to say, “Oh, it’s that again!” Give gifts
that set your business apart and make your customers remember who gave
it to them. Try to find something unusual or distinctive.
4. A good business gift is not the time to promote your company. Save
the company logo items for trade shows or events. Choose a gift that
your client will remember and use long after the holidays are over.
However, consider logo gift wrapping, ribbon or packaging for your
gifts.
5. Target your client’s interest. Keep in mind cultural, dietary and
religious restrictions.
6. If gifting to an office, make sure what you send can be shared by all
and that there is enough to be shared.
7. For individual gift giving, think about giving a gift from the region
you live in.
8. Keep the gifts reasonable in cost. A high value item may cause your
client some confusion on your intentions. A memorable gift will be much
more welcomed than a high value gift.
9. Taking a moment to include a hand-written note which shows you care,
and adds warmth and sincerity to your gift. Now here’s another
opportunity for you to use your company logo. You can use note cards or
letter head displaying your logo.
10. Always deliver in person when you can.
Michelle Hylton
Party & Gift Consultant
Independent Sales Representative
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