I get asked a lot about client gifts. What should we give?  How much should I spend?  Should I brand them?  Is it really worth it?

The short answer: YES, a thoughtful client gift can be an awesome way to increase your customers experience and increase word-of-mouth referrals.  It keeps you in the front of their mind and lets them know that you are grateful for their support of your small business. 

When was the last time you thanked your customers? I don’t mean a casual thank you as you hand customers their merchandise or receipt. I’m talking a genuine “thank you”.  The kind of thank you that tells your customers that you value their business and appreciate them as a person.  Showing your gratitude to your customers goes a long way toward creating relationships. It’s good for your customers and you.  And it doesn’t have to be expensive!

Today we will chat about the smaller gifts - these are the gifts you include with an online order, tuck into their shopping bags, include in swag bags or trade show giveaways. 

To start with: What do you want your client to think or feel when they open up your gift? For me, I want people to feel the same way they do when they open a gift for a friend - happy!  

Here are a few tips!

1 - Keep it on brand.  Including a small gift in your order is a great idea!  Staying on brand can help your customer remember you months down the road.  For example, let's say you decide that you would like to include a little pack of candy with every order.  Awesome!  It's relatively inexpensive and quick for you to assemble.  Let's take a look at two options for this gift using my own branding.

What you think?  Both are perfectly fine to include!  But the one on the left extends my brand, has a bigger visual impact and gives an incentive to come back and shop.  The best part?  The investment is not that much more than the one on the right.  

2 - Make it useful.  The last thing you want is to have your gift tossed in the trash, right?  Choose a gift that could stay around for a bit but also reminds your customer of you!  If you are a writer, include a pen or pencil, journal, or notepad.  If you are a photographer, include a magnet with a lovely quote on capturing memories.  Own a nursery?  How about a small packet of seeds with a coupon for 15% off containers or soil?  I personally love to include real product samples with my orders - especially candles, magnets or sticky notes because it lets my customers see and feel my products for themselves.  

3 - Don't over brand.  This is the one that not everyone agrees with but that's ok!  Let me explain my thinking on this statement.  I am pretty selective on the types of things that I have on display in my home and office.  I love pretty accents like magnets, notepads, framed quotes, candles, flowers.  That being said, I do not like to display lots of branded products.  For example, I would not be inclined to display a magnet on my fridge that had a large business logo or picture of the owner on it.  I would display a fun quote or cute graphic that also had a small URL or biz logo on it though.  See the difference?  You can design products that appeal to a wider audience while still staying on brand and keeping your biz name in front of them. 

I hope that helps answer some of your questions!  If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I will get back to you.  And if you need any help pulling together your gifts, please reach out.  I love custom work!  You can schedule a free consultation here!

Stay fancy,

Lisa