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Corporate gifts are a highly effective marketing tool. You can use them to create brand awareness, attract new customers and clients, show appreciation for employees, and build brand loyalty.
However, knowing these benefits doesn’t mean you know how to choose the perfect corporate gift for a client or employee. If you need a helping hand to improve your chances of success, take note of these helpful tips:
Think About the Recipient’s Preferences
If you’re buying a valuable client something special to thank them for being loyal to you, consider their preferences, interests, and needs. Your gift is bound to be appreciated more when the recipient knows you’ve put thought into it.
For example, if you know a client is an avid wine collector, you might research wine club memberships so they never have to be without their favorite varieties. If they play golf, consider branded golf balls they can take to every green.
Ensure Quality
Most business owners don’t want to spend more than necessary on business expenses. Still, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on corporate gifts. Whether you’re buying something for a valued customer or a treasured employee, make quality your priority. Any corporate gift can be appreciated more when it features high-quality materials and comes from a reputable source.
Consider Your Brand
While your goal might be to purchase a corporate gift your client or employee likes, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider your brand while shopping. Anything you buy should reflect the values and identity of your business.
For example, if your business values eco-friendliness and sustainability, you might purchase goods made from recycled materials or that come from sustainable sources.
Prioritize Practicality
There’s nothing wrong with decorative corporate gifts, but it can be helpful if your gifts are also practical. Otherwise, they’ll likely sit on a shelf or be tucked away in a cupboard, gathering dust.
You typically can’t go wrong with things your client or employee can use, such as technology and stationery.
Follow Your Corporate Gifting Guidelines
Corporate gifting guidelines typically feature information about what you can and can’t buy and how much you can spend. While you might wish to celebrate a truly important milestone with an employee or client, following your corporate gifting guidelines can be crucial. You can then ensure gifting consistency at all times, with no clients or employees feeling less or more important.
Steer Away From Controversial Items
It’s only natural to want to think outside the box with corporate gifts and stand out from other businesses. After all, corporate gifts are growing in popularity. However, don’t let your desire to stand out send you in the direction of controversial gifts.
Avoid buying anything that could be viewed as inappropriate. These could be items that relate to hygiene, religion, sexuality, relationships, and gender. You should also tread carefully with humor, particularly if there’s a risk of it being one-sided.
Think About Timing
There is nothing wrong with randomly timed corporate gifts. Who doesn’t love a surprise? Still, timing can certainly make gifts more memorable.
Consider sending corporate gifts during special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and business milestones. They can often be more special when the recipient knows you’ve taken time out of your day to remember something important to them.
Choosing the perfect corporate gift doesn’t have to be time-consuming or stressful. As long as you think about your business’s image, what the recipient will like, and the quality of the gift, you can choose something that stands out from the crowd.
You may also like: 7 Creative Employee Appreciation Gifts They’ll Love
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