Competition is extremely stiff when it comes to attracting and retaining clients, given the myriad of choices of products and services today. So if you’re lucky enough to have a stable of loyal clients, you have to do what it takes to retain their business. Remember that there’s always another company that will do anything to take your slice of the pie.
Maintaining good relations with your clients is essential, and there are many ways to do it, but one of the most effective is to give them gifts. We’re not talking about bribing them. It’s about giving them nice stuff that may be small but shows your appreciation in a very thoughtful way, a gesture that says, “You’re important to us.” Bestowing gifts can make them feel grateful, which increases their chances of staying loyal.
Given the number of client gift ideas around, it can be daunting to narrow down your choices, but here’s a list to get you started:
Notebooks
Now we’re not just talking about the generic notebooks that have your company logo on them. A nice upgrade to leather-bound Moleskin is a nice touch. This is way better than the company-branded Post-its that most offices send. Order notebooks with covers in your company colors. You can even have a subtle logo printed on the front cover—visible enough to be noticed but small enough to be discreet and classy.
Jackets
Who doesn’t want to score a free jacket, especially if it’s water-proof and made of durable material? You don’t have to splurge for bespoke promotional jackets (although if you have the budget, why not)—a lightweight sports jacket for daily use is just fine, as long as you keep the logos small and the colors neutral. Personalize those jackets with insta graphic press systems, which are high-quality heat transfers that will last a long time.
Gourmet Food Baskets
Food is always a great gift, especially if you bring things up a notch and send gourmet food baskets to your clients. Staple stuff that you can’t go wrong with includes chocolates, coffee, and pastries. You can go the extra mile and ask your client about any food allergies that they may have to make sure that you will be sending the right stuff.
Cook’s Basket
If you’re close enough to the client to know they love spending time in the kitchen, then giving them a basket of ingredients for a gourmet meal is just the thing. A little something from Williams Sonoma or Dean & DeLuca will always do the trick. A classic favorite is a basket loaded with noodles, sauces, oils, and spices, which is enough to do a sumptuous gourmet pasta dish.
Powerbanks
This is a handy gift that will undoubtedly please anyone. You can hand out mini-chargers that are affordable but have high quality. Anyone who has a mobile device can never have too many portable chargers. Try to order those that align with your company colors.
Water Bottles
Forget about generic bottles with your company logo printed haphazardly on them. Why not invest in high-quality stuff, like Camelbak or S’well? Then, have your company’s branding placed on them in a way that’s not too obvious.
Restaurant Gift Cards
If you don’t have the time to search for gift items or have logos installed on them, giving out restaurant cards is a solid alternative. It’s like treating the client to a nice meal, but they can do so at their own time. Find out which restaurants your client likes and purchase gift cards that can cover a complete lunch or dinner, wine and desserts included.
Bakery Delivery
Who will not be delighted to have fresh pastries delivered to their office? It’s just perfect for anyone’s morning or afternoon coffee. You can go for a box of donuts or cake ordered from their favorite bakery. It’s an effective and no-fuss gift that all kinds of clients will surely enjoy unless they are on a diet or have diabetes, which, in this case, you have to think of alternatives.
Custom Golf Balls and Tees
This is for the client who has fine hobbies and most probably up on the executive scale. If you have clients who regularly conduct their business out on the green, custom golf bees and tees are just the perfect gifts. It’s just easy to have your company logo imprinted on them. Do you want to score more brownie points? Invite them for a round or two while you’re on it.
Of course, you don’t have to wait for a holiday or special occasion to send these gifts. Off-season gifts are equally, if not more, effective in conveying how you value your clients. Now, if you are planning to send gifts for popular holidays, make sure to order your items in advance to avoid the rush and get discounts for your bulk orders.