Hello, thoughtful friend! You are so sweet for wanting to gift your clients something special. Sending client gifts is a great way to build your brand and foster positive relationships from the start. But what exactly is that something special? How do you treat them to a gift they’ll love while still representing your brand?<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with why it\u2019s important to foster a positive client relationship through branded gifts. Your clients hired you for a reason. They like you and what you have to offer and expect to see a certain style from you. We are all attracted to strong brands, as they\u2019re easier to predict and rely upon, so gifting something that is \u201con brand\u201d will only nurture your clients to trust you even more. And should a dilemma arise for whatever reason during the course of your relationship, a thoughtful gift could proactively prevent the issue from ever escalating.<\/p>\n
So, how do you get started? Think about each element of a thoughtfully designed gift and ask yourself:<\/p>\n
If your brand were a _______, what would it be?<\/p>\n
You were most likely encouraged to ask yourself questions like this when going through the branding process, and they\u2019re also great tools to help you design a branded gift that your clients will love.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s take a look at the three major elements of a branded gift:<\/strong><\/p>\n If your brand were a gift box, what would it be? Is it a luxurious one that opens smoothly while reflecting a high-gloss finish? Or maybe a beautiful seagrass basket that can be kept for years to come? Does your brand care deeply for the environment and wish to use a box made from recycled materials? Or could a magnetic gift box that is perfect for storing photos and memories best represent your brand? The box, or vessel, is one of the first elements your client will see and feel when receiving your gift, so make sure you don\u2019t overlook this important piece. You want it to look and feel like your brand and reflect what is most important to you.<\/p>\n What goodies (aka the gift itself) represent your brand? This is definitely what everyone focuses on most, and for good reason. It\u2019s the heart of your gift! While I believe that what you give is intended for the recipient and should be something they enjoy, the items inside really need to represent your brand, too. (Fortunately, since your clients were attracted to your brand in the first place, they should love receiving a gift that reflects it.) A well-selected branded gift will boost their confidence in choosing you, so I wouldn\u2019t concern yourself with trying to gift something different to each client. Just make a smart gift plan and stick to it.<\/p>\n When selecting which items to include, I encourage you to gift a mix of goodies, especially if your clients are couples or families. Consider giving them a few different kinds of treats, thoughtful items, or gift cards for memorable experiences or helpful services. However, beware of gifting a lot of \u201cstuff.\u201d I am a firm believer in simplicity and never want to clutter someone\u2019s home with tchotchke gifts. Finding a balance between gift items to consume and gift items to keep is always a good idea, and one that your clients will appreciate.<\/p>\n To choose those edible treats, let\u2019s go back to our original question: if your brand were a snack, what would it be? What does it taste like? How is it packaged? There are so many delicious treats out there, but sometimes the packaging isn\u2019t the best fit. Make sure the product \u201clooks\u201d like you and the quality matches the level of your brand. If you know of food allergies your client may have, please keep that in mind when selecting edible treats. There is nothing worse than sending a gift that sends your client to the hospital! I joke, but please be mindful of allergies whenever possible.<\/p>\n Are you a French blue silk ribbon that flows elegantly off the package? Or is your brand a perfectly tied satin bow with clean-cut edges? Maybe twine wrapped in a simple fashion reflects your brand better, and you grace it with a sprig of freshly cut boxwood.<\/p>\n You could attach a gift tag with their names written in lovely calligraphy or maybe a tag adorned with your logo, but whatever you choose, make sure it represents the business you are building. Feel the weight of the paper. Choose the style of calligraphy\/font you use carefully. Make sure you spell your clients\u2019 names correctly and include a handwritten sentiment thanking them for choosing you. Finally, I highly suggest including your contact information again and reminding them how to best get in touch with you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it\u2019s all said and done, ask yourself this: does the gift you designed reflect your brand? Is it something that you would love to receive if you were the client? Branded gifts reflect consideration and help strengthen your relationships with your clients, so it\u2019s worth the extra effort to get them just right.<\/p>\nThe Vessel<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Goodies<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Finish<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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