An Introduction to Corporate Business Gifts - By: Mark Yokoyama

The holiday season is the perfect time to remind your customers how important they are to you. A well-planned holiday gift program enhances your relationship with your customers, distinguishes you from your competition, and continues to have an impact after the holidays are over. Your first decision is whether you want to give relationship gifts to your top customers or give holiday gifts as a marketing promotion. Of course, you don’t necessarily have to decide—you could always do both.

Relationship Gifts: These gifts show your top clients that you recognize and appreciate their role in making your business what it is today. A typical budget for each recipient can allocate up to 1-2% of the net profit you made from the client—but it’s much more important to find the right gift than spend a lot of money. Once you have a recipient list and a budget you can start thinking about what gifts would have the biggest impact. Here are some general guidelines:
• Personalized gifts are ideal, since you have a personal relationship with each client
• Holiday gifts provide the rare opportunity to bring your brand into the home of your top clients to create a positive association with your brand on a personal level. Consider gifts they will appreciate outside the office, such as wine sets or golf accessories.
• Selecting a brand-name gift is one way of insuring a high perceived value.
• If your budget is tight, make the thought count: find something unusual your client will appreciate, or something that relates to your line of business in a creative way.
Gifts as Holiday Marketing: Using small holiday gifts to reach out to customers and prospects is a smart sales strategy. Although these gifts won’t be as expensive or elaborate as those you give to your top clients, getting the highest perceived value for your budget is imperative. When selecting an item, keep both of your primary goals in mind: thanking the customer, and keeping your brand on their mind. Consider these options:
• Desktop items will reinforce your brand directly where your clients make buying decisions.
• Think about how you'll be distributing them. If you're mailing, pick something will minimize your postage costs. If your sales staff is dropping them off in person, order early so they have time to do so before the holidays
• A tight budget doesn’t have to mean no fun: games and toys can provide entertainment value at low price points.
• If you’re sending something to an entire office rather than an individual, food gifts are a great choice
Enhancing Your Gift: Selecting the right packaging is an inexpensive way to maximize the perceived value of your gift, and including a personalized card signed by your staff is a great way to highlight your close relationship with your clients. Gift sets, or adding accessories to a main gift, are also great ways to increase the impact of your holiday gift program. Here are some tips:
• Get a simple card with your logo. Not only will you avoid religious references, but you’ll have a custom card that you can use at any point in the year
• Gift bags are not only inexpensive and more convenient than gift wrapping, but they can be custom imprinted—thus providing another space for your company logo
• Pens are a perfect accessory for desktop items. Order extras and you can use them for promotions and mailings throughout the coming year

About the Author

Mark Yokoyama is Director of Marketing for ePromos Promotional Products, Inc., one of the largest promotional product and corporate gift distributors in the US. This article is copyright protected.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Mark-Yokoyama/54503

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