The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Marketing Gifts

A marketing gift will only prove beneficial for a company if it’s something of value. Some business owners hand out generic gifts like pens, pencils and stationary. Unfortunately, these items have little-to-no value or use for clients; therefore, they won’t have a positive effect on business-client relationships. Clients often receive boat loads of generic gifts such as this, most of which end up in the trash can.

So, what are some non-boring marketing gift ideas? Here are a few to consider:

• Crystal awards and trophies
• Customized plaques
• T-shirts
• Jackets
• Backpacks
• Sports equipment

Don’t: Make False Promises

If you tell a customer or client ahead of time that you will be giving him or her a gift, make sure you follow through with your promises. There’s nothing wrong with informing a client that gift is on the way, but you should check on the status to make sure it arrives. Failing to deliver a promised gift could have a negative effect by creating tension and distrust between the business and client.

Do: Brand It

One of the reasons why marketing gifts are such a powerful way to promote a business is because they create stronger brand awareness. This only happens, however, if the gift is branded with the company’s name and logo. When choosing marketing gifts for clients and customers, make sure it’s customized with your brand. A brilliant crystal trophy engraved with your company’s name, logo, and the client’s name is an excellent choice that’s sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who sees it.

Do: Make It Personal

Make your marketing gifts personal so they hold more meaning and value to clients. How exactly do you make a gift personal? For starters, you should have it personalized, engraved or otherwise customized with the recipient’s name. This will turn an otherwise generic gift into a truly meaningful token of your appreciation. You can also make your gifts more personal by handing them to clients and customers face to face rather than mailing them.

Jane A. Thompson

Jane A. Thompson is a writer specializing in the content marketing industry with over 15 years of experience creating engaging stories to promote positive brand recognition awards, career achievements and success profiles. She received her BA in English Literature from the University of Chicago, and a certificate in Professional Writing from UC Berkeley. Years of experience have made Jane the go-to expert when it comes to crafting strong award submissions for businesses. She is also a facilitator of workshops for writing awards and developing programs, inspired to celebrate what we do well. When not working Jane can be found new to another genre of fiction, hiking and giving back with the help of various charities within her local community. Her dedication to the field and her commitment in recognizing outstanding contributions also make her a very prominent figure.