Christmas is that time of year when we spread good will and cheer to friends and family. The same should be true of your business with clients and customers, not to mention suppliers, partners, members and those elusive prospects! Keep reading to learn how to maximise your corporate gifts for Christmas.
Corporate gifts have been around for a while and is an excellent form of cost effective marketing. Recent studies have indicated that brand awareness is increased by the use of branded promotional products. Having your logo on any gifts will increase your brand recognition. The gifts will be hopefully used repeatedly, so clients and potential customers will be looking at your logo over and over again. In addition, many other studies have linked strong brand awareness to increases in business enquiries as well as sales revenue. It is clear, therefore, that branded corporate gifts are something to consider.
There is an enormous range of items that can be used as promotional products and corporate gifts. You may choose a product that represents your business. For instance, if you’re in a professional industry you may opt for USB sticks. If your business relates to sport, then you may choose a t-shirt or water bottle. The opportunities are endless.
As we have written about here, taking time to ensure your spending on promotional products is well thought-out will result in much greater ROI. For more information on the top 5 mistakes businesses make with promotional products, click here.
There are many influences on what type of corporate gifts you might decide to utilise, with the primary factor often being budget. If your budget is at the lower end of the scale, then you have to be creative with the type of corporate gift you choose. A gift such as a pen is a little standard and often not really regarded as a gift. However for the same or a little more, you can choose a stand out item like a frisbee. Fun for all the family and likely to stick around longer than yet another pen! At the other end of the budget scale, you can choose high end products which people enjoy using and will be thankful for. These can include anything from a branded desk clock through to beach towels and more.
Getting in the Holiday Spirit
Often, incorporating a holiday related theme to the corporate gift can work very well, particularly at Christmas. One consideration to take into account though is that a branded coffee mug with a Christmas design will not be nearly as interesting come February! As such it is important to consider the longevity of the product and how long it will be used by the recipient. Branded Christmas bottles of wine, chocolates, mints etc are a nice touch, and don’t stay around too long! However if the corporate gift you choose is a little more ‘permanent’ then choose wisely.
Corporate Gifts for your Customers
It really is the perfect time to thank clients for their business with a gift. It also provides a good reason to book a meeting with them and a follow up after the holidays. With most market places becoming increasingly competitive, finding ways to differentiate yourself and stay present in the minds of customers is crucial. As many companies have discovered, sometimes it doesn’t take much for a competitor to steal a customer away!
Using corporate gifts at Christmas is a great way to improve and maintain relationships with your clients while still promoting your business and brand. Having your logo on any gifts will increase your brand recognition. The gifts will be hopefully used repeatedly (as long as you’re branding the right kind of product for the right customer), so clients and potential customers will be looking at your logo over and over again.
Corporate Gifts for Suppliers
It’s important to build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers. Many businesses forget about their suppliers when it comes to gifts; however this group of people are the ones most likely to refer clients to you. These relationships should be nurtured and monitored constantly.
If they are supplying goods and services to your business, that usually means they will be supplying to your competitors and other local businesses. It’s important to keep your suppliers happy and stay on their good side. When you have those last minute jobs you need help with; they are usually the ones who stay to do it!
Corporate Gifts for Staff
Personalised corporate Christmas gifts are an ideal Christmas present for your staff. It’s important not to provide anything that is already available to customers and to think outside the box. Depending on the particular industry or recipients, you may be able to incorporate some humour or inside jokes into the branding. This is vastly dependent on your team and industry though. In the overly politically correct world in which we live, it’s essential to be discreet when humour is used, particularly when it comes to employees. The corporate gift for staff should say “thanks for the year” not “you are now a walking advertisement for our company”! Give them something they will appreciate and enjoy.
Corporate Gifts that double as Merchandise
The corporate gift you choose may be something you can also sell as part of your merchandise range. A great example here is of a gym. You may offer all ‘Exclusive’ members a gift such as swimming caps, towels, or bags. You can then use this merchandise as a new year incentive to attract new members, so it works as an added extra. It will have your logo on it, is relevant to the client’s needs and is seen as generous by the receiver.
If you work with pets, have a pets Christmas stocking which could include dog leads, Frisbees or water bottles. Create a bundle that provides exceptional value.
The final word
There is a large amount of corporate products available. If you are struggling to find the right one, or are simply overwhelmed by the total volume and sheer number of options available, then talk to someone at AAC. Our team will work with you to find what you are looking for and help you achieve your goals. Using an extensive supply network, AAC will help you find the perfect item for your business.
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