There have been so many popular stories written about gifts like “The Gift of Magi” by O. Henry, “The Elves and the Shoemaker” by Brothers Grimm, or “The Nightingale and the Rose” by Oscar Wilde, each story revolves around the perfect gift and each story touches the soul in its own way. There is something about this gesture that makes everybody happy and elated.
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A gift is a gesture that automatically lets the receiver know what you intend to say even without saying a single word. It is a silent way of saying thank you, we care, we are happy, we love you, etc.
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Gifting is not just limited to family and friends but it is prevalent even in the world of business. Corporate gifting is not just limited to pens and notepads anymore. Businesses are going out of their way to show their appreciation towards their clients which helps them build a loyal customer base. Gifting is one of the most efficient ways to deepen client relationships. Corporate gifting has evolved into an art, and there are consultants and companies that have been set up to help and aid other businesses, to guide, suggest, and provide apt gifts for their clients.
In order to deepen client relationships, retain them, and get new leads through them, you need to know a few key gift-giving strategies.
Although one is grateful towards the client, they may not have an idea how to show the appreciation. It is a kind of deficit that many faces, and it can sooner or later show its effect on the business. By cultivating a habit of gift giving, you stand a chance to be different from everybody else. Investing time and money in choosing an appropriate gift for your client is where everything lies at.
1. Invest Your Time and Not Just Money
Although everybody gives a gift, what will make you stand out is a gift that is thoughtful, which will matter to the recipient. It should be a useful gift, rather than something that they will just throw it in their attic or simply pass it on to somebody else.
By investing time to know what kind of person your client is or who they are and what they are interested in, what they like, what their soft spots are, you may be able to zero in on a perfect gift that will make them sit back and notice you. It should not always be about promoting your business, sometimes it should just be about the client and how you show your appreciation in your own unique way that will strike a chord with them. Take them to a game of their favourite team, gift them their favourite wine, or it can be as simple as taking them for a lunch at their favourite restaurant.
2. Focus on Your Top Clients
You can go overboard splurging your money in buying gifts for your entire client base. Instead, you can opt to focus on a small but very important group of clients who really matter for you and your business, they are your top clients on whom your success relies. A meaningful gift for your top 20 clients is far better than inexpensive pens sent to all 3000 of your clients.
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3. Customization
Customer-relationship management software is great for maintaining a list of client hobbies, achievements, and milestones which can help you offer personalized gifts on their important occasions. Even following them on social media can help you in coming up with brilliant ideas for a customized gift as you will come to know what they like and things that they don’t like. Always add a personal note along with your gift to show that you remembered the conversation that inspired the said gift.
4. Personalized Acknowledgement
If you know of any favourite charity that is close to your client’s heart, you can make a gift to it, or you could also make a donation in their name to one of your favourite charity too.
5. Consider Family
Sometimes a client could have shared some personal details about his family and what they like and don’t. You can even surprise your client by gifting something for their family. It could be something that they have been planning on doing or getting.
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Ultimately whatever you plan of gifting your client, see to it that it is useful, helpful, meaningful, and fun that they will think of you in a pleasant way. Click here to know more about corporate gifting or to hire a corporate gifting service.
