Customer Appreciation: 15 of the Best Corporate Gifts to Give Your Clients in 2019

Customers that feel a connection to our brand are the most likely to refer your products or services to others. This is one of the reasons social media is such a powerful tool, but all companies are using social media as part of their marketing strategy. To set yourself apart from other companies, consider sending corporate gifts. This can be done as part of yearly thank you, significant holiday, or as part of a larger promotional program. In our digital age, physical gifts are often overlooked but are a unique way to connect with your customer base. Read on to learn the impact of corporate gifts and the top gifts in 2019.

Why Corporate Gifts Show Your Customers You Appreciate Them

Research has shown that giving thank you gifts and free items with purchase to customers have a direct impact on word of mouth marketing. Word of mouth marketing can increase your reach by 15%. While most consider word of mouth marketing to take place on social media, 9 out of every 10 brand mentions happens face to face. Consumer buying research suggests that people would rather get more than spend less, so a thank you gift with a significant or targeted purchase can have a big impact on brand loyalty. To learn more about the impact of corporate gifts on recipients, you can read the 2019-2020 Knack Business Gifting Strategy Report. Here are some of the key summary points:

• 57% of respondents say gifts can impact both positively and negatively
• C-suite executives appreciate gifts the most
• Range spent on a C-suite gift is between $50-$150
• Junior level partners $50-65
• Presentation matters - think about packaging and shipping
• Giving gifts humanizes your company
• Avoid political or emotionally charged gifts, it often backfires

The overall summary of the report is that corporate gift-giving is an important tool in retaining customers. The overall research into the impact of corporate giving indicates it has a significant impact on your bottom line. When done correctly, can have a significant return on investment, increase brand loyalty, maintain customers longer, and improve business to business relationships.

When and How Often to Send Corporate Gifts?

Sometimes it is easiest to pick the gift when you know when you want to send it. But what is the right time to show your appreciation? Should you send one large gift, or multiple small ones, gifts with a purchase? All of these are questions that you should answer based on your industry. Keep in mind, that corporate gifts are common during the holidays, but there are hundreds of different unique observances each year to consider. Explore our idea calendar and appreciation week/month items for inspiration. You may want to consider gifts when your industry is slow. It will keep your brand in your customer's mind, but won't get lost in the speed of high season.

Some General Corporate Gift-Giving Rules

It should have perceived value: Your gift choice may be limited by your budget, but should also represent their relationship with you. If you have a large significant client, you don't want to send them a small, inexpensive, thank you gift. It should mean something to your customers. It should be unique or useful, or both: Gifts that serve a practical purpose are used and appreciated. Trinkets are easily forgotten and discarded because they take up space. The more unique or useful your gift the more likely it is to be used regularly. Consider Space and Size: Have you ever gotten a gift that was so larger you couldn't find a place to put it? Large gifts are also expensive to ship, which cuts into your gift-giving budget but adds no value. Relate Your Gift to Your Business or Industry: The goal of giving a corporate gift is to keep your company in the mind of your customers. Think gifts as a value-added proposition. You don't want to have your gift compete with your existing product line, but complement it. Do No Harm: Many today have severe allergies, take this into consideration when you choose a gift. Also, think about where the gift will most likely be used, will it stay at the office or come home with your customer? If something will travel, think about all the individuals that may come into contact with the gift. Gifts that are choking hazards or have sharp edges would not be appreciated if your customer base typically has young children in their families. Make it Memorable: You can go overboard with gifts. You want the recipient to feel special and relate that emotion to your company. Adding handwritten messages, if possible, is one way to add to the connection with customers. Logo'ed Items: There is some debate in the industry on the impact of putting your company logo on a gift or promotional item. If you choose to put on a logo, keep in mind it will take longer to get your items. You also need to make sure that your logo fits well on the end product. Our design team can help to ensure your logo has the impact intended. Corporate Gifts in Swag Bags: If you are throwing a large event, having a swag bag full of thank you and promotional gifts give your event added impact. You will want to choose the count carefully. You should make sure you have enough for everyone in attendance. Ultimately, the better you know your customer, the better you are able to choose a gift that will put your company in the best light. Check out our suggestions for the top 15 corporate gifts.

15 of the Best Corporate Gifts

1. Blue Tooth Speakers

Americans are spending almost 32 hours a week listening to music. Capitalize on the popularity of music and send your clients a blue tooth speaker. Blue tooth speakers come in a variety of colors and sizes. If your customers enjoy high tech gadgets, try our blue tooth sunglass shades. The microphone is built into the arm of the sunglasses.

2. Headphones

If your customers are mobile, headphones may be a better choice than a blue tooth speaker. Again, consider your customer base wireless headphones may be a better choice in some industries.

3. Give the Gift of Health & Fitness

If your company has a wellness focus, consider supporting your customers through a gift of personalized fitness items. This could be combined with a promotion to increase engagement with your company by implementing a fitness challenge. You might also consider using these gifts to promote a social media campaign where customers post pictures of themselves using the items to win a product or service you provide. There are multiple benefits to this approach.

4. Custom Water Bottle

If you are concerned that promoting fitness might put off some of your customers, consider a custom water bottle. You can also order personalized cases of water for large events. Again, if your business focuses on health and wellness, or environmental conservation you may want to use the gift as part of a larger promotional effort to engage your customers.

5. Coffee

It is estimated that American consume 400 million cups of coffee per day making us the largest consumer of the beverage in the world. Consider sending custom coffee to your customers. Caution: you should ensure you know your customers and that they fall into the individuals who typically consume coffee.

6. Coffee Mug

You could create your own package gift and send a coffee mug or travel mug with your coffee. This is also a great stand-alone gift that could be used for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

7. Toiletry Bag

If you are related to the travel industry, consider a toiletry bag. You can send them alone, or stocked with necessities. This is a great way to say thank you to repeat customers.

8. Give Some Tech - Portable Phone Charger

We have all drained the battery on our phone and been without a charger. These are smaller items that are also often lost or broken, so need to be replaced regularly. A portable phone charger is a great idea for any industry. This can be a great gift with purchase if you are in the technology industry.

9. Beer Gear

If your company is geared towards the beer lover, consider one of these items to support their desires. We have beer cups, beer buckets, or a high-end Moscow Mule cup.

10. Padfolios/Portfolios

Padfolios are useful and stylish. While these can be a perfect gift for your clients, you may want to consider outfitting your own sales and marketing team with them as well.

11. Custom Golf Balls & Tees

A golf course is still a popular place for individuals to do business. There are approximately 23.8 million golfers in the U.S. While the golf industry is changing with more putting and practice ranges, it is still a very popular sport. There are a variety of options in the golf category, golf balls, towels, tees and much more. Explore the changing golf landscape and your clienteles preferences to create a unique and appreciated gift.

12. Gift Baskets

These are not boring gift baskets. You choose from brand name food and beverage companies in beautifully branded baskets with either your company logo or message. While some may caution the use of food as a gift, because it is perishable, this can be the perfect gift for business to business companies. Send a large, or series, of gift baskets to customers' offices. Food in a breakroom always gets consumed - think about custom chocolate gifts!

13. Better Swag

In the high-end custom gift end, consider some of these ideas. T-shirts, hats, jackets, and hats are always appreciated and used. This keeps your brand on your customers and the customer appreciates the thought. You may also want to consider segmenting your corporate gifts. You could choose to send t-shirts to some customers, but jackets to others. There are risks associated with this approach but it allows you to stretch your gift-giving budget.

14. Business Card Holder

This is a classic customer gift that is tasteful and timeless. Ideal for customers that are just launching their place in the working world. College and Universities can use business card holders as thank you's for young alumni donors.

15. Christmas Ornaments

If you are considering sending holiday presents to your clients, consider a Christmas ornament. You can make this an annual tradition that allows your customers to create a much-desired collection.

Corporate Gift Giving Has An Impact

The options for corporate gifts are only limited by your imagination. Spend some time exploring traditional gifts and hot new ideas to find the one that best supports your company's brand and message. The best strategy is to include corporate gift-giving into your overall marketing strategy. Focus on finding the right gift or thank you and delivering it at the optimal time. You can also use bonus gifts at the point of sail to increase the perceived value of your products.

Are You Ready to Separate Your Company by Sending Corporate Gifts to Clients?

If you still have questions about which is the right corporate gifts for your customers, contact us. We know your time is valuable and we aim to answer all your questions within an hour, during normal business hours. We are knowledgeable about the promotional industry and only use high-quality brands in our products. We also know that, sometimes, things must be done quickly and offer rush service for some items. If cost is an issue check back with us regularly, we often have sale items that can stretch your gift-giving budget further. We strive to be your one-stop-shop for all your corporate gift-giving needs.