If you’ve struggled with connecting with your clients in a creative, human, or unexpectedly exciting way – we’re here to tell you it’s not too late to revive that relationship!
In today’s world, people are craving human connection and meaningful experiences that go beyond their computer screens. If you can deliver that to current customers or potential leads once or twice a year, your retention plan might just be getting the appreciation makeover it needs! And what if we told you that the secret to that makeover lies in unexpected gifting strategies?!
Focusing on an entire experience of sending gifts for client appreciation rather than just “retaining” customers with run-of-the-mill emails and phone calls may just be the power play you need!
After all, hockeystack.com found that:
6.3x
Deals with gifts after the first call have a 6.3x better rate for a second call than those with no gift.
Why Call it Customer Appreciation > Customer Retention
Client retention is out. Client appreciation is in. And frankly, we are here for this change. It’s not only a shift in verbiage, but also a pivot in an entire approach to boosting client relationships.
Retention is defined by “the continued use, possession, or control of something”. Yikes, right?! While appreciation is defined as “recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something”. Ahh, such a better vibe all around!
Appreciating the quality of someone’s consumership and continued decision to choose your product or service is, in our opinion, a much better approach to maintaining their business – not so much controlling their actions. And showing that customer some joy and respect is precisely where gifting enters the chat.
In this modern life full of instant gratification and e-gifts (but also thank goodness we have these options!), it’s become increasingly apparent that, as a whole, we’ve forgotten what it feels like to receive a surprise gift box in the mail.
- The unexpected ring of the doorbell (or, let’s be real, notification on your phone).
- The thrill of opening the package to see what’s inside. (We take every unboxing detail into consideration for corporate client’s brands AND their recipients!)
- The feeling of gratitude that someone thought to send you something – like actually paid postage and everything. (We handle all that nitty gritty shipping stuff for corporate gifting!)
That entire experience of unexpected + thrill + gratitude is the key to breaking through the noise of your typical customer retention strategy, and building a foundation to create a client appreciation gift strategy that is both successful and surprising.
You’re actively showing them that they’re noticed, they’re important to your organization, and they’re real humans to you – not just a dollar sign.
Breaking it Down: The Unexpected of Client Appreciation Gifts
We all know the end game when it comes to clients, right? And they know it too. We want them to stay with us forever. Like Jack and Rose – never let go!
Oftentimes, we receive requests that put all the focus on the company brand itself – feeling like they must add a logo to everything. And they think a notebook and coffee mug can solve everything (don’t get us wrong, we love a high-quality notebook/mug 1-2 punch!). But through the millions of gifts we have designed and sent over the years, across numerous industries, we have witnessed firsthand the power in changing your perspective. Shaking things up a bit, if you will!
This is where things can go from expected to unexpected. Whether your company typically doesn’t utilize any sort of gifting strategy and you decide to give it a go; or you’ve sent the same client gift at the same time of year for the last 15 years and you decide to spice things up – I’m here to reassure you that change can be a good, nope – scratch that, a GREAT thing!
Just give these numbers from hockeystack.com a glance, and see for yourself:
13%
Once a marketing qualified lead (MQL) that received a gift becomes a sales qualified lead (SQL) – the average deal size of these invound leads is 13% higher than those who did not receive a gift.
So we all know the endgame, and I’d say these stats are definitely speaking to it. The expected followup email or call might convert your lead. The unexpected gift sent directly to their doorstep with their name on it might also convert your lead but with a decently higher dollar amount attached to it on the other side. I know which chance I’m taking. How about you?
It’s the folks putting thought into their client gifts that are more likely to get a deal sealed. (And we can seal that boxed deal with branded tape too – just for good measure.)
Ways to Unexpectedly Show your Clients Appreciation
1. Timing
Folks have almost come to expect a gift around the holidays (aka, no surprise there!). Now, we’re the first to loooove a holiday gift, and we can totally help you send some incredible, stress-free holiday corporate gift spirit! But, it’s pretty dang fun to give something outside that timeframe too.
When opting for an off-the-beaten-path holiday or occasion (such as celebrating spring or National Ice Cream Day, and YES we’ve done both!) clients immediately notice how surprised their recipients are. And neither parties forget that unique gift or the experience of receiving it!
Our client Accenture sent these fancy, fun Derby gifts to their clients and it was a successful run for the roses.
Feeling inspired? We’d love to help you send client gifts this holiday season or in the new year!
2. Theme
While branded products are always iconic and showcase your logo like a pro, we’ve enjoyed working with our clients to think outside the box when it comes to themes and occasions!
One of our favorite branded swaps was with our client Voyant who sent a sweet summertime ice cream kit to their clients! And Sumo Logic who played into trendy dinks with a Pickleball Kit for theirs. Both included branded elements, but they used those products in an ultra memorable way.
Want to get creative with us? Contact our amazing account team to start brainstorming!
3. Personalization
We talk about this ALL the time, because it’s a game changer. And it’s the ideal substitute for logo-ing every product in your gift. Instead, choose a branded notecard (see, I got you with a tasteful logo application!) with a personalized note for your clients. In this fast-paced world, a slow moment to write and read a note is an unexpected art in and of itself.
Gong and Kibo Capital shared on-brand messages with their clients using custom notecards!
Need that personalized element in a pinch? We offer flexible gifting with Zest technology – allowing you to pick gifts, personalize and add your logo to a card, and send within minutes!
Give something memorable with Zest.
Check holiday client gifting off your to-do list!
Holiday Custom Corporate Gifting for Clients
Breaking it Down: The Thrill in Client Appreciation Gifting
For something that sounds so buttoned up (and let’s be real, tends to wear a very corporate look), client appreciation is the ultimate time to thrill your customers.
Razzle them. Dazzle them. And make them think of YOU as the coolest, capable, most fun organization to work with. Right?! We already know that you are! So let’s show everyone else.
Picture this:
- You have a lovely call with a potential client. No deals made, but the door is still very much open.
- After hanging up, you immediately hop over to our Zest storefront, pick a gorgeous gift, write a very personalized, specific note on a BRANDED notecard, and send both directly to your potential client. (Even if you don’t have an address, we still have you covered here!)
- A few days pass.
- Your potential client hears the doorbell ring (or perhaps, is notified at the office that they have a package in the mail room!). Either way – SHOCK! AWE!. They think to themselves, “WHAT CAN IT BE??! I didn’t order anything…”
- They excitedly open the box to find an extremely thoughtful note and gift from YOU. They jog their memory back to their call with you a week or so ago while they eat the delicious cookies they received in their gift.
- Suddenly, you hear: “You’ve got mail.” (Some of you may not understand this reference, but that’s a story for another day.)
- Your potential client has thanked you for such a fun, useful and utterly amazing gift, and they have expressed their interest in chatting further with you about “the deal”.
- Both parties do a happy dance.
- Razzle. Dazzle. DEAL.
Now this is only one example of how you can utilize a client gifting strategy that is thrilling and memorable. You can use a similar approach for nurturing current client relationships by sending “client-versary” client anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, or other milestone gifts. All of these can be made and sent to create an unforgettable experience for your clients when they’re least expecting it.
Because no one grows out of getting excited when a surprise delivery arrives at the door. No one!
Who’s ready to send some unexpected (seriously fun!) gifts, snail mail style!?
Start designing your powerful client appreciation gifts now!
