There are over 32 million small businesses in the United States. Maintaining a strong relationship with your clients is crucial when it comes to running a successful business.
Corporate gifts for clients are a great way to show your appreciation, but not everybody understands when to send gifts to them. The good news is that figuring out the ideal occasion for corporate gifts for clients is easier than it seems. Let's explore what you need to know.
Onboarding
Onboarding is a great opportunity to show clients your appreciation. After all, this is the beginning of your professional relationship with them.
It's essential to go out of your way to establish a solid foundation. Doing so will set the tone for the rest of your interactions.
You also have plenty of room for creativity here. The gift you give could be something simple and commemorative. Or, it could be something a bit more involved that your clients will find useful.
After a Large Milestone
These are the perfect occasions to send a client a gift. Large milestones could come in many different forms. For example, you could help them celebrate closing a high-value deal.
Or, they might have made a record-breaking amount of revenue last quarter. No matter what it is, giving corporate gifts for clients to commemorate a milestone will show them that you legitimately care about their business. This will help increase the amount of trust they have in your brand, which could lead to a longer and stronger relationship.
Your Professional Relationship Anniversary
Anniversaries of any kind are always enjoyable to celebrate. Your professional relationship with them should be no different.
Celebrating this date by sending corporate gifts for clients helps establish that you have a unique connection with your client and that you appreciate all the time you’ve spent together. This gift is often more impactful if you don't advertise that you plan on giving it.
Closing Gifts
Most good things come to an end eventually. The same can sometimes be said about client relationships. In the event that you part ways on a positive note, corporate gifts for clients are a great way to send them off.
This is also a situation where you should incorporate personalization. A look back on the months or years spent together is something that they will cherish.
New Year’s
Holidays are often tricky to celebrate in a corporate environment. For example, not everybody chooses to celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving.
Other people may celebrate holidays that most others do not. However, almost everyone chooses to celebrate New Year's.
Those who don’t often choose not to do so out of personal preference, so you likely don't have to worry about any complications arising. When it comes to these relationships, providing corporate gifts for clients for this holiday will also ensure that you enter the new year with a positive experience.
Referrals
Client referrals are a great way to expand your professional clientele. It's often appropriate to reward clients who refer others to your business. Even if you have a referral program in place, corporate gifts for clients will help convey your appreciation.
The frequency at which you do so is tentative and will depend on certain circumstances. For example, it's not uncommon to give the client a gift for their first referral. However, you might also want to give them gifts if they have referred 20 other clients to you.
Important Meetings
Sometimes, it's necessary to have important meetings with your clients. These are more than creative sessions or revenue reports.
Meetings like these could involve travel, and they could also take a substantial amount of time. It's always good practice to show your clients that you appreciate the time they took and the effort they made to attend the meeting and participate. You also have the opportunity to give this gift before or after the meeting.
Just Because
There's nothing wrong with giving corporate gifts to clients simply because you want to. For example, you may choose to randomly send a long-term client a gift to help recognize how they've helped your business grow.
It's up to you how much of an impact you want this gift to have, as well.
Finding the Right Gift
Figuring out the right time is half the battle. Determining the right gift is the next step.
There is no universal answer to this concern, as every client is different. It is recommended that you consider something that they will find useful and appreciate.
You should also avoid certain gifts like alcohol or tobacco. While these aren't always inappropriate, they can sometimes lead to complications. Always ensure that the gifts you give are of high quality.
Find a reputable source for the products so that you can ensure your clients have the best experience possible. You should also look into shipping times so that you don't end up waiting too long to receive the item. In some cases, this could cause you to miss certain events or occasions, which will make the gift much less impactful.
Corporate Gifts For Clients Simplified
Although it might seem complicated, determining the best time for corporate gifts for clients is much simpler than many people anticipate. Consider the above guidelines so that you can make the decision that's best for both of you.
Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us at Toffee to Go. Our staff is ready to help you choose the ideal gift for your professional relationships.
