Corporate gifting is a fun way to ensure that your business is kept top of mind for your customers. Unlike promotional products, corporate gifts are typically not branded with your company name or logo in the traditional sense. Although your branding can be used subtly, the intention is not so much to promote your company but to rather leave a lasting impression.

 

There are many different types of gifts that can be given to clients, from hampers to wine, seasoning, useful items and seasonal gifts sent at the end of year. Rather than branding the gift itself, you can promote your business discretely through printed materials such as personalised greeting cards, presentation folders and even branded gift packaging. When done properly, corporate gifting can help you position your company and build relationships with your clients. When done without much thought however, much can go wrong…

 

Avoid These Corporate Gifting Mistakes

 

Some of the biggest corporate gifting mistakes to avoid include the following:

 

1.       Confusing gifts. Stay clear of any gifts that have double meaning or an unclear purpose. You may not realise that your gift is ambiguous, but if there is even the smallest chance that clients do not understand the gift’s purpose, message or design, it is best to choose something else. If possible, get a second opinion from a few people before finalising your selection. This will help you reduce the chance of a gift that leaves clients more confused than anything else.

 

2.       Offensive gifts. On a similar note, it is also never an idea to offend your clients – whether inadvertently or in an attempt at making a joke. End of year gifts should be approached carefully. Although a number of your clients may celebrate Christmas, not all of them do. A Christmas themed hamper may therefore not be as effective as a neutral year end celebration gift that focuses on the new year to come rather than religious holidays. It is also best to avoid gifts that have any strong language, potentially offensive message or any other feature that could offend.

 

3.       Overly cheap or pricey gifts. Although it is never idea to give your loyal customers a super cheap gift that will be thrown out by the end of the day, it may also not be ideal to give something ridiculously expensive, either. To ensure that your gift is useful without being too fancy or too cheap, set a budget and stick to it. You could do some research into the average gift value for South African businesses, or even consider any gifts that you have received from businesses.

 

4.       Promotional product gifts. This is not the time to bring out those branded promotional mugs or caps. Using promotional products as corporate gifts can be tacky, to say the least. Instead, use your packaging and marketing material to brand your gift subtly. Remember, this gift is more about your customer than your company. You are essentially thanking them for their support. A personalised card goes a long way in boosting your reputation.

 

5.       Inappropriate gifts. Finally, it is a good idea to think carefully about whether the gifts you have chosen are appropriate or not. You may find the gift hilariously funny, but is it right for your business? If there is even a small chance that even a few customers will not see the joke, play it safe and consider something else. Funny messages can easily go wrong, while simple messages and gifts that add genuine value will always be well received.

 

Contact Minuteman Press Pinetown today for a wide range of corporate gifting presentation ideas.