Customers are people too. Give gifts and make them feel special.

Dec 5, 2016 | Uncategorized

And maybe they’ll feel like giving you a bit more business in return?

Customers often aren’t as loyal as we’d all like to think. Building relationships increases the loyalty odds and, as we know, loyalty means repeat business.

You’ve gone to the effort of gaining the customer and all the research shows, selling to existing customers is cheaper than finding new ones. So it’s worth nurturing each special relationship.

Free Gift Inside

A time-bound discount is sometimes a good way to prompt people to buy, especially for customers who are solely motivated by price. But that’s not everyone

 The trouble with discounting is it sets an expectation of a lower price next time the customer is ready to buy.  Consider giving them a free gift with their purchase instead. One benefit is that it incentivises the person placing the order – and that may not necessarily be the person paying the invoice.

Think of all those airline miles, paid for by companies, redeemed on trips to Barbados. Or the stationery supplier who gives a free biscuits with every order, compared to the one who’s a little cheaper.

Who do you think the office junior will order from? Correct. And their next tough decision is who’s going to brew up.

Promo gifts work…

…as a thank you

  • After a customer has ordered, to thank them for their business.
  • On the anniversary of their first order with you. A reminder that you appreciate their business.
  • At Christmas. It’s a time for giving – and ensuring you’re remembered next year.

…as a give away

  • At trade shows. They’ve made the effort to visit, don’t let them leave empty handed.

  • To everyone who attends your conferences or meetings. If they’ve forgotten a pen or pad, give them something branded with your details which they’ll take away.

…as a call to action

  • To encourage an order. ‘Order by the end of the week and receive a free XX’.

 

The world is your mousemat…

So how do you go about choosing the right promotional gifts to get your message across? There are thousands of gifts available – from the clever to the bizarre.

Top 10 things people keep on their desk…

  1. Pens
  2. Calendars
  3. Mousemats
  4. Sticky Notes
  5. Pencils
  6. Deskpads
  7. Calculators
  8. Diaries
  9. Notebooks
  10. Champagne

 

Make them useful

89% of people say they would keep an item if it were useful. Makes sense, if it has a use, customers will use it.

Make it relevant

If the gift complements your business or your customer demographic, you won’t get funny looks. Try a bottle opener if you run a wine shop. Or a sports bottle if you own a gym. How about a mousemat if you repair computers?

It’s about perceived value

That’s how much it’s worth to the customer, rather than what it costs you. The more valuable your gift is perceived to be, the better the response. A wall planner might cost you 30p each – but your customer would have to pay ten times that to buy one from a shop.

 

3 benefits of branded promotional gifts:

  1. Increase your brand awareness76% of people say they can name a brand or organisation featured on promotional merchandise on their desk, without having to look for confirmation.
  2.  Encourages reordersOver half made a purchase from businesses who had branded promotional merchandise on their desk.
  3.  Knockout the competitionYour details on their desk, or in their briefcases… not your competitor

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