Meryl.net Home About Blog Clients Services Contact

Meryl's Notes Blog

Things wordy, geeky, and webby

Business Client Gift Ideas

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 7:40 AM 8 comments Category: Business, Customer Service, Meryl's Notes Blog, Shopping

I wanted to send my clients a little something as a thank you now instead of waiting until holiday time. Every day, I’m grateful for them and I want to show it. But what? I don’t want to send food especially since I’m in Texas. Besides, you never know who has what food allergy.

Searching for business gift ideas yields sites full of keywords and little else. Should I get something in bulk and imprint my company’s name on it? Or is that vain? I use things with company names on it — it’s a matter of finding something people will use.

Still have to consider shipping costs as all clients are not local — except one. Go with the bulk thing and just not print anything on it? Because I need to send a few, it would be tough to personalize it for each person. I don’t know all of their interests.

Baskets: I send these occasionally — not in bulk. I’ve sent them to clients who had surgery or as a special treat. Not all contain food.
Charitable donation: I appreciate it when people do this. But usually, it’s friends and family — not business contacts. I can see the good and bad side to this.
General business book: Too bad my Outlook book doesn’t sell in the U.S. as I think most of my clients use Outlook. Another idea: Book of inspirational quotes.
Gift cards: How to get one place that everyone uses is the tricky part. Coffee? Not everyone drinks coffee or tea or eats the giant treats. Amazon? Not everyone likes shopping online.
Pen: Too boring? We have too many of them? As a writer, it would be appropriate to give.
USB flash drive: These are wonderful tools and a person can use more than one.
Rumors has a category for business gifts and they range from $3 to $$$. I like the selection, but nothing rings with me.
Cowboy Chuck has business cartoons that make you smile.

I like the card sending services that let you enter your handwriting. However, I don’t like their sales and pricing process. I’ve yet to find one that lets you do it on your own and not pay a service fee. I’d rather pay per card and not participate in a pyramid scheme.

What do you think? What did you like receiving? Or what did others receive that they liked? Will keep adding gift ideas as I find them.

Tags: gifts Subscribe:

RSS or

E-mail

8 comments

Posted by: Rivky on July 17th, 2008, 9:41 AM
You have a big problem! I think that it is best to send something nice to everyone with your company name on it! You might have male and females working for you and everyone has their own taste. So if you want to get something cheap or a little more expansive… you can find key rings, tote bags, clocks, mouse pads… a lot of good items. That’s what my dad does when he wants to say thank you to his workers. He gets it form http://www.thepromohut.com.
Posted by: Yvonne Russell on July 18th, 2008, 4:10 AM
I like the USB flash drive idea maybe customized with your business name. But best of all, or maybe as well as something else, is a handwritten, personalized thank you note.

Yvonne Russell’s last blog post… It’s Not Too Late - Win Great Prizes At Meryl.net’s 8th Blog Birthday Bash - But Hurry
Posted by: Darby on July 18th, 2008, 10:48 AM
Agents are you looking for a great closing gift to give your clients and guarantee referrals. Look no further! Check out the website http://www.cakeandaprayer.com. I gave my last clients a cake and a prayer and they were blown away by it. The great thing about the gift was that the website had pre-written gift messages. I was surprised at the quality of the gift and the price. It included the gift card, cake (which was so good we all wanted more) and a framed scripture with my name signed on the bottom. Realtors, check out this very unique gift rather than giving the usual gift card. Trust me you will not be disappointed! I used this discount code (RE080108) and got $10 off, try it!
Posted by: Meryl on July 21st, 2008, 7:56 AM
Yvonne, that’s a great suggestion and I always hand write notes to my clients every year. I’m also thinking about finding a book to send with a personal note. But which book???
Posted by: Ron on July 22nd, 2008, 11:05 AM
Another suggestion would be a journal or notebook.
Posted by: Kristin on October 19th, 2008, 1:49 AM
Hello all,

You mentioned the difficulty in finding the right gift card. I may have your solution. Instead of using gift cards, i use gift albums. You give your client a pre-paid gift album. They go online and select one of the many gifts available in that album. The gift is then shipped to their door free of charge. For you, it’s as easy as just giving the gift album..and the clients love it because they’ve never seen anything like it before. Also, you are sure that they get something that they will enjoy because they chose it! I order these from my friend at http://www.sking26.ordermygift.com

check it out!
Posted by: Greg on October 29th, 2008, 3:47 AM
Usually I am glad to get a DVD about something that I enjoy - soccer, tennis etc. It’s a good gift for someone who is passionate about their hobby

Greg’s last blog post… Personalised Gifts For Men
Posted by: Matthew Rolnick on November 16th, 2008, 11:21 AM
I ended up signing up with sendoutcards to send personalized cards. I dislike that their business model is multi-level marketing. However, I decided to sign up for their basic program without getting involved in the whole pyramid plan. It was the best option I could find. There was a $99 sign-up fee and I pay around $1.50 per card.