Fun Client Gifts Your Startup Can Use to Build Relationships

Is your startup trying to create sustainable growth? If so, then it’s vital that you nurture real relationships with your clients. These days, simply providing customers with a good or service is not enough to maintain their loyalty. They need to feel appreciated! One of the best ways to do this is by sending them gifts. But what kind of gift? Read on for some fun ideas.

Think Before you Buy

Sending clients small gifts is a fantastic way to attract larger clients without shelling out a lot of money.  But before you dive into the list of gift ideas, it’s crucial that you keep some things in mind. Consider the following:

  • Don’t limit gifts to the holidays – Your clients will appreciate a Christmas gift, but during the holiday season your gift may just be one of many that your client receives. Distinguish yourself by sending presents when they’re unexpected. A random gift in April shows your clients that you’re thinking about them all year round.
  • Don’t be extravagant – Gifts don’t need to be big and they most definitely shouldn’t cost more than what your client is currently paying you! Stick with a small token of your appreciation.
  • Don’t buy universal gifts – It’s essential that you buy your client something unique or suited to their interests. A gift that’s tailored to them is far more effective than an item that’s impersonal or that they’ve no use for.

A Restaurant Gift Card

If you’ve got a client with whom you’ve already established a good working relationship, a very personal thing you can give them would be a gift card to their favorite restaurant. When you’ve been working with a client for a while, there’s a good chance you might know what kind of food they like (if not, try and get to know those personal details about them). A restaurant gift card is a thoughtful demonstration that you’ve paid attention to your client’s interests and tastes and wanted to give them something personal.

Flowers

Flowers are one of the most universal signs of gratitude. Use a flower delivery service to send a beautiful bouquet to your clients. Thanks to the internet, it’s now easier than ever to send flowers to clients who are situated on the other side of the country. Send birthday or congratulatory flowers to remind your clients that you care.

Assorted Tea Selection

If your client is a tea drinker, a fun gift that they’ll be sure to enjoy would be a flavored tea collection. This gift takes them on a journey around the world as they sample some of the best teas on the market. They’ll be sure to think of you every time they sit down at their desk with a hot cup.

Custom Items

Turn your clients into brand ambassadors by printing your company’s brand on items and giving them to your clients. Ideally, you want to give them a helpful item they can use in their office—and it doesn’t have to be something big. Create custom flash drives or water bottles with custom straws.

Man Crates

Here’s an awesome idea for your male clients! Send them a Man Crate. Man Crates are gift boxes made for men that arrive in a shipping crate and come with a crowbar—your client will be able to show off his masculine grit. It’s a fun, silly, and memorable gift item.

There are a variety of different themed packs you can get so you’re bound to find one with gifts that suit your client’s interests. One particularly popular crate is the Bacon Crate, which comes with a selection of bacon and bacon infused products. But there are also crates that come with Whiskey items and sports gear.

It’s the Little Things

The best way to get clients to stick with your company is to build positive relationships with them. Sending gifts to your clients is truly one of the best ways to build those relationships, especially if you can send gifts that are specially personalized to each client.But don’t forget that you can send gifts to your employees, too. Your employees are the backbone of your company, and one of the best ways to get them to stay around is to give them thoughtful presents a couple times throughout the year.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.