Marketing Gift Ideas

The art of gift giving can act as a seriously powerful marketing strategy.

The thing is, being too generic in your approach doesn’t leave the same positive impact as a thoughtful and personalized gift can.

To give your valued customers something they will truly love, leave a lasting impression with these 10 effective marketing gift ideas. And in return, be rewarded with their loyalty and trust.

10 Marketing Gift Ideas

Can’t decide what to give your existing customs and prospects?

We’ve got you covered with the best marketing gift ideas that are sure to put a smile on their face.

1. Make a Lasting Impression With Promotional Clothing Gifts

When it comes to marketing gift ideas, promotional clothing is a great option for businesses looking to boost customer loyalty and brand recognition.

Customized T-shirts, hats, and other apparel are perfect for showing off a company’s logo and helping customers feel like they’re a part of the team.

What’s more, promotional clothing is an affordable way to show appreciation for customers and will keep them coming back to do business with you again and again.

Jay Bats, co-founder and developer at ContentBASE, shares his approach:

“Clothing and clothing accessories are a low-cost method of promoting your business. Clothing doubles as a gift while, at the same time, advertising your brand. This may be as easy as having caps or other accessories created to order, or you may want to give them jumpers, jackets, or t-shirts.”

With your company’s logo or message prominently displayed, your brand will be top-of-mind for both your existing customers and new clients.

2. Shed a Green Light on Your Business With Reusable Water Bottles

Reusable water bottles are becoming increasingly popular, as people are becoming more conscientious of their impact on the environment.

There are many types of reusable water bottles available, so you can find one that best suits your company’s branding. You can also choose from a variety of colors and styles to match your customer’s preferences. If your customer is always on the go, consider giving them a sports bottle that can be easily carried in their bag. If your customer prefers to drink ice-cold water, consider investing in some insulated water bottles that will keep their drinks cold all day long.

Sep Niakan, managing broker at Condoblackbook, comments on how his marketing team uses the gift of a water bottle:

“A reusable water bottle is the perfect way to show your customers that you care about their health and the environment.”

From a business perspective, Sep explains:

“Water bottles are practical gifts with plenty of room for a classy company logo. Just be sure it’s made of quality materials. That way, you’ll ensure it’s BPA-free and long-lasting, preventing it from ending up at the back of the drawer with all your other client’s leaky water bottles.”

Reduce, reuse, and refresh your customer base with water bottles that make a difference. Give the gift of sustainability and show your customers that your business cares.

3. Give the Gift of a Limited-Time Subscription

Another strategy that can be particularly effective is giving your customers the gift of a limited-time subscription. This could involve offering a discounted rate or providing free access to a service for a limited amount of time. Either way, this type of promotion can create excitement and generate new leads while also building loyalty among your current customers.

What’s the best way to go about this?

Sergei Lugovskoy, president at Luxury Pianos Inc, shares his strategy:

“The best thing I think I have done for my customers is to give them a subscription to Headspace. Mental awareness is on the rise, but very few people keep it a priority. Not many brands are focusing on mental awareness and people everywhere are becoming the target of a heavy workload, sacrificing their physical health and mental health as well.”

When asked why this is important to his business, Sergei explains:

“Besides providing free limited-time subscriptions, my aim was to make my customers feel valued. And something that came as a bonus was the opportunity to stand out amongst the other companies. Sure, this might not be a physical gift, but it’s an act of showing that you care.”

Convinced?

A limited-time subscription may just be the perfect gift to invoke the level of brand loyalty your business deserves.

4. Leverage the Gift of Sweetness for a Sugary Business Promotion

When it comes to sweet treats, there’s nothing quite like a delicious baked good. And what could make a better marketing gift than a basket of freshly baked cookies? Not only are these goodies sure to please any taste buds, but they’re also the perfect way to show your clients and customers that you appreciate their business.

Baked goods are a great way to promote your business, as they’re affordable and easy to customize. You can choose from a variety of flavors and colors to create a basket that perfectly represents your brand. And, of course, there’s possibly no greater way to make an impactful impression on a customer than to send baked goods that align with individual dietary requirements.

Gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options for the win!

Daniel Maman, director of marketing at My Phenom Fitness, explains:

“Asserted cookies dominate the top spot because of their simplicity in showing genuineness. Cookies come in a variety of different flavors, great for adding a touch of personalization to your marketing approach.”

If you’re looking for an easy way to show your appreciation for your customers’ business, consider giving the gift of sweetness with some delicious baked goods.

5. Bestow the Gift of Usefulness

When choosing a gift for a customer, it’s important to think about what they will use and appreciate every day. A gift that is practical and useful is sure to be appreciated, and will be used frequently.

There are many types of gifts that can be useful for customers.

Krystal Suffling, branch manager at Aspire2, talks to her experience:

“We have found that by giving out tote bags, USB flash drive, or coffee mugs, our business is at the forefront of people’s minds, as people use these items on a daily basis”

Krystal continues:

“Depending on the brand, I would say that you can give away anything if it promotes your business and helps you gain a loyal following.”

Another great option for a useful gift is something that solves a common problem. For example, a set of waterproof phone cases or travel adapters that work in multiple countries. These gifts are sure to come in handy, and your customers will be grateful for the added convenience.

When choosing a gift for your customers, think about what they will use regularly and appreciate multiple times a day. Not only will this make the gift more memorable, but it will also keep your brand top-of-mind.

6. Create Unforgettable Customer Experiences With Gifts That Promote Your Business’ Specialties

The best way to set your brand apart from the competition? Give your clients a truly unique and unforgettable gift by leaning into your business’ niche-specific specialities.

For some businesses like a law firm, it may make sense to give out branded notepads or pens, or a restaurant might give out gift cards. However, if your business exists in a niche that grants a little more flexibility, why not get a touch more creative?

For instance, Ashleigh Duggan, owner of Air Experiences, a company that offers flight lessons and experience packages, explains:

“Marketing campaigns that we have found make great gift ideas are offering our customers discounts or the chance to win a free flying experience with us. We found that by offering discounted prices or competition marketing, our audience was more engaged and felt more involved in our services and business as a whole, meaning an overall increase in sales.”

Ashleigh drives this point home by concluding:

“We have also found that this marketing gift idea helps our brand stand out from the crowd and gives us that unique edge over our competitors.”

So, rather than running the risk of offering just another generic gift, why not be like Ashleigh and the team at Air Experiences? Start offering marketing gifts that both promote and showcase your products and services.

7. Mix Up Your Marketing Strategy With Gifts That Align With Seasonal Events

As the leaves start to change color or the snow starts to show signs of melting, businesses should start thinking about how to mix up their marketing strategy with gifts that align with seasonal events. While many people think about Christmas and the holiday season, there are many other opportunities for businesses to give gifts throughout the year that coincide with major events.

One great way to capitalize on seasonal events is by giving gifts that are associated with yearly festivities. For example, a company could give a gift of a picnic blanket and basket for summer events like picnics or barbecues, or they could give a gift of hats, gloves, and scarves for wintertime events like Christmas parties.

Another way to use seasonal events as an opportunity for marketing is by giving promotional items that are related to those events.

Rakhi Oswal, director and founder of Edrio, talks to this:

“As a fashion e-commerce store with a presence on numerous social media platforms, I integrate the concept of marketing gifts with promotion online and offline events. As a result, I have gained tremendous exposure on social media and brand visibility by using marketing gifts and giveaways with different contests, promotional events, and trendy seasonal campaigns.”

Rakhi goes onto say:

“For example, a spin the wheel with varying gifts on an offline event or a giveaway couple T-shirt combo as a gift for a valentine’s day contest. I also encourage happy clients to post images and videos of giveaways on social media to enhance visibility and reach. “

Take Rakhi’s advice.

Your marketing strategy should be as diverse as the seasons.

Gifts that align with seasonal events are a great way to mix things up and keep your customers engaged throughout the year.

8. Personalize Marketing Gifts by Taking the Time to Know Your Clients

When it comes to marketing, a personal touch is always key. A gift that is tailored to an individual’s likes and interests is sure to be appreciated far more than a generic gift. It also shows that you’ve taken the time to get to know your customer on a personal level.

There are many types of personalized gifts you can give your customers. If you know something about their hobbies or interests, you can find a gift that suits them perfectly.

Paige Arnof-Fenn, founder and CEO of Maven and Moguls, talks to these:

“After some gift giving trial and error, I decided to make a change and customize gifts for key relationships.”

For instance:

“My clients who I met through our common college alumni network got college swag related to year end Bowl Game. Clients in the food industry got customized food related gifts like gift certificates related to their personal tastes. And I even got one movie buff movie passes and coupons for treats at their local theater.”

The best part? Paige explains that:

“Compared to previous gift-based marketing campaigns, I actually spent less money on the customized gifts but found they made a much bigger impact and left a stronger impression. People genuinely appreciated the thought that went into the gifts that were tailored to their personal interests. Whenever I ran into them at networking events, they almost always comment on how much they enjoyed their gift, even years later.”

You can’t just give your clients the same gifts year after year and expect them to keep using your company. You need to put in the extra effort to get to know them and what they like. That way, you can give them gifts that they’ll actually use and appreciate.

9. Get Creative With Your Marketing Gifts to Promote Your Products and Services

When it comes to marketing your business, you want to find the right mix of advertising and promotional activities to reach your target market.

And you guessed it, the right marketing gift is the perfect way to do this.

What’s the best way to go about this?

Choose a gift that is unique and representative of your company.

To learn more about this approach, let’s turn to the expertise of Meridian Display‘s director of marketing, Michelle Lee:

“Our team of structural and graphic designers has extensive experience with attention grabbing gift packaging and promotional kits.”

She continues:

“We use the gifts to showcase our design team’s talents and the capabilities of our equipment. To achieve this, we hand out treats regularly associated with holidays like Valentine’s Day and Halloween and have several gifts for our sales team to distribute during the holiday season.”

And as a bonus, Michelle explains:

“These gifts are also used as an excuse for our sales team to reach out to potential customers.”

You don’t have to be a marketing juggernaut to give marketing gifts that promote your products and services. Like the Meridian Display team, with a little creativity, you can find ways to use marketing gifts to reach new customers and grow your business.

10. Use Marketing Gifts to Avoid Discounts and Devaluing Your Business

Marketing gifts are a great way to show your appreciation for customers and employees, while avoiding the discounts and devaluing of your business.

Sam Mendelsohn, CMO for Live Sozy talks to this:

“People love free gifts! It is a great way to sneak in a discount without cheapening the brand equity and getting people trained to wait for discounts. For example, you can offer a free limited edition dress top with any purchase of over $150. It is essentially a discount without them seeing it in % or $ off values.”

Sam goes onto say:

“The value to the customer is it attracts customers who are not only shopping sales. So their ability to purchase at full price is a lot better.”

In a society that’s increasingly obsessed with discounts and getting the best deal, it’s more important than ever to find ways to market your business that avoid devaluing it.

So why not take Sam’s advice?

With marketing gifts, you can stay top-of-mind with your clients and customers without under-selling your business.

Summary

Marketing gift ideas can be a great way to not only show your existing clients and customers that you appreciate their business, but also attract new prospects.

Just remember, when choosing a gift, it is important to keep the recipient’s preferences in mind. Whatever you decide to give, make sure it is something that will be appreciated and not just thrown into the back of a drawer.

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