5 Steps to Proper Gifting: How and Why

Business gifts and promotional gifts are part of relationships with target groups. Proper gifting begins with planning, that is, setting goals and analyzing the target group. For long-term and strategic relationship building, it is important to create an individual annual gift plan.

The business gift must be chosen with the user in mind, with knowledge of his inner circle, lifestyle and interests.

1. Form a Clear Goal and Analyze the Target Group

The gifting process begins with determining the goal we want to achieve and analyzing your target audience. If you offer a first-class service or product, your business and promotional gifts should also be premium. Handmade, unique and custom-made gifts have the highest value for the user, as well as classic products made of premium materials.

For holidays, such as Christmas and New Year, we advise you not to give away chocolate, as everyone is stacked with desserts and chocolate during those days, and most of them even gain extra pounds, which they’re usually not too excited about. When it comes to alcoholic beverages, find out what a certain partner likes best, choose the best in the class, and surprise them. The gift must be chosen with the user in mind, with knowledge of his inner circle, lifestyle and interests. The same goes for food. The person may be on a prescribed diet or allergic to certain ingredients. You don’t want to present yourself as someone who sends meat products to all the key customers and don’t even think about someone who is a vegetarian.

‍2. Set a Budget and Choose the Best Possible Gift

Only when you determine the resources you have available, can you choose the best gift within a particular class. Don’t forget to ask yourself what you can do in order to surprise your customers, employees, and partners, and consequently add more worth to the chosen gift. How can you show them the respect and value that your relationship represents to you?

If you have little resources available for gifting, instead of generic gifts, consider making your message more authentic and personal. It is not always necessary to spend a ton of money on a specific product. Purpose, thoughtfulness and uniqueness are important as well. When the gift is thoughtful and strategically designed, it has a unique potential to increase a company’s growth.

3. Design, Print, Personalize

When it comes to promotional products, it’s important they spark a conversation about your business, your stories, and your successes. This is one of the starting points for designing visuals for print. However, when it comes to business gifts intended for key customers, you may also consider a personalized gift by printing the name of the gift recipient on it. Personalization has the amazing impact of turning ordinary gifts into something special. Our brains recognize our name as the most beautiful thing in the world.

Gift packaging should be unique as well, as it helps create the best experience. Unique does not necessarily mean expensive, so don’t skip this step!

4. Determine the Most Appropriate Time for Gifting

The best time to gift is determined according to the business opportunities and strategy of your company. We avoid giving at a time when gifts are expected because then they will not achieve their purpose – you want to surprise your employees, clients, and business partners at the time when they least expect it. This way, it won’t seem like you felt obligated to get them something. For this reason, look for opportunities and events within the company and make when you could give out unexpected gifts. During the year, in addition to Christmas and New Year, there are many other holidays that offer special opportunities for gifting employees, partners and customers.

5. Make an Annual Gift Plan to Build Relationships

You’ve probably already wondered how many times in a year we should surprise a certain person with promotional gifts. The answer lies in how many times you can afford it. However, always take into account the fact that it is better to give less and more unique and authentic gifts than a bunch of cheap trinkets. Be careful that the gift is not something everyone has, as you want the gift recipient to feel special and not just part of a major crowd. As a general rule, key partners and key people that contribute to your company should receive gifts two to four times a year.