Companies give gifts to customers and potential customers for many reasons. It is a way of saying “thank you” and can also be a way of advertising your business.
Raise and Build Brand Awareness
Trade shows and conventions are great places to give out promotional items to those who attend. Many people actually carry around a bag for all the goodies they get from each booth they visit.
Potential customers may stop by your booth to ask a question about what your company does. You may very well engage in informative conversations.
Your company might even be the solution to a potential customer’s problem. However, don’t forget that at trade shows, there will be many other companies who also provide the same solution.
Business cards are almost always exchanged to share contact information. Those business cards will more than likely end up in a pile, in a wallet, or in a drawer.
What can you do to make sure your business stays top-of-mind of your potential customers after the show or convention?
If someone walks away with a custom-branded promotional gift from you, it will serve as a constant reminder of your company brand.
But don’t forget that many companies will be also be giving out promotional items. How do you make your gift stand out from the others?
Think about all the options you have with regards to what you give away. Many companies will try to find unique or obscure gifts. While these might be different, how often will they be used?
Stress balls are popular giveaway items. How many people actually use them? Most will end up in a junk drawer somewhere so how effective would that be?
You should consider giving practical, often-used items like pens and coffee mugs because they can be used daily and serve as a constant reminder of your brand.
You can either purchase your promotional items from a company that will brand them for you. Or you can use branding irons to personalize them yourself.
Increase Loyalty
Customers and clients want to feel valued and respected, both personally and professionally. Receiving gifts from your company can be the starting point in developing new relationships and nurturing current ones.
You don’t want to spend a fortune on the gifts you give, but you also don’t want to be seen as cheap. Give a lot of thought to the value of the gift you are giving. Remember that it shows how much value you place on the relationship.
Giving a gift to your potential and current customers can increase the chances you will be chosen over your competitor when it comes to making a purchase decision.
Generate More Leads
It is important to keep in contact with your prospective customers. It usually takes many exposures to a product, especially online, before someone makes a purchase. Unless there is an immediate need a potential customer has that you are fulfilling.
This is the basis behind email marketing and lead capture programs. Businesses want to get the contact information of their website visitors so they can keep in touch using auto-responders. These are a series of emails sent out over time to those who give their permission by opting into your list.
You can use gifts as an incentive to capture the email address of people visiting your website. If that gift is a branded item, you can kill two birds with one stone, increasing brand awareness and getting a lead.
Save Money
Promotional gifts are less expensive compared to other forms of advertising. They also have a lasting impact, especially if it is something that can be used on a daily basis like a mug.
Online, television, newspaper, and magazine ads are very costly. In addition, once your ad is finished, it is easily forgotten.
Improve Image and Perception
Gift giving, in general, is seen as an act of goodwill. This is also true in business. Companies who give out corporate gifts will be remembered and appreciated by potential and existing customers.
Build and Nurture Relationships
When developing and maintaining good business relationships, giving out gifts can go a long way. Remember that companies are comprised of people and people love getting gifts.
Distinctive custom-branded items can distinguish you from your competitors while building your brand identity.
Don’t forget to consider the benefits of using promotional gifts as part of a cost-effective overall marketing strategy.
