The Holiday Advantage.
I love the holidays. The nippy weather, smells of all that great food and the general merriment in the atmosphere as everyone celebrates in his or her own way. If you can look past the consumerism that’s saturated the season, then the holidays can really be a great time.
I also love the holidays because it’s a great opportunity to give back to the clients that helped pull me through the year. One thing that has always come up is “How can I keep it from getting stale?” No, I’m not talking about making sure the cookies are fresh; I’m saying how do I change it up? How do I keep from the client saying, Oh boy! Another batch of cookies?
First off, don’t give them cookies. If you must give candy, get something tailored to their profession. A great example of which can be found at The Chocolate Vault.
I might get some flack for this, but I would recommend not getting them something with your company’s name on it. Yes, I know that you want them to remember you, but there’s better ways to do that than to get them that coffee mug that has your logo emblazoned across it. That sort of thing gets put in the cubbard, along with the feeling that you are “all about the money”.
On that note, I’d also recommend against giving discounts to clients for more work around the holidays. First off, you might be too swamped to handle it, either through work or family stuff. Secondly, again, it just looks like you’re trying to get more work and it’s all you care about. Seems a bit hollow, to me. C’mon, folks! This is the time for celebration and being real with your giving. Put this on the same level as giving something to a long-time friend. You want it to be personal.
I would offer though, that you could give a client discounted work for the holidays if they’d really benefit from it. If they are just pouring work into you and have remained loyal for all these years, etc. Then cutting them some slack on pricing for the holidays might be just the gift they could use and really appreciate.
Be thoughtful. While planting a tree in their name or naming a star after them might be unique to an extent, are they really going to appreciate that? If they are an eco-green-type company, then probably. If they are a llama-wholesaler? Probably not.
Avoid the cliche gifts. Always get a card (and sign it by hand, please), but don’t get keychains, t-shirts, ball caps or coffee mugs. I liked the items listed at findgift.com Also, make sure that your gifts are useful as well as impressive. Do something that will really say to your client, “I appreciate you.”
Send your gift early. I’m already guilty of failing this one, but early November is probably the best time, because it will stand out from the crowd of meats and baked goods that they receive in between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Keep track of your responses. Were your gifts well-received or hardly noticed? Take note and shift things next year, if need be.
Don’t be stingy. Did you hear me, there? Do NOT be stingy. Don’t buy bulk keychains because you got a deal on them. Crack open that wallet and spend the money. If you do a good job, you’ll likely get a return on your investment. Additionally, you might opt to follow the practice of giving bigger gifts to clients who bring in bigger checks. I heard about someone who said if a client brings in $XXX.00, then they get an iPhone for Christmas. Gift cards could work, but get them a full meal at a restaurant, not $10.00 from Wal-Mart.
You might also consider going traditional. All your clients in your hometown? Send them something that represents the local football team. This lawyer talked about the amazing feedback he got from giving live wreaths. Plenty of other great gift-giving info in that post as well.
All in all, be sure to retain the idea that it needs to be personal, unique and would be the same as walking up to them, looking them right in the eye and telling them, “I really appreciate that you chose to do business with us. I hope this shows that.”
What are some successful or unsuccessful gifts you’ve given in the past? Let’s hear it in the comments.
Micah Choquette:
I might also mention that another neat way to give to a client is to spice up their website for the holidays. I just found some Javascript Snow to help you out.
http://www.altan.hr/snow/
schuessler:
good work makes people feel like holiday.
What Do You Think?