The Dos and Don’ts of Branded Corporate Gifts
Handing out branded corporate gifts is the ideal way for you to boost your company’s growth and let your new customers know that you appreciate the business. This is also an opportunity for you to grow brand awareness, and in the world of marketing, this time-honoured “tradition” has been the most effective way to cement existing business relationships and perhaps turn prospects into loyal customers. At XCO Group, we understand the importance of brand recognition and how that can be expanded through corporate gifting.
Create Brand Awareness through Branded Corporate Gifts
Think of branded corporate gifts as a return on your investment as selecting the right gift with your brand emblazoned on it will not only keep it in the recipient’s mind, but a useful gift will also be displayed. Before going ahead and stocking up on diaries or pens, we at XCO Group would like to advise you on the dos and don’ts of corporate gifts, starting with the dos:
- Company Policy and Gifting
First and foremost, check the gifting policies in your company as some institutions consider gift exchanges unethical. If handing out gifts doesn’t go against company policy, finding out the preferences of the customers, which can include cultural traditions, will strengthen your business relationships.
2. Planning
With the plethora of events happening during a calendar year, specifically holidays towards the end of the year, it’s important to plan your branded corporate gifts in advance. Planning avoids disappointment, especially if you have certain gifts in mind. If you have done your due diligence with your customers, you will be able to give them personalised gifts for anniversaries and other milestones, not just for birthdays and during the holiday season.
3. Personalise Your Gifts
Presenting your customers with personalised gifts will leave a lasting impression. Getting to know your customers, including their hobbies, opens a window to better business prospects as the extra effort won’t go unnoticed.
Now that we have explored the dos, let’s take a look at the don’ts:
4. Keep Away from Promotional Items
There needs to be a clear divide between branded promotional items and branded corporate gifts. Giving items away that you normally would at a sponsored corporate event may create some confusion, blurring the lines between marketing and actual gifts. Where corporate gifts are personalised and intended as a form of appreciation, promotional items are handed out in bulk and normally given out to all and sundry.
5. Don’t Overdo the Branding
Keep your branding to a minimum as the gift might be perceived by your customer as a means to leverage your brand through your business relationship.
6. Stick to a Budget Without Compromising on Quality
Make sure that your budget is sorted out before purchasing your branded gifts as the last thing you want to do is overspend. You can spend less but never compromise on the quality. Typically, customers remember a gift that is quality and unique.
Branded giveaways and gifts are in essence walking billboards for your company, so taking the time to carefully select them makes a difference to your customer.
Modern Multi-Functional Corporate Gifts
As much as the traditional pen set still makes a good impression on customers, many useful items can be enjoyed and used daily at the home or office. Corporate gifting isn’t an easy task, and we at XCO Group have some helpful tips to make it easier:
- Try to buy products that you would use and want, such as branded kitchenware.
- Think further than your customer when selecting your gifts. Giving items that can be used by family and friends is a great way of ensuring that the gift will be used and creates more brand exposure.
- Multifunctional items, like personalised earphones and stationary packs, are always a winner as they can be used at home and the office.
- Keep away from selecting “knick-knack” type products as these are the ones that will be discarded.
The goal of your branded corporate gifts is to create an emotional connection with your customers as well as a positive perception of your brand.
Create an Impression with Your Gifts
Promotional items and corporate gifts are the ideal means of getting the brand recognition that your business needs. As these carefully chosen products tend to be shared, you will definitely get people talking about your company. Word of mouth is still the most powerful advertising tool, so get your brand exposed by selecting from our range of promotional items and give your customers a gift that’s worth giving. Contact us or explore our website to see how the gift you select can make an impression.
