Promo Gifts to Create Long-Lasting Client Relationships

Establishing lasting relationships with your clients is key to your company’s long-term success. The energy that you put into nourishing these connections goes a long way in solidifying your bond with each person. From staying in regular contact to providing regular promotional products, you’ll do your business a big favor by taking the time to make your clients happy.

What is it about branded items that are so effective? Generally, it comes down to usefulness. People simply enjoy receiving objects they can apply to their lives, whether personal or professional. You can select from a wide range of functional promotional items, like apparel, office gear, seasonal products, travel essentials, and household needs. If you’re ready to ramp up your efforts and make those connections with your clients even stronger, here are a few items to consider giving.

For Your Prospective Clients

Prospects aren’t quite your clients just yet, but they have the strong potential to be in the future. It’s a mistake not to continue communicating with the person after the initial connection is made—but it’s an easy one to make. You don’t want to appear too eager, but you also don’t want to lose the possibility of making that lasting connection. Giving a prospect a thoughtful gift, like a custom water bottle or a coffee mug, is an effortless gesture that’s also memorable.

Keep in mind that each person is different. If you can glean from your initial interaction with them that they spend a lot of time on the road, you might consider sending something appropriate for the road—something that’s small, yet helpful. Anything from a convenient pouch in which they can store their charging cables to a branded luggage tag makes a sensible choice in this case.

For Your New Clients

Then there are the clients who are new to your business. That conversion from prospect to newcomer is important, not just to your business now but also in the future. How you treat each new client sets a precedent. When you take the time to offer your sincere gratitude for their business, you’re showing that you truly appreciate their trust. You can say thank you with a box of chocolates, for example, or with a handsome customized pen that will serve as a lasting reminder of your business.

These may seem simple, and that’s a good thing when you’re honoring your client’s new relationship with your business. Giving a small token of your thanks is a way of expressing that you’re excited to welcome them to your professional world and that you can’t wait to see what the future holds. Be sure to include a handwritten note to ensure that the message is expressed clearly and authentically.

For Your Longtime Clients

Some clients have been with you through it all. They’ve stuck with your business through down periods, had faith that you would pull through for them, and continuously worked with you no matter what the circumstances. These types of loyal clients deserve recognition for being so unwaveringly committed every step of the way. You might give something like a stylish leather suitcase or a business backpack to express your thanks.

You might also choose to show your appreciation to them on special occasions. Make a habit of recognizing client anniversaries, making sure to call out how many years they’ve worked with you, and identifying any specific achievements. If you know the person well enough, you might also present them with a gift on their birthday or for another major life event.

For Your VIP Clients

Your longtime clients are certainly among your VIPs, but this group may also include people who haven’t necessarily worked with you for an especially long time. Maybe they’re relatively recent clients with whom you’ve had an outstanding relationship so far. It’s definitely worth recognizing this important connection with a thoughtful gift. You can send them something during the holiday season, like customized golf balls for the client who’s also a golf partner, or a baseball cap for the outdoorsy client who will appreciate having something to add to their collection.

Usually, you develop a close enough connection with VIP clients that you glean some sort of understanding of what they’re like outside of corporate settings. You might know they’re coffee lovers, for example, or that they love to play tennis. Tailoring your gift to their specific interests or preferences is a great way to show that you’re always listening and that you appreciate their trust in you at the same time.

Promotional items of all kinds serve as powerful tools in building relationships with your clients. Not only do they serve as a reminder of you, your clients, and your services, but they also simply make people happy. That’s an important benefit—especially given that the strongest business relationships are those rooted in trust and authenticity. When you take the time to give, you send a message that you genuinely value the person and look forward to continuing the journey with them. To learn more about giving, read our newest e-book, The Ultimate Corporate Gift Guide.