We’re talking all about client gifting. That is constantly mentioned and yet the slightly confusing area of business where you’re left to wonder, “wait do I just give a gift card, or am I supposed to spend 500 hours hand-knitting a blanket from wool I got myself in New Zealand?”. Let’s be real. It can be a little confusing and overwhelming to figure out what the best game plan is here. HENCE THIS EPISODE!! Today we’re gonna break it down for you. We’re covering why gifting is important to your client experience process, things to keep in mind when creating your own gifting process, as well as a few tangible gift ideas you can take and utilize right away!

 

To gift or not to Gift

We are big proponents of always gifting because it falls so heavily into the overarching picture of client experience. Everything that you do, you want your clients or customers to have a luxurious experience with you. You want them to feel treasured by you and gifting is one process that you can begin implementing in your client experience. 

 

Our Tips

• We recommend a welcome and a wrap-up gift. This doesn’t always apply to ALL business models, but for service-based entrepreneurs, this can be huge.
• Make the gift on-brand for you. As an example, one of the best welcome gifts Evie got was from her wedding videographers (and past students of ours!) The Hardins. They sent the CUTEST most on-brand welcome package complete with a hand-written card, cute gifts, ribbon, branded stickers, etc. It was such a cool experience to open and know they’d written and packed it themselves.

You don’t always have to do them yourself though. But we find the more unique and personalized the better! There are brands and companies that do unique gift boxes!

• Make the gifts personalized to your clients. Listen to their interests, their hobbies, etc. For example: if a client says they love camping, send them some camp mugs, a solar battery charger, or even go simple and send them an REI gift card!
• Don’t neglect things in your process that aren’t just “gifts”! For example, a welcome guide FILLED with helpful knowledge and info to make their lives easier, etc!! As well as regular check-ins via email or text, etc! They might not be “gifts” with a bow on them but it will make ALL the difference in your clients’ experience with you!!

 

Client gift ideas

Service-based businesses:

• A spa night box for them to unwind (great especially for wedding couples or busy people). 
• A bottle of champagne for the completion of the project (“pop this and celebrate!”). 
• A customized name (or brand) item. Examples: a jacket, purse, makeup bag, sweatshirt.  If you’re a wedding planner: a hand-painted jean jacket OR if you’re a brand designer: a cute sweatshirt or beanie with the new/final brand logo.
• A gift box of some of their favorite things (ex: if they love dogs, hiking, and cocktails, maybe get them some puppy toys, a hiking accessory or gift card, and a cocktail set). 
• Something related to their life season. For example: wedding photographers or planners could gift vow books or wedding planners/notebooks.

 

Product-based businesses:

• Add in a discount code for their next purchase in the package when it is shipped out. You can also send it via email, but in the box feels like a thank you. 
• Add extra goodies into their order. (Ex: jewelry maker, add in an extra set of earrings or a matching bracelet!)
• Write a hand-written note in each order. Little touches like this go a LONG way.
• Send a separate letter/postcard afterward checking in and asking how they’re liking their products (and inviting them to leave a review) include a discount code here too!

 

Show notes

Batch.ai: Batch.ai: www.batch.ai

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