Hi Community ~ What's a good, low-budget yet classy holiday gift idea for virtual business clients?
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Dec 4, 2012
Wanted to leave an update for all my thoughtful respondents: I went with a local artisan chocolatier who creates raw, organic, handmade chocolates in scrumptious flavors ~ just sent the boxes out yesterday. Thanks to everyone for your inspired suggestions!
Oct 17, 2012
In view of the nature of your business - where most of your clients are seeking inspiration, a vision, an understanding and then a clearer path to their goals (and bearing in mind that you already produce e-books), might I suggest that your answer should be to provide something extra, from within your own vision of your business, that is exclusively for your clients. Perhaps an exclusive miniature e-book "limited edition" - you could keep it simple to something like an e-calendar - with weekly motivational phrases inserted. You only need 52 short sentences and you have created a gift that they may well look at every day of the year - so a marketing boon that costs only the time you put into it - and personalised in that it is a gift unique to you - if it is a success - it also removes an annual headache
Oct 17, 2012
Thanks for the response, Amara... OK then - starting again - why not give to one what you specialise in the other - like the businesses I run, there is always an overlap, even if it doesn't immediately hit you, but as you are the common denominator that drew your clients in both fields to your services, there will be a crossover that is attractive in one, for the other :-)
Oct 18, 2012
Another sound suggestion, Gaile! Usually the business clients end up receiving coaching as a matter of course, although not usually labeled as such, lol. I really appreciate everyone's energy around this topic. I've got ideas for several years now :-)
Oct 20, 2012
I like your suggestions, Gaile. Work on 52 inspirational statements / thoughts and after posting one/day, you have an eBook, tips booklet, or downloadable complementary product when you repurpose them!
Oct 16, 2012
a cheap gift is just that, a cheap gift. If you are a small company invest the money back into your products and service. Customers will leave you based on your products and service and giving them a low-budget "cheap" gift will not keep them.
Oct 16, 2012
Um, that's not how I described my request, Chris. I agree that cheap is tacky, but there are lots of inspired suggestions on here that are very affordable as well as unique.
Oct 16, 2012
Amara, As a business owner its difficult to determine what someone likes that will not be the same run of the mill thing. In one of my businesses I found something that I use throughout my others to thanks my clients. Perhaps it will be of value to you also
https://www.amway.com/kod2/Shop/Product/Category.aspx/gift-cards-by-ribbon?_sort=Item%7CA&_va=y
See if they meet your needs and budget
Good luck
Kevin
Oct 16, 2012
Star Bucks card, ipod or iphone "your logo" mini speakers (smaller than an egg) - good sound, Fandango movie tickets. Best, Steven
Oct 16, 2012
We have cool and new gadget StartUp in our prtfolio http://www.clickandgrow.com/
We use to gift Smart flower pots to our different clients and they are happy:-)
Oct 17, 2012
I watched the video and love the Click and Grow concept. What happens once the plant is grown, do you just keep watering it like any other? Such a cool idea. I once owned an "air plant" that needed no water at all.
Oct 29, 2012
Hei Amara, When plant is grow you can easily replace refill with some new plant.
Oct 16, 2012
You may offer a special holiday discount or even a free service. You may determine the expiration date of either the holiday discount or free service,
NOTE: I gave this answer AFTER I saw someone already suggested the brilliant idea. Great minds think alike!
Oct 16, 2012
Thanks, Marlo! I did a bit of a double-take when I saw your name, but I bet you've gotten that all your life :-)
Oct 15, 2012
In my opinion you can send them to Greece !
Mykonos , Santorini , Corfu , Athens !
Oct 16, 2012
Touche, or maybe even three! If I ever travel to Greece I will be sure to look you up!
Oct 12, 2012
Why not give the gift of another client's product or service? That's what I'm planning to do this year. I have several clients who are in the culinary field. I have others who are service providers, and I plan to buy one client's service to give to another client.
Oct 13, 2012
Freda, brilliant suggestion, thank you! I don't know if it'll work given the clients I have (most of the products/services are not nearly as appealing as food, lol!) but the concept is great.
Oct 16, 2012
Hi Amara, you're welcome and I'm glad you like the idea. One of my clients sells green janitorial supplies. I'll order a package from her, too, something my clients can use in their home w/o the worries of contaminating themselves and their environment. It's kind of like paying it forward, or backward. Something like that! LOL It might take some ingenuity to give away a service, but I'm sure you will come up with just the right thing.
Dec 22, 2012
I really like this idea once you have a major success on your hands. The first time a client goes big, gifting their wares or services is a way to announce to your other clients that you helped this client make it. It is a stong statement of presence. Unfortunately, it is difficult to do correctly.
I do want to say that I love the cleaning product idea because you may help your client build their business. It shows both how you remember each client and how you go out of your way for them. Kudos.
Oct 12, 2012
Rose,
If you only know them from email relations, try to do a little bit of side research and run some searches on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media platforms. Run some searches and you can find more about them.
Oct 12, 2012
Thanks, John. I have connected with my clients on all online platforms. What I meant was, I don't necessarily have much insight into some of their personal lives/tastes, even those I've spoken with; not everyone is forthcoming about their personal lives :-)
Oct 17, 2012
Well, if you are connected on any level of Social Media ... you might want to "spy" a little bit on reading on their Walls on FB, to see what they show interests for ... their hobbies or likes ( 4x4 mud rides, inclination towards pets, frequent mentions of different shows, trekkies or any other frequent mentions ).
I know, it is a tedious job, but if you want to personalize your approach, that is the way to go :)
Oct 12, 2012
I usually give something that is delivered like chocolate. I find gifts that express an emotional connection with them are the best remembered. I gave out chocolate lollipops one year and my clients raved about how much their children enjoyed them. Another year I gave out very expensive single malt scotch and I got one or two thank you's. It is the emotional connection of the gift that will pay dividends.
Oct 12, 2012
Thanks, Gordon! Where do you find your suppliers? Do you simply Google the idea and go with the company that seems the best match? Chocolate lollipops sound divine ...
Oct 12, 2012
I use my local chocolatier, one recommended by Food and Wine, anything in New York City or, when those fail, Amazon. They have and ship everything.
Oct 12, 2012
Buy them the book, I Can't Believe I Get Paid to Do This! It is full of inspirational stories and success strategies of highly successful people. You can find it on Amazon:)
Oct 12, 2012
Non referral based gift card or gift certificates, compliments only, no profiteering. The clients will remember your generosity and return the favor or refer you business in perputuity.
Oct 12, 2012
Hi Stacie ~
Thanks! Do you have a specific gift card/certificate in mind to suggest? Stephen Fielder recommended an Amazon gift card.
Oct 12, 2012
There is no one-size-fits all answer.
The best way to determine the most appropriate gift is to first understand your clients. Once you have determined the personality of your client and the image/ message you want the gift to convey, then regardless of which website you visit, your chances of finding the best gift will be easier.
The worst gift to give is one that looks like a "just give this to everyone" type gift. There are promotional product companies that offer classy, inexpensive gifts that are designed to also carry your brand imprint. Be careful, once it begins to look like advertising, it is not longer a gift.
Oct 12, 2012
Thanks, Sumner. I only know most of these folks via email, so while we have friendly business relationships and I know a bit of some personal lives, I don't know most well enough to match a gift to personality. I agree wholeheartedly, however: the more personal the gift, the better.
Oct 12, 2012
I personally think nothing beats an Amazon Gift card. They're versatile, allow the giftee to get exactly what they want and it's really easy to transfer virtually over long distances.
If you're looking for something that's a little more hip and is an actual good, I suggest checking out either birchbox.com (for males or females) or bespokepost.com (for males).
Oct 12, 2012
Thanks Stephen! All good suggestions, and the latter two are new resources to me.
Gaile, thank you so much. I actually have dual enterprises that overlap somewhat: spiritually-focused coaching/mentoring/writing, and business marketing support, the latter of which is what I showcase on sites like mosaicHUB, and the target audience about whom I made the gift request. I know all about my personal development clients, lol, it's the very essence of the work! I apologize for not clarifying, and thank you for being interested enough to look at my profile and/or website :-)