Choosing Perfect Gifts for Business Clients

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Choosing a gift for a client can be a minefield. Go too generic and it will look like an afterthought. Yet getting the perfect, personalized gift can be tough, especially with a person you only have a business relationship with. In the following article, we discuss a range of considerations when choosing a gift for a client.  

Noting a Client’s Interests

Even if your discussions are fleeting and business-orientated, you may still have gleaned some information regarding your client's interests. It could be from a passing conversation or a note from another colleague. Even then, a quick dive into their social media accounts and Google can provide the information you need on their hobbies and favourite pastimes.  

Once you have this information, you can begin researching the perfect gift. Keep in mind that it is not about how much you spend. The fact you have taken time and effort to align with their interests is where the key is. 

You may find they have an interest in art, and you can buy them a painting or even literature about the subject. Sports fans are one of the easiest to buy for. Sports like horse racing now even let you buy horse racing gifts that can be redeemed for shares in a syndicate. This provides the client with their own share in a real racehorse. They are then able to keep track of its progress online. While this may be harder to do with sports like football and F1, you will still find many options online with a little work.  

Go Local

Photo by Leone Venter on Unsplash

If your client works in the same area and has a local focus, use this when choosing your gifts. As two businesses in the local community, supporting others shows your commitment and the values of your company.  

There will be a range of craftsmen in the local area ready to help you. You could get gifts or items created by local ironmongers or glassblowers. Even if your budget is slimmer, florists and chocolatiers should be available to provide a fantastic gift. Finally, look at local experiences so your client may get the chance to attempt some of these activities themselves.  

What to Avoid When Choosing Client Gifts 

There are a few pitfalls that are easily avoided when choosing a client gift. The first is to avoid anything that comes across as promotional. Nothing should have your company branding or logo on it. This shows the gift was just a way of promoting your services, instead of thanking someone personally for what they have done.  

Also, make sure the gift is of quality. Quality does not always equate with price. This means checking reviews and ratings on the items you are buying. You don't want to invest in something and come off looking cheap, especially if you do end up paying a lot of money for the gift.
  
By using these pointers, you should be able to find the perfect client gift. It only takes a bit of research and your client will appreciate the effort you have put into finding them the right item.