Keely Lords
Brand Manager
Cue the holiday season—a time for festive cheer, warm wishes, and... gifts! It’s the season of giving, but in the world of business, it’s also the season of strategy. As teams gear up for end-of-year campaigns, everyone is focused on one thing: finishing strong.
But here’s Santa’s secret: corporate gifting isn't just about spreading joy—it’s a powerful tool that can supercharge your holiday campaigns to get noticed. From the first touchpoint to the final thank-you, gifts for clients can help each GTM team hit their holiday goals.
Let’s explore how marketing, sales, and customer success teams can take a tip from Santa.
Marketing: Wrapping Your Campaigns in Creativity
Marketers know the drill: you’ve got to get your brand noticed amidst a sea of holiday emails, social ads, and flashy promotions. Your prospects are already bombarded with holiday content, so how do you ensure your brand doesn’t get lost in the noise? Hint: corporate gifting is the bow on top.
Boosting Awareness and Engagement
Sending out thoughtful, branded items that align with your campaign theme is a great way to make your marketing efforts stand out. Imagine including a creative, personalized gift in a direct mail campaign or even using gifts as incentives for participation in holiday contests or giveaways.
For example, a marketing campaign that celebrates the idea of a stress-free software solution could include gifts for clients like cozy blankets or luxury candles from local artisans. Not only does this elevate your brand, but it also encourages engagement by connecting with recipients on a personal level.
Personalizing Campaigns
Customers are more likely to respond positively to marketing campaigns that feel tailored to them. Use corporate gifting to enhance your personalization strategy by sending gifts based on specific customer segments.
For instance, an eco-conscious segment might appreciate a sustainable gift like a reusable tote or bamboo utensils, while tech-savvy recipients could enjoy a branded Airpod stand or wireless charger.
Incentivizing Action
Let’s face it: everyone loves a good deal, but people love free stuff even more. Offering small, thoughtful gifts as an incentive for actions—such as signing up for a webinar, downloading a whitepaper, or filling out a survey—can boost your marketing efforts tenfold. These gifts don’t have to be extravagant; even small tokens like branded notepads, tote bags, and bento boxes can encourage action while reinforcing your brand’s visibility.
Sales: Sealing the Deal with Seasonal Gifting
For sales teams, the holiday season is more than just a time for closing deals—it’s the prime opportunity to nurture relationships. And what better way to keep your prospects warm and engaged than with a thoughtful gift?
Opening Doors with Gifts
First impressions are everything, and during the holidays, it’s crucial to start on the right foot. A well-timed, thoughtful gift can open doors that might have remained closed otherwise. For sales reps reaching out to new prospects or trying to re-engage with cold leads, sending a small holiday gift can break the ice based on a time of year when gifting isn’t out of place.
Try this: instead of just sending a cold email, send a handwritten note attached to a gift like a mini gourmet treat.
Gifting as a Follow-Up Strategy
You’ve had a great sales demo or meeting with a prospect, and now comes the follow-up. Sending a gift as part of your follow-up process can keep your company top-of-mind and show that you genuinely appreciate their time. Consider sending something practical yet thoughtful, such as a high-quality branded notebook or a box of holiday treats.
Not only does this provide an excellent reason to reach out again, but it also strengthens the relationship, making it more likely that the prospect will move further down the sales funnel.
Sealing the Deal with Holiday Cheer
Closing deals during the holidays is often challenging due to the sheer volume of distractions. Corporate gifting can help focus the conversation. When a prospect is on the fence, a small, carefully chosen gift can be the nudge they need to finalize the decision. Imagine sending a prospect a custom painted bottle of champagne as a final token of appreciation before they sign on the dotted line.
Customer Success: Spreading Holiday Joy to Keep Clients Engaged
Customer Success teams are responsible for maintaining long-term relationships and ensuring clients remain happy and engaged with your brand. During the holidays, it’s time to go beyond just the usual emails or calls and show your appreciation in a more personal way.
Celebrating Client Milestones
The holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate customer’s milestones. By sending thoughtful gifts to commemorate these successes, you not only strengthen the bond but also show that you are paying attention to their journey. Personalized gifts for clients based on their specific milestones—like a branded award, a custom ornament, or a unique keepsake—can make your clients feel special.
Thank-You Gifts for Client Loyalty
Loyalty deserves to be rewarded. Sending thank-you gifts during the holidays is a timely way to let your clients know that their loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed. Consider including a handwritten note from their dedicated customer success rep to add that personal touch. Including their name or initials on the gift instead of your brand’s logo is a good way to show that the gift is about them and not about your company.
Encouraging Referrals with Gifting
If the holidays are about spreading joy, then it’s also a great time to spread the word, and gifting can help nudge your clients in that direction. Sending a small token of appreciation along with a referral request can increase the likelihood that clients will recommend your services to others.
For example, offer clients a small gift like a holiday sugar cookie making kit in exchange for referring a friend or colleague. The added incentive makes it more likely that your clients will take action.
Wrap Up Your Year On A High Note
The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to prepare than by equipping your marketing, sales, and customer success teams with a tool to gift at scale with ease? Whether you’re looking to increase brand awareness, close deals, or strengthen client relationships, well-timed and thoughtful gifts for clients can elevate your efforts across all teams.
Ready to kick your holiday gifting strategy into high gear? Book a demo with Postal today, and let us help you craft the perfect multi-team gifting approach to finish the year strong.
