Forget boring business tactics. Corporate gifting is your secret weapon to improve your brand image and relationships.

Enrich your relationships: Each thoughtful interaction deposits currency and builds rapport. The more personalized and timely your corporate gifting strategy is, the more your balance grows—turning clients into loyal fans and employees into brand advocates.

Imprint Engine empowers you with our one-stop shop, helping you:

  • Find the perfect gifts
  • Sourced globally
  • Handle all shipping

This article will highlight the benefits you’ll reap by playing smart and how to create a star strategy.

Looking for inspiration? Check out our related blog post for business merchandise ideas

Need to Skim? Key Takeaways

  • Corporate gifting is a strategic tool that enhances relationships, boosts brand image, and turns clients into loyal fans and employees into brand advocates, making it an essential part of modern business etiquette.
  • Building a successful corporate gifting strategy involves personalization, partnering with a one-stop-shop like us, using automation tools like IEX for efficiency, and tailoring gifts to the audience to ensure they are memorable and impactful.
  • To ensure corporate gifting is profitable, businesses should track ROI through detailed reporting and analytics, set clear objectives and KPIs, and refine their strategy based on the popularity and engagement metrics of different gifts.

Benefits of Building a Corporate Gifting Strategy

A corporate gifting strategy that reflects your brand’s identity is an essential to modern business etiquette. Let’s talk about its benefits:

Retain Your Clients

It costs five times more to attract new customers than to keep your current roster happy. Forget the generic sales tactics.

A thoughtful gift says “We appreciate your business” louder than words. It’s a personal touch that transforms one-time buyers into smooth and steady partners. Who doesn’t want that?

Connect With Potential Customers

First impressions matter! A well-timed gift can be the perfect introduction to potential customers.

Think of it as an invitation saying “We’re excited to work with you!” This unexpected gesture sets your brand apart and paves the way for a successful business relationship. Whether it be a branded sweater or mug, the small gestures warm you.

Build Relationships With Your Employees

Employees are the heart of your company. Sadly (but not surprisingly), two-thirds of employees are disengaged. So, recognizing their hard work through gifts can significantly boost morale.

It’s a simple message: “We see you, we value you, and we’re glad you’re here.”

Happy employees equal more engagement, productivity, and loyalty. And if you ask us, that’s a win-win!

Are you looking for employee appreciation gift ideas? We’ve got you covered.

Curate an Impactful Brand Experience

Corporate gifting, when done right, is an art form. And it can help unbox a brand experience like no other. It’s about weaving your brand story into the very fabric of your gifts.

And this is where Imprint Engine shines.

We help you select and design gifts that are memorable and deeply aligned with what your brand stands for. Each gift tells a story and every unboxing becomes an experience that reinforces your message and values. From technology gadgets to coffee mugs for when employees need a recharge, to golf attire clients can wear proudly, your brand is present at the moments they need it the most.

Looking for gift inspiration? Check out our blog post on corporate gifting trends.

How to Build a Corporate Gifting Strategy That Makes a Splash

Creating a corporate gifting strategy that stands out is all about personalization and impact.

Studies already show that giving is not enough; what matters is that the gift has an impact and stays in people’s minds.

Here, we will show you the ropes for crafting an unforgettable corporate gifting strategy.

Create Something Memorable and Personal (it’s a subtle art)

Regarding gifting, we tread a delicate balance between creating meaningful connections and avoiding the trap of turning recipients into walking billboards. Whether for employees or clients, the essence remains the same: a gift should resonate personally, leaving a lasting impression.

Our philosophy? Subtlety over shouting. Brand visibility is encouraged for internal employees—after all, they’re part of the company fabric. But when it comes to gifting, subtlety reigns supreme. Instead of blazing logos on the side, we opt for more discreet approaches. Perhaps your icon is subtly placed inside a bag flap or an elegantly embossed emblem. The key is ensuring they remember who gave it, not the brand itself.

Partner With a One-Stop-Shop Vendor Like Imprint Engine

Corporate gifting can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. Juggling multiple vendors, sourcing unique items, and navigating the complexities of global shipping can eat away at your valuable time.

With Imprint Engine, you can say goodbye to that hassle.

From sourcing unique items to handling global shipping logistics, we take the burden off your shoulders..

This means you can focus on what you do best—running your business—while Imprint Engine ensures your gifts are delivered on time and with the utmost care.

Use a Corporate Gifting Software to Automate the Entire Process

IEX is our answer to simplifying your corporate gifting process.

With IEX, you can automate gift selection, customization, and distribution with just a few clicks. This is everything that you need in a corporate gifting platform.

It’s designed to save you time and eliminate the guesswork of gifting. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your mental lists stacked neatly instead of in a flurry?

Whether you’re sending out a few high-end items or thousands of holiday gifts, IEX handles it with precision and efficiency. Whew. Finally, something to lighten your workload.

Tap into Seasonality

Seasonal gifting is a golden opportunity to showcase your company’s thoughtfulness and awareness.

For example, a gift embodying the spirit of warmth (like a jacket weathered for winter) can significantly impact the holiday season. Remember summer, too! Whether it be custom beach towels or linen golf shirts.

These gifts demonstrate that you’re not just following a calendar; you’re actively seeking ways to make every occasion special.

Tailor to Your Audiences

As the marketing saying goes, ‘Know thy audience.’ Take the time to curate gifts that align with your recipients’ interests so that each gift feels personal and thoughtful.

For instance, tech gadgets might be the perfect fit for a startup, while a luxury pen set could be ideal for a law firm (we all know that one person who gets mad if you steal that one pen).

When your gifts resonate with the receiver, they are valued and used, not forgotten in the drawer.

Refine the Details

The devil is in the details; nowhere is this more accurate than corporate gifting. From the packaging to the presentation, every element of your gift should show the quality and care your brand stands for.

From the fine materials to writing and not to mention wavy graphics, every thread and font count. At Imprint Engine, we also ensure that every gift is a joy to unwrap, leaving a lasting impression of your brand’s attention to detail.

Sync Up With Sales

Nailing a sales meeting? That’s just part one. The real magic happens when you follow up with something memorable, like a custom notebook, a cozy quarter-zip sweater, or a sleek pen. It’s a subtle yet effective nudge to keep those warm leads on the burner.

This strategy shines after both face-to-face discussions and phone calls. And for an extra layer of sincerity, why not drop a handwritten thank you note in the mix? It adds a personal touch that oozes with authenticity.

Is Corporate Gifting Profitable? Here’s How to Check

Corporate gifting is profitable if it aligns with your business objectives, resonates with your target audience, and yields a measurable return on investment. Here’s how to check:

Track Your ROI with Smart Gifting

Think store credit is just for personal shopping? Think again! Using store credit is a critical component in gauging the profitability of your corporate gifting strategy.

Our Imprint Engine’s IEX platform offers comprehensive reporting and analytics, allowing you to track the usage of store credits.

By analyzing this data, you can gain valuable insights into the popularity of different gifts and their impact on engagement. This intel helps you refine your strategy and ensure your gifting program is a money-maker, not a budget-buster.

Gifts as Marketing Magic

Your marketing efforts can skyrocket with a corporate gifting strategy done right.

Is brand awareness your goal? Gifts can be walking billboards. Strengthening relationships? The right gift says volumes. Driving sales? A well-timed gift can seal the deal.

Also, set measurable goals, reap measurable rewards.

Don’t fly blind. Set clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for your gifting program. Think of them as your roadmap to success. These metrics will help you measure your program’s effectiveness and make adjustments to maximize its impact – and, of course, its profitability.

By following these steps, you can transform creative corporate gift ideas from a cost center to a profit powerhouse. It’s about forging connections, building brand loyalty, and ultimately, boosting your bottom line.

We’re Ready When You Are

Corporate gifting isn’t just about presents; it’s subtle yet powerful. It’s well-timed and well-thought-out. And let’s be honest, it can be quite a task (especially if you’re going solo). Here are a few of our favorites to help get your engine started.

We’re here to assist you in connecting with clients, employees, and potential customers. Interested? Shoot us a message.

Build a brand experience that lives on.