When sourcing branded promotional items for your business, think strategically about who the gift is going to, and how they will perceive it. Here are six things to consider in the planning stages and to ensure your brief to your promo supplier is as clear as possible. Happy gifting!
1. Define your recipients. Are they internal or external?
Internal recipients are your members of staff. External recipients are any clients, either past, present or prospective, and anyone who is involved with your organisation in any other way aside from forming a part of the organisation itself. Your marketing strategy will most likely already be targeting your external stakeholders. Why not add merchandise to the marketing mix!
2. What are their demographics?
When choosing promotional products and corporate gifts, consider age, gender and location. Location is important! If they live across the country, think about a premium gift that will travel easily. That means nothing too heavy, bulky or fragile (like a coffee mug).
Promotional clothing, picnic blankets, flash drives are easy travellers. Another tip: don’t send anything that could melt or be affected by temperature or that could be damaged during transport!
3. What are their interests?
A thoughtful gift that reflects the interests of your recipient goes a long way in building relationships. Try to understand what kind of gift would be meaningful to your target audience or type of client and design a solution around that.
4. What is the occasion?
Is the gift for a holiday or specific season? Is it to celebrate a special occasion? Or even just a thank you gift?
Marketing companies are often responsible for sourcing high-quality promotional gifts and merchandise for their clients. Some gifting occasions that might be relevant to a business are:
- Branded customer merchandise
- Conference/trade show giveaways
- Christmas / Easter gifts
- Client/vendor thank you gifts
- Gift baskets
- Employee induction packs
- Brand launches
- Employee recognition
- Staff travel packs
- Birthdays
- Special events
- Personalised gifts
- Reward programs / incentive gifts
Check out 10 Ways to Grow Your Business With Promotional Tees – branded t-shirts are easy to produce, affordable and can be used for a range of occasions.
5. How will you customise your gift?
Before making any decisions, ask yourself how branding this item will affect the value of the gift? Use clever design to integrate your brand onto the item in a sophisticated yet eye-catching way.
6. How will you package your gift?
Customised packaging can make a memorable first impression. Procurement managers are often overwhelmed with the extensive range of packaging, from customised boxes, bags, wrapping paper, and ribbon to choose from – all in a range of materials. Get creative and give the packaging a long-term use as well! Instead of a traditional basket in your hamper, consider an esky, tote bag, or metal bucket.
Download our 30+ page Corporate Gifting Guide to find out how you can make corporate gifting and branded promo products work for your business.
If you want to get in touch with a Total Uniform Solutions Account Manager to discuss your gifting or merchandise program, call us on +61 7 3666 0110 or email hello@uniform.com.au.