5 Client Appreciation gift ideas to show small business owners that you care
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When you're a small business owner, it can seem difficult to find affordable and usable client appreciation gifts.
Many small businesses rely on referrals and word-of-mouth to keep their small business operating. So it’s only fitting to acknowledge our appreciation with some sort of gift and gesture to show how we care.
It might not be ideal to put your logo on everything, but putting in something that highlights your small business market can work wonders for a thoughtful client appreciation gift.
You might personalize a journal, give a gift card, or create a custom gift box that shows multiple facets of your creative business. Whatever you use as a client appreciation gift, make sure to make it thoughtful and personal to your relationships with your clients.
Multi-use or Personalized Journals
I’m always scribbling away on notepads or journals. They are super handy and easy to carry around in my bag, no matter where I’m going.
Usually, I like to include a personal touch to any journals I give to someone else, whether I’m writing a short note inside or making the selection fit the recipient. To show many of your clients’ appreciation about giving you their business, you might create a personalized journal to give them and their team.
My journal of choice is from moo.com because they come in a variety of different styles and colors to choose from. You can order as many as you need or order more and create a stockpile for various clients as your small business continues to grow.
Clothing or Accessories
I’ve never met someone who didn’t appreciate a free shirt. Shirts are excellent products when ordering in bulk, but are great to promote your small business.
Even creating a shirt with your logo on the upper right-side can be helpful when paired with your brand colors on your shirt. Of course, adding hashtags or handles are some simple additions and easy ways to promote your small business while still showing client appreciation.
If you don’t want to splurge on t-shirts, see about hats, sunglasses or other accessories. For my company tailgate, we even did an order of cooling towels, and they went after 3-minutes to an hour after we opened!
Mugs or Water bottles
If you’re working with small businesses, that probably means they are trying to be as resourceful as possible.
Most of my office runs on coffee for at least a few hours and then switches to water for the rest of the day. Mugs or water bottles would be appreciated if a client took the time to send them to our department. With a small logo and similar hashtag or phrase, these client appreciation gifts are great to give the resourceful worker.
If you can, fill up the mug with coffee packets or a small supply. If it’s the holidays, you might try some hot chocolate or seasonal tea.
Gift Cards
To me, gift cards can be seen as impersonal. They don’t scream the same thought process that another client appreciation gift on this list can provide.
I do think gift cards are great for a growing small business. Even signing them up for something like Amazon Prime or Amazon Business can be a big help. If they’re already registered, you might see what they need and donate an item, like you would a wedding or baby registry.
Even if you provide a $5 gift card to Starbucks, this client appreciation gift idea can help them focus more on growing their small business.
Gift Boxes
This client appreciation idea is excellent because it allows you to put multiple things into one box.
If you can’t decide what to get your client as an appreciation gift, consider putting together a collection of things. You can find pens, journals, a gift card, and maybe glasses cleaning cloth to compile into a custom made gift box to show appreciation.
If you’re looking for more ideas, I love looking through Marigold and Grey’s options for custom client appreciation gift ideas. They aren’t cheap, but they are a great resource for returning client appreciation gift ideas or notable events.
Client Appreciation gifts don’t have to be elaborate or costly but showing a little gratitude towards your customers is uplifting and rewarding. Even the smallest of gifts can lift another small business’ spirits and show your gratitude for their support of your small business.
You don’t need to spend an elaborate amount on each gift, but making a personal gift for a reliable customer is a small thing to do to show someone their importance in your life.
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