As you probably have already noticed… I LIKE to give gifts to my clients.
And I like to provide not the ‘easy’ gift certificate, but an AMAZING gift for my clients, to say thank you! It’s just one more way to really crystallize in their minds the great ‘experience’ they’ve had from working with you.
Now don’t get me wrong… 
and don’t let there be any ‘pressure’ to come up with an amazing idea. I don’t want anything to prevent you from delivering a nice gesture gift. Just be sure to keep an eye open for different ways you can show your appreciation to your clients and prospects.
Below I’ve listed a few ideas I’ve used as client gifts, some definitely go above and beyond the norm more than others.
• Flowers – who wouldn’t love a gorgeous display of tulips, lilies or hydrangeas?
• Cookies – chocolate chip cookies are always enjoyed
• Gift Basket – something fun and delightful is easy to find
• Tea Pot – very thoughtful
• Candles – can be so unusual
• Movie passes – definitely appreciated
• Amex Gift Certificate – make sure to include a hand written note
One very successful strategy I’ve used is to show up with a gift on the very first appointment!
1. Never ever EVER Give it Away for Free – I always charge a consultation fee to meet with new clients in their home. I don’t “do” free in home consultations, despite the fact that there are some companies in my area that do provide free consultations. (I teach the how and why around this strategy, with my private clients.)
2. Gift Baskets Galore – Check to see if you have a local store that sells gift basket supplies. World Market is where I go in my area. They have a fabulous selection of sampler products – cookies, crackers, teas, coffees, etc that you can give as an introductory ‘hello’ gift. This sets the tone for working with this client.
3. Google to the Rescue – If there isn’t someplace locally, look online. You’ll find all kinds of things you can either purchase or gift ideas you can assemble… even if it’s just a simple coffee mug with a couple ribbons in your logo colors. Clients are just DELIGHTED! No one else takes the time to go above and beyond like that.
I once had a client that loved the cute little mini box of cookies I brought her, so much so that she searched everywhere, high and low, but was unable to find them. When she told me about that, I went back in my office and pulled out all the boxes I had and gave them to her. She was so thrilled! I wish you could see the delight on her face.
It’s moments like these that make working with high end clients so satisfying. Did I mention she bought an entire house full of window treatments from me, despite having gotten a lower priced quote from someone else…
Below, I’ve included a few ideas to inspire you to uplevel your next client gift!
Oh, and if you have any ideas or images of what you’ve done (or want to do), please feel free to post and upload your images below. I’d love to see and hear from you!
I’m constantly looking for new ways to up level the experience for my clients and to provide the unexpected… Do you?
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You are spot on with emphasizing how important it is to send an AMAZING gift over an “everyday” gift! I specialize in hand-selecting and customizing gifts that will create an experience of the senses as well as a personal connection. You listed some great examples here. I’ve had amazing results with quality gifts from Tastefully Simple and Lemongrass Spa; both are made in America, beautifully packaged, and create a memorable experience. Sending amazing gifts really does make you (the sender) stand out from the others.
Upon completion of a project, I’ve gifted my clients with an especially nice decorative expandable divided folder filled with snips of fabrics and paint colors (identified with details)used throughout their home. Another choice is a photo album filled with before and after photos. If it’s a gift basket of candles, I add a very pretty candle snuffer and a nice bottle of wine.
I gave one of my clients a beautifully wrapped package filled with exquisite handmade Christmas Tree decorations. I’d finished decorating her Sitting Room just in time for Christmas and as a way to say thank you I made sure they would all work beautifully with the newly refurbished room. She was very touched.
I love this idea! My last employer who I was laid off from, never gave gifts and I think it would make a difference in his repeat sales. I hope they allow us to give gifts at my new employer, I usually give homemade cookies or muffins. Do you recommend this?
I quite often give gifts to my customers and it depends on the dollar amount.
I will buy a bottle of wine but make the wine bag out of left over scraps of material or discontinued samples of silk. I sew them myself with ribbon to tie and in front I have a small bunch of grapes that is encorporated in the bow. The ends of the ribbon each have 1/2 of cork cut in half. I drill and pull ribbon through. Also I will make a tote bag out of tapestry and sew nylon belting as handles. Many of these bags are donated to a gift shop in one of our hospitals. They sell for $20 to $25.
Hi Barbara, I have often given gifts to clients, especially when they pass on referrals or when they have successfully sold following my staging. At other times if clients have been away whilst I have been working at their home then flowers are always on the side tables in the lounge and buds in small vases either side of the bed. What interests me on your post is the giving of a gift at initial consultation. At first I thought this may be seen as bribery, but like you I charge for my initial consults so a working relationship has already been established. A few years back I offered a free initial consult and once engaged by the client I would take a really nice sketch book to our next meeting so they could start to collect ideas and images. I will start to do this again, now for my initial consults and add a personalised note inside and branded ribbon. Even if they don’t progress past the initial consult they will have something to remember me by. Thanks for the nudge to get this going again. 🙂
I really enjoyed your article and the comments about gifts. My comment is about consultation fees. I just wanted to share that there is another way to look at free consultations. I have NEVER charged for an initial consultation and I’ve sold over 8,000,000 (purchased at wholesale- and sold at full retail) which is basially 60% gross profit. In other words, it is possible to be successful without charging consultation fees.
We specialise in original vintage posters (www.AntikBar.co.uk) and a lot of our purchases are from people looking to buy some more unique and unusual for a client, colleague or boss. We also give gifts to our own clients and, as you mentioned, it’s always appreciated and creates a more memorable and enjoyable experience.
At the first consultation I give a `with compliments` latest home mag wrapped in purple ribbon with my purple greeting card (and their names inside).
At completion of high end packages I leave a hamper of beautiful goodies and include children`s items. The oohs and aahs from clients ……I know they are thrilled!
Big white bunch of flowers is always cause for celebration at the first `Open House` after I`ve prestyled their property.
I like to give my clients either a beautiful bamboo or orchid. I put it in an unusual basket, vase, or pot; tie it up with raffia- so it looks more sophisticated than “store bought”.
This is always met with rave reviews and many thanks!
What a brilliant idea! Thank you for sharing it with us.