When a company is created, many choose to offer a company gift with various objectives: to make themselves known, to have a detail for clients, to advertise... But, do you really know what is considered a company gift or which are the best?
Whether it's screen-printed bottles, personalized USB drives, pens, notebooks, planners… there are many different options to offer your clients. How about we lend you a hand with this?
What is a corporate gift?
First of all, we want you to fully understand what we mean by a corporate gift. Also called a promotional gift or advertising gift, it's a small token that companies give to their clients, or potential clients, primarily to build customer loyalty.
For example, a company gift can be the one that you get when you go to a fair and there is a stand of this company where they offer this type of gift for people who come by.
Another option may be when an online order is made to a store and the company decides to offer a company gift for that order, such as a pen, a notebook, etc.
The origin of corporate gifts
You might not believe it, but corporate gifts have actually existed since Ancient Egypt. Historians know that many tried to gain the personal favor of kings by offering these tokens so they would be remembered and, in some way, more inclined to grant favors when needed.
Later, in the 19th century, corporate gifts were seen as a practice done to sell, or at least to make the brand more visible and thus boost its development.
One of the first to use it for this purpose was Jasper Meeks, a printer from Coshochton, Ohio. He printed personalized backpacks with the names of local schools for a shoe store, so that when parents went to buy shoes, they received a free backpack with their child's school name. And that's where the boom began, because when a competitor realized the potential of this shoe store's strategy, they decided to do the same.
In fact, years later the first association related to corporate gifts was founded , specifically the Promotional Products International Association (PPAI) (in 1953 the Association of Manufacturers and Sellers of Advertising and Promotional Items (FYVAR) emerged in Spain).
What types of corporate gifts are there
Now that you know a little more about corporate gifts, the next thing is to know what types you can find since, in this way, you will know which ones can be the cheapest.
There are actually many types of corporate gifts, from the cheapest, which are called "courtesy" or thank-you gifts, such as pens, keychains, bags, etc., to the more sophisticated (and expensive) ones, such as Christmas baskets, electronic or computer equipment…
In general, the categories into which we can divide these gifts are :
- Office and writing material.
- Informatic and tecnology.
- Tools
- Car accessories.
- Leisure accessories.
- Home and personal care.
- Travel.
- Fashion (the typical t-shirts).
- baskets.
And what is the most economical company gift?
Actually, the most economical gifts are the complimentary ones , which cost very little, especially if bought in bulk. We're talking about pens, keychains, printed water bottles , pencils, notebooks, etc.
This type of gift should not be underestimated, since well chosen and taking into account the preferences and tastes of the users, they can generate a great impact.
How to choose corporate gifts
Every company, even an eCommerce business, should consider corporate gifts. They are an investment because they directly impact the company's advertising . Most corporate gifts are always branded with the company's name or logo, so that when the gift is used, the company is immediately associated with it. This means that, indirectly, when a product related to that company is needed, it's the first one people tend to look to.
When choosing these company gifts, you must take into account:
The type of company and products sold
To make it easier for you to understand: If you own a computer factory, giving away an apron isn't "normal" because it's not directly related to the company itself. But if you offered a power bank or a USB drive as a gift, there would be a greater chance of people remembering the company and associating it with those products.
that are practical
Giving a company gift always has a double objective. On the one hand, thank that client or person who bothers to be interested in the company; and on the other hand, that it be remembered. But if the gift you give is something that is not useful for their day to day, you will not get the person to remember that business.
Therefore, you should give away items that you know will be used, as this will keep you present in your clients' (future or present) daily lives.
Be careful with the budget
Undoubtedly, your budget is a key factor when choosing a corporate gift . Keep in mind that it's an investment you may not recoup, so you need to think about gifts that are useful but won't break the bank.
product shelf life
Finally, you should consider how long the gift will last. The longer it lasts, the greater the impact it will have on the recipient , making your company more memorable. Furthermore, it will create a positive impression, suggesting that the gift is durable and therefore reflects the quality of your products and services.
Now that you know everything you need to know about corporate gifts, it's time to look for the one that identifies with your company or eCommerce and try this advertising method that usually offers such good results. Do you dare to it?