As a customer success manager, your top priority is keeping your clients happy. Why? Because a happy, engaged customer is a loyal customer! Positive customer experiences are increasingly important, with 45.9% of clients now prioritizing quality experiences over price (20.5%) or product (33.6%). Even better, 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for an exceptional experience. For customer success managers and marketers, this means that investing in every touchpoint is essential to building trust and loyalty that endures.
Corporate gifting and direct mail provide opportunities to surprise and delight customers in memorable ways, setting the foundation for stronger, long-term relationships. Curious about how to make gifting a key part of your customer engagement strategy? Keep reading for actionable insights and impactful corporate gift ideas
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Here are the Best Corporate Gifting Ideas for Q4 2024.
As a customer success manager, your focus is on reducing churn and boosting satisfaction by connecting personally with customers and ensuring they succeed with your product or service.
Corporate gifting might seem like something only marketing or sales should use, but it's incredibly effective for strengthening and nurturing existing customer relationships. Here are just a few benefits of using gifting and direct mail in customer success:
- Strengthen relationships: Personal touches build loyalty and deepen connections.
- Boost advocacy: Happy customers refer others, driving new business.
- Increase retention: Valued customers show 25% higher lifetime value (LTV).
- Drive upsells: Engaged clients are more open to exploring new offerings.
- Stay top of mind: Regular touchpoints keep your brand front and center for repeat business.
BILL Spend and Expense, used Reachdesk’s corporate gifting platform to enhance relationships with their clients. Their approach resulted in increased brand awareness, with delighted customers sharing their appreciation on LinkedIn:
10 key moments to use corporate gifting and direct mail for customer engagement
Building strong customer relationships takes ongoing care. It’s not just about impressing during onboarding and then fading away—it’s about showing you value their business at every step. And keeping customers happy doesn’t need to be costly; the most impactful gifts are those that are personal and relevant.
Thoughtful corporate gifting throughout the customer journey can reinforce your commitment in memorable ways. Here are 10 key moments to maximize engagement through gifting:
1. Onboarding new customers
Make a great first impression by welcoming new customers with a gift that introduces your brand’s personality. For example, a branded mug with premium coffee or a customized notebook can help new customers feel appreciated from day one. Adding a personal, handwritten note expressing excitement about the partnership can strengthen this initial bond and lay the foundation for a long-lasting relationship.
2. Rewarding product usage and engagement
Celebrate customers’ achievements in adopting and using your product by sending small, motivating gifts. For instance, if a customer reaches a usage milestone or completes a product certification, reward them with something relevant like branded merchandise, personalized chocolates or a small eGift card. This encourages further product engagement and shows customers that their efforts and loyalty are valued.
3. Encouraging completion of key actions
If you're waiting on customers to complete onboarding steps or try your new feature, consider offering a small incentive, like a lunch voucher, to encourage them when they reach milestones. For instance, if they submit a required form or attend a training session, a simple “lunch on us” can express gratitude while driving engagement.
Don’t be afraid to be creative too! A perfect illustration comes from Reachdesk customer Automation Anywhere, which launched a holiday-themed feature launch campaign for their AARI "bot." Customers across Europe received custom gingerbread elf biscuits, each beautifully packaged in a branded sleeve with a QR code directing them to AARI.com. This campaign effectively merged festive cheer with a clear call to action, encouraging feature adoption while expressing appreciation.
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4. Reengaging inactive accounts
When a customer has gone quiet, a thoughtfully chosen gift can serve as a reminder that you’re there to support them. For instance, send a care package or cozy blanket with a note along the lines of, “We’re here when you’re ready to reconnect!” This warm approach not only captures their attention but also reopens the line of communication.
5. Enhancing virtual and in-person customer events
Corporate gifting can significantly enhance the experience of attending your events, whether they're virtual or hybrid. Consider sending a branded cocktail kit for a virtual happy hour or a self-care package for an industry webinar—these thoughtful additions can boost attendance, create memorable experiences, and associate your brand with positive moments.
A great example of this is when Reachdesk designed a thoughtful bundle for Mindtickle’s C-level executives during a two-hour product-focused conversation. The package included earbuds, a wooden coaster, a collapsible water bottle, tech wipes, and a tasty mango snack, all beautifully presented. This campaign achieved an impressive 65.6% redemption rate and generated 29 opportunities, two of which were won.
6. Celebrating customer milestones and achievements
When a customer achieves something significant—such as a product launch, sales milestone, or industry recognition—join in the celebration. Send them something meaningful like a congratulatory cake or a high-end pen set. This gesture of acknowledgment reinforces the notion that you’re not just a vendor but a true partner in their success.
7. Creating opportunities for upsell conversations
Gifting can serve as an effective icebreaker when introducing upsell opportunities. For instance, if you’re rolling out a new feature that could benefit an existing customer, consider sending a coffee and snack bundle with a note saying, “Let’s chat over coffee about how this new feature could benefit you.” This gentle nudge encourages engagement without feeling like a hard sell.
A creative example of this approach comes from our client, SAP Concur Canada. They aimed to promote their add-on services, and Reachdesk helped create two unique bundles: one featuring olive oil and balsamic vinegar to highlight “the perfect add-on” and another with a coffee kit and mug for “the perfect pair.” The campaign's success led to an increase in demand, prompting them to double their initial order from 100 to 200 bundles.
8. Running seasonal campaigns to stay top-of-mind
Use holiday corporate gifting to spread cheer and stay relevant with your clients. Send a festive treat box during the winter holidays or a summer “refreshment kit” filled with iced tea and snacks. Seasonal gifts demonstrate that you care about your customers beyond transactional interactions, keeping your brand top-of-mind in a fun way.
For inspiration, look at illumin's Wimbledon-themed bundle, which featured branded tennis balls, custom socks, and tennis pasta, all packaged beautifully with a note expressing their appreciation for customers and prospects.
9. Acknowledging personal milestones
Recognizing personal milestones, such as birthdays or work anniversaries, is a powerful way to humanize the customer relationship. Consider a small gift like a personalized plant pot or a wellness kit. These gestures communicate that you see your clients as people, not just accounts, and add a personal touch to the business relationship.
10. Say thank you to your star advocates and drive referrals
Loyal customers who advocate for your brand or refer new clients deserve recognition. Consider offering tiered appreciation gifts, ranging from coffee vouchers for testimonials to more elaborate gift boxes for high-value referrals. A heartfelt message like, “Thank you for helping us grow!” can further emphasize your gratitude.
For instance, Balto sent a thoughtful bundle to their partners and ambassadors, strengthening relationships and generating excitement for their ambassador program.
Build customer relationships that last with Reachdesk
Corporate gifting and direct mail are powerful tools for strengthening customer relationships and enhancing engagement at every stage of your customer’s journey. When done thoughtfully, these gestures help show customers you value their business and are committed to their success. Why not start building these impactful moments into your customer success strategy today by partnering with a corporate gifting platform that cares about driving real results? Book your demo to see Reachdesk in action now.
