It's that time of year again. Should your business give out holiday gifts?
I think every customer (and supplier) deserves to be thanked, and what better time than the new year to do it? But as a budding "Donald Trump", what kind of a gift can you give that won't break your budget? And who exactly should you send gifts to?
You should try to reach as many recipients as you can, obviously. If you can't reach everybody, start with your best customers and suppliers. The impact of the gift is more the fact that you cared to send it, rather than how big or fancy it is. So if you are working with a small budget, send small gifts. A magnet or bookmark can be placed inside of a card.
Try to make the gift relevant to your business, so that the customer thinks of you when they see/use it. If you can send one of your own products as a gift, even better.
Try to stay away from gifts branded with your logo, unless it's very subtle. Otherwise the recipient might think that you are advertising more than thanking him. (You are doing a little of that, but we don't need to be too obvious here...)
Don't give anything with religious overtones. It's impossible to know which holidays each of your customers celebrates, and you risk offending someone.
If possible, add a hand-written note or sign the card yourself. That will really make an impact in today's digital world!
And, if you live in the USA, remember to check IRS rules. Part or all of what you spend on holiday gifts may be tax-deductible.
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