Eco & Budget-Friendly Client Appreciation Gifts

It's important to show our clients and colleagues that we care. It makes us stand apart from our competitors, it shows appreciation for their business and it also is considered "the nice thing to do."

This year, why not make your client promotions work for you? In other words, how about not just sending a store-bought box of chocolates and calling it good… What about sending that box of chocolates with your logo printed on the box cover and with a handwritten note on your company’s stationery?

Below is a list of customer appreciation promo ideas I’ve come up with that are sure to show your clients that you care, plus, they’re all eco-friendly and they won’t break your bank!

Bottle of Wine:
This is what I give my clients each year for the holidays. Through PersonalWine.com, I can create my own custom-designed wine label. This reminds my clients of my abilities as a graphic designer while adding a personal touch. More importantly though, the bottle is 100% recyclable, as I indicate on my wine labels.

Host an Open House:
What’s better than getting the chance to thank your customers face-to-face? It’s very personal, plus, it shows effort. Set up your office space for a few appetizers and drinks and unlock your doors. This allows you to keep your costs low. The only waste is those paper plates and cups that are left to be recycled. By inviting your customers in, they're getting a first-hand glance at your operations. This gives the business "a face," therefore becoming more familiar to the individual. The more one knows you and your company, the more likely they are to want to work with you.

Make Your Own Fruit Baskets:
Add a personal touch to your fruit baskets! Purchase used decorative baskets at garage sales or on Ebay then go to your local market for some organic, local produce. Fill the baskets and add a personalized note and a few business cards and/or brochures. You’re supporting your local agriculture, reusing someone’s unwanted baskets, providing your customer with updated company literature, and giving a gift that’s more personal.

Coffee and a Chat:
This could take a while depending on how large your client list is, but what if you called up each customer and offered to buy them a cup of coffee? With no agenda in mind, you could sit down with your client and truly get to know them. Explain how important their business is to you and how much you truly appreciate them. Offer a few business cards and a few brochures should the person want to send you referrals. Everyone knows time is valuable, so the gesture will be highly appreciated, along with the free drink. Remember to recycle your cups, and at roughly $3.50 per drink, this one’s a bargain!

Coordinate a Discount:
Join forces with another business in your area that could be beneficial to your client base. Instead of spending the money on actual gifts, work out some sort of cross-promotion. For example, a copywriter may be a useful service to my clients. If I were to work out a deal with said writer for a free consultation for each client (and their clients for me, likewise), they would actually be receiving something their business might truly benefit from. Plus, other than paying to print a voucher on recycled paper, you have a cost-free gift that could result in several new clients for each business.

When wallets get a little tight, and when trying to keep an environmentally friendly approach in mind, all it means is that we need to be a little more creative. Furthermore, I think it truly is the thought that counts.