The Etiquette Of Advertising Business Gifts
Author: Gareth Parkin

Giving gifts to your customers is a long-established way of
advertising your business while showing your appreciation for
their trade. Advertising business gifts run the range from
imprinted key rings and rulers to expensive leather portfolios
and laptop cases. Both inexpensive and exclusive executive
gifts have their proper place, and choosing the right
advertising business gift can leave the gift recipient feeling
warm and receptive about your company.

There are some rules of thumb to keep in mind when choosing
your advertising business gifts. One of the more important is
the 80/20 rule – 80% of your business comes from 20% of your
customers. That 20% should get special handling when it comes
to gift-giving time, and there are many opportunities for
giving gifts that show your appreciation of their trade. Among
the occasions you might send a gift to your customers are:

-Holidays
-New Business Openings
-Acknowledgement of a Special Award
-Executive birthdays

In addition to occasions, there are a number of considerations
to take into account when choosing executive level advertising
business gifts.

How much should you spend?
The decision of how much to spend on a corporate business gift
can be a tricky one. In some industries, personal gifts to
executives or employees are frowned upon entirely, and in
others, ethics dictate that the cost should be minimal. You
know your industry the best, so your judgment is the best
barometer for deciding on appropriate cost. Of course, your
budget for advertising business gifts will also play a part. In
general, special occasion gifts should have a high perceived
value.

Gift the Executive or the Company?
Choosing a personal gift for the CEO, sales manager or other
employee with whom you have a business relationship is one
popular way of doing things – but many businesses find ways to
show appreciation to the entire office. Gift baskets of gourmet
goodies, candies or fruit trays are always appreciated by office
staff, and offer an excellent opportunity to include a
customized imprinted gift that will be used in the office year
round. You might send a gourmet "coffee break" basket, for
instance, that includes one or two pounds of gourmet coffee, a
tin of specialty biscuits, and half a dozen promotional mugs
imprinted with your company logo.

To Logo or Not to Logo?
When sending out promotional gifts, the question of whether to
include your logo is a moot one – the purpose is to increase
your business exposure. When the gift is an executive level
special occasion gift, though, your best judgment is your best
guide. If your gift is something that will be used every day –
a leather portfolio, for instance – you can have your business
name or logo discreetly embossed. In general, though, the more
expensive the gift, the more likely it is that the recipient
will remember your company without the name. In short, keep the
logos and imprints for the cheaper giveaways and let more
valuable gifts speak for themselves.

About The Author: Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of
Ideasbynet, the UK's leading online advertising business gifts
supplier based in the north of England. Established in 2001, he
has taken the UK gift market by storm. For more details visit
http://www.ideasbynet.com