Remember a decade ago when every conference and convention you attended, you’d get a goodie bag.
Nine times out of ten, it contained a USB with the company’s name and contact details. You probably have a drawer back home filled with forgotten USBs.
The corporate gifts you recall were the gourmet gift baskets and E-gift cards. The others, like the USBs, are stuffed in a box in the attic or basement, gathering dust in a dark corner of your home.
The Winds of Change
The corporate gift industry is experiencing a boom with the U.S. leading the pack. According to Wifi Talents, the North American market share is projected to grow 7.6% by 2028.
Competition is stiff. From branded coffee cups to personalized sweet treats, companies realize that to gain and retain clients, they must spend money. At the moment, the promotional products industry is worth $23.3 billion in the U.S.
If your company is in healthcare or any other industry, making a positive first impression isn’t only about promoting your product. Potential clients want to be wooed.
There’s power in promotional products. It’s important to include a budget in your marketing plan.
The Role of Promotional Products in Healthcare
As a healthcare or wellness company, you should be taking a mindful approach in your marketing strategy.
Abbott says healthcare marketers must stay abreast of the latest medical treatments and build their marketing material around products that cultivate trusting relationships with their clients.
Wellness promotional items are one way of applying this thought process. For instance, women’s healthcare has found its way into the broader conversation.
The global sector is worth $1 trillion per year. Sadly, MarketingWeek’s Helen James believes that brands are failing to represent women in meaningful ways.
One of the biggest campaigns currently running is Wisp’s We Heart Healthy Vaginas. The drive is intended to destigmatize conversations about women’s sexual health.
Your company could enter the conversation as a sign to women-led companies that they are being seen and heard.
Thoughtful gifting ideas such as first aid kits or lip balm let them know that women’s well-being is important, suggests female-owned marketing company 1525, Inc.
Corporate Gifting Trends
Nurturing business relationships should be front of mind when considering corporate gifting ideas. Does your gifting strategy align with your business ethos? Is it something your client needs and wants?
Everki says corporate gifts should resonate on a personal level and represent care, respect and mutual growth.
Eco-Friendly
One trend that continuously pops up is sustainability. The Note explains that sustainable corporate gifting is more than just a trend; it demonstrates a company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
Vantage Circle suggests personalized desk plants with the client’s initials painted on the pot are great for adding personality to their office space.
Eco-friendly stationery such as notepads and diaries made from recycled paper are considerate gifts. We also love the idea of plantable gifts. Think seed paper cards, plantable pencils, and grow kits.
Keep in mind that the aim of a sustainable gift is not to create waste. Make sure the product won’t break easily; that’s not the definition of being eco-friendly.
Gift Cards
These will always be a welcome favorite for clients. Gift cards encompass everything, from health and wellness to food. Many companies take to gifting their employees with gift cards when the holiday season comes alone.
Gifting expenditure can eat into a small business budget. However, Small Biz Trends says there is a silver lining. If your gifts are below $25, you could meet specific IRS criteria and qualify for business gift deductions.
Wellness
As a healthcare business, here’s where you can lean into your marketing strategy. Wellness-focused gadgets tie into the self-care trend where burnout is a high possibility for students, homemakers, corporate workers, and business owners.
Minute Hack are fans of wellness baskets that promote a healthy work-life balance. Throw in items like an ergonomic mouse pad, a stress ball and healthy snacks.
The thought of tech wellness gadgets may have you breaking a sweat, but there are products suited for every budget. Noise-canceling headphones will be much appreciated by clients dealing with noisy office environments.
Items such as portable chargers and Bluetooth keyboards will never go unused. They’re practical and contribute to workplace productivity.
The options are endless when it comes to corporate gifts for clients. Remember, be thoughtful and choose gifts that they need and want. The last thing you want is your gift thrown into the USB drawer.