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Today is my half-birthday. It just happens to fall on my father’s birthday (Happy Birthday Dad!). So, when I was growing up, I used to get “half-birthday” presents on his big day. Usually they were ViewMaster slides (remember those?).

Anyway, I thought this would be the perfect occasion to talk about using gifts and gift cards as a part of a company’s marketing efforts. One way to stand out from the crowd is to send cards on occasions that others are not sending them. For example:

Thanksgiving — thank your clients for their business

Chinese New Year — celebrate something new or tie a promotion to whatever year it is (this year is the Year of the Rat)

Daylight Savings Time — send a reminder when it begins or ends

Administrative Professionals Day — send a gift to your client’s administrative assistant

Halloween — Scare up some sales

and, my favorite:

Half Birthday! Send them a coupon for half-off something for their half birthday. I bet you’ll stick out in their mind!

Guest Writer: Gregg Hall

In general gifts are given in business to promote goodwill and foster good relationships. They are also given to show appreciation. How do you know what is a proper gift?

First off, if you are dealing in international trade you should make yourself knowledgeable about the customs of those you would like to gift. For example if you are dealing with oil barons or emirates from the Middle East you wouldn’t want to give them a gift of wood no matter how intricate. The reason is that they perceive would to be of very low value, not making any brownie points there. Read more »