Now more than ever, it’s a great idea to just say Thank You – for your business, for your support, for your help, for your suggestions and so much more. Thank you anytime is the right thing to do. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to express appreciation. Many times it’s just nice to be recognized. A simple handwritten thank you note will stand out in an era of email, e-cards and tweets because it is so rare!
However, the best gift for a client or perhaps a business owner is something that saves them time or allows them to use time more efficiently. For instance, if I know I’m going to be stuck in traffic, I’d appreciate a gift of a car service (limo/Lyft/Uber) to handle the driving so I can make business calls or work on my laptop and use the time productively.
For my clients, I try to give them gifts that support a personal passion or help free up time for them personally. If I know golf or hunting or spa days energize them, I’ll provide a gift card to encourage them to make time for themselves. Or a gift certificate for a handyman or lawn service, so their personal time doesn’t need to be spent on chores and errands.
Something that shows you paid attention to what your client or co-worker shared is also very appreciated. For instance, perhaps the customer mentioned an upcoming trip to Disney. Sending them a guidebook of insider tips is quick and easy to do online and they’ll think of you fondly every time they use it to avoid a long line.
Other ideas in my almost 18 years in my own business, that were best received:
- Motivation dice – a desk toy for use when you feel stuck. Roll the dice and it tells you what to do!
- A box of sticky notes and flags – the least expensive gift I’ve ever done and the one that was most appreciated!
- A donation to a cause – the last time I did this I donated to a global women’s relief and education fund.
- For the past few years, I’ve been selecting books for my clients based on whatever we’re working on or what I think they would enjoy. It’s personalized to them and Amazon handles the fulfillment!
It comes down to just saying “thank you”. That shouldn’t be so hard to do, right?
