Promotional Gifts Or Corporate Gifts?
What Is The Difference Between Promotional And Corporate Gifting?
Many companies, especially in South Africa, often mistake corporate gifts and promotional gifts, believing the two types of products to be the same thing.
While this mistake is by no means disastrous, educating yourself about the difference between the two can expedite matters when it comes time for your business to give out gifts to clients, customers and employees.
So what is the difference?
Simply put, the gap between corporate and promotional gifts is one of quality and price.
Promotional gifts are, more often than not, cheap products that are purchased in bulk quantities, often at near-wholesale prices, and then distributed amongst your target public, with the primary aim being to build brand exposure and public appeal. In short, promotional items are a form of advertising.
Corporate gifts, on the other hand, are not for public distribution. Corporate gifts should usually be unique and perhaps personalized items, chosen for their quality and given to particularly valuable employees or long time loyal clients. Even if common items, such as pens, corporate gifts should never be cheap and should be representative of the highest quality.
The Time For Corporate Gifting
Corporate gifts can be given internally, to members of staff, as well as externally, to valued clients and customers.
Due to the lavish nature of corporate gifts, the giving of them should not be cheapened by regularity. In other words, corporate gifts should be given infrequently to mark a special occasion; perhaps the closing of a big deal or the important promotion of an employee.
When To Give Promotional Gifts
Promotional gifts, as the title itself suggests, are used to promote your brand, or perhaps an event or product launch your company is organising. They are advertising tools and should be used as such.
Give promotional gifts out to your public on a large scale, as their purpose is brand exposure. If your company is new and you want to let people know who you are, or if you’re releasing a new product and want to inform your target market about it, promotional gifts are the perfect tools for making a lasting impression.
Custom Gifts Leave a Mark On The Recipient
One thing that both promotional and corporate gifts have in common is that, if well-chosen, they both leave a lasting impression on the recipient.
Corporate gifts reflect your appreciation for the client or employee to whom the gift was given. Whether a custom golf set, imprinted with your company logo, or branded bottle of fine wine, the gift should speak of your class, your dedication to the recipient, and your willingness to give it all for an individual who has proven that they are worth it.
Promotional gifts improve your corporate image in the eyes of the public and your target market. Even though they are not particularly expensive, promotional gifts still speak volumes of your company and your devotion to giving your customers everything you can. Promotional gifts should always be items of some use, so that the recipients will be reminded of your brand whenever they put the gifts to use.
People Love Free Stuff!
This is an undeniable truth. If you give people something for nothing you will be that much closer to making them a lifelong friend. Both corporate gifts and promotional gifts embody this simple fact. Never underestimate the influential power of giving.
