Something They Hadn’t Seen Before

When I moved to Dallas, I had no business contacts. I was starting over in an industry I knew nothing about, in a city where I had no one to call.

That was a stumper!

So I started having one-on-one meetings every day, and to thank people for meeting with me, I would give them a small gift. Twenty years later, it's still something I enjoy doing.

Here is what I have learned since that time.

It has to be something they have not seen before.

Not another item off the shelf that they already have three of. The small gift was something new and different that they had not seen before and had not received from anyone else.

Over time, people started saying, when introducing me “Oh, you must meet Donna Bender. She has such unique products.” I never expected that reaction, but it reinforced what I already believed.

It has to be something they will keep.

I always talk about thoughtful gifts, but in all honesty, usefulness is really important, because you want to give people things they can use in their everyday life.

Whether it is a water bottle, a bag, a pen, or a little journal, think of it as an investment in your brand—something you are proud of. Otherwise it gets shoved in the back of a drawer.

They like it, they use it, and every time they do, they think of the person who gave it to them.

Presentation is a BIG detail.

The gift’s perceived value tells your client how much you value them.

Most vendors now are making the packaging look like retail packaging, and that gives it a higher perceived value. Not everybody can afford retail, but there are great options now that look like retail products.

It cannot come with strings.

How can you ask someone for something and expect a favorable response when they have no idea who you are or what you are all about?

Give value first. Sometimes that is the gift, and sometimes it is an introduction, because my philosophy is simple. If I could not use somebody’s product or service, surely someone I knew could.

Right now, SMALL Products are making a statement.

Mini products are making a real comeback, and a lot of that is coming from the newest people in the workforce. Keychains, charms, miniature everything.

The Moleskine Mini Notebook Charm, is small enough to clip onto a backpack or a purse, so it goes wherever the person goes. I showed it on the October BIG Show & Tell along with a few other new small products.

Something to think about.

Somebody is going to GIVE you an hour of their time this month. A referral partner, a prospect, someone you can bounce a new idea off of.

What will you have ready to thank them with?

Catch the replay of The BIG Show & Tell.

If you missed the October BIG Show & Tell, all replays are waiting for you on YouTube and DonnaBender.com.

Watch Good Morning Entrepreneurs Show 163 featuring my weekly Roving Reporter, Surprise & Delight Marketing segment.