Superpowers of Promotional Gifts: Why Do People Simply Adore Them?

When we receive free products, it feels like we have won the lottery. Whether it’s a free sample at the store or a free trial of a new streaming service provider, it’s always exciting to get something for free. Therefore, your company should without a doubt consider free promotional gifts!

The word “free” triggers a strong response in our brains – when we are presented with a free product, we give it a much greater value than if we were to pay for it. This is evidenced by the famous choice experiment reported by the hit book Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely. When participants were offered a choice between spending $0.26 for a luxury chocolate truffle or $0.01 for a lower-quality chocolate candy, the distribution of choice was even. However, when the price of both products dropped by one cent, the choice of distribution changed drastically. While the price difference between the two items remained the same, the candy with lower quality chocolate was now completely free. In this new context, the vast majority of participants chose the free chocolate candy.

When an unexpected gift is offered to a recipient, they experience a positive charge and a sense of joy that will most likely influence their further decisions. People also have lower expectations when it comes to free products, so these lowered standards are easy to exceed, creating a positive connection with your brand.

Here are some of our best tips for gifting your customers, employees and business partners:

Make Sure the Gifts Reflect Your Company

Choose products that suit your business. Lip balm, for example, is a great gift for your loyal customers if you own a spa or salon, but may not be the best choice for a construction company. A sports bottle is a complete surprise for regular fitness visitors, while stewardesses would definitely be delighted with a new suitcase.

It is also important to consider the context of the situation – if you are giving a gift at a certain time of year, it should be appropriate for the weather. In the middle of summer, don’t surprise your employees with a pair of gloves.

Choose Products for Everyday Use

Products that your customers can use every day are more favoured among both customers and employees. In addition, you will gain greater brand awareness with products that people regularly see and use – hats, T-shirts or water bottles are a great example of everyday products. Recipients will use them in public, at family gatherings, while playing their favourite sport, even at work! This will ensure the visibility of your company, and at the same time your customers will be richer for a practical and quality product.

Practical promotional products work in a way similar to billboards – they are seen by a huge number of people, and if they like them, they will definitely ask where they can get theirs. Otherwise, they the name or logo of your company will imprint in their memory, which may motivate them to look for as soon as they sit in front of a computer screen.

Consider the Quality of the Product

Promotional products that last longer will definitely impress your existing and potential customers. This means that the promotional products you donate must be of exceptional quality. Not only will poorly made products roam into the bin pretty quickly, your company will be also shown in a bad light.

Even if you don’t sell promotional products, that doesn’t mean you’re at a loss. Gifts in the long run bring a profit, as your brand is exposed and is visible in the sea of other companies. This increases the chances of increasing the customer base, who then (if they are satisfied with your products and services) turn into loyal customers.

Establish Strong Business Relationships

Strong customer relationships are important to any business. Giving promotional gifts is a great way to create these contacts, so don’t skip this step. Giving a little attention to your customers lets them know that you care and that you appreciate their constant support.

The same goes for your employees and business partners – a company can only operate successfully if it has a solid internal structure, so make sure your employees know you value their work and effort. Business partners are the ones who will help you expand your business – promotional and business gifts play an extremely important role here, because they show your partners attention and let them know that you are willing to invest in their business because you trust them.