Generate valuable referrals without going broke. How? Use planned presents and last-minute client gifts to create a memorable experience for every client! (Featuring: GREETABL, HEATHER MAYER PHOTOGRAPHERS, NATURAL INTUITION PHOTOGRAPHY, and STORM ELAINE PHOTOGRAPHY)
My grandmother was the queen of spontaneous gifting.
She’d show up with something small for me – a few flowers from her garden, a sparkling snow globe, a handful of Hershey’s minis, a roll of dimes or a tin of homemade butter cookies.
She didn’t even call these tokens of affection “gifts”; she called them “happies.” And that’s exactly what they were – happiness in my hands.
Here at ShootProof, we think of Greetabl gift boxes as “happies,” too. That’s why we send Greetabls to our own photography-family, and why we decided to introduce Greetabl to you here today: so you can be free to create, connect, and Focus On What Matters Most!
My grandmother gave great gifts. Greetabl makes gift-giving simple and fun.
I’ve combined this gift-giving wisdom to outline four ways to curate your own planned presents and last-minute client gifts – one happy surprise at a time.
#1: Give Spontaneously
Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays are conventional gift-giving moments. Everyone expects gifts during those times.
But how do you feel when you get a perfectly-personalized gift on a random Tuesday? Happy? Heck yeah! (See? Grandma knew best.)
Even if the “happies” you send aren’t as spontaneous as they appear, seemingly last-minute client gifts are always more memorable than anticipated presents.
You’re in the perfect position to get personal.
Your clients already expect beautiful photographs from you. Exceed their expectations with little surprises tailored specifically to their tastes! Use every client interaction as an opportunity to make note of their lifestyles and unique likes.
“My portrait client talked non-stop about her young twin daughters’ love of playing ‘tea party’ together. I surprised her with Greetabl’s set of two tiny copper mugs, wrapped in a box with my custom branding and my client’s images. She was overjoyed!”
– A.S.
#2: Plan Stress-Easing Surprises
For wedding photographers, there are lots of fun opportunities to send surprises! Schedule a reminder to send a gift three months before each couple’s wedding day. In the midst of wedding planning and to-do lists, clients will be delighted to receive some self-care or pampering goodies! (Like some essential oil spritz or a soothing coffee scrub!)
Give gifts to offset invoices.
One of the toughest things many photographers do is ask their clients for money. Soften the experience (for you and your client) by sending a lighthearted gift a few days before or after an invoice is scheduled to be sent to a client.
PRO TIP: ShootProof Invoices & Giving Gifts
If you’re scheduling your client invoices through ShootProof, simply add gift reminders to your calendar that coordinate with your ShootProof invoicing schedule!
Getting a pretty package in the mail will make anyone’s day brighter, no matter how modest the gift inside may be. As a photographer, staying at the forefront of your client’s mind is imperative to getting their endorsements and referrals. So think outside the box and send a gift when your clients least expect it!
#3: Personalization Matters More Than Price
My grandmother knew how much I loved silver, and she often managed to sneak some silvery sparkle into the gifts she brought me. She taught me that personalized gifts matter more than costly gifts.
You can’t put a price tag on thoughtfulness. Sometimes the simplest – or silliest – gifts mean the most. They’re the ones we’re inspired to post on Instagram!
Make your client’s day with a gift that reminds you of them, like one of these fun little gems:
- tiny “good vibes” ring dish
- brass beard comb
- vibrant enamel unicorn pin
- the afore-mentioned mini copper mugs!
Highlight your brand without hijacking your wallet.
Investing a little creativity into both planned presents and last-minute client gifts can do wonders for your wallet! Greetabl’s designs allow countless opportunities to show off your brand personality without breaking the bank.
- Select full brand customization, and get a one-of-a-kind branded pattern for your Greetabl boxes plus your logo on the insert card.
- Customize each Greetabl with your clients’ own images, or upload beautiful inspirational photos that communicate your style.
- Enclose a thoughtful message in a font selected to best represent your personality.
- Send one gift or two! Most Greetabls have room for two small presents in the fun-to-open box!
#4: Send Something Share-Worthy
Send gifts as beautiful as they are personal. Your clients will be delighted not only by what’s inside the box, but with the box itself!
The goal? To send gifts your clients will want to show off via their Instagram Stories!
In a recent Nielsen-Harris Poll, two thousand Americans were surveyed about word-of-mouth and referrals. The results showed that the vast majority (over 80%) sought recommendations from their friends and family members when making a purchase.
Additionally, the survey concluded that when someone shares or talks about a brand on social media, there’s a significant correlation to purchasing behavior.
In short: more chatter = more spending. So make your client interactions – from the first emails to the last-minute client gifts – meaningful and memorable!
Now that you’ve unlocked the secrets of great gift givers, you can start delighting your clients, one bright little box at a time.
Greetabl is your new go-to client gift! In a few easy clicks, customize and send a Greetabl gift with your photos and personal message. NEW: add your own custom print design to create a branded gift experience that will get your clients talking!
>>> Start Gifting with Greetabl! <<<
Written by RACHEL LACOUR NIESEN & ANNE SIMONE | Featuring GREETABL | Photographs by HEATHER MAYER PHOTOGRAPHERS, NATURAL INTUITION PHOTOGRAPHY, & STORM ELAINE PHOTOGRAPHY
