It doesn't matter what your field is – real estate, consulting, B2B– hell, you could even be a dentist, and maybe if you welcomed your clients like this, they wouldn't care so much that you made their gums bleed. ("It's because you don't floss!") Yeah, sure.
Step inside your client's shoes for a moment. They've agreed to list their home for sale with you, or are hiring you for digital marketing expertise on their own small business, or they're going to let you stick your fingers in their mouth and mess with their teeth–whatever it is. They have put their trust in you and the service you provide.
Now, and this is the critical part, within 24 hours of them agreeing to become your client, a gift box must arrive at their doorstep.
The gift box is not dressed to the nines with your logo. It's not cheap (though this strategy can be executed well with a range of budgets). And in addition to gifts, it offers some level of insight into the remainder of the time you and this client will spend working together.
The Box Itself
Minimally branded, custom-designed is ideal. But if you're starting on a budget, there are plenty of quality, bulk-order gift boxes that will suffice.
To order your custom boxes or create a design, we highly recommend pairing Canva with VistaPrint. Check out this Amazon option for an affordable, bulk gift box that will still feel expensive: 15 Pack Gift Box with Lids
Another great alternative would be to attach a custom gift tag to the box! Here's an example of what that could look like...
24 Hours, No More
The ultimate goal behind introducing a client onboarding box into your systems is client satisfaction. In the digital age, the art of a physical gift often goes under appreciated, especially when that gift arrives nearly instantaneously.
Keep client gift boxes on hand, so you are ready to send one at a moment's notice. When crafting the box, keep the weight, size, and dimensions in mind, but USPS, FedEx, and UPS can all offer reasonable overnight pricing options.
As an alternative, in hyper-local markets, consider personally dropping off the gift box, or hire a courier to do it on your behalf.
Alternatives & Additional Options
"It is absolutely not possible for me to deliver a gift to a client in under 24 hours."
If you serve international markets, or for some reason cannot commit to this timeframe, there are some alternatives for you to consider.
First, utilize services like Highnote to send a gorgeous digital presentation immediately. A guidebook to working together, helpful resources, and a video showing off the services and skills your client is about to receive–all can be sent with Highnote. Highnote is a fantastic tool to give your clients an experience that feels both expensive and useful.
If a physical gift box is also impossible, utilize an easy digital gifting service. Goody For Business is one excellent option, whereas you can select the gift to send to your client, or choose a price point, and let them select their own gift. Goody sends them a customized digital card as well, so they can know immediately that a gift is on the way.
Tools Mentioned
Inside The Gift Box
There are 3 types of items that should be included in the gift box.
- Unbranded, quality gifts.
- Educational or Resource materials created by you.
- Branded tools or accessories.
Let's break this down further.
- Unbranded gifts should be items of a solid quality, that stand out, and which your clients will find actually useful. It may take some searching, but there are endless options out there, many of which can be purchased in bulk to keep your costs low. Here is a list of gift ideas for your client gift box...
| Product | Description | Price | View |
|---|---|---|---|
Notebooks
|
8 Pack Lined Journal Notebooks. | $39.99 | View |
Mini LED Flashlight
|
30-Pack Mini Flashlight Set, Aluminum LED. | $35.99 | View |
Good Hand Cream
|
10 Pack Natural Hand Cream. | $9.99 | View |
Scented Candles
|
12 Pack Soy Candles for Home Scented. | $32.99 | View |
Fancy Tea
|
Premium Tea Collection (40 count, 10 flavors x 4 ea). | $39.99 | View |
Shower Steamers
|
Shower Steamers 30 PCS with Individually Wrapped. | $19.99 | View |
Honey
|
Nate's 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey, 4 Pack. | $19.41 | View |
- Educational and resource materials are a key component. This aspect takes gifting, and service, and rolls them into one profound experience. This could be anything from a guidebook (Buying Your Home, Taking Care of Your Teeth, Tax Tips For You, etc...), to a list of your services, to an educational article series about what your clients can expect moving forward.
Whatever it is, don't forget that your educational and resource materials can, and should, have more than one use. Include a digital version in your Highnote presentation, hand out free copies to potential clients, offer a free download version on your website–the world is your oyster!
- Branded items and gifts can be included, but should be done so minimally. Can we be really real with each other for a moment? Nobody. Wants. A. Keychain. With. Your. Logo. It's not 1999 anymore, and frankly, I don't know if anyone even wanted one then.
The onboarding gift box is not intended to advertise yourself or your business. At this point, you've already done that! You've already secured the client and are welcoming them in. So, keep branded merchandise to a minimum, and try to aim for items that actually have some utility.
If you need ideas, Pens.com offers great, very high quality pens at a reasonable price. Include more than one! That way, you're at least more likely to end up with a few extra advertising pieces floating around in the ether.
The Welcome Letter
The final component of the perfect client onboarding gift box is the welcome letter. This can be printed, handwritten, or a combination of the two. Here is your chance to welcome them in, and to make sure that above all, the client understands your dedication to them.
We've written a whole article about the Client Welcome Letter, check it out here, along with access to branded and editable templates: The Client Welcome Letter
It can take time and patience, error and correction to craft the perfect onboarding box. Take the time to scratch out the financials–how many gift boxes can you make with bulk orders, at what price per box.
Key Takeaways:
- This is a gift for your new client. Not an opportunity to drown them in your advertisements.
- Prep several boxes at a time, so you always have one on hand.
- Speed will make the best impression. Aim for the box to be arriving at their doorstep within 24 hours of agreeing to work together.
Check out the rest of the site for more tested strategies, curated shopping lists and templates for your business.
Cheers, Bellamy House.
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