A small, thoughtful gift can help open new doors, make genuine connections, and start conversations with your potential buyers which makes them more inclined to purchase your services/products.
Prospecting Methods and Practices
There are two ways of making contact with prospects: Inbound prospecting where clients come to you either by means of advertising or by offering online or social media content that is relevant and desirable to the prospect and; Outbound prospecting which is reaching out to potential customers who might be interested in your product or service.
What should I send to prospects?
It will depend on which method of prospecting you chose. For inbound prospecting, inbound marketing can be a great way to send gifts by using automation to make it seamless. When a prospect finds your services or products via research, they can enter a funnel that will trigger an automatic send of gifts such as eGifts, eCards, lunch cards, or any piece of digital gifts. Even if these gestures are small, they go a long way in establishing an extra connection.
For outbound prospecting, gifting can be used to strengthen the initial connection with a potential client after a phone conversation, email reply, or discovery call. It can also be a follow-up to a successful connection. But the key to a successful sales prospecting gift is by sending a small, well-personalized gift that invites your prospect to see themselves as a valued client, not just another name on a list.
How can I make sales prospect gifting fun?
Personalization! While it’s important to have a budget, what you’ll send will depend mostly on the type of contact you made, and the value of the connection you’re trying to strengthen.
That’s why the power of personalization comes into place since it can create a significant difference once they receive it. There are plenty of ways to personalize sales prospecting gifts, and a good point to start is to look for more information about them - their likes, their hobbies, or their favorite things. You can look for hints on social media platforms like these:
LinkedIn for professional interests or organizations they belong to.
Instagram for travel destinations, sports, pets, or family.
Twitter for their life and general interests
You can also search them through Google if they have any publications or appearances such as conferences, articles, books, etc. Checking if you have mutual connections through different platforms can also help in breaking the ice.
Personalized Gift Ideas
Once you find a personal connection with your prospect, personalizing a gift will not be difficult.
For the sports fan, a jersey, a hat, or a tumbler will make a great gift. You can also consider giving tickets to a game.
Pet lovers will appreciate fun, branded gifts like tug toys, treats, cat nips, and personalized leash or collar sets.
For families, or milestones, a personalized blanket, housewarming gift, household item, or item of clothing makes a good impression.
For the adventurous, you can give items like personalized luggage tags, and tech items such as power banks, wireless chargers, and such.
Sales Prospecting Gift Ideas under $100
Ocean Sand Art
Description: The blue and white sand in Klaus Bosch's soothing piece drifts gracefully into ever-changing beach scenes.
Smart Squeeze Stress Relief Ball
Description: More than just a stress ball, this squeezable tool builds your grip and looks cool all at once.
Custom Love Boat Portrait
Description: Customize the endearing portrait of two partners who have chosen to navigate life together.
Coast-to-Coast Architecture Building Kit
Description: Budding architects create their model homes and more from this trio of fun building kits.
Rainbow Ceramic Chime Duo
Description: Let soothing sounds fill the air with this pair of handmade hanging stoneware chimes.
Here are some more gift ideas for you:
Sports fans
Classic Dad Hat
Description: This low-profile cap features an unstructured, 6-panel build with a fabric strap and antique brass sliding buckle.
Lightweight Performance Cap
Description: This soft structured cap features a woven loop label, stretchable hook & loop closure, and moisture-wicking fabric.
Quarterback Draw Football Game
Description: Football fans of all abilities can rush the end zone from home with this game of strategy, skill, and chance.
Pet lovers
Cat Treats in Bag with Paw Magnet
Description: Who says cats are aloof? You won't, after your kitty discovers you have these treats!
Mini Dog Bones in Bag with Paw Magnet
Description: Each bone-shaped morsel offers 12 vitamins and minerals and only 5 calories, so you can feel good while indulging your pet. Every 1-ounce bag of treats comes with an attached four-color process S482 paw-shaped magnet. These treats are intended to be offered as an occasional snack or reward as part of a healthy diet.
Large Pet Bandanna
Description: Perfect collar for your pets.
For Families
Customizable Family Fire Pit Art
Description: Toasting s’mores. Ghost stories are told with dramatic flair. Laughter under the stars. Capture the feeling of your family's sweet campfire moments with this customizable portrait. Mix and match figures, skin tones, and hair colors to represent your unique crew.
Personalized Family T-Shirt Unisex
Description: A T-shirt that celebrates all the crazy characters you call family.
Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps
Description: Say no to single-use plastic with these beeswax-infused food savers.
For the Adventurers
PowerBuds
Description: Has a built-in microphone for hands-free phone calls, connects via Bluetooth® 4.1 wireless technology, rechargeable via any USB power source in less than 2 hours, includes interchangeable earbuds to create a personal best fit, nano-coating adds a water resistant & sweat-proof layer, flexible ear hook keeps PowerBuds securely in place, 10mm drivers pump out high-fidelity, skip-free audio.
Tech Combo Earbuds & Wireless Charging Pad
Description: The earbuds feature Bluetooth 5.0, Auto-Pairing, and Auto Power-On.
Spot Pro Bluetooth Tracker
Description: Spot Pro is a small finder that uses Bluetooth® wireless technology to help locate and remember important personal items. Spot Pro works together with an app on your phone to find misplaced items.