Marketing Giveaways- Are They Worth It?

Marketing Giveaways- Are They Worth It?

Even if you’re not in the marketing world, if you’ve ever accessed the internet, you’re familiar with marketing giveaways. They range anywhere from free branded water bottles to exotic, all-inclusive vacations. If you are in the field of marketing, however, you need to be aware of how to create a successful campaign. In this article, we’ll go over mistakes to avoid and how to make your next marketing giveaway a hit.

Why Giveaways Go Wrong

Before you even begin to plan out your marketing giveaway, be sure to familiarise yourself with how not to use promotional merchandise. Even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to set your company up for failure if you’re incorrectly using products to attract clients. In terms of giveaways, you need to be careful with the following:

Ignoring Your Targeted Audience

This should be engrained in every marketer’s brain by now. Nonetheless, you would be surprised by how frequently companies try to give away products that have nothing to do with their services. You can’t expect a successful campaign if you have a gardening business and are offering the latest electric suitcase as your giveaway. You’re wasting everyone’s time, including your own.

Image text - you would be surprised by how frequently companies try to giveaway products that have nothing to do with their services

 

Not Choosing Your Products Wisely

Just to reiterate, your campaign will fail if your products aren’t something that will attract the right kind of clients. If you’re unsure of your demographic, read up on determining your buyer personas before even think of hosting a giveaway. As Steve Kovar, the co-founder of ViralSweep, stated, “The success of your promotion depends largely on the products, so if the giveaway does not align properly with your target audience, your promotion will under-perform.” Also, don’t get carried away and give away something so expensive that the campaign puts your business in jeopardy.

Image text - your campaign will fail if your products aren't something that will attract the right kind of clients.

 

Making the Giveaway Entry Complicated

If you are truly determined to make your marketing campaign fail, make sure that the entry process is long and frustratingly complicated. People are busy, and you don’t want them to remember your company as the one who asked for their aunt’s life story in order to win a pen. Also, remember that not everyone is on social media, so don’t ask for a Facebook login to enter.

Give away time - if you are truly determined to make your marketing campaign fail, make sure that the entry process is long and frustratingly complicated

 

The Problem with Facebook Giveaways

Social media is awesome, but not everyone uses it. In addition, you don’t own your followers on any platform. Even if you have 20 thousand Facebook followers, you won’t be able to contact them if something goes wrong with your Facebook account. Not focusing on building your own email list is the ultimate fail. So, if you plan on requiring likes and comments for people to enter, you’re stepping on your own feet.

Image text - not focusing on building your own email list is the ultimate fail.

 

Marketing Giveaways that Go Right

Now that we’ve discussed what not to do for your giveaway campaign, you should have a better idea of what will lead to success. Right? Ok, maybe it’s not always so simple. Let’s take a step back and examine why you would have a giveaway in the first place. It’s surely not because you like throwing money away.

The point of a marketing giveaway is to raise brand awareness, engage with your targeted audience, as well as gain leads to convert browsers into clients. When the campaign is over, you want the right people to favourably remember your company. In other words, you’re looking for a long-term return on your investment.

To recap, here are a few helpful giveaway tactics:

  • Offer a giveaway product relevant to your business and desirable to your targeted audience.
  • Make sure that the giveaway is attractive and worth your demographic’s time. This is called the value proposition.
  • Don’t overextend yourself when it comes to your budget. It’s not worth risking your company’s fiscal health. (See here for tips on successfully using promotional merchandise on a budget.)
  • Simplify the entry process.
  • Steer clear of Facebook-based giveaways.
  • Be sensitive to your audience’s desires and remain flexible with your giveaway’s size, colour, etc. Diversifying your prize can also be advantageous.

Image of a girl holding a red heart with a message - Red Tomato. The point of a marketing giveaway is to raise brand awareness

 

Case Studies: Successful Marketing Giveaway Campaigns

Now that we’ve discussed the dos and don’ts of marketing giveaways, let’s look at how they play out successfully. While we’ve stated that Facebook giveaways aren’t always the wisest choice, social media can still help your marketing giveaways. Whether or not your campaign is digital, if done right, these platforms can still help your promotion gain major traction. See how Red Tomato teamed with O’Brien Real Estate and the Pirtek Fishing Challenge for two different successful marketing campaigns.

If you are thinking of starting a new marketing giveaway, let us help walk you through your next promotion. Your success is important to us and we urge you to contact us with any questions you may have.

For more helpful articles like this, be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Take advantage of our knowledge in the marketing field!

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How to Prepare for Corporate Gift Giving this Christmas

How to Prepare for Corporate Gift Giving this Christmas

Mastering Corporate Gift Giving for Christmas: A Strategic Guide for Businesses

corporate christmas gift guide

As the festive season approaches, businesses are presented with the unique opportunity to strengthen bonds and express gratitude through the thoughtful gesture of corporate gift-giving. This practice is not just a seasonal tradition, but a strategic tool in building lasting relationships with clients, employees, and partners. With Christmas around the corner, it’s the perfect time to plan and execute your corporate gifting strategy.

Read: 7 Employee Christmas Gift Ideas

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps of preparing for corporate gift-giving this Christmas, drawing insights and ideas from Red Tomato’s 2023 Christmas Gift Guide to help you make the most impactful choices.

How to Prepare for Corporate Gift Giving this Christmas Blog images no date

The Importance of Corporate Gift-Giving

christmas gift guide

Corporate gift-giving during the holiday season extends far beyond the exchange of presents. It’s a powerful way to show appreciation, reinforce relationships, and make a lasting impression. In the realm of business, these gifts are more than just tokens; they are a reflection of your company’s values and commitment to its relationships. Particularly, client retention can significantly benefit from well-thought-out gifts, as they remind clients of the value your business places on their partnership. Similarly, employee morale sees a boost when their efforts are acknowledged with a thoughtful gesture. This holiday season, let your gifts speak volumes about your company’s appreciation and foresight.

Prepare for Christmas Now

Setting A Budget

Plan your corporate christmas gift and budget wisely

Effective budgeting is a cornerstone of successful corporate gift-giving, especially during the holiday season. It’s crucial to set a budget that reflects both your company’s financial health and the value you place on your relationships.

  1. Understanding Financial Constraints: Assess your company’s current financial position to determine a realistic budget for corporate gifts. This step is crucial to ensure that your gesture of appreciation aligns with your company’s financial capabilities without causing undue strain.
  2. Allocating Funds Thoughtfully: Once your overall budget is defined, allocate specific amounts to different groups like key clients, employees, and partners. This tailored approach ensures that each segment receives appropriate attention, reflecting their importance to your business.
  3. Quality Over Quantity: In corporate gift-giving, the impact of the gift often outweighs its cost. Prioritise purchasing fewer high-quality items over a larger quantity of less significant gifts. This strategy often leads to a more memorable and valued experience for the recipients.
  4. Accounting for Additional Costs: Don’t overlook additional expenses such as shipping, taxes, and packaging. These can significantly impact your overall budget and should be included in your initial calculations.
  5. Monitoring and Adjusting the Budget: Stay flexible and monitor your spending as you purchase gifts. Be prepared to adjust your budget if you find that initial estimates were off or if unexpected expenses arise.

By meticulously planning and adhering to a well-structured budget, your corporate gift-giving will be financially sustainable and more impactful, ensuring each gift resonates with its recipient on a deeper level.

Creating a Gift List

Tailor you christmas gift through our guide

Once your budget is set, it’s time to draft your gift list. 

Who makes the cut? 

Clients who’ve supported you through thick and thin, employees who’ve gone the extra mile, and partners who’ve been with you every step of the way. This list is more than a tally of names; it’s a roadmap of relationships you value and want to nurture. Think of each name as an opportunity to strengthen a bond, to show that you don’t just see a business contact but a valued member of your extended corporate family. Personalising this list not only helps in choosing the right gifts but also ensures that each gift resonates with its recipient, making them feel genuinely appreciated.

Choosing Thoughtful Gifts

Gifts that spark joy and inspiration. christmas gift guide

The art of gift selection is next. This isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about choosing gifts that resonate. Forget the run-of-the-mill corporate swag; this is your chance to make a statement. It’s about finding something that aligns with the recipient’s interests, something that they wouldn’t just like, but love. A carefully chosen book for the avid reader, a premium coffee set for the caffeine aficionado, or perhaps a tech gadget for the digital guru. Each gift should be a reflection of your understanding and appreciation of the individual. It’s these thoughtful nuances that turn a simple gift into a memorable token of your regard.

Incorporate Branding

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Now, let’s talk about branding. This isn’t about slapping your logo on everything in sight. It’s about subtle, tasteful branding that complements the gift. Think embossed notebooks, engraved pens, or customised accessories that carry your brand’s essence without overpowering the gift’s purpose. The goal is to remind the recipients of your brand, but in a way that enhances the gift’s value. This delicate balance of branding can transform a nice gift into a powerful brand touchpoint, reinforcing your company’s image while still prioritising the recipient’s experience.

Personalise Your Gifts

Gift Presentation

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Presentation is everything. It’s not just what you give, but how you give it. In the world of corporate gift giving, first impressions count. This Christmas, give your gifts the wrapping they deserve. Opt for elegant packaging, tasteful wrapping, and perhaps a handwritten note for that personal touch. It’s these little details that transform a gift from ordinary to extraordinary. Imagine the delight when your gift stands out for its class and attention to detail – it’s like the icing on the Christmas cake. A well-presented gift not only looks great but also shows that you care enough to put in the extra effort.

Red Tomato’s 2023 Christmas Gift Guide

How to Prepare for Corporate Gift Giving this Christmas Blog images no date

If you’re searching for exceptional gift ideas for this Christmas season, Red Tomato’s 2023 Christmas Gift Guide is your ideal destination. This specially curated collection is an abundant source of corporate gift ideas, thoughtfully selected to match the current season’s trends in Australia. The range includes chic tech accessories, exquisite gourmet hampers, and more, ensuring a variety of choices for everyone. These gifts are more than just items; they embody experiences, create lasting memories, and serve as heartfelt tokens of appreciation.

Your Ultimate Guide to Corporate Christmas Gifts

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Elevate your corporate gifting this Christmas with Red Tomato’s exclusive offerings. Our 2023 Christmas Gift Guide is specially crafted to provide you with a plethora of unique corporate gift ideas, perfect for impressing clients and showing genuine appreciation to your team. Each item in the guide is selected for its quality, ensuring your gifts reflect the excellence of your brand.

In addition to our gift guide, explore our selection of bespoke Christmas hampers. These hampers are filled with a variety of premium items, ideal for adding a touch of luxury and festivity to your corporate gifting. Whether it’s for a client or an employee, our hampers are designed to deliver delight and make a lasting impression.

At Red Tomato, we understand the importance of thoughtful gifting. That’s why we offer customisation options to align with your brand and the unique preferences of your recipients. Our team is here to assist you in selecting and personalising your gifts, ensuring they are not just presents, but meaningful gestures of appreciation.

Contact us today to discover how our Christmas Gift Guide and exclusive hampers can transform your holiday gifting strategy. Let Red Tomato help you make this festive season memorable with gifts that truly stand out.

Embrace the spirit of giving with Red Tomato, where every gift is a testament to quality and care.

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Do you have any tips on how to prepare for corporate giving this Christmas? Is there anything you’d like to know more about? Please share in the comments below! 

How to reward your staff and The Importance of Showing Your Team Gratitude

How to reward your staff and The Importance of Showing Your Team Gratitude

When someone looks for the perfect job, fair compensation is just the beginning of the hunt. As a Human Resources or Hiring Manager, you are aware of the challenge of creating—as well as maintaining– a brilliant team. LinkedIn’s worldwide study has shown that most workers want to feel that their work has a purpose in addition to earning an income. If your staff goes home every night feeling underappreciated and dreads coming to the office every morning, chances are they’re not fulfilled. Not only does this predict a high turn-over rate, it also means that your employees are three times less productive. In this article, we will discuss ways to show your team gratitude, and why doing this will benefit your company.

Image text - most workers want to feel their work has a purpose in addition to earning an income

Ways to Show Your Team Gratitude

We’ve previously discussed the art of giving and gratitude during the holiday season, but a successful business is aware that this is a year-round effort. It’s imperative that you show your employees, as well as your clients, that you care about them. Viewing your staff as worker bees or cogs in a machine is the quickest, most efficient way to fail as a business. Engaging your employees is the first step toward success. The most crucial step, however, is showing your appreciation. Here are some ways to show your team gratitude, no matter what time of the year it is:

  • Welcome aboard gifts
  • Creative thank you notes
  • Corporate wellness programs
  • Incentives and bonuses
  • Team lunches/happy hours

Red Tomato merchandise

How Showing Appreciation Will Benefit Your Company

Recognizing your team’s accomplishments is one of the easiest ways to show your gratitude. As mentioned above, this could be done through integrative work programs like a wellness center or a monthly happy hour. You can also demonstrate appreciation simply by praising your staff or sending them a thank you note for hitting their quarterly goal. It doesn’t matter how large your budget is, because the payoffs of having inspired, purposeful employees are endless. By simply appreciating your employees, you will be able to:

  • Increase loyalty and decrease turnover rate
  • Improve individual productivity
  • Create a positive company culture
  • Entice others to join your team

Image text - it doesn't matter how large your budget is, because the payoffs of having inspired, purposeful employees are endless

From any perspective, employees are essential to your business’s well-being. Your staff is the face of your company, its driving force, and largely the reason behind its success. According to Forbes, one of the top five reasons why 80 percent of businesses fail is poor leadership. As a team manager, one of your most important responsibilities is to make sure that your employees are engaged, loyal, and eager to work. The solution couldn’t be simpler: show your gratitude.

Still not sure how to show your gratitude? Take a look at Red Tomato’s corporate employee appreciation gifts and thank you gifts ideas!

How do you show gratitude to your team? What are the overall benefits of doing so? Please let us know in the comments below!

Gratitude as a Business Strategy

Gratitude as a Business Strategy

“Having gratitude as a business strategy means putting people before money. It means consistently thanking and celebrating your clients, customers, and community. Gratitude should be the cornerstone of your business. Make gratitude part of your mission and brand values, let it be the heart of your company culture…”Wendy de Jong, Founder of The Gratefulist

Being grateful isn’t something that should be reserved just for your loved ones on Valentine’s Day or the holiday season. While it may seem a strange concept in the corporate world, everyone needs to feel appreciated. Expressing gratitude as a business strategy is highly effective, not only for your employees, but also for your clients. As a marketing professional, you are likely aware of how vital it is to know your demographic. It is equally as important to show your clients appreciation.

 

Humanising Your Marketing

Thank you gifts, gratitude as a business strategy

We’ve previously discussed the concept of gratitude, and continue to do so, because it will truly improve your success as a company. The best marketing strategy is one filled with thankfulness. Rather than solely focusing on the B2B or B2C sales approach, think about marketing with an H2H philosophy.

When you break things down to a human-to-human method, you recognise your clients as people, not as piggy banks. Treating others as living, breathing, feeling creatures is generally a great idea. However, connecting with your clients on an emotional level will help them form a positive view of your company. It will also develop customer loyalty. Think about it. Wouldn’t you rather position yourself as a generous, caring business rather than a mediocre one doing business just for the paycheck?

 

Gratitude as a Business Strategy

“Research shows that customers spend more, employees accomplish more, and vendors are more likely to pay on time, if they receive regular gratitude.” –Steve Bookbinder, CEO of DM Training

Yes, you read that correctly. Gratitude is an excellent marketing strategy, and one that will help you improve your ROI. There are many ways that you can express your appreciation to your loyal clients throughout the year. Whether you are looking for thank you gift ideas or client appreciation gifts, we’re here to help you prepare for corporate giving.  The following are just a few ways to show your clients gratitude:

 

Voice your gratitude with simple thankfulness

• Sending handwritten thank you or “just because” notes

• Extending your recognition on social media, celebrating your clients’ accolades and opinions

Nurturing your clients, working just as hard to keep them happy as you did to initially win them over

Thank you gifts, gratitude as a business strategy

Show appreciation with personalised gifts

• Giving individualised birthday and Christmas presents

• Sending thank you for your purchase gifts on large orders

Thank you gifts, gratitude as a business strategy

Help your clients grow along with you

• Providing exclusive client access to informational blog posts and webinars

• Referring new customers to your best B2B clients

Thank you gifts, gratitude as a business strategy

There are so many ways to show your clients gratitude while integrating appreciation into your business strategy. For more ideas, get in touch with us so we can help you build your company with loyal clientele!

Have you implemented gratitude as part of your marketing strategy? What has been most successful for you? Let us know in the comments below!

Girls Guide to Golf

Girls Guide to Golf

You have just been called into your bosses office and he is truly excited about the company getting to host their very own golf day; inviting all your top clients and key stakeholders. You smile through your teeth and say “sounds great”, but you are actually petrified. Not only you don’t have a clue on how to tell apart a putter from a wedge, but you also don’t know the type of golf ball that will impress the CEO of your biggest client. Golf can be a little overwhelming. However, here at Red Tomato, we pride ourselves on making golf superstars out of all our clients. We know that with our team’s extensive experience, we can get your golf day up and running on the highest level.

Here are 4 tips to help you survive planning your corporate golf day:

Planning!

Determine your Golf Day goals. What do you need to achieve from a golf day? Setting clear objectives will help you find the perfect people to invite as well as allowing you to spend quality social time with your best clients.

planning corporate golf day

Here are some awesome reasons to participate or even host your own golf day:

  • Do you want to show your clients a great day out in the sun?
  • Are you celebrating your employees’ good work?
  • Are you looking to mingle with your favourite suppliers?
  • Are you wanting to spend time with an important client?
  • Are you trying to position your brand?
  • Do you have a key product or service that you would like to launch or sample with a specific demographic?
  • Are you wanting to support a good cause or charity?

Choose your golfer.

Golfers come in many shapes and forms, but in general, if they love golf and are typically quite brand conscious, they’d prefer brands such as Callaway Golf, Titleist, and Footjoy for their golf balls and equipment. In some cases, they’d even pass on the free golf balls if they don’t carry these names. In Australia alone, there are over 1.18 million golfers and over 1,000 golf coursesFor this reason, you can count on several different options available that can be effective in helping you achieve your marketing goals to engage with clients, staff, and golf enthusiasts alike. As a business, you need to decide if it is better to invite 3 or 4 of your favourite clients for a more personal round of golf at a local prestigious club; or buy a few groups on a charity day, maybe splash out and host your very own day, or sponsor a local Holden Scramble event, or even go the whole hog and sponsor a National/International golf tournament such as the PGA Championship or Fiji International.

planning corporate golf day

Set your budget.

Decide how much you want to invest and do it well! Choose well done over, mass marketing when hosting a golf day. The power of using a Titleist ball co-branded with your company logo over a cheaper ‘no-name ball’ will give your brand great kudos amongst your peers, and it also ensures it doesn’t get thrown in the trash. Select the right location with green fees, carts, and a great food and bev package. Food and Booze! The essentials to any golf day are to have good food and great drinks to keep the mood going through the day. (See below our fav locations).

Image text - choose well done over, mass marketing when hosting a golf day

Organising goodie bags or tee gifts or just a thank-you pack of 3 balls and tees for all guests is a must. Custom polo’s and caps are great for this. It will help the photos of the day look awesome by adding a sea of your company colour and will give life to the golf day long after the event; you never know, it could become their lucky golf shirt! (Anywhere from $10-50 is a good amount to spend here). If you are sponsoring or hosting the day, don’t forget to brand up the course. Get your own custom golf flags, organise hole signage, you can even get your very own custom caddie bibs! Last but not least, prizes… Good prizes are always a great way to ensure people will be back the next year if they weren’t lucky enough to snaffle a prize this time around. Click here for some golf day prize options available.

Location, Location, Location.

It’s always about location. It will make or break for a golfer to go to your golf day. Corporate golf days are sometimes the only way many golfers can get the opportunity to play on great courses. Australia has many private courses that open up, especially for corporate golf days. Most high-end executives that play golf will have a membership at one of these courses, so if you host your day at a mediocre course, you might end up struggling to influence the right people to take the half-day off work to come to your event.

planning corporate golf day

Here is a list of courses we recommend in each state:

Sydney:
  1. NSW Golf Club
  2. St. Michael’s
  3. Royal Sydney
Melbourne:
  1. Royal Melbourne GC
  2. Kingston Heath GC
  3. Huntingdale GC
Adelaide:
  1. Royal Adelaide
  2. Kooyonga
  3. Grange Golf Clubs
Brisbane:
  1. Victoria Park GC
  2. St. Lucia GC
  3. Indooroopilly GC
Perth:
  1.  Joondalup GC
  2. Royal Perth GC
  3. Lake Karrinyup GC

At Red Tomato, we have a great deal of knowledge on and off the golf course and have been looking after clients such as PGA Australia and Golf Australia with their corporate merchandise for several years now. If you are looking for more information on the ins and out of a golf day, feel free to reach out to Justin Reynolds and we will be sure to help you make the most of your golf experience. Ready to plan your next corporate golf day? Find more resources here:

Use Golf to Promote Your Business
Promotional Product Toolbox