Why should you send out welcome gifts to your clients?

Sending out a little thoughtful gift when a client books with you, is an incredible way to build trust and establish a relationship with your clients.

Today’s small business environment has often been described as the ‘connection economy’ and small little extra touches (like a welcome gift) speak directly to the heart of your clients.

Not only is it above and beyond what is expected of your services, but it is a small gesture that delights, creates an expectation of what is to come and sets you apart from others in your industry.

As an added bonus, building small moments of delight into our offerings can lead to amazing word of mouth (free marketing) to potential future clients.

For me personally, I truly care about my clients, I value the trust they put in me for capturing their wedding day and sending a gift to them to say thank you is a natural outflow of those feelings.

It’s a way I can communicate to them that their day is special to me (and I get to serve them and make them feel extra special with a small gesture) I guess you might say that sending gifts are my love language.

Let’s talk about timing

When should you send a welcome gift?

So, as soon as a client books, I send emails to onboard and make them feel special (and if you want some help with what type of emails to send – you can check out my email templates here)

I then like to send out my client gift quite soon after they have booked (within 3-4 weeks of booking). I find that works well for my workflow. I take some time each year to think of what type of gift I want to send, if I want to change or add anything from what I sent the year before, and if I build a good relationship with a client already, and I think of a way I can customise a gift so that it is unique to them, I have a few weeks to make a plan.

I have heard of photographers that wait until the new year, and only send gift then – as a ‘yay, it’s your wedding year! gesture. So, there really isn’t a ‘best time’ in my opinion – it matters more that you took the time to intentionally put something together for them.

What to put into a welcome gift?

A WELCOME GUIDE

I made a welcome guide for my clients, that answer some frequently asked questions, gives some tips and tricks to make their wedding day more epic, what they can expect from me and just some general guides and pretty photos to make them all excited for their big day.

If you are looking for a template to customise – you can look at this one

General wedding themed gift ideas

Before we dive into the what you want to put into your gift – you need to decide how much you want spend, what experience you want to create and what would be useful/ thoughtful for you clients.

It’s not about how much you spend on a welcome gift, it’s more about the thought and intention behind it. It doesn’t have to cost a fortune to create an impact.

Wedding specific gift ideas

His & Hers mugs

Wedding day scented candle

His & Hers vows booklet

Journal (something like below) that the couple can use in their journey ahead, or even as a guest book on their wedding day, or to journal memories leading up to a wedding day.

KEEP IT SENSIBLE, NOT OVERWHELMING

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to receive a whole bunch of stuff that I might not want to use, so as part of my gift – I like to give something that my clients will actually use. For example

A SNACK THEY CAN EAT

A TREAT THEY CAN USE

(facemask, soap or self care treat – because wedding planning is stressful!)

SOMETHING THEY CAN DRINK

(bubbly, coffee, or a shot of whiskey – depending on their vibe)

Don’t underestimate the value of a handwritten note

Adding a thoughtful handwritten note is rare in our quick-paced, instant-gratification world, and taking the time to write a little note by hand makes a big impact.

Ideas to make your gift personal to your clients

On my contact form, I like to ask my client to tell me 3 fun things about themselves, and I have often used this to not only connect with them via emails, but to customise their gifts as well.

FOR ANIMAL LOVERS – include doggie biscuits or cat treats for their fur kids

FOR COFFEE LOVERS – include a gift voucher for a coffee shop (date ideas for them to stay connected amidst the wedding planning season)

FOR GREEN FINGERS – a little packet of heirloom seeds

FOR FOODIES – a unique blended salt or cooking ingredient.

So many of these things are small, inexpensive ideas, that make a big impression and show your clients that you see them.

Helping people feel seen and heard is such a gift!

As a photographer that loves moments over poses, truly cares about my clients and want to create a great client experience, sending a welcome gift ultimately helps me to build trust and connection that allows me to get more real, honest and candid moments with my couples, as I don’t feel like a stranger to them. Win win situation if you ask me.