If you want clients to stick around, don’t just send one nice gift and call it a day. Staying top of mind takes more effort—and honestly, most companies drop the ball. If you’re using Corporategift and wondering how to put recurring gifting on autopilot (without being annoying or fake), you’re in the right place. This guide is for anyone who wants to use gifting as a real retention tool, not just another checkbox.
Let’s get right into it.
Why Recurring Gifts Matter (and When They Don’t)
Before you set up anything, it’s worth asking: is recurring gifting even the right move for your clients?
When it works: - You have long-term relationships (think B2B, not transactional sales). - There are real milestones or reasons to reach out (renewals, project completions, holidays). - Your gifts are thoughtful, not just branded swag—nobody wants another generic water bottle.
When it flops: - You’re sending gifts so often they feel like spam. - The gifts are boring, irrelevant, or clearly automated. - You’re trying to buy loyalty instead of building it.
Bottom line: Recurring gifting isn’t magic. But done well, it’s a solid way to remind clients you care—without pestering them.
Step 1: Get Your Client List Ready
Don’t skip this. Corporategift is only as smart as the data you feed it.
What you’ll need: - Up-to-date client contact info (no, really—double-check those addresses). - Notes on key dates (renewals, birthdays, milestones). - Preferences or “no-go” zones (allergies, religious holidays, etc.).
Pro tip:
If you’re pulling from a CRM, clean up the data first. Bad info means missed gifts, and nothing says “we care” like a holiday gift in March.
Step 2: Plan Your Gifting Cadence
More isn’t always better. Decide how often you want gifts to go out, and why.
Common cadences: - Annually: Work anniversaries, contract renewals. - Quarterly: “Just checking in,” project milestones. - Around big holidays: Not just December—think Lunar New Year, Diwali, or industry events.
What to skip:
Monthly gifting is almost always overkill. You want to be thoughtful, not a subscription box.
Step 3: Choose Gifts That Don’t Suck
This is where most companies blow it. A recurring gift doesn’t mean a recurring logo mug.
Tips for choosing: - Mix it up: Food one time, an experience next, maybe a charity donation after that. - Keep it personal: If you know they’re a coffee nerd, send something they’ll actually use. - Avoid obvious re-gifts: Branded umbrellas, stress balls, or anything that screams “we bought these in bulk.”
Corporategift lets you pick from a catalog, but don’t just grab the first “best seller.” Take five extra minutes to choose something your client might remember.
Step 4: Set Up Recurring Campaigns in Corporategift
Here’s the meat of it. Corporategift’s platform is pretty straightforward, but there are a few things to watch for.
1. Log In and Head to Campaigns
- Go to your dashboard.
- Click on “Campaigns” or whatever their latest menu calls it.
- Choose “Create Campaign.”
2. Pick "Recurring" (Not One-Off)
- Select the option for recurring or scheduled gifts.
- Set your cadence—annually, quarterly, or custom dates.
Watch out:
Not all plans include automation. If you can’t find recurring options, check your subscription plan or call support. Don’t waste time hunting for a feature that’s paywalled.
3. Upload Your Recipient List
- Use a CSV or connect your CRM.
- Double-check mapping fields: name, address, email, etc.
- Set rules for skipping certain clients if they shouldn’t get gifts (e.g., compliance reasons).
Tip:
Test with a small group first. You don’t want to blast everyone before you’re sure it works.
4. Select Gifts and Personalization
- Pick your gifts for each cadence or let recipients choose (some clients love this).
- Add a personal note—avoid the “Hope you are well!” default. Even a sentence or two makes a difference.
5. Set Up Reminders and Approval Flows
- Corporategift can send you reminders before gifts go out. Turn these on.
- If your company requires approvals, set that up now. Nothing kills momentum like a manager bottleneck.
6. Review, Confirm, and Launch
- Double-check everything: dates, recipients, gift selection, personal messages.
- Hit “Activate” or “Launch.”
- Watch for confirmation emails or dashboards updates—don’t assume it’s live until you see the green light.
Step 5: Track Results (Without Obsessing)
Here’s the truth: measuring ROI on gifts is murky. But you should at least track the basics.
- Who received what, and when?
- Any feedback or thank-yous?
- Did gifting line up with renewals, referrals, or upsells?
Corporategift offers reporting dashboards, but don’t get lost in vanity metrics. One heartfelt thank-you beats a hundred unopened packages.
Step 6: Iterate—Don’t Set and Forget
Even with automation, recurring gifting isn’t “set and forget.” Review your program a couple times a year.
- Are clients actually responding?
- Is anyone getting too much or too little?
- Are you sending the same thing to everyone? (Spoiler: don’t.)
If something’s not working, tweak it. Cancel a campaign, swap out gifts, or try a different cadence. Nobody gets this perfect the first time.
What to Ignore (and What to Watch For)
Ignore: - Overblown promises that gifting “guarantees” loyalty. - Platforms pushing you to “gift more often.” That’s how they make money, not how you build relationships. - Trendy gifts that don’t fit your clients (not everyone wants artisanal hot sauce).
Watch for: - Shipping issues and delivery delays. If a gift goes missing, follow up. - Cultural missteps. Not every holiday is universal, and not everyone drinks alcohol or eats certain foods. - Budget creep. Recurring programs can get expensive if you’re not paying attention.
Keep It Simple—and Stay Human
Don’t overthink it. Recurring gifting in Corporategift can help you keep good clients—but only if it feels real. Start small, watch what works, and don’t be afraid to pull the plug on stuff that falls flat. The best client retention isn’t about the fanciest gifts. It’s about showing up, consistently, in ways that matter.
Ready to give it a try? Set up your first campaign, keep it simple, and see how your clients respond. If it feels forced, dial it back. If it works, build from there. That’s all there is to it.