Onboarding new B2B clients can be a slog. There’s paperwork, training, introductions, and then the awkward waiting game where everyone wonders if they made the right call. If you want to make the process smoother—and actually memorable—using Packedwithpurpose can help. This guide walks you through making onboarding less of a box-ticking exercise and more of an experience your clients remember (in a good way).
Let’s skip the fluff and get right into how to actually use Packedwithpurpose to make onboarding better, faster, and less painful for everyone.
Why Bother With Gifting in B2B Onboarding?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s answer the obvious question: is sending gifts during onboarding just window dressing? Sometimes, yes. But when done right, a well-timed, thoughtful gift can:
- Show you care about the relationship, not just the contract.
- Set a positive tone and make clients feel valued.
- Nudge busy people into actually responding to your onboarding steps.
- Give clients a concrete reminder of your brand (and that you’re a real group of humans, not just another vendor).
That said, if you’re just sending generic mugs or cheap swag, skip it. The point is to make the client feel seen, not to clutter their desk.
Step 1: Decide Where Gifting Fits Into Your Onboarding Flow
Don’t just throw gifts at the process and hope for the best. Think about your onboarding from the client’s side. Where are the bottlenecks? When do clients drop off, get stuck, or go dark?
Here’s where gifting can work:
- Welcome moment: Send something right after the contract is signed, before your first kickoff call.
- Milestone celebration: Mark the completion of initial setup, training, or a successful pilot.
- First renewal check-in: Not technically onboarding, but a good time to show appreciation.
Pro tip: One well-timed, thoughtful gift is better than three forgettable ones.
Step 2: Choose Gifts That Actually Feel Purposeful
Packedwithpurpose isn’t about random knick-knacks. Their whole pitch is curated gifts from companies that do good—think snacks from minority-owned businesses, eco-friendly office supplies, or wellness treats that don’t feel like leftovers from the company kitchen.
Here’s what to look for:
- Relevance: Does this fit your client’s industry or company culture?
- Quality: Would you actually want to receive this?
- Personalization: Can you add a note, name, or inside joke?
- Impact: Does the gift support a cause your client might care about?
What to skip: Branded stress balls, pens, or anything that screams “trade show freebie.” Also, avoid anything too personal (like clothing sizes or alcohol, unless you’re certain it’s appropriate).
Step 3: Set Up Your Packedwithpurpose Account and Templates
Time to get practical. Here’s what you need to do inside Packedwithpurpose:
- Create an account: No, you can’t skip this step.
- Browse curated collections: Start with their B2B or corporate onboarding sections.
- Save your favorites: Build a shortlist of gifts that fit your client profiles.
- Set up templates: If you onboard lots of clients, set up reusable templates with your message, branding, and preferred gift options.
- Check integrations: Does Packedwithpurpose play nice with your CRM or onboarding tools? If not, plan to export contact lists manually (it takes a few extra minutes, but it’s manageable).
Heads up: Don’t expect deep workflow automation or API magic here. Packedwithpurpose is straightforward, but not a full-blown onboarding platform.
Step 4: Craft a Message That Doesn’t Sound Like It Was Written by a Robot
The card or note is half the value. Don’t waste it with “Thanks for your business.” Instead:
- Reference something specific about the client or their project.
- Keep it short, but warm.
- If possible, sign off with a real name (not just “The Acme Team”).
Example:
“Welcome aboard, Jane! We’re excited to partner with WidgetCo—and hope these snacks help fuel your team as we kick things off. Let’s make something great together.”
Skip: Cheesy motivational quotes, sales pitches, or forced jokes. Just be real.
Step 5: Time the Delivery to Maximize Impact
Sending a gift too early can feel like you’re trying too hard. Too late, and it looks like an afterthought.
Here’s what actually works:
- Right after contract sign: Signals you’re ready to go, and gets your name in their inbox/mailroom.
- After a kickoff call: Reinforces the personal connection you just made.
- When onboarding stalls: A gentle nudge (with snacks) to get things moving.
If you need to collect addresses, be upfront. Packedwithpurpose can send a link for address submission—just explain why you need it and reassure clients you’re not signing them up for junk mail.
Step 6: Track, Measure, and Get Feedback
If you’re going to invest in gifting, at least make sure it’s working.
- Track responses: Are clients replying faster? Completing onboarding steps more smoothly?
- Ask for feedback: A quick, casual “Did you get the package? Was it useful?” can go a long way.
- Review your process: Did the gift actually help, or was it ignored? Adjust timing, gift type, or messaging as needed.
Pro tip: Don’t just look for thank-you notes. Notice if clients are more engaged, show up to meetings, or mention the gift later on.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Works: - Gifts that match your client’s values or culture. - Personal notes from real people. - Timely delivery—especially at key moments.
Doesn’t: - Generic, “everyone gets the same” boxes. - Over-branding (your logo plastered everywhere). - Treating gifting as a magic fix for a broken onboarding process.
Packedwithpurpose only amplifies what’s already there. If your onboarding is a mess, a gift won’t cover it up.
Quick Checklist
Here’s a no-nonsense list to keep you on track:
- [ ] Mapped out your onboarding flow and picked the right moment to send a gift?
- [ ] Selected gifts that don’t suck (and actually mean something)?
- [ ] Set up templates and messaging in Packedwithpurpose?
- [ ] Personalized the note?
- [ ] Timed the delivery for maximum effect?
- [ ] Measured the results and tweaked as needed?
If you can check these boxes, you’re doing it right.
Keep It Simple—And Iterate
You don’t need a five-step nurture campaign or a pile of branded mugs to make onboarding better. One well-timed, thoughtful gesture says more than a hundred “welcome” emails.
Start simple, pay attention to what works, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go. The real goal is to make onboarding less of a formality and more of a relationship-builder. If you use Packedwithpurpose in a way that feels honest and human, you’ll stand out—for all the right reasons.