If you’ve spent any time in B2B sales or marketing, you’ve heard about “gifting platforms” that promise to make prospects love you (or at least open your emails). The pitch: send a coffee, gift card, or swag box, and watch your pipeline grow. But do these platforms actually move the needle, or are they just another tool sales teams have to manage?
This review is for anyone thinking about using Reachdesk—maybe you’re a sales leader pressured to hit numbers, a marketer trying to boost response rates, or just someone tired of wasted software spend. I’ll break down what Reachdesk does, where it shines, and where it falls short—without the fluff.
What Is Reachdesk, Really?
Reachdesk is a B2B gifting and direct mail platform. You use it to send physical or digital gifts—think Starbucks cards, branded mugs, wine, or even personalized swag—to prospects, customers, or partners. The goal is to cut through the endless stream of cold emails and get people to actually pay attention.
It’s not a CRM or a sales engagement tool. Instead, it plugs into your existing stack (think Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, Salesloft), so your team can send gifts without leaving their workflow.
Main use cases: - Warming up cold leads - Nudging deals stuck in the pipeline - Thanking customers or partners - Boosting attendance for meetings or events
If you’re picturing a fancier, more accountable version of sending someone a Starbucks gift card, you’re not far off. But it’s the tracking, automation, and integrations that try to set Reachdesk apart.
How Reachdesk Works: Nuts and Bolts
Let’s get practical—here’s what using Reachdesk actually looks like.
1. Pick Your Gift
You (or your marketing team) can create gift campaigns from a catalog of options: - E-gift cards (Amazon, Uber Eats, Starbucks, etc.) - Physical gifts (branded mugs, snacks, wine, etc.) - Fully custom swag kits, if you want to go big
You can send gifts directly or set up campaigns that trigger gifts automatically (e.g., after a meeting is booked).
Pro Tip:
Physical gifts actually do stand out, but shipping is slower and pricier. Use e-gifts for time-sensitive follow-ups or global contacts.
2. Personalize and Send
You can add personal messages, choose from templates, and set up rules for who gets what. Sales reps can send gifts 1:1 or in bulk.
3. Track Everything
This is where Reachdesk tries to justify its price. You get dashboards showing: - Who received/opened/redeemed gifts - Attribution (did the gift lead to a meeting or deal?) - Spend by campaign, team, or rep
If you’re under pressure to prove ROI, this is a big plus. No more “we sent 100 mugs and hope someone liked them”—you can (sort of) see what worked.
4. Integrate With Your Stack
Reachdesk plugs into: - Salesforce, HubSpot (for CRM data and tracking) - Outreach, Salesloft (so reps can send gifts as part of their cadence) - Marketo, Eloqua (for marketing teams running nurture campaigns)
Integration setup is pretty straightforward, but you’ll need admin access and a willingness to tinker.
Where Reachdesk Delivers
1. It Really Does Get Attention
If your team is sending cold emails and getting nowhere, a well-timed gift can help. People are more likely to reply to “I sent you a coffee—let’s chat” than the 50th generic pitch.
Sales teams report higher meeting acceptance rates. It’s not magic, but it’s a noticeable bump, especially if your outreach is otherwise solid.
2. It’s Actually Trackable
You can finally show “We sent $2,000 in gifts, got 15 meetings, and closed 3 deals.” That’s useful when you need to justify spend to finance or leadership.
3. It’s Not Just for Prospects
Customer success teams use Reachdesk to thank customers, smooth over rough patches, or drive NPS surveys. It’s flexible enough for more than just cold outreach.
4. Decent User Experience
The UI is clean, and most users can figure it out with minimal training. Bulk sending and templates save a lot of time.
Where Reachdesk Doesn’t Live Up to the Hype
All software has a dark side—or at least a “meh” side. Here’s what to watch out for:
1. It Won’t Fix Bad Outreach
If your messaging is bad, or your list is junk, sending $10 gift cards won’t save you. People can spot a bribe versus genuine outreach. Use Reachdesk to amplify good sales work, not replace it.
2. Physical Gifts Can Be a Hassle
Shipping delays, customs issues, and addresses that bounce back—physical gifting isn’t always smooth, especially internationally. If you want consistency, stick to e-gifts.
3. Cost Adds Up Fast
You’re not just paying for the platform—you’re buying the gifts, paying shipping, and possibly storage or handling fees. If your team gets gift-happy, the budget can balloon. Set rules and budgets upfront.
4. Not Everyone Loves Gifting
Some prospects (especially in regulated industries or government) can’t accept gifts. Others just find it awkward. Don’t force it in every campaign—know your audience.
What About ROI? (And How to Measure It)
Measuring ROI for gifting is tricky. Yes, Reachdesk gives you dashboards. But the real question is: would those meetings have happened anyway?
Here’s how to make your data useful: - A/B Test: Run similar campaigns with and without gifts. Compare response and conversion rates. - Follow Up: Don’t just send a gift and vanish. Use it as a conversation starter, not a crutch. - Check Real Outcomes: Are gifts leading to real pipeline, or just more meetings with the wrong people?
If you’re thoughtful, you can see a measurable lift. But don’t expect it to turn a bad campaign into a great one overnight.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use Reachdesk
Reachdesk is a good fit if: - You have a decent-sized sales or CS team (10+ users) and run outbound campaigns at scale. - You already use Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, or similar tools. - You have budget for both software and gifting. - You need to prove campaign ROI to leadership (and want actual data).
Reachdesk probably isn’t for you if: - You’re a solo founder or tiny team—manual gifting is cheaper. - Your deals are small or transactional (the economics don’t work). - You sell to industries that can’t accept gifts. - You’re hoping gifts will fix product or messaging problems.
Quick Tips to Get the Most Out of Reachdesk
- Set Clear Rules: Who can send gifts, how often, and for what value. Otherwise, expect budget drama.
- Focus on Personalization: A generic $5 coffee card is forgettable. Personal notes or thoughtful gifts stand out more.
- Track Real Results: Don’t just count meetings—see which gifts actually lead to pipeline and revenue.
- Test, Test, Test: Try different gift types, messages, and triggers. Iterate based on what actually works.
- Keep It Ethical: Always check if your recipients can accept gifts. Don’t get your team (or your prospect) in trouble.
The Bottom Line
Reachdesk does what it says on the tin: it makes gifting at scale possible and trackable. For the right team, it’s a legit way to boost engagement and show some personality. But it’s not a silver bullet—and it’s definitely not cheap.
If you’re thinking about using Reachdesk, start small. Run a test campaign, measure actual results, and build from there. Keep it simple, stay honest, and don’t let the hype distract you from what really matters: real conversations with real people.