Much of our time leading up to the holidays is spent deciding on the right gift for our friends, family, neighbors, and even our children’s teachers. While there’s nothing wrong with this, we frequently forget about our legal clients in the hustle and bustle of the merry season. Should you purchase gifts for them too? Investing in gifts for your legal clients during the holidays has many benefits, and here are four to consider giving holiday gifts to your clients.
Showing Your Gratitude
One of the most fundamental reasons to give a gift is to tangibly show your appreciation and gratitude. Your clients have likely entrusted you with some of the most sacred details of their lives and business and with performing significant tasks on their behalf. They are the lifeblood of your law firm. Giving a holiday gift to show them how much you appreciate them shows that you recognize these facts.
Remaining Top of Mind
If you want repeat clients and your clients to refer you to others when they hear about someone else with a legal need you can fill, it’s essential to stay top of mind. One easy way to do this is through holiday gifting. Whether you are on retainer for a client or helped them with a legal matter earlier in the year, sending a token of your appreciation is never a bad idea. It will refresh their minds that you are available to them and others needing your expertise and assistance.
If you give a gift that will last some time and isn’t consumable, such as engraved wine, scotch glasses, or a cheese board, you could remain top of mind for quite some time. This effort could result in return business and additional referrals for years to come.
Seizing the Opportunity to Show Them You Know Them
Holiday gift-giving is an opportunity to get to know your clients better and grow closer to them. Throughout the year, in your interactions with them, pay attention to what they like or dislike (for example, are they whiskey fans, or do they only drink red wine). Consider taking notes so you can refer to them at the end of the year.
When the holidays arrive, think about a gift that would be meaningful to them. Your client may love a specific coffee brand from South America or a vintage wine that is hard to find. Focus on those things when shopping for the client. Your client will likely be impressed that you not only noted what they liked but remembered and thought about it instead of giving them a generic gift like an Amazon gift card.
Setting Yourself Apart
While blending in can be a good goal in many parts of life, when it comes to your law firm and getting clients, you want to stand out and set yourself apart. Giving your clients gifts during the holidays can help you stand out from your peers and the competition, especially if you are thoughtful and intentional.
Giving your clients holiday gifts is an investment in them and your current and future business. Not only are you brightening their holiday and showing your appreciation, but you are also planting the seeds for future business and clients for yourself. While gifting doesn’t have to be extremely expensive, complicated, or time-consuming, you should plan and create a gift-giving strategy before proceeding.
