Xmas presents for clients

Nov 13, 2008 4:57 am

What are some good ideas for Christmas/Holiday presents for clients this year?  I’ve done the English muffins/chocolate/wine basket/wreath/monogrammed glassware ideas over the last several years, and something fresh would be appreciated.  I usually send to my top 100 or so clients, not necessarily based upon account size, but on the value of the entire relationship.  Some small accounts are great referral sources, as we all know.  Assuming we still have clients by Christmas, what are some of you sending/thinking of sending?

Nov 13, 2008 1:46 pm

I sent calendars one year. Normal Rockwell scenes, with my contact info stamped on the cover.

Nov 13, 2008 4:04 pm

BH, that’s exactly what I plan on doing - the Rockwell Calendar.  Any feedback on it?

Nov 13, 2008 4:15 pm

Shot glasses: “I survived the Bear of 2008”

Nov 13, 2008 4:31 pm
B24:

BH, that’s exactly what I plan on doing - the Rockwell Calendar.  Any feedback on it?

  People liked it. Some became clients. One guy posted it near the register at his business, a sandwich place. If I do it again I would take it around to my business prospects and clients at give it them personally in hopes they put it up in a prominent place.      
Nov 13, 2008 6:26 pm
gvf:

Shot glasses: “I survived the Bear of 2008”

  That may end up looking like the infamous "Mission Accomplished" banner of the Iraqi war, like 3 years ago.   You might want to wait until this Bear goes back into hibernation before you breakout the confetti!
Nov 13, 2008 8:24 pm

How about a flaming bag of poo on their front porch?  At least it puts their portfolio losses in perspective.

  Seriously, the best thing you can do for your taxable accounts this Christmas is loss harvesting.
Nov 13, 2008 8:26 pm

I’m going to ask Elliot Spitzer if he’s got any ideas…

Nov 13, 2008 8:58 pm

I’ll bet Spitzer would make a great cold caller.  Somebody give him to me for Christmas and I’ll bet my business would double in about 45 minutes.  Would that qualify for his community service requirement?

Nov 13, 2008 9:26 pm
2wheeledbeemer:

I’ll bet Spitzer would make a great cold caller.  Somebody give him to me for Christmas and I’ll bet my business would double in about 45 minutes.  Would that qualify for his community service requirement?

  Geez man, for a holiday season about giving, you sure seem selfish.  It's all about your business...betting that your business will double.  What about my business?  Man, get your priorities straight. :)     On a note about being a good cold caller, I've been trying to pick up a decent college girl intern for some office clean up and cold calling on seminars that will sound nice and inviting on the phone.  Let me tell you, social networking things like Facebook and MySpace are great to see pictures of them before you call them in for an interview to waste your time.   I would rather waste my time on here! 
Nov 13, 2008 9:49 pm

Frightening Thought of the Day:  Reg. Rep. Advisor Forum combines with Facebook.  I definitely don’t want to see pictures of you guys doing your Pilates in your Speedos with your iPods tucked…wherever.

Nov 14, 2008 1:54 am

[quote=2wheeledbeemer] What are some good ideas for Christmas/Holiday presents for clients this year? I’ve done the English muffins/chocolate/wine basket/wreath/monogrammed glassware ideas over the last several years, and something fresh would be appreciated. I usually send to my top 100 or so clients, not necessarily based upon account size, but on the value of the entire relationship. Some small accounts are great referral sources, as we all know. Assuming we still have clients by Christmas, what are some of you sending/thinking of sending?[/quote] My partner and I have done all of the above and the clients so really do appreciate this. One suggestion …another thing we do is get our entire team together, (rep’s and assistant’s) spouses, children, pets and do a group photo, very casual setting however it bring’s us all back to what really is important at the end of the day. Family and friends.

Nov 14, 2008 2:42 am

I recommend definitely taking notes during client meetings for what their interests are.  I have a client that I’ve taken on a wine tour before and know she loves Pinot Noir, so I know it would be a good idea to send her a bottle.  I have another client who is an heiress to the Hess Corporation, so I think I’ll probably get her a $20 gas card to Hess.  It’s not like she needs it or anything, but she’ll know that I thought specifically of her when I was picking the gift out.  It may be a pain if you have like 60 clients you are looking to get gifts for and don’t want to go to 60 different places to get something…so another suggestion:  Don’t wait until the holidays to pick something out for everyone.  Or narrow down the list of clients you’d like to do something special for.

Nov 14, 2008 2:43 am

[quote=snaggletooth]

I’ve been trying to pick up a decent college girl intern for some office clean up…[one] that will sound nice and inviting on the phone.
[/quote]

I want one of those too! 
Nov 14, 2008 2:59 am

[quote=gvf] [quote=snaggletooth]

I've been trying to pick up a decent college girl intern for some office clean up....[one] that will sound nice and inviting on the phone.
[/quote]

I want one of those too! 
[/quote]   Try it, they're free!
Nov 14, 2008 3:48 pm

My BM wouldn’t let me have one

Nov 14, 2008 4:29 pm
OrDieTrying:

My BM wouldn’t let me have one

  Tell him she can do work for him too.  Everyone has stuff that needs to be filed.
Nov 15, 2008 1:46 am
snaggletooth:

[quote=OrDieTrying]My BM wouldn’t let me have one



Tell him she can do work for him too. Everyone has stuff that needs to be filed.[/quote]



How very not compliant is this statement!
Nov 15, 2008 2:22 am

[quote=NCGNTO] [quote=snaggletooth] [quote=OrDieTrying]My BM wouldn’t let me have one :([/quote]

 
Tell him she can do work for him too.  Everyone has stuff that needs to be filed.[/quote]

How very not compliant is this statement![/quote]   It's an organized mess.
Nov 15, 2008 3:43 am

shoes

Nov 15, 2008 2:45 pm

Curious to know how many clients everybody sends stuff to.  Top 10, 20?  Does everybody get at least a little something, with the better relationships garnering the better loot?  I’ve been pretty 'cross the board with my top 100 or so.  Just curious.

Nov 15, 2008 9:24 pm
2wheeledbeemer:

Curious to know how many clients everybody sends stuff to. Top 10, 20? Does everybody get at least a little something, with the better relationships garnering the better loot? I’ve been pretty 'cross the board with my top 100 or so. Just curious.



My team sends every client a group photo holiday card....the top households receice a gift basket, plant or chocolates. We also send something to clients, no matr what their aum are, something just because of the relationship. No real approach for some clients. We feel it is relationship oriented....good luck!!
Dec 3, 2008 2:57 am

I’m going to get this for a couple of my gun enthusiast clients:  http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=69720

  I watched it on TV the other night and it was VERY cool.  Basically sharp shooters try to redo legendary old western shots from Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill, and others.  There is an assortment of handguns, rifles, and shotguns. 
Feb 26, 2009 12:45 pm
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that's all?? the presents only for Christmas? Why not to keep the tradition for the other holidays as well?? ok not to 100 or more but try to send at least to some top 10 or 20 on other holidays as well

Feb 27, 2009 2:46 am

I make donations to charitie that are meaingful to them, in their names and the company matches.

Kicking and Taking
Apr 7, 2009 11:09 pm

My Assistant and I send out a Christmas Card and we make a donation to a different charity each year on their behalf. Salvation Army Christmas Appeal , The Food Bank , Snow Suit Fund etc. and to be honest the clients appreciate that we give back to the community. That means Good Year or Bad Year.

Apr 10, 2009 3:34 am

gezz man  stfu

u sound like homos i make people money  they pay me.   im not bing mf crosby   "oh yes,  just peachy..the wonderful frosty the snowman xmas settings"   stfu  girly men.
Jun 16, 2009 4:00 pm

100 does seem high.

Hold a coloring contest for the clients kids, and create a annual calendar of their artwork and send it to your entire book.  Anyone with their grandbaby or kid in it will never leave you.  I’ve seen advisers who do this for their holiday cards as well.

If not, test your previous prospecting.  You do know their favorite charity don’t you??!?  Make a donation in their names. 

Jun 16, 2009 5:20 pm
Waywrd1:

100 does seem high.

Hold a coloring contest for the clients kids, and create a annual calendar of their artwork and send it to your entire book.  Anyone with their grandbaby or kid in it will never leave you.  I’ve seen advisers who do this for their holiday cards as well.

  I was just thinking of doing this for birthday cards...but a calendar wouldn't be a bad idea.  Definitely cheaper than the peppermint bark that went out last year.
Sep 13, 2012 6:55 am

Lebkuchen are Traditional In in german Christmas Biscuits and my children love to beautify these with white frosting and silver paintballs.http://www.christmasrecipesnow.com/ Christmas appetizer recipes

Sep 13, 2012 7:02 pm

I sent out local things each year. Local chocolate, spices cards, stuff like that.

About three years ago I made a donation to a charity and sent a simple card telling clients I made a donation in the name of my clients to XXXXX.

I have received more kudo’s for that move than anything else. Its a tradition I carry out today.