We are just 18 days from Christmas and I see the panic on the faces of many struggling on what to get those on their holiday list. I will admit, I had those moments looking for the “perfect gift”. Having moments where I let the inner gremlins step in bashing those out of the box ideas….
Has your gift giving list grown? Has your office just decided to hold a Secret Santa? Are YOUR friends looking for gifts for people in their office or do they know someone who is looking to give gifts to their co-workers or customers?
For those of us in direct sales, I know this sounds OBVIOUS but have you approached them about using YOUR products as gifts. Now, I don’t mean just hand them a catalog to look through, I mean really help them with their gift giving dilemnas.
I offered my customers this year the opportunity to make their Christmas Wish List. Remember the wish list of your childhood. The one where you scoured the catalogs and sale papers making a list of EVERYTHING you could possible want then gave it to your parents who shared it with everyone in the family.
Some created their own list of what they wanted and then told family to contact me. While others, provided me with a gift list and a few words describing person they needed to buy a gift for. I then made practical suggestions from our product lines for them. I know you are all thinking – when do I have time to do that in addition to my shopping, work (full and part-time), kids, etc. The reality is most will not take advantage of it BUT you could start off by offering it to your hostess or those VIP customers who shop year round with you, never missing an opportunity to share your business with others.
Let’s try it with some of our Thirty One products:
- Busy Mom, Mom Taxi – what about a Thirty One Hanging Traveler Case bag filled with pens, pencils, note paper, crayons, etc. to leave in the car. Maybe even a few non-perishable snacks for the kids or an energy bar or two for mom. You never have to hunt for a pen or you can keep the kids busy while in the car.
- Hubby, Mechanic, Car fanatic – How about an Zip Top Organizing Utility Tote filled with everything they would need to take care of their car? They can keep everything in the trunk – organized so there is still room for the groceries.
- College Student – How about a Large Utility Tote filled with everything they would need in an emergency? Blanket, jumper cables, first aid kit, etc. Our daughter got one when she started driving. I know, most people have AAA but honestly sometimes they take FOREVER! In the dead of winter, would it be nice to have a filled bag in the trunk so when a good Samaritan stopped to offer assistance you had the supplies you needed. How about filling it with snacks along with a gift card or two. You will be sending them back to school with food to get through those tough nights of studying..
So, have I sparked any ideas? Are YOU thinking outside of the box? Some people will think it is tacky to give a gift of the product you sell but think about how special it will be if it is combined with something they would know you picked out just for them. I mean we all LOVE our products, why not share them with friends, family and co-workers.
What are you doing for “outside of the box” gift giving this holiday season? I am still looking for a few gift ideas, how about sharing YOUR best company gift idea with us.
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope Wissel 