ARV Connect & Grow
Start free
Subscribe
Sales Skills / Keep Customers and Win Referrals / Lesson 10
LESSON 10 · KEEP CUSTOMERS AND WIN REFERRALS

Surprise Them With a Small Gift

Practical ways to surprise customers with a small gift, creating warmth that lasts.

Small gifts speak loudly. Thoughtful beats expensive.

10 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

10 tips that really help

These ideas come from The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Small gifts speak loudly
TIP 1

Small gifts speak loudly

A thoughtful token shows appreciation more strongly than words alone.

TRY THIS
Plan one.
Photo for the tip: Set a modest budget
TIP 2

Set a modest budget

Sustainable gifts keep the habit going without strain.

TRY THIS
Decide an amount.
Photo for the tip: Note their interests
TIP 3

Note their interests

Gifts that match personal tastes feel special.

TRY THIS
Record them.
Photo for the tip: Choose something useful
TIP 4

Choose something useful

A practical or enjoyable item beats a logo product.

TRY THIS
Think of them.
Photo for the tip: Add a handwritten note
TIP 5

Add a handwritten note

A few warm words make the gift personal.

TRY THIS
Write by hand.
Photo for the tip: Send at a meaningful moment
TIP 6

Send at a meaningful moment

After a milestone or success is ideal.

TRY THIS
Watch for it.
Photo for the tip: Expect nothing in return
TIP 7

Expect nothing in return

Pure kindness builds the deepest loyalty.

TRY THIS
Remind yourself.
Photo for the tip: Follow up lightly
TIP 8

Follow up lightly

Check it arrived and asked nothing more.

TRY THIS
Send a short message.
Photo for the tip: Check company rules
TIP 9

Check company rules

Some firms have gift limits, so stay appropriate.

TRY THIS
Review policies.
Photo for the tip: Gifts create goodwill
TIP 10

Gifts create goodwill

It is the thought that counts.

TRY THIS
Plan.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.

GIFT

“I sent you a small thank-you.”

PERSONAL

“I remembered you love coffee.”

WARM

“Just a little something for you.”

CHECK

“Did it arrive safely?”

THANKS

“Thank you for your trust.”

CLOSE

“Enjoy.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Choose a budget
DAY 2
Note their interests
DAY 3
Pick a small gift
DAY 4
Add a handwritten note
DAY 5
Send at a good moment
DAY 6
Follow up
DAY 7
Review

Further reading

  • The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer)
  • Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
  • Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Keep Customers and Win Referrals lessons
Next lesson: Remember Birthdays and Milestones →

More lessons in “Keep Customers and Win Referrals”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Respond Faster Than ExpectedNext: Remember Birthdays and Milestones →

  1. Why Most Sales Are Lost in the Follow-Up
  2. Follow Up Within 24 Hours
  3. The Five-Touch Follow-Up Plan
  4. Give Value in Every Message
  5. Use Phone, Email and Messages Together
  6. Say "I Am Checking In" Better
  7. Follow Up With a Helpful Link or Idea
  8. Under-Promise, Over-Deliver
  9. Respond Faster Than Expected
  10. Surprise Them With a Small Gift
  11. Remember Birthdays and Milestones
  12. Handwritten Notes Still Win
  13. Make Onboarding Easy
  14. Fix Problems Before They Notice
  15. Listen First, Fix Second
  16. Say Sorry Without Excuses
  17. Offer a Solution, Not a Speech
  18. Follow Up After the Fix
  19. Learn From Every Complaint
  20. Turn a Bad Review Into a Good Story
  21. Know When to Escalate
  22. Review Accounts Every Quarter
  23. Ask "What Else Could Help?"
  24. The Gentle Upsell
  25. Cross-Sell With Care
  26. Find the Next Department or Branch
  27. Renewals Without Panic
  28. Celebrate Customer Anniversaries
  29. Ask at the Moment of Joy
  30. A Simple Referral Script
  31. Give Customers an Easy Way to Share
  32. Thank Referrers Beautifully
  33. Referral Partnerships
  34. Collect Reviews the Right Way
  35. Build a Personal Brand
  36. Keep Learning Every Year
  37. Protect Your Reputation
  38. Balance Work and Life
  39. Teach Others What You Know
  40. Your Ten-Year Selling Plan
Scroll to Top