I don’t know about you, but I am in two minds about whether I want to buy a new diary for 2025, let alone sell it to my clients as a corporate gift. I find that there are a zillion apps available nowadays to help you keep track of your diary no matter where you are or whether your assistants need access to your diary to help you manage it. Why should you then spend money to give away diaries as a corporate gift to your clients?
Who still advocates diaries as a corporate gift
I find it pretty funny to look on Google at who promotes the use of diaries as a corporate gift. Printers are right at the top of the list. Diaries have been a big portion of their annual sales for decades. Why will they advocate using anything else?
The various AI platforms are also competing for the top spot. But if you have not realized it yet, you will get the answer you have asked for on AI, no matter from which angle you have asked the question. Positive or negative. AI is designed to please. AI is also not responsible for your budget or your eminent sales. And no, they do not have feelings or emotions.
Will diaries strengthen relationships and boost morale? Can a Kit-Kat chocolate not do the same job?
The practicalities of your diary
In my opinion, as a marketing communications coach and entrepreneur developer, your diary stands in the middle of your productivity and, ultimately, whether or not you will be achieving your goals. I do not use my diary for scheduling anymore. That is a lost cause. I moved electronically a while ago, and that works for me. I do, however, use my diary to jot down my annual and monthly goals, as well as my weekly and daily to-do lists. And I love drawing pictures wherever there is a blank space available.
A Good Excuse to Visit your Client
When you do use a diary as a corporate gift, you will have the massive advantage of having to visit your client in person. “Hey, Mr. Client. Let’s do coffee first thing in January. Then I can deliver your 2025 diary,” and voilà, the first opportunity to meet face-to-face in the new year. Research shows that people are ready for some serious in-person sales meetings. And your diary could be the catalyst to get the ball rolling.
Add some coloring pencils
I believe we should give our inner child more opportunity to hit the swings. Research shows that creative thoughts catapult us into feelings of happiness. Our inner child needs the opportunity to break out of our dim and dreary, same-old-same-old shell. Adding some colour to your imaginary day in your diary through all sorts of shapes and sizes can be fun, but it is also highly contagious. Now, that is what I call boosting morale—inside and out.
The bottom line is that if you do decide to give diaries as a corporate gift, consider giving them away for coloring pencils.
An alternative to your diary
If you know that all your clients are already on digital diaries and scheduling apps, why not give your clients a journal instead of a diary? In that way, they can use the journal as a diary to draw out their vision board and note their objectives and short-term to-do lists. They will also have more freedom to draw pictures around their visions and goals or jot down how their day was. Journals or notebooks are generally less expensive than diaries. Being part of your client’s story can be insanely rewarding.
To Buy or Not to Buy a Diary as a Corporate Gift
The use of a diary is highly personal. Some love it, and some don’t. Yes, we have some super stunning diaries that you can purchase from us. We also have a selection of journals that will always remain a winner, from cost-effective to super high-end.
If the demographics of your audience are more traditional, with less inclination to be married to an app, then diaries are still very much the choice when it comes to corporate gifts. And if you select well, they will be holding your brand in their hands for the entire 2025. 365 Days of serious brand exposure!
We ask before we sell
The number one point that we at addShine want to impress on you is that we will never sell you a product just to make a quick buck. As marketing experts, we ask the questions to get to the bottom of your brand’s needs—not just for today but also for tomorrow. Our relationship with you is far more important than the immediate here and now.
Give Rentia a call today to discuss what will be best for your brand. One thing you do not want to do is miss the 2025 Bus! And yes, our quotes are absolutely FREE. We are, after all, here to add shine to your day—today and tomorrow.
