Gifting That Converts: Do Incentives Drive Marketing Results?

News From the Q to You 📰

With the season of giving in full swing 🎁 we’re exploring how gifting incentives can elevate your marketing strategies. From thoughtful gift cards to cookie baskets, strategic gifting is more than a holiday gesture—it’s a proven way to spark engagement and drive results.

Hot Take Gifting: Incentives That Deliver 🎯

Gifting programs are a hot topic in marketing, especially during the holiday season. Whether it’s a $100 gift card for booking a demo or curated swag boxes, these incentives can help you break through the noise and drive qualified leads.

82% of recipients develop a more favorable view of a brand after receiving a gift, with 66% recalling the brand a year later

But as with all tactics, success depends on thoughtful execution.

The Reality Check:

• Gifting incentives like gift cards often face pushback due to perception, not performance. Meanwhile, steak dinners, bourbon events, and branded swag rarely face the same scrutiny 🤔

• These programs work best when targeting warm audiences who are already engaged and more likely to convert.

• To ensure success, pair your incentives with a clear value proposition and avoid a “spray-and-pray” approach.

Why This Matters:

A well-executed gifting strategy can:

• Grab attention in crowded inboxes.

• Create goodwill and meaningful engagement.

• Drive measurable outcomes like pipeline growth and deal acceleration.

92% of customers who receive a gift are more likely to refer the brand to others

Marketing Leadership Toolbox 🧰

Flexibility Through Strategic Incentives:

Done right, gifting campaigns can:

1. Break Through Inbox Clutter: A thoughtful gift or incentive sets you apart in a sea of generic outreach.

2. Foster Stronger Relationships: Gifting shows you value the recipient’s time and partnership.

3. Demonstrate Measurable Impact: Tie your efforts directly to pipeline and revenue for clear ROI.

Why This Strategy Works:

In today’s tighter budget environment, marketing teams need strategies that balance creativity with measurable results. Strategic gifting aligns perfectly with these goals:

• Prove your team’s value by driving real business outcomes.

• Build trust with leadership by demonstrating ROI.

• Create memorable connections with prospects and customers alike.

Customers who receive gifts are three times more likely to book a meeting

Gifting Software to Streamline Your Campaigns:

1. Alyce – Personalize your gifting at scale with tailored gift recommendations for each recipient.

2. Sendoso – Create memorable experiences with custom gift packages and direct mail solutions.

3. Reachdesk – Combine gifting with account-based marketing for seamless campaign execution.

4. Loop & Tie – Offer recipients a curated selection of gifts they can choose from, ensuring relevance and satisfaction.

Tactics for the Week:

Set up an Intent-Based Funnel Campaign

Monitor Engagement Data
Track key behaviors like website visits, video ad completion rates (50%+), and repeated content interactions to move contacts through funnel stages.

Segment Your Audience
Leverage this data to build a targeted list of warm leads, excluding less relevant prospects.

Personalized and Compliant Outreach
Deliver tailored email/InMail messages or ads to this warm audience, offering an incentive while clearly stating rewards are issued only after completing a demo or discovery call.

Refine and Measure
Evaluate performance at every stage, refining targeting and messaging to drive improved results.

This approach ensures you’re targeting engaged, qualified prospects so your gifting programs are not just thoughtful but also strategic, efficient, and ROI-driven.

Take Action ✔️

This gifting season, rethink how you’re using incentives in your marketing strategy. From tailored gift cards to personalized experiences, the key is aligning these gestures with your long-term goals. With the right tools and approach, gifting programs can deliver more than just holiday cheer—they can drive real results.

Career Up 🚀

New year, new career? Here's a start: 🎯

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Conservation International

Fractional CMO (Remote) Iden2 

VP of Marketing Unitek Learning

VP Demand Generation ($202,500—$340,000) Navan

VP Marketing ($209k - $278.70k) MetLife

Global Content Manager ($137,000-$202,000) Google

Digital Media Coordinator ($65,000 - 75,000) TOMS

Director, Brand Strategy ($149.28k - $249k) Macy's

Experiential Marketing Lead, Global Experiences ($150k - $211k) Meta

Director of Brand Marketing and Communications -Remote- ($140k - $160k) Huckleberry Labs

Senior Marketing Manager -Remote- ($120k - $150k) RedCat Digital

Marketing Manager ($125k - $165k) Whatnot

Vice President, Regional Marketing ($231,000—$289,000) Ellation US

Senior Manager, Marketing Operations ($142,000.00-$212,000.00) Zendesk

Senior Marketing Specialist ($82,500.00 to $115,500.00 - potential to increase pay up to $132,000.00) Expedia

Marketing Automation Specialist ($35k - $113k) Meta

Marketing Assistant ($47,000 to $75,000) Blue Print Out

SEO Specialist Geek Powered Studios -Remote- ($60k - $70k)

Event & Experience Marketing Professional IBM

Intern - Prisma Cloud Product Marketing Specialist ($25/hr to $32/hr) Palo Alto Networks

Find MANY more marketing career opportunities, across all functions and seniority levels, on our Job Board MarketingHQ

Until Next Time

Join us for some festive cheer at the American Marketing Association (Boston Chapter) Holiday Party 🎉🎄

📍 Fenway Johnnies, Boston
📅 December 10th | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

This is a fantastic chance to connect with fellow marketers, exchange insights, and celebrate the holiday season together. Don’t miss out on the fun—we can’t wait to see you there!

Gain access to an exclusive community, curated resources, job boards, and networking opportunities that accelerate your career. All for less than two cups of coffee a month ☕

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Until next week,

- The Marketing HQ Team