Anyone in sales knows about the summer slump. “Let’s pick this back up after vacation” can make it challenging to close a deal.
Whether you’re cross-selling to existing customers or bringing new prospects into the fold, adding a B2B gift card to your summer campaign can help your sales team meet — or exceed — their goals.
Need some convincing? The Incentive Research Foundation’s 2023 Industry Outlook reports that 50% of respondents in North America believe high inflation increases the value of non-cash incentives (including gift cards), vs. only 23% who believe it makes them less valuable.
Many of your customers and prospects are looking to stretch the value of a dollar, and a creative B2B gift card campaign could catch their attention and incentivize them to take action during the slower season.
To help you generate excitement around your summer campaign, here are five theme ideas to get you started.
Summer is the perfect time to engage with customers and prospects about their travel plans. When you’re checking in with them, mention you have a promotion that can help them plan their next vacation. Choose your incentives according to your budget and the value of your customer with the following B2B gift card combinations.
A fun name that nods to the action you want them to take — Sign Up and Get Away, for example — will help your campaign stand out.
Not everyone has a big summer trip planned, of course. Enter the summer staycation. Put together a variety of B2B gift card options from local restaurants, movie theaters, Topgolf, and Spafinder for the ultimate incentive gift. Your customers or prospects with families will especially appreciate this, as they can give their kids something to do while they’re at work or plan a fun weekend outing together. Just make sure that you do your research to personalize the selection with options local to the recipient.
When summer rolls around, it naturally brings up memories of childhood adventures. Tap into the nostalgia with an incentive campaign that lets recipients relive the fun (or share it with their kids!). Build messaging around the concept that “everyone’s a kid at heart” and give gift card options from Disney, Nintendo, Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and GameStop, or opt for a pre-curated, multi-brand Game & Grub card. This campaign is an especially great option if your audience is primarily the tech-savvy Gen Z.
READ MORE: Choosing the Best Online Gift Cards to Reward Every Generation
Sometimes the only way to “chillax” in summer is to avoid going outdoors when the temperature is unbearable. But with today’s streaming services, you don’t need to go to the movies to see the latest blockbuster and enjoy the air conditioning.
Run a regional “beat the heat” campaign with messaging about staying inside and binge-watching the latest “hot” series. Get creative with a B2B gift card for a streaming platform, like Hulu or Sling, and/or a food delivery service, like GrubHub or DoorDash..
This time of year is also when many people focus on home projects like building a deck or landscaping their yard. Offering a generous digital gift card to Home Depot may be just the carrot to dangle in front of your top prospects. Throw in a restaurant gift card so they can treat themselves after working on their house all day to sweeten the incentive even more.
Finally, summer is also camping, cycling, and swimming season. Incentivize prospects and delight customers with a choice of a B2B gift card to a retailer such as REI, Under Armour, Nike, or Lands’ End so they can purchase the right gear for their favorite outdoor pursuits. You could even include a gas card to help them get to their destination — state and national parks are popular summer vacation hotspots.
Sales reps can use a B2B gift card to incentivize prospects and customers to take many actions, from attending a demo to submitting a referral. Read our blog to see how reps in all different roles can tap into the power of rewards!
BHN Rewards puts the power of digital rewards to work for marketers, researchers, and HR managers. Don't forget to check out all the great content in our Resources section!
BHN Rewards puts the power of digital rewards to work for marketers, researchers, and HR managers. Don't forget to check out all the great content in our Resources section!
