​In today's fast-paced world, standing out in marketing often means going back to basics. One of the most impactful ways to connect with your audience is through a marketing plan focused on generosity. At Magnets USA, we believe that the act of giving—whether it’s a heartfelt card or a thoughtfully chosen gift—can create lasting impressions and strengthen relationships. Here’s how you can incorporate this approach into your marketing strategy.​

​1. The Power of Personal Connection
In an age where digital communication reigns supreme, the tactile experience of receiving a card or gift in the mail can be incredibly powerful. It’s a simple act that shows thoughtfulness and care, which can go a long way in building customer loyalty. For example, sending out our beautiful, customizable postcards can help your business convey a personal touch that digital messages often lack.

2. Incorporate Thoughtful Gifting into Your Campaigns
Thoughtful gifting can set your brand apart. Consider incorporating gifts like our Golf Gift Kit or our Ulu Elite Knife and Food Prep Station into your marketing campaigns. These gifts are not just useful; they’re unique and memorable, making them perfect for showing appreciation to your customers or clients.

3. Seasonal and Themed Giving
Aligning your marketing efforts with seasons or specific themes can make your campaign more relevant and impactful. Our Chef Series Prep Station Board is a perfect gift for the holidays or any culinary-related event. Additionally, our Magnetic Football Schedules are ideal for sports enthusiasts, making them great gifts during the football season. By offering themed gifts, you not only provide something of value but also tie your brand to moments that matter in your customers’ lives.

4. Promote Positivity and Trust Through Your Campaigns
Our Inspirational Desk Calendars are a great way to promote positive messages and build trust with your audience. Spread joy with adorable pet photos, beautiful beaches, or monthly inspirational quotes. Incorporating these themes into your marketing campaigns can help foster a positive and trustworthy image for your brand.
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5. Celebrate Special Occasions and Milestones
Finally, consider celebrating your customers’ special occasions or milestones with personalized cards or gifts. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or any other significant event, a small gesture can go a long way in creating a strong bond with your audience. Magnets USA offers a variety of products that can be customized to suit any occasion, making it easy for you to show your customers how much you value them.

​A marketing plan centered around generosity is not just about the immediate impact; it’s about creating lasting relationships that are built on trust, positivity, and genuine care. By incorporating personalized cards, thoughtful gifts, and themed giving into your strategy, you can make a memorable impression that will keep your brand top of mind.

Reasons to Consider Corporate Gifting

1. Overcome Physical Distance Barriers
To an employee or partner who has never set foot in their physical workplace, a thoughtful gift can make a world of difference in their experience on your team. With the recent popularity of remote work, it’s highly important to reach out to those who work long-distance and celebrate their achievements just as you would in any in-person setting. Though it may seem nearly impossible to replicate the same level of togetherness one would experience working in the office, corporate gifting for remote workers sends an impactful message that you value their presence, even if it is from a distance.

2. Build and Strengthen Relationships
Corporate gifting is a flexible strategy for encouraging the growth of meaningful connections throughout your company. The simple gesture of sending a corporate birthday gift, or a quarterly act of recognition for hard work, creates an environment where positive interactions among coworkers, and management, become the norm. Remembrance and recognition through corporate gifting shows the recipient their presence is valued, and that their relationship to your business is critical to success.

3. Recognize Employees and Boost Morale
Corporate gifting offers numerous benefits to employees, enhancing their overall experience within the workplace. According to Gallup, only 1 in 3 workers in the US strongly agree that they received recognition or praise for their work in the past 7 days, which many say is a factor in their decision to leave or stay in a position long-term. When employees experience authentic appreciation for their contributions, it fosters a workplace atmosphere that inspires individuals to perform at their highest level. Furthermore, corporate gifting creates a ripple effect within the workplace, inspiring a culture of reciprocity and teamwork, where employees are encouraged to support one another.​

Corporate Gifting with Magnets USA®
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Looking for an assortment of customizable corporate gifts? At Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™, we are proud to offer a large selection of high-quality, personalized gifts and gift kits for every occasion. We pride ourselves on our customer service, product quality, and attention to detail. As a small family-run business with over 30 years of experience, we want you to feel confident knowing that when you choose us for your client gifting needs, you get our flexibility, attentive listening, and unwavering commitment to your satisfaction.

If you’d like to learn more about how to grow your business through gentle relationship marketing, make sure to create an account and subscribe to our emails to stay up to date on any discounts or announcements. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to take part in the Magnets USA® & LifeLong Gifts™ community.

When the Market Dips, it's Time to Get Busy.

We get it. The market isn't what it was, and things have been challenging. In times like these, it's only natural to reevaluate your marketing strategies, but here's the thing: while history shows that the market always slows down, it always comes back too.

That's why, in times like these, it's more important than ever to invest in your marketing efforts. We know things will heat back up, and when they do, you want to make sure you're the one who's reaping the benefits because you put in the work to maintain their presence during the rough patch.

Here are 3 reasons why it's essential to invest in your marketing efforts when the market is down:


1. You'll reach new clients.
Direct mail remains one of the most effective marketing strategies across industries. Even if you only mail 200 magnetic calendars, sports schedules, or notecards to a neighborhood, that's still 200 potential new clients.


2. Brand Recognition.
Establishing your brand is a critical aspect of marketing. Putting an eye-catching design on your appreciation gifts helps you stand out from the competition and demonstrates your professionalism, reinforcing your identity as an expert in your field. By getting your brand on people's fridges, they'll see it every day, which builds their trust in you and your services, meaning you'll be the first one they call.


3. It lets past clients know you're still active.
Since the name of the game is relationship marketing, you need to maintain past relationships. Clients you've worked with in the past are more likely to use you again in the future and refer you to their friends because they already know they can trust you to get the job done. But if you don't make the effort to stay in touch, they might think you aren't in business anymore, or worse, forget about you entirely.

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Don’t let the current market get in the way of your goals. Use this time as an opportunity to plant the seeds of success now and harvest the fruits of your labor in the future.

Remember, at Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our marketing experts are standing by, ready to develop a strategy tailored to your unique needs. If you have any questions or are ready to launch your new campaign, give us a call at 800.869.7562 or send an email to [email protected].

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you'll never miss out on exclusive promotions, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected and be a part of our community of like-minded entrepreneurs.

​Wondering when the best times to order and send your client appreciation gifts are? Custom products take time to make, especially when they're of high quality, so ensuring you have enough time to get your gifts into your client's hands can be tricky. This simple guide will show you when we recommend placing your order and when to send it so it arrives in time to make the biggest impact possible.

As a motivated business professional, you know the importance of creating lasting relationships with your clients. One of the best ways to create those relationships is to show your appreciation for their business. And what better way to say thank you than with a gift? By making the effort to send gifts to clients, you're showing how much you value them as well as opening the door for something deeper. They'll be grateful for the gesture, keeping your name at the forefront of their minds.

At Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™, we specialize in crafting high-quality magnetic calendars, sports schedules, companion notecards, and high-end cutlery designed to help you create a marketing plan tailored to your unique needs. We're not just in the business of crafting magnetic products; we're here to help you succeed.

Our products are more than just gifts; they're tools to build lasting connections, expand your reach, and grow your business.

As with most things, timing can make all the difference, and gifting is no exception. Carolers knocking on your door in July are an unwelcome nuisance; going to the beach in January won't offer much fun in the sun; and a joke said at the wrong place can cause some serious problems.

When it comes to relationship marketing, sending a thoughtful gift during the right season or occasion can make a lasting impression, and our products serve as gentle reminders of your commitment to your clients' needs, helping you stand out from the crowd and leaving a lasting impact.

Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year
Order as early as possible, ideally in June, and no later than October. Aim to mail them by mid-November to beat the rush and ensure they arrive in time for the holidays.

Thanksgiving
Order in August, and send your gifts in late October or early November, just in time for supper.

School Schedules and Back-to-School Themes
Order them in June and send them out in late July. This will show that you care about their family's educational journey.

Father's Day
Order in April and send them in mid-May. Celebrate the special dads in your clients' lives.

Graduation
Place your orders between January and March, and send them in April to commemorate this important milestone.

Memorial Day
Order in April to ensure your magnetic products arrive in early May, honoring the significance of Memorial Day.

Mother's Day
Order in late March and send in April to give moms the love they deserve.

Easter
January or February are recommended, so you can send them in March, just in time for the egg hunt.

Spring Break
Order in February and mail in March as a sendoff for their spring getaway.

St. Patrick's Day
Order them early in February and ship them early in March. Share a bit of luck and cheer.

Valentine's Day
Order in late December and shoot them out in late January to warm your clients' hearts during the chilly winter.

Super Bowl
It's not a holiday, but it sure feels like it should be! Order them in late December and send them right away to support your team during the big game.

​Did you miss your goal date? Hit a snag or run into a delay? No need to worry. Sure, timing can make a difference, but ultimately, our magnetic products maintain their value for years to come, no matter when they arrive. They serve as daily reminders of the thoughtful connection you share with your clients. So while the timing is important, the lasting impact of our products is enduring.

At Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™, we're dedicated to meeting your unique needs. Our products are created in-house, and we are the home of the original magnetic calendar. As a small family-run business with over 30 years of experience, we want you to feel confident knowing that when you choose us for your client gifting needs, you get our flexibility, attentive listening, and unwavering commitment to your satisfaction.

Ready to make an impact? Don't miss out on the opportunity to create lasting impressions, strong client relationships, explore our range of personalized magnetic marketing products and experience the difference they can make. Order today and let us help you make every moment count!

Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you'll never miss out on exclusive promotions, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected and be a part of our community of like-minded entrepreneurs.

Want to learn more? Give us a call at 800.869.7562 or send an email to [email protected].

Whether you're a real estate agent embarking on your first campaign or an entrepreneur trying to find a simpler way to go about marketing your services, here's an easy step-by-step guide on how to make a mailing list for your next direct mail campaign.

Ready to embark on your new elevated marketing journey? Then look no further! At Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™ we offer a full range of mailing services to make things simple and stress-free. Everything from address printing, sealing envelopes, dropping your mail at the post office, and purchasing a new mailing list, we've got you covered.

It may be surprising to hear, but direct mail continues to be one of the most effective ways to reach audiences and get a positive return on investment (ROI). In fact, according to a recent survey, "74% of marketers say it provides the best ROI out of all their efforts, and see considerably more recipients take action after getting a direct mailing."

You may also be surprised to hear that a lot of people even prefer mail marketing! Think about it: How many ads do you see online each day? And out of those, how many do you remember? Exactly. People like direct mail because it's personal. Somebody took the time to send them a letter, and regardless of what's in the envelope, that little act means something.

Another thing people like about mail is that it's tangible; no matter what it is, mail is something you touch and feel. Plus, it's exciting to open, even if you can tell it's spam. But since you're sending a gift, just imagine how excited your recipients will be.

Basically, if you're looking to make lasting impressions that lead to meaningful relationships with clients, direct mail is the way to go.

The first step in any direct mail campaign is to get a mailing list together. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

You're going to want to figure out what you'll be sending and how much. Keep in mind that at Magnets USA and LifeLong Gifts, the order minimum for mailing services is 200 pieces, and our products are sold in increments of 100.

So let's say that you want to mail Personalized Magnetic Calendars, one of the most popular, long-lasting, and affordable client appreciation gifts around. That means you need to purchase at least 200 items to send to at least 200 addresses.

Pro tip: It's never a bad idea to order more than you need. For example, if you have 250 addresses, you might feel like it's not worth it to buy 300 calendars. However, any calendars that are left over—50 in this case—will be sent to you. This way, you have extras on hand to pass out whenever you need a quick gift for a new connection or to send to someone you forgot about. So it never hurts to keep some around. You never know when you might need them!

Before you create your mailing list, you need to ask yourself a few questions.

• How many people do you want to mail to?
• What kinds of places do you want to reach? (Urban/rural dwellers, homes, businesses, apartments, P.O. boxes, etc.)
• Who are you trying to reach? (Home size, homes with children, average income, zip code, etc.)

Once you've answered those questions, it's time to gather names and addresses, and there are a few ways to do so.

• Dig through the Yellow Pages and do it by hand.
• Use information from your current customer base.
• Purchase a list (we'll talk more about this later). 

Before we get into purchasing lists, let's assume you're building a list from scratch or using information you already have on hand. To ensure a smooth process, your mailing list needs to be in one of two formats: Microsoft Excel (.xls) or Comma-Separated Values (.csv). In other words, the easiest way to make your list is with Excel.

Next, you're going to want to organize your list into three columns:

• Name
• Street address
• City, state, zip

Consistency is key here, so be sure to format everything correctly and take your time to avoid errors. Lists that aren't formatted correctly may need adjustments, costing you time and money down the line. That said, mistakes happen. Don't worry if you can't get it perfect—we can provide list maintenance and cleanup as an additional service, and we can even merge lists if you need to combine multiple lists.

Once you're finished entering all the information into your list, make sure to save it and clearly name it something that's easy to store and identify. For example, if I were saving a list I made, I'd name it Wesley Laird - Mailing List - 8.24.23. Or something like that.

Now all that's left is to export your list to an .xls or .csv file. You can do this by looking for the "file" tab in Excel and scrolling down to "export". You'll then be shown a few different formatting options you can export your list as, but remember, the only two acceptable formats are .xls or .csv, so be sure to select accordingly.

After you submit your mailing list, we'll run it through a verification process called the Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS). CASS goes through your list and standardizes all the information you provide so it meets USPS requirements. After that, we use Deliver Point Validation (DPV) to check for undeliverable addresses and update any addresses that are in the permanent change-of-address records.

The last stage of the scrubbing and verification process is to find and remove duplicate addresses. While I'm sure nobody would mind getting two gifts, we want to help you get the most out of your marketing dollars by making sure you're reaching as many different people as possible.

That's right! You can skip it all and just purchase a list. No formatting, no scrubbing, no hassle. Just send us the information on what kind of addresses you want to send your gifts to, and that's it! You can buy a list based on something as vague as a zip code, and you can get one based on something as specific as household size. No matter your goal, we can get you a list that will meet your needs. And the best part? After you purchase a list, you can reuse that list as much as you want.

Regardless of whether you purchased your list or assembled it by hand, you're going to have to pick a delivery option. They may seem scary, but they're actually pretty straightforward. Here's each option and what they mean:

• Or Current Resident: Your mail gets sent to where it's addressed, even if the intended recipient has moved. The words "or Current Resident" will be printed next to the intended recipient's name. This option is the most popular for direct mailings because it's great for maintaining a strong presence in that area. It's also the option we recommend doing.

 

• Standard Mail, AKA Marketing Mail: If your intended addressee has moved, your mail will not be delivered, forwarded, or returned.

 

• Return Service Requested: If your intended addressee has moved or if your mail cannot be delivered, your mail will be returned to you along with your addressee's updated address or an explanation for the non-delivery.

 

• Address Service Requested: If your intended addressee has moved, your mail is forwarded to their new address if possible or returned with new address information.​

After making your choice, the final step is to select a drop date. This will be the window you'd like your mail dropped off at the post office.

And that's it!

It's important to be realistic about delivery times when it comes to direct mail. They do call it snail mail after all. With that in mind, be sure to plan ahead and complete your mailing preparations as early as possible.

When your chosen drop date arrives, we'll take your mailing to the post office, where it will then be prepared for delivery, usually in the next couple of days. Standard Mail takes approximately 10–14 business days to deliver, and First-Class Mail typically takes around 5-7 business days. However, remember that USPS delivery times can vary based on the time of year and other factors.

Keep in mind that once your order is dropped off at the post office, it's fully in the hands of the USPS. In order to keep track of when your mailing has arrived, we recommend adding your own address to your list. This way, you'll receive one of your calendars around the same time that the rest of your mailing has been delivered.

​In addition to our full bulk mailing services described in this blog, we also offer other similar services. We can print addresses on envelopes, stuff your gifts into envelopes and wet-seal them shut, stuff and seal without printing addresses, and more. So if you're the type who prefers to do things yourself but doesn't want to spend time licking envelopes, let us handle the little stuff so you can focus on the big stuff.

Setting up a direct mail campaign is pretty straightforward, and as we just learned, there's more than one way to get it done. So go out with your newfound knowledge and embark on a direct mail campaign that'll reach new clients, stay connected to ones from the past, and help you reach your business goals!

Remember, at Magnets USA® and LifeLong Gifts™, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our marketing experts are standing by, ready to develop a strategy tailored to your unique needs. If you have any questions or are ready to launch your new campaign, give us a call at 800.869.7562 or send an email to [email protected].

Don't forget to subscribe to our email list so you'll never miss out on exclusive promotions, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay connected and be a part of our community of like-minded entrepreneurs.