For the second time ever, Matt and Garrett meet face-to-face to record today’s episode about gift giving, and how to use this as a way to build connection with your clients. Whether you’re doling out mugs, water bottles, cutting boards, or knives themselves, our hosts talk about how to do this tastefully, have fun with the process, give the right gifts, and do it in such a way that clients do not feel bombarded with marketing material. It’s a delicate balance, but Matt and Garrett are here to walk that fine line with us. They break down the difference between gifts versus paraphernalia, the right time to give out branded products versus more personalized items, and the intention behind your gifts.  Matt and Garrett discuss the idea of giving gifts that add value to people’s lives, and the missed opportunity of providing branded moving boxes and supplies to clients. They caution against putting your information on day-to-day items as this can come on too strong, and encourage listeners to ask themselves whether their gift is related to marketing or simply a thank-you. You’ll hear about branding items discreetly, and how to give gifts in a way that feels comfortable and personal to both you and your clients. Share your marketing materials by joining the growing Ninja Selling Podcast group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/theninjasellingpodcast. There you can also ask questions, give advice, and connect with other Ninjas. If you have not been accepted to the group yet, please check your messages for a follow-up from Matt. You can also leave a voicemail with your direct feedback at 208 MY-NINJA.    Episode Highlights: Matt and Garrett record today’s episode face-to-face! All about giving gifts (mugs, water bottles, cutting boards, coolers, etc.) with your name or logo on them If done properly, this can help build connection with clients You can have fun with this Gifts versus paraphernalia and marketing materials You can personalize gifts for your clients rather than giving them something with your name on it Giving branded marketing tools (t-shirts, hats, pens) as gifts can take away from the personal energy you’re aiming for What you put on the products can also make a difference - if you put your name, phone number, and email versus a simple logo, it can feel like you are handing that person a billboard to advertise your business  It comes down to intention Promotional materials at trade shows and community events should definitely include your name and information Garrett’s example of an agent who gives moving boxes and supplies to clients - this is a great opportunity for branding Is your gift related to marketing or simply a thank-you? If it’s a day-to-day item, think twice about putting your name on it They will remember who gave it to them, and including your information may be coming on too strong Brand things as much as you can, until you get to particular thank-you gifts or personal gestures If you are sending a personal note, avoid writing it on branded stationery If you feel uncomfortable about giving certain branded items, you probably shouldn’t do it You can brand things in a discrete, classy way   Quotes: “There's so many different approaches to how you're supposed to do this. What are you supposed to do? And some people are like, I feel so awkward about this. And then some people are like, But you’ve got to do something.” “There's a choice of you buying something with a logo on it - Someone buys a mug with Ninja Coaching on the side of it, that's their choice to have that mug. To say, Here's a mug with my logo on it, now turns into marketing.” “The minute that it's a marketing tool that was intended as a gift, now the energy is lost.” “When all of a sudden it has the name and the email address and the phone number that's now on the item - you gave me a billboard. You gave me a marketing piece to make your business better.” “Anything that's delivering value to somebody as it relates to real estate, you wan