A Chat About the Gifts That Keep Clients Coming Back
Closing a sale is just the beginning. The real value comes from keeping customers coming back. In this episode of The Merch Shortlist, Matt and Charles talk about the products they truly recommend to help you stay top-of-mind with customers after the sale. We’ve also
Our account managers deal with this topic all the time. They often get asked, “What should we send our clients?” Many of the products in this episode are actually their personal favorites, too. We’ve included their insights, so you’ll hear both on-camera picks and honest opinions from the people who use these products every day.
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What are the items they covered?
Power Banks: Small Gift, Big Reach
Matt kicks things off with power banks, and he doesn’t hold back on how useful they are.
“You can never have too many power banks. You never know when you’re going to need one.”
They come in many shapes and sizes, from slim, pocket-friendly designs to small ones about the size of a lipstick, as Charles mentions. The appeal goes beyond just being practical. Power banks often get passed around to friends, family, and coworkers, so your logo is seen by more people than just the original recipient.
- Fully customisable with your branding
- Available in multiple shapes, sizes and colours
- Genuinely useful, so they stay in bags and pockets rather than drawers.
One of our account managers, Shealeigh Keeney, when asked about her favourite promotional items, puts a power bank in her personal top three, saying she’s “constantly on my phone.” That kind of everyday usefulness is what makes these gifts valuable long after the first sale.
Notebooks and Water Bottles
Next is a simple pairing: notebooks and water bottles. People use water bottles every day, and notebooks are becoming popular again as more people want a break from screens. Matt points out that writing things down by hand is often easier to remember than typing. It’s a small detail, but it helps explain why notebooks are still a gift people actually use, rather than put away.
Mary Aguirre, one of our account managers, also loves this pairing. She believes they’re perfect for universities or schools as student giveaways. Regina Mangubat also likes drink bottles, calling them “practical for everyday use and staying hydrated.”
Charging Sets: One Gift, Every Device
Charles introduces a bamboo charging set that folds into a compact case. It has lightning connectors for older iPhones, USB-C for newer phones, and enough versatility to charge cameras, iPads, or almost anything with a USB port. A few reasons this one stood out in the conversation:
- Covers multiple device types in a single kit
- Bamboo construction adds an eco-friendly angle.
- Compact and foldable, so it’s easy to carry
- Branding sits right on the front of the case
Charles has experience in branding, and it shows when he points out exactly where the logo appears on the case. He always pays attention to these details and works hard to help clients get the most out of their budget.
T-Shirts and Hoodies
This is something Cubic Promote truly believes in, and they use it in their own customer relationships. As Charles explains, if you’re a Cubic Promote customer, you’ll probably get a t-shirt or hoodie at some point, even if it’s not right away. The reasoning is simple: apparel is versatile, it gets worn repeatedly, and it keeps the brand visible for months after the sale, especially in B2B relationships where repeat business matters.
Regina Mangubat lists apparel among her top picks, describing t-shirts and hoodies as “comfortable, versatile, and easy to wear.” These are the same qualities that keep them in a customer’s wardrobe long after the sale. Mary Aguirre agrees, saying a “comfy hoodie” is perfect for long work days and quiet nights at home. That’s why t-shirts and hoodies are amongst our best-selling items, based on the data we compiled from our sales from 1st of July 2025 to 1st of July 2026. The data highlights that we sold over 63,987 tees to 109 organisations.
Earbuds: The No-Brainer Gift
Rounding out the list are earbuds — an easy add-on when you want to include something extra with a sale. As Matt puts it, everyone listens to something, whether it’s podcasts or music, so it’s a gift that’s hard to say no to.
Ariane Milarpez also wants a pair of headphones for the same reason Matt gives. She likes having music available while she works. This small overlap shows that audio gifts have broad, everyday appeal instead of being a niche choice.
Why It All Comes Back to Relationships
If there’s one thread that ties the whole conversation together, it’s this: after-sales gifting was never really about the product. As Charles sums it up, it’s about creating relationships and holding onto them, and that’s exactly the kind of thinking Cubic Promote brings to every recommendation, on camera or off.
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