Now, deep into the holiday season, you might find yourself in a familiar quandary – what to buy for those remaining on your gift list. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spotted numerous items you’d love to buy for yourself. Still, it becomes a puzzle when purchasing for others, especially those hard-to-shop-for individuals. And if that person is a marketer, the challenge can be even more significant.
Marketers, by nature, are often so engrossed in ensuring everyone else’s needs are met, be it in their professional projects or personal endeavors, that they rarely take a moment to think about what they might want or need. They often make sure campaigns run smoothly, clients are satisfied, and teams are motivated, constantly putting their desires on the back burner.
If you’re looking to surprise and delight a marketer – whether it is a colleague, a family member, or a friend, fear not! I have compiled a list of gift ideas that will be appreciated. Over the years, we’ve refined and updated this list, and this year is no exception. With a fresh perspective and some new additions, you will find the perfect gift to acknowledge their hard work and provide them with something exceptional and thoughtful.
Gift Idea #1: Personal Mini Studio Kit
Today, your digital presence (online or on a Zoom call) is your professional presence. A personal mini-studio kit could be the ultimate game-changer. You don’t have to be a content creator to know that good lighting is essential. That is why this kit starts with a versatile lighting system — a portable clip-on ring light for those on-the-go moments, an expandable tripod with a phone holder for a stable and professional setup, and backlighting options to eliminate shadows and add depth to the video quality.
A high-definition clip-on webcam is included to ensure crystal-clear image quality during calls and recordings. Unlike built-in cameras, an external webcam can be positioned flexibly, allowing users to present themselves from their best angle — say goodbye to unflattering up-the-nose conference calls.
Consider a portable laptop stand if you’re lucky enough to have a great built-in camera. Not only does it bring the camera to eye level for a more natural and engaging perspective, but it also aids in maintaining a good posture during long work hours.
Additionally, audio is just as important as the visual, so this kit includes a professional-grade microphone. Crisp and clear audio can elevate video content or call, ensuring your message is clearly seen and heard.
A personal mini studio lit is not just a gift but an investment in a marketer’s unique brand and professional image, enabling them to shine in the digital world.
Gift Idea #2: Canva Pro Subscription – The Toolbox for Non-Designers
We started using Canva a few years ago, paying for images one at a time. We quickly saw the value of upgrading to the Pro subscription and adding team members. The Pro subscription gives you more tools, including premium photos, videos, and audio tracks (which, fun fact, creates a video file that will get more impressions for your posts). A Canva Pro subscription is an essential addition to any marketing toolkit. Canva has simplified and enriched the design process with premium resources, including Magic tools to resize and generate instant ideas quickly.
Notably, Canva Pro’s video capabilities allow marketers to create content that resonates more deeply with their audience, potentially increasing post impressions significantly. The platform’s extensive library of customizable templates is a treasure trove for marketers seeking to produce graphically engaging presentations and social media content that aligns perfectly with their brand identity.
Constant updates to Canva assets ensure the content remains current and visually appealing. We use Canva daily for various projects, utilizing their library of assets and our own. Our daily reliance on Canva for diverse projects is a testament to its adaptability and the creative freedom it offers.
Moreover, for organizations looking to internalize some of their graphic design work, Canva Pro becomes even more powerful. It allows teams to work with agency-designed templates and make quick resizes or adjustments, ensuring brand consistency across all materials while enabling speedy content updates. This capability is especially beneficial when time is of the essence and a rapid turnaround is required.
By the way, if you know a small business owner struggling with their social media posts because they lack a graphic designer, this will transform their approach to digital design. This isn’t just a gift; it’s an invaluable resource for those aiming to produce high-quality, consistent branding with the efficiency that today’s fast-paced digital world demands.
Gift Idea #3: Curated Collection of Marketing Must-Reads
Books are a great gift, whether fiction or business, because knowledge is as crucial as creativity. That is why we have carefully curated a collection of our favorite business books that make an exceptional gift for any marketing enthusiast. The list encompasses classic marketing wisdom and the latest innovative strategies, ensuring your gift will continue giving well into the future.
Our compilation includes a variety of classic marketing books, ranging from the thought-provoking insights of business psychology to the cutting-edge tactics of digital marketing. These books have inspired, challenged, and expanded my horizons, as well as many others. And, of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Reel Marketing – the book that peels back my approach to building your casino brand.
Gift this collection to your favorite marketer or use it to establish a department library. You’re not just giving a book to one person; you’re giving your whole department a library of new ideas, a source of inspiration, and the tools to write the next chapter of their professional journey.
Gift Idea #4: Grammarly Premium – The Marketer’s Edge in Communication
In business, business, the pen can be mightier than the spreadsheet. The ability to communicate clearly and persuasively is often an invisible dividing line between advancement and stagnation. Grammarly Premium is an essential ally in this endeavor, sharpening the most common tool of trade: writing.
As marketers, we are constantly writing. Whether through presentations, ad copy, a memo, or a report, how we communicate in writing (even in the shortest email) says a lot about us as professionals. Grammarly instantly finds and corrects mistakes, suggests improvements, and can even check for plagiarism. It can also check for intent. And, yes, I ran this through Grammarly before posting. I used to use Grammarly weekly (at minimum) for my columns and blog posts, but today, their integrations let me use this great tool with almost everything I write.
Whether crafting compelling ad copy, penning persuasive reports, or succinctly conveying complex email ideas, Grammarly Premium ensures that every word aligns with the highest professional communication standards. It isn’t just about correcting grammar; it’s about enhancing clarity, persuasiveness, and the overall effectiveness of the message. Grammarly Premium’s advanced features help navigate the nuances of tone and context, providing an edge that can make all the difference. It’s a strategic investment in a marketer’s professional development, underpinning their ability to influence, persuade, and ultimately succeed.
Gift Idea #5: Conference Attendance – A Gateway to Growth and Opportunity
The professional development landscape for marketers is vibrant and bustling with opportunities, especially at conferences. A ticket to a conference is more than just an entry pass; it’s a gateway to knowledge, networking, and growth.
Consider gifting an opportunity to attend Social Media Marketing World, a premier event that can also be experienced on demand. This ensures that even if traveling isn’t an option, your favorite marketer can take advantage of the conference’s valuable insights and connections.
If you want the casino marketer in your life to experience one of the most unique gatherings, Casino Marketing Boot Camp offers a deep dive into the specific strategies and challenges of casino marketing. It’s a chance to learn from the best in the business and bring back actionable tactics to their organization.
Industry events like the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention and the Global Gaming Expo are some of the best ways to introduce your favorite marketers to the industry. Education programs will give them insights into the many aspects of the industry today and what is on the horizon.
To maximize the conference experience, I’ve shared strategies and tips on choosing the best casino conference for marketers and making the most of attendance. This guide is invaluable for any marketer seeking maximum value from their conference experience.
By sponsoring someone’s conference attendance, especially someone who might not have the opportunity otherwise, you’re opening doors for them. You’re not just investing in their professional development but empowering them to bring new ideas and energy back to their team, potentially sparking innovation that can propel an entire organization forward.
Conference attendance remains an indispensable tool for personal and professional development. As such, it should be an integral part of any marketer’s journey in 2024 and beyond.
Gift Idea #6: Wellness Toolkit for the Marketer’s Well-being
A marketer’s well-being can sometimes take a back seat amid deadlines and campaigns. This year, give the gift of health and balance with a Wellness Toolkit tailored for the hardworking professional.
Start with a subscription to a top-tier wellness app, like Headspace or Calm, which offers guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing exercises designed to reduce stress and enhance overall well-being. These apps are perfect for marketers seeking mental clarity and creativity in a high-pressure environment.
Pair this with ergonomic equipment that turns any workspace into a haven of comfort. An ergonomic chair that supports posture, a standing desk, or an adjustable monitor arm can significantly reduce the physical strain of long desk hours.
Remember the eyes, which tirelessly focus on screens. A pair of high-quality blue light glasses can help minimize eye strain and improve sleep quality by blocking the blue light emitted from digital devices.
This Wellness Toolkit is more than just a collection of items; it’s a message to your favorite marketer that you care about their health as much as their success. It’s an investment in their longevity and productivity in the industry they love.
By choosing gifts that foster well-being, you’re providing immediate comfort and contributing to a sustainable work-life balance that benefits both the individual and their work.
Gift Idea #7: Learning
As marketers, we are always learning. Market changes, consumer habits, and tastes require robust core skills and an expansive view of current marketing needs.
There are several ways to stay on top of trends and skill development. I have some favorites, and because they are done virtually, they provide the most flexibility and convenience.
- Hubspot Academy offers a variety of FREE certification, documentation and training courses. Each course is broken down into easily consumed modules that can be tackled anytime.
- Google knows its analytics platform is a great deal to understand (especially now that we’re all relearning.) So, they offer an Analytics Academy to guide you from beginner to advanced. Of course, they are web-based short modules that can be reviewed according to your schedule.
- LinkedIn Learning has over 13,000 courses covering a variety of current topics.
- MarketingProfs is a collection of tools every marketer should have. It is an excellent investment, from articles to courses to guides and resources. It bills itself as B2B, but the knowledge is relevant for B2C marketers as well.
- From the inception of our holiday gift list, we listed Coursera as an excellent resource for training the modern marketer. Courses from respected institutions are presented in a textbook-like environment and feature videos, projects, and quizzes. The coursework runs the gamut of arts & humanities, social sciences, and data science (a skill every marketer needs).
- Skillshare and Masterclass (with courses taught by Malcolm Gladwell, Misty Copeland, Anna Wintour, Gordon Ramsay, and more) let “students” explore various creative aspects. How much fun is that?
Finally, though (only) sometimes virtual, many higher learning institutions have designed casino-specific training.
Marketing certifications and online courses allow your team to learn independently. However, check in periodically to ensure no one is left behind or drowning.
Lastly, and for a bit of fun, if you have someone on your list who lives and breathes social media, they will love sporting their account name on this personalized necklace.
Do you have any other ideas for gifts for marketers?
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