In previous tips we've covered how to use your plastic gift cards at point of sale and in direct mail to customers to generate more business. In today's tip we look at how you can use the card outside the store.

1. Approach the local real-estate agency and offer your gift voucher cards to be included as part of their 'home buyers gift basket'. This option is great for introducing your store to a family that just moved to the area and is also a promotion you can use all year round (not just at Christmas). Put the card in an envelop with a nice 'Welcome to the neighbourhood' letter and be sure to include your store opening hours, website address etc.
2. Approach your local flower or chocolate shop and do a cross promotion where their top X (e.g. top 50) customer receive a gift card from your store and your top 50 receive a gift voucher from theirs. A great way to give a surprise gift to your loyal customers, and introduce new customers to your store.
3. Give a gift card to your local charity or school as a Christmas donation. They could hand it out to someone special in that organisation or use it for their Christmas raffle.
4. Send a letter to local corporate offices HR department letting them know that you offer gift cards and that the gift cards are a great way to reward their employees for Christmas or use as their Christmas presents or bonuses.
5. Call the local radio station and say that for every gift card purchased over the Christmas period you are giving x% to X charity. A great way to highlight that you have gift cards and that purchasing them is for a good cause.