I was asked recently to speak to a group of dual-credit high school/college students. The class that I was going to be speaking in was mainly teaching them the importance of networking. The instructor is married to a girlfriend of mine, knew I was a small business owner who rocked networking and wanted me to share with his classes the importance of networking.
The students weren’t given any introduction to me other than I was brought in to engage with them and help them understand about networking and relationships. They were required to ask me questions to get to know me. I tried to make it fun for the kids and called on them randomly picking on them a little, but in a fun and non-threatening manner.
Here’s the point of the blog
So, to my point – a week or so later I received an envelope from the college professor with a whole bunch of thank you cards from the students thanking me for the time that I spent at their school and what they took from our interaction. It reminded me of teaching my children the importance of thanking others for taking the time to buy them gifts for birthdays, Christmas, graduation and etc.
If word of mouth equals success, what are you doing to keep those referrals coming? Hmm! #appreciate Click To TweetBuild appreciation into your business model
I have built this into my business model by making a point to say thank you to those who give me referrals so they know that I appreciate them. Regardless of whether that referral creates new business or not, the point is that I was thought of and they remembered me when the opportunity came about. Further, they took the time to make the introduction to myself and the other party. Additionally, I like to appreciate people who consider me for business or referrals by sending them a note, small gift card or gift as a gesture to appreciate them again for thinking of me and trusting me with that other business owner knowing that my response to that referral can be a direct reflection of them and their business.
If you referred someone a big client and they ‘rewarded’ you for that, you might be more likely to refer to them. Even if it isn’t a big referral or a big reward, I’m sure you would be more inclined to refer to someone who took the extra time to thank you for the referral. Think about it… wouldn’t you?
It’s not about you
Just remember, it’s not about you but it is about the consumer or your fellow business owner. If everyone in the world were to constantly think about themselves, we would have a very selfish place and sadly a lot of people still think that way. However, I refuse to fit in this mold and I will continue to appreciate other people in various ways.
I encourage you to appreciate those who think of you, appreciate those who refer business to you, and acknowledge those that do the right thing. I was thankful for the thank you cards from the students but quite honestly surprised to receive it from them due to the age of the students. I appreciate the fact that there is somebody out there teaching younger people about how to pay it forward, how to appreciate what is given to you (often for free) and that my time was valuable. They appreciated my time and it wasn’t just thank you for coming but almost every single student took extra time to pull something out from the activity which showed that they paid attention, and they cared.
I’m going to leave you with this parting thought – Do unto others as you would want done unto you!
Should you have any questions about me speaking about marketing, social media or search engine optimization to a group near and dear to you, please let me know as I would be happy to discuss my consulting services with you.
~Kristen
What great advice, Kristen! So often we do get lax about thanking those who refer to us, or help us in some way. And especially in this time of Thanksgiving, that’s a great thing to focus on!
Thank You.
Yes… great point… I did that on purpose (not really but sounded good, right?) Susan. Thank you!
This is a wonderful reminder to show appreciation for those who encourage and help you. It’s easy to get so caught up in what you are doing that you forget to acknowledge those who have given you a hand up.
That’s so true Tami and it is too easy… so if you make it a habit, it no longer is! Thank you
Are there people who DON’T thank others for referrals, Kristen? Thank you is ingrained in my vocabulary and I do find I use it as often as I can. I also am curious about those who seem to ‘take for granted’ that others will automatically refer people or do something for them, and yet they do not stop to actually thank that person. Great reminder for those of us who do believe in saying thanks, and saying it often, and also for those who might take up this practice in their lives and see how it positively impacts them…
Sadly Bev, YES. I still haven’t seen a thank you for wedding gift I gave (handed to since I flew to the wedding) many years ago… I mean seriously?
Being thankful and actually thanking people is a small thing to do that brings great value to yourself, your business and your client or to those that helped you in any small way. It’s important to thank people AND give people a helping hand when you can.
Yes Sonya, it sure is!
What a great post Kristen and so important to remember!! Showing appreciation for those that have helped us in any way is the only way to run a business, whether it be online or offline 🙂 You are right, it is NOT ABOUT YOU. Wonderful share!
Why thank you Joan, and agreed, it sure is.
Such a great post; this concept is getting lost in our society, and I want to shout the need to “thank” from the rooftops. I sent 3 wedding gifts this past summer (via mail), and have not received thank yous for any of them. Frustrating as I wonder if they received, but will probably never know:(
Yes it is Robin and so sad indeed. I have friends and even FAMILY that still have yet to thank me for in person wedding etc gifts.. umm hello!
Appreciation for everything in our lives, business or otherwise is the only way to live.Your story of the students is very encouraging for our upcoming generations. Instilling the importance of appreciation (and of course living it ourselves) is what makes life worthwhile. Thanks for ending with the Golden Rule, too.
Yes, that is so true Alene… WE have to educate these kids to be better… or we are DOOMED from ‘entitlement’ era
YES! There are so many who don’t seem to have any manners or courtesy anymore. I’m thinking of a handful of instances where I made referrals that were very lucrative only to have them be rude to me about it. I could tell you some stories…
Oh girl… I do NOT doubt that one bit. I have given referrals to my networking groups and they think because we are all networkers that we don’t have to do anything other than, hey thanks, they don’t get it.
Agree 🙂 it is always good to thank people who refer you or who in some way help you. 🙂
So true Kata, thank you!
I so much agree with you Kristen. Whenever I get a referral from someone I send a card and thank them for the referral. I also send cards occasionally to clients to encourage or let them know I support them. I also am modeling this with my nine year old granddaughter. Whenever she receives a gift I sit with her to create a thank you card. When she’s older I’ll continue to support her in sending paper cards.
Yes Candess, I do the same thing and have encouraged my now 17 and 20 year old daughters to do the same… even if sending to family. And, I send thank yous for referrals and etc… it’s sad more don’t.
Kristen, I’m a HUGE believer in showing appreciation for all things; big and small. I still send hand written notes to people; just because. I believe expressing gratitude brings us more to be grateful for. I smiled on the inside when you shared your story of receiving a bunch of thank you notes from the kids you talked to. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. THAT’s why this post is so important! Love it.
Yes, I was quite shocked because I still get people who say to me, thank you for sending me that thank you card… because they are shocked themselves. Sad more don’t do it Tandy and glad to make your insides smile.. did for me too!
I too continue to fight the selfish model. It is about everyone else. When I help the customer or colleague, it gives me satisfaction. I may not receive anything concrete from it, but I am fine with that. Some how it always seems to work out and focusing on others means I am less stressed.
Yep, same here Karen and glad you do the same. I don’t mind helping but man it just feels good when THEY take the extra time to appreciate me taking the time out.
Totally agree with this post, I mean how could you not! I even like to thank my clients in small ways throughout the year. Maybe by bringing them a cup of coffee or picking up a book I know they’d enjoy or benefit from. It’s the little things you do that have a pretty big impact.
Yep Lisa… appreciation is sadly… dead-er than it should be! Yep… I’m glad you get it… small things… huge impact… forever
I’ve always found thank you’s to be unpredictable. It’s nice if they happen but I don’t worry if they don’t. There’s an old book out there called Give Yourself Away. I read it years ago and have always made it a part of my life. Because the Universe never fails to send you your thank you. I was gifted with a complimentary spa treatment by a friend who thought I looked like I needed one. Ha, Ha!
Well… Joyce, I don’t expect them, but you are right.. it is nice. I always do them and they are totally appreciated and unexpected… but it’s sad that our world is so me me me that thank yous just don’t happen… because, after all … YOU should be helping me… duh right? urgh.
Being thankful and actually thanking people is a small thing to do that brings great value to yourself, your business and your client or to those that helped you in any small way.
Thanks for the great post!!!
That’s exactly it Dhaval. Thank you!