What do you say…?
As a mum I find myself saying the above several times a week (swiftly followed by the cringe at memories of my own childhood tellings!) – even with my generally good and polite kids.
And in business saying “Thank You” is not only polite, it’s good practice. Yet how often do we do something so simple, that was most likely encouraged from an early age, in business?
Say it with...
When someone says thank you, how do you feel? And while you have no control of how a thank you makes the recipient feel, chances are it will make their day, if genuinely meant.
It’s nice to do favours – for me that can be providing some website hosting for bootstrapping friends, WordPress set-ups that I can almost do in my sleep, some quick keyword research and of course referring work to people more capable than I. And I nowadays do such with no thought to being thanked or even appreciated – it is my choice to do a kindness and that makes me happy. But when someone does show their appreciation, it is so lovely and has the effect of me wanting to continue to help and support them. Of course this is classic sales/marketing stuff, but I don’t think that way intentionally – I’ll never make my fortune with that attitude, but I’m happy doing what I do!
Having recently carried out some work as a result of a friend recommending me has got me thinking on how I could say thank you to her. Of course I say the words, but I like to go a bit further. For regular customers I’ve always had a standard practice of discounting their annual fees for successful new business from their recommendations – not that I make anything of that from a marketing perspective, it’s just what I do. And now that my reputation is what it is, I find myself with lots of people to thank – never mind half-full, my glass runneth over 
– so I’m hoping for plenty of suggestions from you.
Some thanks that came my way in the last year have included being sent a book from my Amazon wishlist – that was a first and rather lovely – and now when the sender asks for a quick favour, I make the time for him. Another asked what I’d like for my new home – a butter dish was my immediate need of the time, and one soon arrived – the feeling I got from that far outweighed the value of the butter dish. And another time a lovely red Moleskine notebook unexpectedly arrived from a friend. I’m such a Pollyanna that even remembering these is making me feel very smiley!
Now I’m not sure how this all works from an accounting and tax perspective – I’ll invite an expert to comment here so that we know, but sometimes you just do things without worrying about the percent you could save on the tax of the gift (I’m sure that’s not just me!).
At Christmas I received a surprise box of chocolates from the website hosting company of which I’m a long-term customer – that made me smile all day, even though the chocolates were not well packed and in a bit of a muddle! A month’s free hosting would have been less fattening, mind! And a few years ago Amazon would send out small gifts (I do have rather an Amazon habit!), though I think they’re a bit big for that nowadays (shame really). A local garden centre sends out a voucher for your birthday, which is nice though of an amount that means you have to spend more – obvious marketing ploy is what my sometime-cynical mind thinks – and I rarely bother to use it (never mind that my birthday is in December with a few weeks expiry on the voucher – not my preferred gardening time!). Now if they “gave” a little more – perhaps a voucher for a plant up to a certain value, that had a longer expiry date – I wonder how much I would then spend with them… Just saying…
Other friends I know are generally helpful and supportive wherever they can be – that kind of approach definitely comes into the “what goes around, comes around” and I notice that kind of thing. The whole idea of “pass it one”, or pay-it-forward – whereby a kindness done to you is then passed on to another (three times over if you’ve read the book!) is one that I like and one that you simply have to trust others will do if they are so minded.
It would be interesting to chat more on this, I think, if you’ve ideas or experiences, and to know how you like (or would like) to be thanked:
- just have someone say it
- be surprised with chocolates/flowers/a card
- you have a “buy me a coffee” button on your website
- or a link to your Amazon wishlist
- a donation to your favourite charity
- a testimonial on LinkedIn, or some such online network
- a FollowFriday on Twitter
- or simply have the kindness passed on to someone else
There are many ways to say “thank you” and I think the best way to do it is after some personal consideration. It is easy to send out an email to all clients, for instance, saying “thank you” but what does that say about your customer service. It may take a little more time to say a thoughtful thank you, but just imagine how good that will feel – not just for you, hopefully!
About BabsBabs runs The Blogmistress to help people use WordPress for their websites and/or blogs. Here on Birds however she lets loose on just about any subject other than WordPress! Follow her on twitter
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13 Responses to What do you say…?
In her shoes: My descent in entrepreneurial hell
In her shoes is a series of anonymous posts from women in business, sharing their experience. In your comments you are asked to answer the question – What would you do in her shoes? My story began 9 months ago; it is a story of self-realisation, friendship, love and betrayal. After 11 years at home [...]
A thank you with a short explanation of _why_ that person is grateful is massively valuable to me.
It doesn’t have to be a great long speech or, in business, a huge testimonial, just “Thank you for your support, it’s really moved the project along” or “Thank you, we appreciate all the extra work you’ve put in” or “Thank you, this has really brightened my day”, or “Thank you for just being there”.
It’s lovely to know that someone appreciates you, it’s fantastic to know why.
As for other ways of saying thanks, I agree it’s good to keep the good karma circulating by reciprocating and sharing the support around in what ever way you can. This is how I tend to say thank you: helping out when they need me, writing a testimonial, giving a shout out on Twitter, giving a recommendation.
I like the “buy me a coffee” idea, because time is a valuable gift to give someone. I don’t think most people need flowers or other tangible gifts to feel appreciated though (note: I certainly don’t complain when I get them!!)
Em
A thank you with a short explanation of _why_ that person is grateful is massively valuable to me.
It doesn’t have to be a great long speech or, in business, a huge testimonial, just “Thank you for your support, it’s really moved the project along” or “Thank you, we appreciate all the extra work you’ve put in” or “Thank you, this has really brightened my day”, or “Thank you for just being there”.
It’s lovely to know that someone appreciates you, it’s fantastic to know why.
As for other ways of saying thanks, I agree it’s good to keep the good karma circulating by reciprocating and sharing the support around in what ever way you can. This is how I tend to say thank you: helping out when they need me, writing a testimonial, giving a shout out on Twitter, giving a recommendation.
I like the “buy me a coffee” idea, because time is a valuable gift to give someone. I don’t think most people need flowers or other tangible gifts to feel appreciated though (note: I certainly don’t complain when I get them!!)
Em
Any time a client says thank you is a joy for me, having cut my writing teeth on the rather harsh world of advertising where gratitude has never been fashionable.
These days my clients are people for whom I have edited books, or for whom I’ve provided writing coaching and other help, and not only do they say thank you but also they become friends – which is even more heart-warming.
Years ago I talked about developing a book called “The Power Of Thank You” with a wonderful American character … it never came off, but Babs you’ve set me off thinking about it again! Have a look at my potential co-author here:
http://www.byderemiah.com/
Isn’t he amazing?
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
Any time a client says thank you is a joy for me, having cut my writing teeth on the rather harsh world of advertising where gratitude has never been fashionable.
These days my clients are people for whom I have edited books, or for whom I’ve provided writing coaching and other help, and not only do they say thank you but also they become friends – which is even more heart-warming.
Years ago I talked about developing a book called “The Power Of Thank You” with a wonderful American character … it never came off, but Babs you’ve set me off thinking about it again! Have a look at my potential co-author here:
http://www.byderemiah.com/
Isn’t he amazing?
Twitter: SuzanStMaur
I had an experience with Virgin Mobile that now means that I am a loyal customer. After having issues with a new mobile being delivered they gave me a “personal assistant” someone I could call on a special number who would help, and she did on several occasions, they even sent me chocolates to say sorry when they could not help. I was so chuffed it made my day. Like my Mum always said and no doubt yours too….Manners don’t cost a thing but they do mean the world…Nice one Mum.
Twitter: Angiewelly1
I had an experience with Virgin Mobile that now means that I am a loyal customer. After having issues with a new mobile being delivered they gave me a “personal assistant” someone I could call on a special number who would help, and she did on several occasions, they even sent me chocolates to say sorry when they could not help. I was so chuffed it made my day. Like my Mum always said and no doubt yours too….Manners don’t cost a thing but they do mean the world…Nice one Mum.
Twitter: Angiewelly1
This may sound a bit of a weird one yet I think you’ll understand if I tell it right
…
Many years ago I went to work in sales for a publishing house on the recommendation of a ‘friend’.
It didn’t feel right from the outset. There was an edginess in the air that quadrupled whenever the sales director made an appearance and some out-and-out nutters who’d hide under or stand on the desk to make calls.
The rules were simple: You only ever pitched to the CEO or MD of the prospect company and steered well clear of their advertising agencies or media shops.
I got on great with the MD of one company who nevertheless wanted me to run the proposal by his oppo, the Chairman of the media shop his company used – one of the biggest and most well established in London at the time.
I finally made contact with the guy who was about to go into a meeting and suggested I called him back at 6pm.
He let me ‘make my pitch’ which I’d crafted to work for me, encouraged his participation and was nothing like the one used by the other sales reps I’d heard.
Then we had a long chat and I discovered why the ‘no agencies’ rule existed
… He told me some home truths about the publishing company that I’d begun to suspect but hadn’t wanted to believe.
He gave me some advice. “Linda: Get out of there.” was what he actually said.
I thanked him – meaning every word, walked out the door feeling free for the first time since I’d joined the company (admitted only days earlier) and never went back.
I’d never met this guy and don’t even remember his name now but, boy, did he do me a favour!
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
This may sound a bit of a weird one yet I think you’ll understand if I tell it right
…
Many years ago I went to work in sales for a publishing house on the recommendation of a ‘friend’.
It didn’t feel right from the outset. There was an edginess in the air that quadrupled whenever the sales director made an appearance and some out-and-out nutters who’d hide under or stand on the desk to make calls.
The rules were simple: You only ever pitched to the CEO or MD of the prospect company and steered well clear of their advertising agencies or media shops.
I got on great with the MD of one company who nevertheless wanted me to run the proposal by his oppo, the Chairman of the media shop his company used – one of the biggest and most well established in London at the time.
I finally made contact with the guy who was about to go into a meeting and suggested I called him back at 6pm.
He let me ‘make my pitch’ which I’d crafted to work for me, encouraged his participation and was nothing like the one used by the other sales reps I’d heard.
Then we had a long chat and I discovered why the ‘no agencies’ rule existed
… He told me some home truths about the publishing company that I’d begun to suspect but hadn’t wanted to believe.
He gave me some advice. “Linda: Get out of there.” was what he actually said.
I thanked him – meaning every word, walked out the door feeling free for the first time since I’d joined the company (admitted only days earlier) and never went back.
I’d never met this guy and don’t even remember his name now but, boy, did he do me a favour!
Twitter: Linda_Mattacks
I do like the idea of a button enabling appreciative people to donate to a favourite charity. For me, the thank you is about how they feel, not what I get out of it.
Actually, I really dislike being given Stuff rather than people talking to me. My boyfriend knows that flowers and chocolates are not welcome here, but it leaves him at a bit of a loss.
I do like the idea of a button enabling appreciative people to donate to a favourite charity. For me, the thank you is about how they feel, not what I get out of it.
Actually, I really dislike being given Stuff rather than people talking to me. My boyfriend knows that flowers and chocolates are not welcome here, but it leaves him at a bit of a loss.
What a fab blogs Babs!
When I saw the title of the blog I had to read it as I am passionate about this subject.
It is actually one of the reasons why I started my business, as I love to say thank you to those who have cheered my day and helped me in some way and I wanted to ‘pass it on’ as they say.
If I can help someone, to brighten their day a little, – how wonderful can that be?
If we all did this, it would make such a difference.
I think the words thank you, is precious and wonderful to share with someone who has helped you in someway
Twitter: NitaJoyDesigns
What a fab blogs Babs!
When I saw the title of the blog I had to read it as I am passionate about this subject.
It is actually one of the reasons why I started my business, as I love to say thank you to those who have cheered my day and helped me in some way and I wanted to ‘pass it on’ as they say.
If I can help someone, to brighten their day a little, – how wonderful can that be?
If we all did this, it would make such a difference.
I think the words thank you, is precious and wonderful to share with someone who has helped you in someway
Twitter: NitaJoyDesigns
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