Many of my blogs fall as much into the communication and relationship category as they do marketing. In the end they all point to the same result: success in the things that are important to you.
Recently I did some work for an organization that I offered pro bono. I believe in what the group it trying to achieve and was willing to put a few hours towards their promotion. What I found was that although I said it was no charge, I was expecting something in return. I was expecting a thank you. I was expecting a little acknowledgment. When it didn't come I felt bad about it. I didn't want to put it on them. I know that a gift given with strings attached is no gift, so I really had to let it go. What it did do for me, the benefit I ended up wringing out the situation, was the importance of appreciation. How it builds relationships. How it is often as valuable or more valuable than money.
I made it a point to make a list of all the work associates - clients, vendors, everyone I deal with, and think of the things I really appreciate about them. That made me feel better for some reason. It also must have set up a sort of sympathetic wave because I ended up hearing from a couple of colleagues how much they appreciate my work and our association.
I didn't get the positive feedback where I expected to find it, but I did receive it and it made everything better.
Will I continue giving to this organization? I'm not sure, probably. What I will do is make sure the value I receive is in knowing I'm helping forward the cause and not expect anything more in return. And maybe I'll be happily surprised by them someday. If that doesn't feel right, I should give it up, make a donation and be on my way.
So here’s the big tip. Be sure to take advantage of any opportunity you have to say thanks, to acknowledge a job well done. [This has to be genuine of course, otherwise it doesn’t work.] You’ll find you start looking for good things to say and that’s a happy contrast to our popular way of thinking.
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