One simple way to stand out in the crowd in the business world is to express gratitude, and this is a great time of year for some intentional thank-yous!

When somebody in business helps you, take a minute to say thanks. It’s free, easy, quick. And very wise.

There are many reasons to say thank you in business, such as when a friend or a colleague passes you a referral; whether or not it evolves into a business relationship doesn’t matter. A referral means someone thought enough of you to recommend you, and that’s a gesture that deserves a pat on the back.

I occasionally get referrals from colleagues, and I always take the time to say thanks with an email at all stages of a new relationship—such as when I am first connected, when I’ve had a conversation, when the partnership officially begins, and when the work has been completed. It’s a nice way to show appreciation, and it also keeps me top of mind. 

I recently emailed a former intern from Westfield State College to thank her for connecting me to an author whose manuscript I am currently editing. I told her, again, that she has the distinction of being the first intern in sixteen years to pass me a referral. She enjoyed hearing that, again, and I liked being back in touch with her and knowing what she is doing this semester.

It’s all about building relationships.

Thank colleagues who have the inclination and take the time to write a recommendation for you—for a job, entry into grad school, or in a post on a social media platform. Thank the person who invites you to come along to a networking meeting or some other gathering.

An email will suffice as a means for communicating your thanks, but a handwritten note is more impactful and meaningful. And that note might get tacked up on a board left on display on someone’s desk, serving as a regular reminder that you are a good businessperson and a good person. 

Sending a small gift—such as a plant or a gift card—also will make an impression. 

Take your business or organization to a new level this holiday season and in 2022. Start taking the time to give thanks when it’s due and when it might simply be a pleasant surprise that raises your profile a notch—or 10.

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If you are the leader of a nonprofit, ask your staff, board members, volunteers and donors to tell tales for you. Offer them the below tips, and ask that they take them to heart. Ask them to act. Don’t be shy.

And business owners, make a point to ask your clients and customers to put this advice to good use as well. It will help you raise awareness in the most cost-efficient way possible.

Ask your constituents and customers to write a letter to the editor: Newspapers accept brief letters to the editor on topics of all kinds, and these communications can be powerful. Make sure that those writing on your behalf include their connection to your business or organization, the problem your group helped them solve (or the way it brought about change in their life), and a statement about why that change was important. Have them invite the reader to get involved—to give or volunteer to your nonprofit, or become a client of your business. It doesn’t matter if the organization is a mechanic’s shop or a school; a letter is a great idea. Here’s an example:

Dear Editor,

My daughter is in fourth grade and is very shy, and that’s holding her back in school. Her teacher told me I should try to get her involved in activities that would help her build confidence. I signed her up for gymnastics at the local YMCA. The leader of the class made my daughter feel welcome right away, and she can now turn cartwheels and do a back bend, and she feels good about herself. Now, she does her homework before I ask her, and she is making new friends! If your child needs an extra boost, the Y could help.

Ask constituents and clients to offer testimonials on social media. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and other social media sites are an incredible place to pass along organic testimonials. Their power to reach hundreds, or thousands, is real, and a viral posting success could begin with you. Using the YMCA class as an example, ask your client—the young girl’s mom in this example—to take a photo of her daughter in front of the YMCA and post it with a simple phrase: “At Katie’s favorite place for gymnastics class.” Ask your constituents to do this often, to tag your business or organization. It will take them a minute and, over time, that kind of visibility can really help to build awareness.

Ask them to share posts. Ask your clients, volunteers, donors and staff to follow your posts on social media and share the ones they especially like—news, events, a success story—with a few words of their own, like “The food pantry I volunteer for just launched a fundraiser. Donate if you can!” Every time someone shares one of your posts, you are growing your reach, and your ability to do more good in the community.

That reminds me, if you are reading this blog on my website, please share it using the social media icons! If you’re reading it from a link on my Facebook page, post a comment or share!

The post Recruit Grateful Storytellers appeared first on Beetle Press.

And very wise.

I oversee the Republican newspaper’s Voices of the Valley column (want to be featured in it? Email me and let me know.)

The column runs every Monday in the Republican’s Business tabloid, and it offers a unique opportunity for free promotion in one of the largest print publications in circulation in western Massachusetts.

Yes, I said free. (Better email me.)

Recently, I featured Julia Mines, the owner of Life and Performance Coaching of West Whately. After her feature ran, Julie sent me a handwritten thank you note, letting me know that her Voices entry triggered her phone to start ringing—with all the right people on the other end of the line, she said.

I will always remember Julia now, and I think of her with admiration. I have heard from others who have worked with her as clients that she has helped them feel more successful, and I will work to help her make more new connections.

Showing gratitude will thus help you grow your business, and it will make you feel good, too.

There are many reasons to say thank you in business, such as when a friend or a colleague passes you a referral; whether or not it evolves into closed business doesn’t matter. A referral means someone thought enough of you to recommend you, and that’s a gesture that deserves a pat on the back.

Thank colleagues who have the inclination and take the time to write a recommendation for you—for a job, entry into grad school or in a post on a social media platform. Thank the person who invites you to come along to a networking meeting.

An email will suffice as a means for communicating your thanks, but notes like Julie’s add a higher level of class. Sending a small gift—such as a plant or a gift card—also will make an impression. And if you get a gift card that can be used in downtown Northampton or Easthampton, you will win friends there too as you support your community and its locally owned operations.

I saw Julie recently at an Arrive @ 5 event held by the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, and I thanked her profusely for her note. She said she sends thanks such as that all the time to folks and was surprised to hear from me that everyone I feature in Voices of the Valley doesn’t send me a hearty thank you.

Take your business or organization to a new level and start taking the time to give thanks when it’s due and when it might simply be a pleasant surprise that raises your profile a notch—or 10.

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