I get a lot of marketing messages that promise the ‘absolutely best, no brainer, one-size-fits-all, can’t lose’ strategies; I’m promised they’ll work, regardless of industry, budget or target audience. I’ve always assumed they’re pretty much garbage. Until I realized I’ve been using one of those, with great success, throughout my business career. And, like so many other tools I use successfully, this one came from Mom; I’ll bet your Mom (or your Dad or Grandparents) helped you learn this amazing, can’t fail marketing technique, too.

I call it ‘Good Manners’. Here’s how it works:

1. When someone offers to help you, or actually does, or gives you a sample or invites you to try something they believe will help you, or just hands you their business card, say ‘thank you‘.
2. When someone asks for your help on a project, whether you plan to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ start with ‘thank you for thinking of me.’ Of course, if someone’s offering to send you the fortune of an uncle, the late Nigerian prince, or needs to discuss a multi-million dollar transfer of funds to your account, feel free to delete without comment.
3. When someone complains about a product or experience they attribute to you, say ‘Thanks for taking the time to comment.’ Believe me, they’ve just given you 2 gifts: the opportunity to fix or improve what might need it AND they’re giving you a chance to keep them as a customer.
4. When someone has thanked you, say ‘you’re welcome‘. DO NOT say ‘no problem’. Here’s why: (Warning: this is subtle and you may not believe me, but below, where all perception lives and all marketing aims, an attitude is brewing). ‘No problem’ is a slap in the face of my ‘thank you’. It tells me that, despite my appreciation of your effort on my behalf, you extended no effort at all. I’m acknowledging you for having done something nice and you’re telling me you did nothing at all. Now, there may be generational differences here and I’ll leave it to you to know when your audience will be happier to hear ‘no problem’ in reply to ‘thanks’ vs. ‘you’re welcome’. Go ahead, test it out.
5. When you make an offer to do something, such as ‘I’ll give you a call next week’ or ‘I’ll send that report to you’, follow through and actually do it.
6. When someone reaches out to you to connect, say on LinkedIn, or invites you to an event or wants to tell you about their product offerings, express interest. You may also include tips # 1 and/or 2.
7. Offer value without expectation of return. More often than not, that’s what you’ll get. However, the gesture is a great habit to form as it’s part of your own brand distinction. Those who recognize what you’re doing will begin to think “wow, if that’s what s/he gives for free, imagine what I could learn if I actually buy something?
8. When you receive an article, an invitation, a notice of some industry or economic change your first thought should NOT be ‘I don’t need this’ and trash it. Make your first thought ‘who do I know who can use this?’
9. Don’t invite a new connection to endorse, introduce or provide a referral for you. Their reputation is at stake so wait until they’re sure their reputation will be enhanced via affiliation with you.
10. Do random acts of kindness; related to #7 yet not necessarily focused on business. Why? If you follow the Law of Attraction it will keep you on the positive energy side of things and just imagine how many great smiles and happy energy you’ll generate!