The power of a thank you note when it comes to connecting and networking is often overlooked. I recently came across a posting on Facebook about a recommendation for a book called 365 Thank Yous by John Kralik. The recommendation was so strong that I downloaded the first chapter on my Ipad and could not resist buying the book so I could download it immediately and read it in its entirety. This book really reminded me how important the simple act of writing a thank you note is when it comes to networking and creating relationships. It is a simple yet powerful way to touch people and make them feel acknowledged at the same time.
The premise of the book written by John Kralik, an attorney in Los Angeles who was having a terrible time in his life both personally and professionally is that he would express his gratitude for the things he had, even if it were the smallest and most insignificant things by handwriting 365 thank you notes. Kralik’s message is that unless you are grateful for things you have, you will not receive the things you want. Kralik’s resolution was to use a year’s worth of outdated stationary from his old law office to send a thank you to one person every day for a year. I won’t spoil the book for you by telling you more details but I will tell you that I am going to do the same thing. There are so many people that touch our lives on a daily basis yet the simplest act of saying thank you in writing eludes many of us.
Imagine for a moment what your business and personal life would be like if you took the time to write a thank you note for the introductions you received on LinkedIn for example or for the person who remembers your name at Starbucks when you order your daily cup of coffee or perhaps it might be to someone you met at a networking event. So often people focus on what they don’t have instead of being grateful for what they do have. Take inventory of your personal relationships and ask yourself what you are thankful for. Who has helped you get more business, introduce you to someone that had a positive influence in your life, gave you a referral to a resource you have used time and again? These are the people that are often the most important yet not acknowledged. A simple thank you note can accomplish more than you ever imagined.
When it comes to interviewing for a job, I learned long ago to always send a hand written thank you note. With the advancing use of email, texting and other electronic exchanges, the art of the handwritten thank you note is slowly fading away. The thank you note that you write could be the factor that distinguishes you from everyone else when applying for a job.
In business, experts tell us to start a thank you note by expressing your appreciation for the time and interest that people have invested in your career. It is also an opportunity to indicate your interest in securing a new challenge and to take the opportunity to highlight your most relevant skills. Finally, it is an opportunity to open the door to future communications about the job opportunity that you are interested in. All in all, a thank you note is one area you can rarely go wrong with.
If you have a list of people that you send a newsletter to or communicate with on a regular basis, it can be very profitable to look at who is on that list and personally thank those people that have purchased your products or services or perhaps given you a testimonial or recommendation. The personal inventory of looking at your list and then taking the action of hand writing a thank you note is one that can produce dividends you may never have considered.
My first thank you note is going to the woman who told me about the book 365 Thank Yous. Normally, I would write something on her Facebook wall but I know that handwritten thank you note will have much more of an impact than writing on a wall. I believe it is important to let the people in our lives who have touched us know the good deeds they have done. What better way that to send them a thank you note in the mail?
It is almost like having the United States Postal Service being in the business of sending warm and fuzzy greetings. So to all of my readers I do want to thank you for taking the time to read my columns and the National Networker Newsletter and let you know that you are very much appreciated. Until next week, I send you my heartfelt thanks for the time and joy you bring to me.
Rhonda L Sher: The Sloganator Rhonda L Sher was born talking. She fell in love with words as a child and has never stopped communicating since. Her father once commented that she was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. Not only has Rhonda inherited her father's humor, but it's that quick wit that has become the signature that has helped propel her clients to stardom.Acclaimed Keynote and workshop leader, Rhonda has authored two books, "The 2 Minute Networker" and "The ABC's of LinkedIn," "Get LinkedIn or Get Left Out" as well as numerous action guides, articles, workbooks, jingles and corporate slogans.
In addition to writing, Rhonda uses her gift of gab as a featured keynote speaker, consultant and corporate trainer throughout North America. She has successfully taught hundreds of business men and women on the art of business networking and written hundreds of elevator pitches and slogans.Rhonda's greatest talent lies in her ability to create fabulously catchy slogans that are memorable, upbeat, easy to repeat and create instant brand identification. In addition to the books, audio and video, Rhonda creates slogans and taglines for her clients which are memorable, bring them business and make them, money. She works with you to create a corporate slogan for your business that sets you apart from your competition. Her creativity and energy will tap into your customer's mind and have your phone ringing off the hook with new business.
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