My son Jack (AKA Golden Boy) was recently a finalist in a major community awards here in Australia.
The winners were announced for each of the 4 categories at a formal cocktail party in Brisbane, complete with tons of food, drink and music.
It was a beautifully organised evening with nothing left to chance.
Let The Writing Begin
After the Awards Jack did something he always does.
He sat down and started writing.
- The Chairman of the Awards,
- the Operations Manager who organised everything,
- the presenting politician and
- every other Finalist
were all sent a Thank You/Congratulations letter from Jack.
Letters & Chocolates
Earlier this week Jack was awarded an RSL Youth Development Fund grant (worth over $5,000) to travel to New York next year and do some charity work.
3 people at Jack’s local RSL (Returned Services League) helped with his application.
Those 3 people today received a sincere thank you letter from Jack, along with a box of chocolates.
He also wrote a Thank You letter to the President of the RSL who awarded the grant.
Over 500 Handwritten Cards
After Jack completed his across Australia bike ride, he wrote a letter to every single supporter who helped him.
That was from his major sponsor to the Fahan School girls in Hobart who volunteered at a fundraising Cocktail Party to anyone who gave a donation.
500 handwritten cards with every single one having a personal message.
What You Don’t Write Letters For
- You don’t write letters to get more business.
- You don’t send cards to aid your personal branding.
- You don’t give a thank you gift because you want something in return.
You do all that stuff because it’s just good manners.
Sure, all those other things – like the personal branding, like the more business, like the increased opportunities – will come to you, but don’t write those letters because of those things.
Write them because it’s simply the right thing to do.
Bloody Simple Stuff That No-One Seems To Do
This stuff is bloody simple stuff.
But, like a lot of things these days, not many people seem to teach them.
When I wrote the Web Design Business Kit I included what I see as basic business manners aspects like writing letter.
It was only later that I realised that people don’t know to take care of the little things and they don’t know that these little things can be very, very important.
Here’s My Top 3 List Of Little Things To Do
- Use your manners – send thank you notes
- Presentation matters – stop buy crappy clothes and splash out on decent stuff
- Support those who support you – be a customer of your clients if at all possible
Cheers
