| I get this question a lot: |
| Thank you, referral or appreciation gifts – yay or nay? I say: it all depends. But if it’s a yay for you, make it ‘valuable.’ And no, that doesn’t mean pricy. It means: valuable to whom you’re sending the gift. Please keep in mind that gift-giving (and gift-receiving) is not every person’s love language. So, springing a gift on them may make them feel icky even though your intent was to show sincere thanks. Safest bet until you know who you’re dealing with: handwritten notes with no strings attached. Things to also keep in mind in relation to appreciation gifts: – Their values. If they value community + shopping local, a gift basket from Harry + David’s isn’t the right fit. If they value wellness, opt for a gift card to Thrive Market vs. a Starbucks gift card. If they value connection, ask them who they’d most like to be introduced to + see if you can make that happen for them. – Timing. If you’re work-leisuring in Tahiti because you had a killer year, please, please, please do not send them a Tahitian postcard of “Wish You Were Here” as they’re sitting on the couch broke and covered in baby puke. (Side note: This really happened to me but the location was different. Off to the shredder it went.) – Appreciation gifts are the time to stand out, not the time to blend in. Your expression of thanks should not be one size fits all. It should feel human. Authentic. And feel like YOU – not an automated robot scribbling a canned signature. Your content is everywhere. The emails you send, the notes you write, the photos you take. And yes, it’s the way you show your appreciation. Nikki James Zellner is a writer, military spouse, mom and founder of Where Content Connects, a boutique content consultancy helping women leaders and community builders grow their voice, audience, influence and brands. For the inside scoop on actionable content advice delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for her weekly MemoRandom. |