I am often asked for my opinion about how to do something. It is the nature of the virtual assistant business. Having worked on a variety of projects, people believe I can either answer a question or at least give them the tools to find the answer themselves. I’m OK with that. I like to help.

I opened up my email Inbox today and found seven emails from people looking for an answer about how to do something. It took about an hour to get through all the responses and I was pleased to have answers to everything asked.

Of the seven, two responded with a ‘Thank You’.

Was I looking for a ‘Thank You’? Well, yes. It would have...Click here to read the rest of this post at Your Virtual Wizard.

Your Virtual Wizard Blog is authored by VAF member Janine of Your Virtual Wizard.


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So so true Janine. Not only is a lost "Thank You" a missed opportunity to show gratitude it's a potential disaster if the person who never received that thanks could have a future positive impact on business growth or just life in general.

My finest example of a forgotten thank you was when a PC approached me with a long term relationship in mind. She was great, I loved her energy but her budget was very limited. Instead of turn her away end-of-story I went to the trouble of tracking down another VA who I quite liked, thought of as a professional, and who I knew WOULD fit with her price point. The PC hired and is still working with this VA. I did not ask for a subcontracting relationship, a finder's fee, or even a percentage of the first invoice from this VA and she never even had the courtesy to thank me. Needless to say my professional opinion of that service provider went way downhill after that.

A sincere thank you takes only minutes to create and send and can have a lasting impact on the person you send it to. And a forgotten thank you, equally so.

Thanks for this important reminder Janine!

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Thanks Janine for posting this. This has been on my mind lately too. I have noticed the same thing with some people.I still help (when I can) but not as much as before. Now I will help if I have the time only in my schedule. I also have a cap on each free session. I can't give away hours as I did in the past.

Today I have to call someone who was laid off and is wondering about the VA industry. I asked for a list of questions which she sent over to me so I know the call will take well over an hour. She told told me she has LOTS OF QUESTIONS, which I will try to answer.

I have mentioned this problem recently to some of my business friends that free help is expected by some with not even a 'thank you'.

This is wrong and it's a shame since one, two or a few bad apples can ruin the bunch.

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

It is amazing how those two simple words have seemed to escape so many people these days. To me it is just a common courtesy to acknowledge what the person has done for you.

Everyone needs to understand that these two words are very powerful and they show appreciation for what others have done. How you respond and treat others makes a lasting impression.

Thank you so much for bringing this up Janine.

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Amy
TAG Virtual Office, LLC

I find that the negative 'things' are so much more memorable than the 'good'. I can name off the top of my head a few people who never thanked me for doing something for them.

Their names stay with me to this day. I'm sure Tess has not forgotten the name of the individual who couldn't bother to say thanks for sending her a customer.

I don't think people realize the damage they do to their reputation by not saying thanks.
The repercussions for not being appreciative are far worse than the amount of time they might have spent typing 'thank you' and then hitting 'send'.

Thank you for your comments.

Janine

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Originally Posted by Tess

So so true Janine. Not only is a lost "Thank You" a missed opportunity to show gratitude it's a potential disaster if the person who never received that thanks could have a future positive impact on business growth or just life in general. My finest example of a forgotten thank you was when a PC approached me with a long term relationship in mind. She was great, I loved her energy but her budget was very limited. Instead of turn her away end-of-story I went to the trouble of tracking down another VA who I quite liked, thought of as a professional, and who I knew WOULD fit with her price point. The PC hired and is still working with this VA. I did not ask for a subcontracting relationship, a finder's fee, or even a percentage of the first invoice from this VA and she never even had the courtesy to thank me. Needless to say my professional opinion of that service provider went way downhill after that. A sincere thank you takes only minutes to create and send and can have a lasting impact on the person you send it to. And a forgotten thank you, equally so. Thanks for this important reminder Janine!

Tess, this VA is truly the epitome of of 'it's all about me'. Well, like the old saying "what goes around comes around". It's a shame when this happens, because it is disappointing and discouraging. I guess some people feel they are entitled to 'free help and resources' for some reason I am not aware of at this point.

When we take the time to help others build their businesses we are doing a dis-service to our own business as that is time that could be well spent for our businesses. So a simple thank you at the minimum is in order! I am sorry this happened to you.

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Great blog post Janine. I get many emails daily looking for quick answers to many of questions. I always respond and it does take time so a Thank you is much appreciated. However, it doesn't happen as often as I would like it to. I remember who does not thank me and then politely respond to the next email without an answer to their question.

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Dawn Riley
A Virtual Assistant in Paradise
Our business is about making yours better

Thank you and please are two of the most powerful words in customer relations! They can make or break lasting business relationships!