I just finished reading a post written by Julie Rusciolelli over at the PR Maven blog about being thanked by clients. She tells the story of a PR launch she oversaw years ago that had her sweating bullets but was executed perfectly with great results. She was disappointed that the client didn’t thank her for a job well done. Her boss at the time told her that the client’s retainer with the agency was the only thanks she should expect and Julie now appears to agree.
I don’t agree. I am happy to say that many of my clients thank me for a great job. In fact, I think it happens more often than not. Isn’t saying “thanks” simply part of good etiquette? I don’t mean that it should become routine regardless of the job quality but if someone really goes out of their way to do exceptional work, I think a “thank you” is in order. Yes, repeat business is one way to show you appreciate the good work but what’s wrong with expecting a word of thanks? I don’t crumble or get angry if I am not thanked but I think it’s a fair expectation. I always strive to remember to thank people if they’ve done something for me even if I’ve paid them to do it. I think it’s important.
What do you think?
Tags: appreciation, client relations, Julie Rusciolelli, PR Maven
October 7, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Your absolutely right, about thanks but I have found that simply phoning people to say thanks gives me a great advantage over my competitors, and suprises some clients.
What annoys me more then the no thanks is that people don’t even respond so in this day of e everything you never know if they have recieved the message, a simple hitting reply would be enough for me, never mind expecting them to say thanks.
September 19, 2009 at 3:31 am
Perfectly said and I’ll agree in full… Saying a word of “thanks” makes no harm instead gets a smile and a sweet memory!
September 17, 2009 at 11:53 pm
Getting a “thank you” is always nice, but getting paid is even better!