Give-n-Take, Part 1

In Twitter, do you show gratitude with only pleases and thank-you’s?

If there’s one thing that I learned from living many years in Japan its that regardless of what people say, when someone does something for you, there is a debt. You owe them. “Thank you” does not make it go away.

When you were three, and someone gave you a lollypop, your mother asked you, “what’s the magic word?” “Thank you,” we are taught, in the West, at least, absolves us of debts.

Not actually.

Someone retweeted your blog post tweet. You thank them. Then, they include you in a #FF and again, you thank them. They comment on you blog and tweet their comment – which includes a link back to your site/blog. Why do you believe it is enough to simply… “thank” them?

They did something for you, something that helps to amplify your message. It might have even been something you created – such as a blog article, or a tweet about an event at which you will be speaking, or simply need more attendees for.

Reciprocate.

Do something back, maybe? Click on their timeline, and if you can find something that they would really appreciate amplification on – such as something they created (blog post, photo/video/media they created, etc.), retweet that, or in facebook, share it on your wall.

In the social media version of “gave and take,” in the example above, some “gave” to you. You took. Give back – or don’t be surprised when they stop giving, and perhaps even unfollow and/or unlist you.

Do I practice what I preach? Take a look at the timeline for @osakasaul – and see what happens when you retweet a blog article of mine.

As for what I do for KdL Web2.0 Social Media members, please see Joy in Creating an Online Community, Pt. 1
And as for what I get in return, Joy in Creating an Online Community, Pt. 2

What is your stance on reciprocation. Still think mommy was 100% right when she taught you that “thankyou” is the magic word – and nullifies any and all debts? I believe it is useful for three-year-olds. It gets them started with pleases and thankyous. In Japan, one of the most profound ideological differences that I found from our thinking in Japan is that actually, which many will not vocalize dissatisfaction, without reciprocation, people actually feel slighted.

About Saul Fleischman

Founder of emerging social media tool sites. Bootstrapping innovation with lean startup development teams. I do project management, user experience, PR, marketing and community development.

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