In the business of publishing, many letters go out, emails get sent and phone calls get made. But where is everybody? Has the world disappeared?
I respond to people who have left me messages and do not even hear back from them. EVER. Where did they go???????
No matter what reason people have for not returning messages, I, for one, will not be that rude. Yes, there are extenuating circumstances that make it impossible to get back to people. (i.e. sudden and instant death, loss of fingers or other emergencies), but I don’t think that can be the case with more than 99% of the population.
This brings me to the subject of manners. I receive tons of emails from people who want something from me. They want to sell me something, have me do them a favor, publish their books, give them a recipe, provide moral support, and much more. I ANSWER ALL OF THESE. Sometimes it just takes one sentence. People cannot say that author Glade or anyone at Smart Poodle Publishing is rude.
My sister, Shelley (older than me - just had to mention that) is a successful marketing expert. Her company is called Airlift Ideas. She ALWAYS returns phone calls. In fact, she somehow manages to return my calls before I have even finished recording the message on her machine. Maybe that is why companies like to work with her and find out how they can improve their own images and successfully market their brands. They can be sure she’ll not only be there when needed, but also get the job done well. Check out her website. (She does not dress in millipede costume or speak in cartoon voices, but she does a fabulous presentation.)
Okay, back to manners. Teach your kids to have them. Not only should they say “thank you,” respect adults, clean up after themselves and hold doors open for people, but they also should respond. If a friend calls, call that friend back. If a question is asked, answer it. If a promise is made, keep it. It’s not that hard.
And don’t you want your children to be reliable and well respected? Trust me, it’ll pay off some day if they are. In a major big way.