This courtesy prevents the members of a given profession from trying to steal each other’s clients. But it also prevents them from coming to the aid of consumers who have been harmed by others in the profession.

For instance, patients who have received damaging treatment from doctors and who are justified in bringing suit often have a hard time finding other doctors who will support their claims. By the same token, doctors who know that another doctor is hooked on prescription medications to the detriment of his or her patients routinely look the other way. It’s the polite thing to do.

Lawyers are another “closed set.” They simply don’t want to bring suit against each other because it “isn’t the thing to do.”

Then there’s law enforcement. Our newspapers are filled with stories about police officers who turn a blind eye to other officers’ misdeeds. From dealing drugs or stealing merchandise to drunk driving, wife battery, and even beating someone to death, other officers overlook it because they’re a part of the brotherhood. Cops who do testify against one of their group are often shunned – and even forced out of the job.

Real estate agents are expected to have enough professional courtesy to respect other agents’ relationships with clients and customers. And those who are ethical do. Others, however, are all too willing to bad-mouth other agents or even tell outright falsehoods about them as a means of stealing their clients. This is one profession that hasn’t quite adopted “courtesy” as one of the rules of doing business.

Considering all this, I’ve been thinking about how far professional courtesy should go when it comes to my field of copywriting, and the “sister” fields of graphic design and website creation.

Since there are subjects I don’t write about, customers sometimes ask me what I think of some other copywriter to write those projects. If I know someone is good, I’ll say so. But if I don’t like their work, I’ll say that I don’t know and will advise them to ask for samples and references before making a decision.

After all, since I don’t write about the stock market or computer software, my opinion could be off base.

I do the same with graphic design and web creation, but I’m wondering if that’s the right thing to do.

If I know that a certain designer always brings their projects in two months late, or is difficult to work with, should I tell someone who asks about them? Or am I right in giving the same advice – “Ask to see samples and references?”

I’d love to hear your opinion…

If you have a pen, a piece of paper, an envelope, and a stamp, you can do just that. You can write a thank you note.

In fact, you’ll do even better if you write a dozen thank you notes. And if you make it a daily habit, you might just be amazed at the results.

Even if your business is already doing well, those notes will give it a boost.

Taking the time to send a hand-written note of thanks will set you apart from your competitors, and it will lift you up in the minds of every person who receives one. That’s because hardly anyone does it, and because a hand-written, well thought-out note shows that you actually thought about the recipient – and that you do appreciate whatever they did.

Your notes don’t need to go just to people you do business with, but can be just as effective when sent to people who perform services for you.

Why? Again, because this has become an unusual practice. So unusual, in fact, that people will talk about it. The mechanic who repaired your car might be sitting at the lunch counter visiting with other patrons and start to brag about getting your note.

“Hey, I got a thank you note today – you guys ever get one of those? Mrs. Jones wrote to thank me for getting her car in and out of the shop so quickly – and for not leaving any grease on her carpets like the last guy did. You know Mrs. Jones don’t you? She runs the …. down on ….”

A thank you in person does leave a warm feeling – and you should hand one out at every opportunity. But a written thank you is something people can show their spouses and friends. It’s something that gives them bragging rights along with that good feeling.

Thanking customers and would-be customers…

Remember that there is a difference in thank you notes. A printed card that says “Thank you for your business” and bears your signature is not very special.

A blank card with “Thank You” printed on the front or a hand-written note on a blank sheet of paper is special – but only when it contains a specific thanks.  So think before you write.

What did that person do? Did they give you some of their valuable time to present your product or service? Did they follow your recommendation about something? Did they refer a friend to you? Did they alert you to a problem in your business? (Yes, that one deserves BIG thanks!)

Try it right now – and you’ll be glad you did.

Not only will you feel good right away because you know you’re making someone else feel good, you’ll be activating the powerful law of attraction. That law says that when you feel gratitude and give thanks for something, you’ll attract more of the same. So the more people you thank, the more people you’ll have to thank.

Of course you do. We all do. So stop and take a critical look at how you look when you set out to win new customers.

Your clothes make a huge difference, and the trick here is to make them present an impression without even being noticed. First, dress appropriately for your line of work. A Realtor, for instance, should not dress like a night club hostess or a golf pro. Neither should a dentist or a mortgage lender or an airline pilot!

By the same token, a building contractor should probably not show up in a suit and tie, unless the company is so huge that everyone knows he (or she) will never set foot on the construction site.

Your hair and makeup should follow suit – create an impression without anyone noticing any detail about either. No bright blue eyeliner, please. Ditto with jewelry – subdued is the rule. And perfume! Please, don’t overwhelm anyone. The last thing you want to be remembered for is the scent that lingers long after you’ve left the room.

Criticize your own look before customers do it for you – and then adjust!

Now, here’s one little tip that people seldom mention: If you want to look seriously professional, carry a clipboard. I don’t know why, but you’ll be viewed as knowledgeable and reliable if you’re seen carrying a clipboard and making notes.

Get yourself a clipboard, then put a legal pad on it because if you carry an empty clipboard you’ll look silly instead of professional.

Yours for prosperity,
Marte