Developing Relationships with Readers–An Excellent Example
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It was a book I had bought but … not THE book I had bought.
The note that came with it explains all. It was from Seth Godin.
Hey …
Here’s a gift.
No strings attached.
I want to thank you for believing in the Triiibe, for signing up sight unseen, for buying a book you hadn’t read yet, hadn’t heard about yet, hadn’t browsed yet.
You went first, took the lead, took a (small) chance with your money and a big chance with your time.
Thanks.
Here’s an advance copy of Tribes. An early copy, for you, before anyone else gets one. Please read a it and keep it. And when the one you paid for comes, I hope you’ll give that one away. In two weeks or so, when it arrives from the bookseller, take that second copy and spread the word. if all you do is file it away, I’ve failed.
I write books so people will spread the ideas inside. I write them to change things, to give a name to something that might be invisible and to give you a tool to make the change you hope to see in the world. [I love that, Seth! It's why I write, too.]
Working with you (and the rest of the Triiibe) is the entire purpose of my career. I hope you’ll put this gift to good work and give it to someone who needs it.
Thanks again,
Seth
P.S. Don’t forget to look inside the flap of the cover….
The inside flap of the front cover had photos of people in his Triiibes tribe. (I wasn’t there, though.)
How do you think I feel about Seth Godin upon receiving this?
The real issue is, to whom will I give this book now? And–how quickly can I make time to read it?
Study this note, the approach. It’s not the specific tactic of giving away an unexpected, free book that is the thing to necessarily model. It’s the attitude, the warmth, the sharing of his own passion, the nice touch of adding the photos to the inside flap … and how all these things work to build relationship.
That’s what to study, ponder, and model, fitting it to what you do.
Read Seth Godin, yes. His books, his blog. But watch what he does. “Go and do likewise.”
4 Comments
October 4th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
Thanks Diane,
This is a wonderful example. Generosity, sharing and giving all underpin success.
There is always someone who will take advantage but those people are few and far between. We don’t do it because of what we will get as result, we do it becasue it’s who we are and because we enjoy it.
October 5th, 2008 at 12:10 am
This is great Diane. It really does warm your heart when a big name proves he also has a big heart. You are right it’s not just giving the book, but giving of himself that matters. I know another author who does that Douglas Clegg – and you, you are always giving. It makes me feel like giving as well.
Thank you.
Billie
October 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Thanks Diane. I appreciate the shoutout!
The photos came from a blog post I did a few months ago… maybe next time. Thanks for the writing you do.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Thanks, all, for your wonderful comments! It’s all about connecting–and that’s what’s so great about this Internet age, we can make all kinds of new connections. And Seth Godin is a real master and leader showing us how.