The art of saying thank you

Social media has made us an impatient lot. We want instant results and instant interaction, and we want it now. For many, the issue is simple impatience and unjustified expectation. For others, it comes down to a lack of social skills, where the digital world equates to surface level interaction and a simple “thank you” becomes a forgotten art.

Has the art of good manners been lost forever? I honestly think not. The issue is less about forgetting our manners and more about learning how to adapt them to an online world.

The anatomy of a good “Thank You”

A “thank you” is about acknowledgement and appreciation. You are taking the time to let someone know you have noticed their effort. A meaningful “thank you” must do three things:

1. Acknowledge the other person.

2. Engage them directly.

3. Be meaningful.

This is easily translated to social media, but the problem is that we have all become too busy to take the time to do it.

The double edged sword of social media

Social media has given us the opportunity to engage with people all over the world. We can interact with clients, potential fans, and family on any platform we choose. We are no longer limited by time or distance. We can share our opinions, products, and services instantly.

And we try to do it all, all of the time.

Why digital noise leads to bad manners

With so many people to interact with, we are going too broad. We look to reach everyone instead of getting personally involved with anyone. We have so much to say that we have stopped listening.

This is why people say social media has killed good manners. We are simply too busy shouting to care about the people we are shouting at. In a professional capacity, this is a dangerous habit for a Virtual Assistant to fall into.

How to turn it around

The benefits social media affords us are the keys to turning this around. Yes, we can engage with more people, so let us make those engagements meaningful. Instead of trying to connect with a crowd, take the time to personally connect with one person.

Social media allows you to see what is happening in another person’s life, so be genuinely interested. Use these platforms to enhance your relationships. By focusing on fewer people with more meaningful connections, you can encourage or motivate someone when they need it. You will notice when it is right to say “well done” or “thank you,” and because you have narrowed your focus, you will actually take the time to do so.

In the VA world, manners and personal touches are what set a professional apart from a mediocre freelancer. If you want to build a business based on high standards and authentic connection, the VA Momentum Course will show you how to manage your professional presence without losing the human touch.

What are your thoughts on social media manners? Has “thank you” become a lost art, or are we just not taking the time to notice? I try to send thank you cards and small gifts to say thanks to speakers who share their knowledge and expertise with the VA Membership community.  I try to send something that reflects them and their business – something that shows I have listened to what they have said.