Love the google alert idea.

This is what I loved about Edmonton when I moved here. When people said “we should go for coffee” they MEANT it. And followed up!

Great post.

A successful man I know always makes a point to find out birthdays. He keeps track of them in an Outlook calendar sends everyone he knows a handwritten birthday card on his own stationary. Very cool.

Super ideas that take little effort, but very effective. Love the fish bowl idea with the business cards. And, the Google Alerts are ideal. I’m implementing some of these ideas today!

Well done! I wish I had written this and its going on my status pronto! you rock Peter!

amazing post. the fishbowl idea is awesome. BTW Peter- about stalking– just think about how many people have google alerts (or will after tonight) on YOU.

:)

I really appreciate you sharing these tips (for free, even!, unheard of in these days!) No matter what industry you’re in, this stuff applies, heck, even in your personal life – you’d be an awesome friend or family member if you used some of these follow-ups with those in your closest circle!

Another way not to be full of shit? Don’t insult the “fat girls” and assume that being thin=being hot and being fat=unattractive. Because it’s not true, and it’s not nice. Other than that, great post.

Except to me bringing donuts in order to be the hero or sending cookies because you hope that you’ll be top of mind for business dealings – while good business is also being full of shit because everyone is your friend in the hopes of getting business from them.

Just trying “not to be full of shit”

Ann

Love these tips. I think that some of this has gone away with our overall civility as a society.

One of the things I do as a “nice guy” is when I read through the HARO announcements throughout the day, I always forward any perfect fits along to clients and colleagues and give them suggestions on how they can pitch themselves (and of course encourage them to subscribe to HARO!) Keep up the awesome work, Peter!

Absolutely brilliant! Especially the Alerts thing. I was struggling to find a reason to use them, now I know what to do! Thank you!!

I always carry a power strip with me. Makes me a hero in meetings and airports. And I meet the coolest people.

This is fantastic! It is so sad and yet so true! Thanks Peter

I loved them all, every idea but #2 I liked the best. I can attest to the personal contact that you have with everyone. While I may not have been one picked out of the fishbowl, I have had my emails answered and in person you were everything you are online. No guesses, no it could be him, it was the REAL Peter Shankman. That above all is what I appreciate about you…

Hurricane Peter.

So friggin right on that I felt like letting out an old fashioned cheer. Instead I forwarded it to multi hundred people.

I’m with Ann on your “full of shit” donuts faux kindness stunts and also agree with Sandra about the “fat girls” insult.
You’re a bright, creative dynamo, Peter. You simply came up short and missed the mark with those disappointing comments.
Peace.
Carleton

I think it’s important to listen when folks bring up, “Let’s go for coffee,” if you can’t do it. It’s easy to say. It’s fine to give a good reason as well. I tell them about my agoraphobia, as well. I generally tell folks that I’m in the City once or twice a month, and here’s where I’m gonna be. They’re welcome to come up and meet me in the Bronx for pizza or Little Italy.

Peter you are a fabulous inspiration to so many people out there! Next time you ate coming to Los Angeles stop by for some halt the cravings acupuncture or a decaf!
I’m so not full of shit…

SIncerity, integrity, thoughtfulness: bravo!

I use Google Alerts to keep track of everything from news events in my home town to tech updates to links back to my own blog or mentions of my blog. I also detest the phony, and make a point in my own blogs and persona online to be 100% transparent to my audience and readers. When share my honest opinion good, bad of anything I am asked it of though I keep everything professional and respectful in all communications. When people who live in my community want to meet up sometime, I honestly tell them I don’t get out much and between day job, kids, wife and blogging I never will have time to leave my house or meet for a coffee. I do all my socializing online because it is hard to find time to “meet anyone anywhere”.

So when you accepted my invite to coffee in a few months- you really DO want to meet for coffee. Phew – I feel awesome :) Great post!

Love your message. and so true. I get annoyed at the “let’s have coffee”, I can’t stand saying it if I really don’t mean it.

I have a folder titled “People Notes” to help with the details that might otherwise become cloudy as time passes. This assists me with my bad memory during the follow-up contact.

I absolutely love this post. I often feel alone in my efforts to do the “nice thing” (aka, actually calling when I say I will, following up, etc.). I love all of your tips – thank you for caring!

I love the fishbowl idea Peter. I to have quite the collection of cards and I’ve been looking for a way to put them to good use. I love this suggestion as way to keep current contacts + prospective clients in the sales funnel.
Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliance with us! All the best, Megan

Love the unexpected follow-up idea…I “surprise dial” people if I know I am going to be in my car for more than 20 minutes just to say “Hi!”…they love it and it makes me feel good too! Thanks Peter

I want to start adding these notes on to the bottom of all my e-mails! I’m a pr grad student who runs a field experience program for undergrads and I’m going to refer all of them to this post. As a professional you talk to tons of people every day and it’s hard to follow up with every one of them, but a simple e-mail saying “thanks a lot” makes a huge difference in relationship building. As a young professional, i often don’t receive the most respect from some people. While I’d love to give them a piece of my mind, I’ve learned that I get a lot farther just being pleasant and constantly touching base when we are working on a project together. In today’s constantly connected world, getting back to people immediately is necessary to maintain good relations.

I don;t agree… we live in such cynical times…ppl would avoid you if you exceeded their expectation as they’d assume you have a hidden agenda…point 5 is true, though :)

I think there’s an acceptable limit between being “nice” and “deferential” – I agree that connecting with people face to face or even *at all* can reap benefits. Being the “insta-hero” for immediate payoff smacks of making covert contracts with undeserving participants and pleasing people to seek approval. Those traits, I would believe are hallmarks of people who are 100% “full of shit.”

I have to agree completely with you here. Most people are to nice to tell you the truth. It is hard sometimes with our busy lives and over booked schedules to be able to follow up with your plan to get coffee sometime soon. I don’t necessarily think that makes you a piece of shirt without the R. Just means you got to wrapped up in your busy life and forgot.

Let’s grab a coffee to explore further…..

I find this advice very helpful. As an aspiring PR professional on the brink of graduating from the University of Alabama, I am aware that future employers will expect me to be able to serve as an advocate for clients. How can I do that if I cannot adequately advocate for myself? Last summer during an internship I learned the importance of being detailed oriented and this post takes everything I learned to the next level. In a field that is all about differentiating you from the others; these are some great personal touches that will transform relationships and construct sturdy bridges for business and personal endeavors. I intend to implement them.
Thanks for sharing!

I think sometimes this idea of “ill catch you later” or “coffee soon?” type of comments don’t actually happen is because our world of communication has transitioned to social media vehicles. Although social media has done wonders for the way we communicate in the business world, I feel as though it can be negative for personal relationships and connecting with others. It’s easy to communicate through facebook or twitter but its another thing to actually follow up and call and spend quality time with another person.

It is refreshing to see someone addressing such subject. People tend to be inconsequential by nature, is sad to admit it. http://www.micromemoryflash.com thanks for visiting us

That was the most real thing I’ve read in months. It’s so true in every way and super helpful. Thank you so much for putting this out there. And I mean it!

Wow you sure hit the nail on the head, Every thing you wrote is true. I am guilty of some but not all and after reading this I am sure going to try to be a better person thats not full of shit..

Yeah cos doing “nice” things to gain an edge isn’t being full of shit, is it?

it’s not that hard just being decent to another human being, if you promise something, unless something very serious comes up, just fulfill the damn promise, its a respectful thing to do, we’re supposed to be more than animals but humans today are way below worse animals, they are ordinary shit… why is it so hard to be decent and just keep your word?!!!!! Well done for the post, finally someone decent, someone who could be called a person, not a piece of shit flesh

I am all about “keeping it real” and telling the truth. I always try to stay true to myself, on my blog, in real life, and in social media. I can only be me; I don’t know who else to be.