(a happy grab and summarization of all the wisdom from a LinkedIn thread shown below – thank you!)
The 5 Laws
If I give you my card at a networking meeting you would treat me best by:
- Asking me if I want to be added to your newsletter/marketing database.
- It is okay, and even impressive to send me a card saying it was nice to meet.
- It is okay, and even impressive to call or email me to ask my permission to contact me further or put me in your newsletter and/or marketing db.
- It is not okay to pass my card onto anyone else without my explicit persmission.
- Following these rules shows you respect me and I will respect you. It will also keep your marketing db and costs lower.
Ask me right then and there or ask me via a personal email or follow up call. Don’t just assume it is okay. Doing so without my explicit permission risks offending me.
The 3 Caveats
- Not everyone follows these rules – to expect them to do so is unrealistic. People who don’t follow these rules are often well meaning individuals treating you like they themselves expect to be treated. An example of where the “Platinum Rule” is better than the “Golden Rule.” Graciously advise people who violate the rules as to how you like to be treated. Don’t publicly flog them – it just makes you look bad. Put repeat violaters in your spam list.
- The lessons of “Green Eggs and Ham” still apply – you just have to be more circumspect, personal, polite and patient if your conviction keeps you from understanding or accepting that two letter word.
- If I put my card in a fishbowl, enter a contest, sign up for white paper, ebook, whatever then I have given implicit permission for you to “unleash the hounds”. I do appreciate, however, the additional little checkbox that let’s me have the white paper and still curtail the hounds pursuit.
Please send suggestions or revisions to denniswillis@actioncoach.com.
Dennis
Thanks to Joseph Pucci for this question and thread!
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