The Rule of Reciprocity

As we grow our businesses (and/or network), it is important for each of us to create inter-active relationships with one another. Through interaction we will learn more about each other and ultimately become more supportive of one another in the process.


This morning I came across an article about blogging and driving traffic to one's site. This article was relevant for this newly formed West Michigan Women's network, but it is also relevant for our business growth too. Each of us has limited time from which to accomplish our goals. Hopefully one of the activities on our "to do" list is making connections with others.


In Lena West's article: The Reciprocity Rule, February 16, 2009 found on the blog "lip-sticking", she reports that "the whole social media movement is built upon the premise of reciprocity . . ."
She points out what people are wanting from others as they post stories on their blogs:

1. Links
2. Comments
3. Followers

Without these three things, the blogger begins to feel like they are talking to themselves (a sure sign of insanity!)
As the article continues, Lena points out that if you want to acquire these three things, that you must give these things to others. She indicates that for every five posts on a blog, one should post a comment on someone else's blog.
This makes sense as this is just part of the discovery process where others will know you exist without having to search to find you.
I love this quote by Winston Churchill who said:

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.

Making the connection for our businesses:

One of my goals is to create active relationships with other women on a daily basis. This is not just sitting behind my computer doing research and writing in a blog hoping that others will happen across something of interest.


My husband's mother is a great example of this. She hates technology, she doesn't send emails, or posts comments on blogs, but, she loves her friends. She has made it a goal in life to connect with others on a daily basis (she calls it her three good deeds). As a result, she has more friends in her 80's than I could ever wish to acquire in my lifetime. She leads by example and has such a wonderful giving spirit.


Two women in our network who support making personal connections are Margret Bazany and Lisa W. Lee. These two ladies wrote the book "Gift Letters: Writing to Family and Friends" . They also hold workshops to teach others how to make connections through personal notes and letters. The self-published book is available for $19.99 at http://www.writinggiftletters.com/.