She wrote columns on communications for a handful of local newspapers, Her articles roamed from advertising advice to speech writing to one-on-one selling. She wrote and self-published a book on basic PR for business which got her on local TV and in the feature article that got my attention.

“Tit for tat will just get you hurt” was something she said early on in our conversation. I let it pass without questioning it.

The second time she mentioned it I asked what she meant. She asked if I had ever had a referral in business. I told her the story of my start up letter that had generated 6 responses from the 60 guys in my Advertisng Golf Club. Two said, “Good luck.” Two suggested possible leads and two asked me to work on a consulting engagement.

She explained that I should send handwritten thank you notes to those 6 and then do the same thing to those that had not responded. She was ahead of her time. She was telling me to pay it forward, to find ways to help folks without expectation of return because over time they would come to trust me.

Because of her:

• I became the new programs committee chair for the Portland Chamber for 10 years.
• I became the librarian of Pacific Northwest Association of Book Publishers.
• I was in the room when a handful of people agreed to start the Portland Chapter of the National Speakers Association

Networking enhances your net worth. Relational networking where you give tips, assistance and referrals without expectation of reward changed my life. It is a key element in Credibility to Cash TM.

And so it goes.

Jerry Fletcher is a sought-after International Speaker, founder and CEO of Z-axis Marketing, Inc. and a Certified WHYos Coach. See Jerry’s speaker demo reel.

His consulting practice, founded in 1990, is known for on and off-line Trust-based Consultant Marketing advice that builds businesses, brands and lives of joy.

Credibility to Cash TM is his latest way to share experiences so you can take your business up a notch…or two. Get the Newslog at his consulting site.

Consulting: https://www.JerryFletcher.com
Speaking:  https://www.NetworkingNinja.com