The ‘Theory Of Small Gifts’ For Your Network

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn says in Connections with Integrity, “One way to help nurture good alliances is to provide early and explicit signs of your own commitment, showing people that you actually care about helping them. My name for this practice is the ‘theory of small gifts’, small ways to invest in a relationship and create more value for everyone, without expecting anything tangible in return.”

Here are our ideas for low-cost or no-cost (even better!) small gifts you can give to people in your network: 

Small gifts through social networks

A simple way to do something nice for someone is to pay attention to their social networks. People appreciate (and remember) you when you join, comment, like, and repost. It’s a great way of staying on their radar!

  • ‘Like’ things that people post on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
  • Don’t just Like, also Comment. Posts often don’t get many comments so yours will stand out.
  • Follow them on X (formerly known as Twitter) and even Facebook.
  • Share and retweet articles, blog posts, events they are promoting or discussing with your network.
  • Use their hashtags (example: #networkingtips) and handles (example: @ShepaLearning).
  • Write a Recommendation on LinkedIn. It shows that you care about helping them.

Small gifts via email or message

Everyone is challenged by ways to follow up with others. Sending interesting or valuable information to those in your network or new contacts, shows you are thinking about them (this is not a sales pitch).

  • If you see a useful article, share the link but pull a quote (they can quickly see if they want to read more).
  • Congratulate people in your network who have won an award, got a promotion, joined a board, or were in the news (in a good way). With some connections, wishing them a happy birthday is a nice thing to do.
  • Randomly reach out to someone you haven’t connected with in ages: “How are you doing? I have been thinking about you.” Share a short update on yourself. This is meant to be a way to re-engage with them, so have a follow-up plan—a coffee, a video call, an invitation to an event.

Small gifts by phone

Really do something totally unique—call someone! If you aren’t doing that now, get back into the habit of using your phone. We find that more gets done when it’s a dialogue in real time on your phone. So, why not a Zoom call? A video call is just a bigger deal; it often takes more effort than a phone call.

  • Try calling people out of the blue—IT IS SUCH A NOVELTY! Just remember to start the conversation with “Do you have time for a 10-minute conversation right now?” And keep to the allotted time.
  • Go through your list of people you have not talked to in a while. Call them. This includes strategic connections, centers of influence, connectors and dormant ties in your network.   

Small gifts given face-to-face

Some of the below ‘small gifts’ may cost something, but it’s not usually in a Tiffany box!

  • When you are at an event, make the effort to connect people. It’s a sign of a great networker, they never eat their meal!
  • Find the time to take key people to coffee or lunch. ‘Breaking bread’ together builds bonds.
  • Invite people to join you at events that you think they’ll enjoy. You can introduce them to people you know. Create your own events that bring colleagues and/or business associates together. Host them or get everyone to pay their own way. That depends on your budget. Check out our blog post on 20 Tips for Restaurant Business Networking.
  • Look for ways to help that aren’t about work. Suggest a good gym, a great new restaurant, or a tutor that you have used for your children.
  • Thank someone for their time or effort by sending a gift card. “Friends buy friends coffee” “Great work deserves coffee”. “My treat” (Thanks Starbucks for the gift card inspiration!)
  • For us, one of the most memorable gestures is when someone gives us a book. Something that they liked or found useful and that they believe you will also like.

These are all small ways of investing in your network. A network is a terrible thing to lose.

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Judy from Shepa Learning Company is a networking expert

Gayle Hallgren and Judy Thomson

Image at top: Image by Michael Schwarzenberger from Pixabay

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