#announcements

Important info for Customer Marketers & Community members

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Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:30 PM

I was just taking a break and washing dishes, when I remembered a conversation from the Base Top100 happy hour call today. One customer marketer mentioned she asks favors of her customers and another responded with the perspective that she offers opportunities and not favors, to which <@U04DNFVG04Q> jumped in and said that it was a bit of both. And I definitely agree with Ari. But it got me thinking, why have we shied away from "Favors" so much. Every person is different, but I personally am much more motivated to do someone I like a favor and will prioritize that over "taking advantage of an opportunity." Im much more motivated by helping people than doing something that helps my career. Wondering what others thing on the topic.

Katlin Hess March 24, 2023 at 08:33 PM

I agree, I think in Customer Marketing it's a combination of both! Like when it's someone who wants to build their personal brand and I can offer them a speaking spot or feature them on a webinar, that's a great opportunity. When I am asking you with 48 hours notice if you'll talk to an analyst for a report we're scrambling on last minute, that's a favor!

I think the key is building strong relationships so it doesn't feel like you're always asking for favors.

Alexie Glover March 24, 2023 at 08:34 PM

Love this perspective. Speaks to the importance of actually knowing your audience and your advocates. Requests should be tailored and individualized where they can be!

Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:34 PM

Great perspective, Katlin! (As always)

Couldn't agree more.

Katlin Hess March 24, 2023 at 08:36 PM

I have one advocate who I feel like I am always asking for favors, and don't often have opportunities for her, so with her I shower her with words of affirmation and gifts as often as its appropriate

Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:37 PM

I mean gift giving is my love language... gotta find a way to get on your advocate list lol

Katlin Hess March 24, 2023 at 08:37 PM

haha it's mine too, so it's dangerous that I have the keys to our gifting platform. Come on in!!

Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:38 PM

I think that often too, but I suppose that's why I am the one who advocated so hard for it.

Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:38 PM

Where do I sign?!

Ciana Abdollahian March 24, 2023 at 08:38 PM

I think the word favor just has a bad connotation. When someone leads with "can I ask you a favor?" I immediately assume it's something I won't want to do. That being said I think you earn the right to ask people favors. If you build a strong relationship then it doesn't feel icky to ask someone a favor and they don't feel taken advantage of either

Ciana Abdollahian March 24, 2023 at 08:41 PM

I feel like all of my negotiation power as a CMA pro is based on having the keys to the swag kingdom ๐Ÿ˜‚

Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:43 PM

So true, if someone I don't know asks me a favor, I do feel differently about it vs. someone I have a relationship with.

Rachel Ward March 24, 2023 at 08:44 PM

Thinking on what Katlin said earlier about one of advocates she has to engage for favors, sometimes there's no way around it, it's just a favor!

Ciana Abdollahian March 24, 2023 at 08:45 PM

If we try hard enough we can make anything an opportunity "I have an opportunity to send you another gift " ๐Ÿ˜‚ that would probably work on me lol

Shannon Howard March 24, 2023 at 08:48 PM

Totally agree, it's a blend. For sure, there are opportunities for people to earn rewards and recognition, but there are also just times you need someone to do you a solid. And that's OK to ask for, too, especially if you're invested in your customers' success overall. Like @Ciana Abdollahian said, you earn that right.

Leslie Barrett March 24, 2023 at 09:53 PM

Why donโ€™t we talk about how bad the call was?

Ari Hoffman March 24, 2023 at 09:53 PM

Awkward

Leslie Barrett March 24, 2023 at 09:56 PM

Weโ€™re all thinking it. Glad they got us together though ๐Ÿ‘ Iโ€™m sure their intentions were good.

Ari Hoffman March 24, 2023 at 09:56 PM

Best part was, Scott jumping in first and saying his super power is being humble, because that's what a humble person does, they jump in first to share their super power. I was dying