One Time-Tested Thing You Can Do To Make More Money Online

As an SEO writer, I work with clients from around the world – Canada, England, Australia, etc. One thing that stands out to me his how polite other cultures seem to be compared to Americans.

Now, before Americans go getting their hackles up, remember, I’m American too and that everything I say here is strictly my own opinion/observation.

Getting More Work by Taking the Time to Be . . . Well . . . Nice

I recently read Tim Feriss’ book, The 4-Hour Workweek. Once thing he talks about in there is automating your work day to achieve maximum success. Usually, this means outsourcing.

He discusses in some detail outsourcing to places like India. Because of the time difference, he could outsource a task before he logs off at night, and have it sitting in his inbox the next morning because while he’s sleeping, Indians are awake and working.

So what does this have to do with “being nice?” Well, one of the gentlemen he cites in a case study in the book remarked on how special the virtual assistant (VA) he’d hired made him feel.

No task was too menial or great for her to handle – from sending an apologetic email to his wife for a mistake he’d made, to researching the contact information for executives at some targeted companies.

Everything was, “Yes, Mr. X,” and “Hope you’re having a pleasant morning, Mr. X.” While this may sound like butt-kissing, it didn’t feel like it. It just felt like someone taking a few seconds extra to just well . . . there’s no other way to say it – be nice. You’ll just have to read the book to see what I mean.

A company I do some SEO writing for in Canada uses VAs to send me their projects. I don’t know what country they’re from, but the emails are always so polite that they make me feel like my work is really appreciated and valued – like I’m really contributing something to the bottom line success of their business.

How to Write a Nice Email that Leads to More Money

A typical email goes like this:

Good morning Miss Yuwanda. Here is the next project from Michael. He would like it very much if you can have this completed by the 15th. If you should have any questions, I am here to assist you.

Keyword List
Tackle Team A
Tackle Team B
Tackle Team C

I hope you’re having a very good day.

Sincerely,
Susie

What makes this email so special? What’s the big deal? In this particular case, three things stand out:

Example of a “Nice” Email

1. The Salutation: Eg, the “Miss” in front of my name. While this may seem like over-the-top formality, I think it’s a cultural thing. I remember when I took Tae Kwon Do, the instructor was addressed as “Master.” My teacher was Master Park.

As an African American, I’m not fond of calling anybody or anything master. But in this case, it was a sign of respect, not a sign of authority.

I think in America, we’ve lost the ability to show respect without somehow equating it with a weakness, a type of servitude. We’re more professional than respectful, which are two totally different things.

2. The Deadline: Notice how the deadline is given – almost as a request, instead of a direct order, ie, “He would like it very much if you can have this completed by the 15th.”

3. The Closing: She closes with a personal wish for my well being, ie, “I hope you’re having a very good day.”

How Niceness Translates into Dollars

This type of extra niceness is not very prevalent so when you encounter it, it stands out. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling, which translates into my work.

While I do my best for all of my clients, there’s a sense of joy that goes into this client’s projects, which is surely reflected in the work. The projects are turned around quicker and the writing is more creative.

This makes him look good to his clients, who give him more work, which he in turn outsources to me. A win-win for all.

How Much Nicer Can You Be?

I’ve even started to incorporate this type of niceness into my emails and you know what? Honestly, in the beginning, this felt a little too personal and forced. I think in America our Puritan backgrounds teach us to compartmentalize. Eg, business is business and you correspond one way; with friends you correspond another way, etc.

And I believe this holds true, to a certain extent. To explain a bit, when I was in college, I took an African Studies class. My professor talked about this idea of compartmentalization as being something that was foreign to Africans. She used the example of going to church on Sunday.

On Sunday, we sit in church and repent our sins, yet go to work on Monday and leave those teachings behind. Eg, if you wouldn’t steal your neighbor’s home out from under him because it’s morally wrong, then what makes it okay to steal a man’s company by way of a “hostile takeover?”

While this is overly simplistic, the sentiment she was trying to get across is the values you hold dear are with you seven days a week – and they hold true in all situations. There are no business values, social values or personal values. There are just – values.

So, I’ve started to relay some personal platitudes in my business correspondence. And you know what, it feels good. With that being said, to everyone who’s taken the time to read this post, a sincere thank you and I really hope you’re having an absolutely marvelous day.