New! Monthly Column Debbi is the owner of Mack Research and Writing, providing articles, reports, case studies, white papers and otherwise assisting businesses and organizations with communications needs. She has also done research for legal and reference publishers and attorneys. A select list of clients and writing samples are available here. Debbi is also a mystery author, whose published work includes a novel, Identity Crisis, a hardboiled mystery featuring lawyer/sleuth Stephanie Ann "Sam" McRae, and a short story in Chesapeake Crimes I, an anthology written and edited by members of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime. Submitted for Your Consideration December 2007 What Goes Around Comes Around Zig Ziglar, a self-help author and motivational speaker, once said, "You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Call it what you like -- give so ye can receive, what goes around comes around, spreading good karma -- I think it's true that when you give, you will get back. I'll give two examples of what I mean: an example of what to do and what not to. I'm in a networking group called NRG. Essentially, the group brings together a diverse assortment of business people who help each other out and are helped in return. Once a week, I meet with my group and, after introductions, we do what's called "pinball." We each tell the group about our business, the types of work we're seeking, and specific types of clients, leads or "power partners" (people in businesses complementary to our own) that would help us get that work. The group then responds with referrals to people they've gotten to know, through business or personally, and suggestions for potentially good power partner businesses and marketing strategies. The thing about NRG is, the more you share with others, the more they will give in return. This happened to me recently. I met a computer tech support person who said he was looking for power partners in copier sales and maintenance. Then, I met someone who works in copier sales at an NRG open house and hooked him up with my techie friend. The techie later remembered me when someone mentioned to him that he didn't have time to keep updating his website. He has asked me for copies of my brochure to give to others who might need a writer. I know that I have someone out there pitching for me, because I'm looking out for him, too. Will I continue to give this person referrals? You bet I will. Would I ever consider using his services? Of course. Now, compare that with the following. A couple of years ago, I had my first novel published. One of the hardest things for me to do, as a lifelong shy person, was ask other writers if they'd give me a "blurb" or back-cover capsule review for the book. I knew someone from a mystery group I'm involved with -- we'll just call this person The Author (and a successful author, at that) -- and, with some trepidation, I asked that person to consider looking at my book, in hopes that I might get a blurb. The Author's response was essentially as follows: "I'm sorry, I'm so busy I can't find the time to blurb your book. However, I'll do something even better [italics mine]. I'll buy a copy of it when it comes out." My first response was, "Oh well, at least I tried," but upon further consideration, I had to wonder what this person was thinking. I mean, in what universe is springing fifteen bucks for a copy of a book "even better" than providing a personal recommendation for it? My disappointment quickly turned to indignation. If The Author had simply said, "I wish I could help, but I can't due to overwhelming commitments. Best of luck, etc.," and left it at that, I wouldn't have been as irritated. But to suggest The Author's deigning to purchase my work (one whole copy!) was even better -- well, let's get real. It's not, is it? The more I thought about it, the more patronizing The Author's response seemed to me. It left a bad taste in my mouth that has never completely faded. Will I ever lift a finger to advance The Author's career? (Not that this author needs my help, anyway.) Not likely. Will I ever buy another of The Author's books? As they say in Joisey, fuggedaboudit. Like I said, what goes around comes around. And when you give, you will get back. So if you're in a position to help, make the effort. And, if it's really impossible, at least don't make a pretense of being helpful (or, as Judge Judy once famously put it in a book title, "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me It's Raining"). Either way, you'll be remembered. November 2007: Bitten by the Bug