Thanks for the idea.

A person who over an extended period of time never thanks you or in any way appears to appreciate your work probably doesn’t in fact value that work and thinks you are easily replaced. There’s no reason to stop working for that person, but protect yourself by building up client relationships with others who do value your work and will therefore be less likely to up and leave someday.

I have got to say that I have very generous clients who say thank you often and who provide bonuses from time to time, including at Christmas. I received a gift from a client with the company logo on it before Christmas. Another person who is not a client but who provides expert answers questions on a site that I write for sent a gift of gourmet fruit delivered once a month for three months. It’s not something I would have ordered for myself but I may have to because the product is absolutely exquisite, and it was much appreciated.

Just to put a different slant on the whole Thank You thing, do we remember to thank our clients for their business and their (hopefully) prompt payments often enough?

It is with my review site where I tend to get the gifts and they do make me feel slightly uncomfortable because while I am giving an author or publisher my opinion of their book, some of them have been known to go all out. I feel bad they are spending that much money.

I’ve gotten things from Beanie Babies embroidered with a book’s title and author name to cooking aprons, t-shirts, hats, food items, to my all time favorite, a basket full of Godiva products from hot cocoa to truffles.

In the end, it is my husband who says that if they wouldn’t send it if they didn’t have the budget.

Seriously, each time I receive a bonus – a money bonus, not a gift bonus – I’ve wanted to absolutely squirm. I feel bad. The client didn’t have to do that, and it makes me feel very awkward, as if I owe someone something. I do thank them nicely, though.

Gift certificates to Amazon or other presents are cool as hell. Those don’t make me squirm in the least, and I always tell the client what I ended up buying.

Funny how my brain works, I guess.

I often send Christmas wishes to clients and also receive them, which is much appreciated.

I send a a prewrapped and boxed candy/nut assortment to anyone/group that cut me a check or payed me via paypal in the year. I appreciate them and want them to continue to have warm fuzzy thought when my name comes up.

I do send out holiday greetings to select clients to keep in touch and to thank them for using me.

I agree that clients are clients, not friends. But I still took time to greet every single one of them Happy Holidays last year. I want them to know that I value their business and that every time they send me a paycheck, they help me put food on the table, as I help them put food on theirs.

@Meg> I also tend to get awestruck, especially if I get to work with people I’ve only read about before. It’s really, really intimidating, and the last time it happened to me, it took me three days to come up with a passable first draft. I think when something of the sort happens, we should all just push it to the back of our minds and work like usual. Of course, it’s easier said than done…

I do that to keep good subcontractors, and it “pays off” because it is not the typical modus operandi of most. A former client of mine, which since closed, sent flowers at Christmas and Easter, which I thought was a nice gesture. But it doesn’t happen often.

However, I do agree that an “attaboy” or “attagirl” helps let one know they’re doing a good job. I don’t like it when I get no feedback from clients.

Remember that one “oh s**t” negates 100 attaboys or attagirls.

By the way, I’ve never received a bonus, and I think it would be quite rare as a non-employee to receive a bonus of any kind.

I agree clients don’t have to say thank you – it’s just a nice thing to do.

I used to send holdiay cards to my clients, but I stopped. It was a pain to do, and I really don’t think any of them cared. Holiday cards are one of those close-to-the-line things for me — clients are not friends.

I have never, ever received a bonus of any kind for doing my work. I have received thank yous – many of them – which I dearly appreciate. I think I’d fall off my chair if I got a bonus from anyone.

Re intimidation: I’m intimidated by other writers all the time, despite my own success. I am very good at what I do, yet I just find myself in awe of people who I feel are so much better than I. I remember the first time a new writer wrote to me and asked for advice. I was stunned that someone thought it was worth asking me for advice!