Reciprocity

Pay It Forward

It’s critical that you as the producer / presenter make certain that there is reciprocity in all aspects of your work. You don’t want to make the slightest appearance that you are taking more than giving while working to get your event up and running as well as when your event is successfully on the road. Even if people step up and offer you help, resources and services, you want to make sure that they feel equally compensated and more important really appreciated.

Naturally, you don’t want to spend more than you have to, but you want to make certain that everyone involved feels like they are receiving more than they give. Reciprocity doesn’t mean that they are not giving more than they actually receive. Having that feeling and actually receiving more than giving two distinctly different things. Often feeling having people feel that they are giving and contributing to the positive impact that your event is making is enough of an incentive. People who choose to become involved as volunteers are especially interested in wanting to feel like they are part of something that is making a difference in the world, and if you couch your request for support in that manner reciprocity will be handled.

On the other hand, some people really need to feel compensated for their participation. This could be achieved with something as simple as a thank you card following the event. There are even companies that have automated the process so you won’t get bogged down with it and people will receive an elaborate custom card from you in a matter of days following your event.

The critical issue is providing a context of reciprocity for everyone involved and providing as many people as possible with a sense of ownership in your event. Much of what works well is simple common sense and following the golden rule. If you treat people in the same way you want to be treated, you will succeed.

For example, nobody wants to be constantly criticized. Praise mixed with constructive suggestions is far more effective than continually tormenting people with disparaging remarks about their work. This is especially unsuccessful if your comments are aimed at volunteers who can and will walk away at any time. After all, they’re not getting paid, so they don’t have a huge stake in the results of your event unless you subtly include reciprocity.

In my many years of producing events, I have found that doing all that I can to take care of everyone involved results in the most successful events. Paying it forward is crucial to generating the greatest results, and the results of ongoing reciprocity cannot be denied.