What do you expect in return? In a recent podcast episode I heard from Gary Vee, he explained that when giving something away, there is a very simple difference between kindness and manipulation. Kindness is doing something for someone with no expectation of a return.
Is there a special dispensation for “swag”, the subtle advertising message attached to free bags and notions handed out, seemingly without any hint of coercion?
That's an interesting middle ground, for sure. I think it kind of fits here:
"There are times when you do something for someone and expect the kindness to be repaid, but it only becomes manipulation if you’re unclear with your motives."
It's kindness with some expectation (or maybe just hope) of being repaid, but their motives are very clear. Everyone knows that they're giving away the swag in the hopes that you'll do business with them, and the clear motives avoid it being manipulation and just being normal advertising.
Is there a special dispensation for “swag”, the subtle advertising message attached to free bags and notions handed out, seemingly without any hint of coercion?
That's an interesting middle ground, for sure. I think it kind of fits here:
"There are times when you do something for someone and expect the kindness to be repaid, but it only becomes manipulation if you’re unclear with your motives."
It's kindness with some expectation (or maybe just hope) of being repaid, but their motives are very clear. Everyone knows that they're giving away the swag in the hopes that you'll do business with them, and the clear motives avoid it being manipulation and just being normal advertising.