When you share something with genuine generosity – with zero expectations – good things have a habit of finding their way back to you. I sent a hotel my sunset photo for their marketing, expecting nothing, and ended up with cocktails and a fantastic dinner on the house.
A lot of marketers try to “engineer” reciprocity: share something small, then immediately expect a purchase. But true reciprocity isn’t transactional. It’s human, emotional and spontaneous.
Show up consistently, share insights, offer help and connect deeply – and people reward you with their attention, their trust, and their money too.
A while back, I stayed at an amazing hotel in Chania, Crete.
SanSal Boutique Hotel.
4.9 stars on Google Maps…
Right next to the sea…
And – perhaps best of all – a rooftop infinity pool on the 7th floor overlooking the ocean.
And let me tell you…
Staying there felt like one of those rare sanctuaries in the world.
The kind of place that feels like you’re stepping into your own little Shangri-La :)
So there I was, soaking up a spectacular sunset…
Sipping on an Aperol Spritz…
And reading Malinda Cohen’s excellent book, Sustainable Success.
(highly recommended, by the way!)
The moment was perfect!
So naturally, I snapped a quick photo and video of the sunset…
And posted it on Instagram… while also sharing it with the hotel, suggesting to them that maybe they could use it for their own marketing.
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Send Me the Rapid Lead Activator →What happened when I gave with zero expectations?
Now, to be clear:
I had ZERO expectations.
I wasn’t fishing for freebies or looking for perks.
It was just a beautiful moment – and I wanted them to have it too.
Two days later, they replied:
“Thank you so much for your beautiful picture!
We love this. We’d love to share it, and as a token of our appreciation, we’d like to give you a small gift.”
A small gift?…
That sounds pretty cool, I thought 😁
However, by then, I’d already checked out of the hotel…
So I politely thanked them, said I appreciated the gesture, but explained I was no longer staying there.
Their response?
“Ah, that’s too bad. You really would’ve loved this one… Maybe next time!”
Well, now I was seriously curious…
So I asked what exactly the gift was.
“It involves cocktails, cheese, and delicious ham platters :)”
– they said.
Now my interest was DEFINITELY piqued!
And, luckily, I was still in town.
“I’m actually still here in Chania”, I said, “Can I still take advantage of your offer?”
Their reply?
“Absolutely. We’d be happy to welcome you whenever you’d like!”
PERFECT!
Fast forward a few days, 8 pm:
I was back at the hotel…
Watching another breathtaking sunset…
And enjoying two delicious cocktails and a truly fantastic dinner – entirely on the house!
I even made new friends:
An amazing Canadian couple I spent the evening chatting with, laughing, and sharing stories.
What’s the business lesson behind it?
Here’s the lesson behind this seemingly random (but wonderful) event:
When you share something with genuine generosity – with zero expectations – the universe often finds a way to surprise you.
No, really.
This isn’t just some fluffy Law-of-Attraction thing.
It’s a REAL principle, especially in business and marketing.
When you give without an agenda…
When you create value first…
When you show appreciation simply because it feels good to do so…
… Good things have a habit of finding their way back to you!
Why can’t you “engineer” reciprocity?
You see…
A lot of marketers get stuck trying to “engineer” reciprocity.
They share something small…
Then immediately expect people to reciprocate (usually by buying something).
But true reciprocity isn’t transactional…
It’s human.
It’s emotional.
And it’s spontaneous.
When you truly care about your audience…
When you consistently show up, share insights, offer help, and connect deeply…
People naturally want to reward you with their attention, their trust, and yes – their money too.
That’s what creates sustainable success.
Real relationships.
Real connection.
Not some superficial, manufactured tactic…
Or the “perfect funnel” (which doesn’t exist).
(If you’re wondering how to do that by email without pitching every day, here’s how I write emails without selling.)
How to give first in your marketing
1. Give without an agenda. Share something useful or beautiful because you want them to have it – not as bait.
2. Create value first. Insights, help, a good story. Before any ask.
3. Show appreciation. Simply because it feels good to do so.
4. Don’t wait for the payback. Reciprocity that’s expected right away is a transaction, not a relationship.
5. Keep showing up. Consistency is what turns small gifts into trust.
Thanks for reading…
And don’t forget to share something beautiful with someone today.
You never know what might happen.
The best place to give first is the first emails new subscribers get from you. My Profitable Imprinting Sequence training shows you how to write them, so new readers get value – and start trusting you – from day one.
Free book + AI assistant
Turn the Leads Already Joining Your List Into Buyers – Faster
The Rapid Lead Activator reveals the psychology-based framework I use to write welcome sequences that sell – without hype. Normally $9.99 on Amazon, yours free. Plus a bonus AI assistant that writes your first 5 welcome emails for you – in minutes, not days.
Send Me the Rapid Lead Activator →-Csaba
