Short story about Alan Dean Foster. customer service, and a 20 year gap. When I was about 12, I read a bunch of Alan Dean Foster novels. He was my favorite author at the time. I’d never dreamed of such concepts as he created in sci-fi and fantasy. Blew my tiny mind.
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I wrote to him. Some stupid little letter full of pre-teen slang and nonsense. Just telling him how much I loved his books. The dude wrote me back. A handwritten note. Personally thanked me for reading and encouraged me to work hard at learning and educating myself.
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20 years passed. I grew up and became a therapist, then an author myself. I passed one of his books in a shop and remembered that letter, and decided to write to him again to say thanks for encouraging me, and by the way, I’m an author now too partly because you encouraged me.
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Hunted down a contact email and wrote him a thank you letter. Figured his agent would intercept and I’d never hear back. Dude wrote back within 48 hours.
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Thanked me for reading his books. Praised me for following through with my goals. Said he was proud to inspire the next generation of storytellers. Both times, the man took the time to write back himself, and promptly. Treated a punk kid and a fledgling colleague with respect.
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I remember that every time I see his books on sale. Now they’re on my shelf. And guess what my kids will be reading. All you folks running businesses: You’re not marketing a product, you’re marketing YOURSELF. YOU are your OWN BRAND. How you treat customers is gravely important.
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Twenty years apart and he surprised me both times with a personal touch and kind respect. I will never forget his example as long as I live. If you aren’t cultivating yourself as your own brand, you’re tearing down all the hard work you put into your products and marketing.
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Great series.
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