This post was inspired by a Google Blog Alert I received from another, non-real estate Virtual Assistant. Her blog post was strictly on showing your appreciation to your Virtual Assistant, and included paid gifts and such...and although I do not want my clients to go out and buy me gifts, that's not really my thing, it did get my brain waves going and inspired this blog post. 

So, is there someone out there in the business world that you truly appreciate, but don't want to send a costly gift that they might never use?  Why not give them something that will be out there on the Internet for all time...the gift that keeps on giving...word of mouth!  And don't let them find out about your good deed accidentally - send them a holiday themed email and let them know.  Here are some ideas:

1. Endorsements - many social networks, like Linked In, have an endorsement feature.  This is like a testimonial...basically it is like telling the world that you've worked with them and you would recommend them.  Anytime you can do this for a service provider, it is something that is really appreciated.
   
2. Write a nice testimonial that speaks to your service provider's potential clients.  What would you want to know about them, what they excel at, etc...if you were considering hiring them all over again?  Give your service provider explicit permission to use this testimonial in whatever manner they see fit: print, website, newsletter, etc...
   
3. Create a link on your website called "Preferred Service Providers" or something similar and write a nice summary of their services and link to their website.
   
4. Rank them - many trade organizations that service providers belong to have a ranking system tied to their member profiles, you can go in and rank them from 1 - 10, give them so many gold stars, etc...this is always appreciated!
   
5. Refer a potential client to them...you love to get referrals...so do your service providers!
   
6. Print out an award certificate from your computer, with a GOAT on it or something...that says "Greatest of All Time" on it (get it, G.O.A.T?) - or any type of paper award that says whatever sentiment you deem appropriate and mail it to them.  There are tons of templates in your Microsoft programs or online for such things.  They can scan the award into their own computer so that they can use it on their website, etc...
   
7. Go to Audio Acrobat or other online recording type service that does podcasts and record an audio testimonial of their services, or video if you prefer...send it to them and I am sure they will be thrilled!
   
8. Blog about them!  With a link to their site of course :-)

I know that when you find a great service provider out there, you tend to want to keep them all to yourself...but is that really fair?  Tell them, and the whole world, how great they are and how much you appreciate them and the service that they provide to you.  Be specific.  How have they saved you time, money and energy...saving you frustration is sometimes priceless as well.  Honor your service providers by telling others about them so that they can continue to stay in business and continue to provide you with the services that you have come to rely on and enjoy!  Happy Holidays!