I make my living working remotely, and I love technology. In fact, I love learning new programs and finding tools that make my work easier. But the more automated our world becomes, the more I appreciate some of the old-fashioned ways of doing business. The ones that put people and relationships first.
I definitely appreciate technology. I can meet with someone on Zoom, work with clients who live hundreds of miles away, schedule content ahead of time, and send an email in seconds. I couldn’t do what I do as a Virtual Assistant without it.
But there are some things technology shouldn’t replace.
Here are seven old-fashioned business practices that are worth holding onto.
1. Send the Handwritten Note
Yes, an email is faster. But there’s something special about opening your mailbox and finding a card that someone actually took the time to write.
When I first started my VA business, I met someone at a networking event who sent me a thank-you card in the mail. I was so touched by it that I decided I wanted to do the same. After I meet one-on-one with someone, I try to send a handwritten thank-you card.
It’s a small gesture, but I want people to know I appreciate the time they spent with me, whether or not we ever end up working together.
2. Remember People’s Stories
Business conversations aren’t always just about business. People tell us about their families, something they’re celebrating, a difficult situation they’re walking through, or something they’re hoping or praying for.
I try to remember those things. I want to ask about them the next time we talk. And if I tell someone I’ll pray for them, I want to actually pray for them.
People want to know they’ve been heard.
3. Show Your Appreciation
Sometimes a simple “thank you” is enough. Other times, it’s nice to do a little something extra.
I like sending a welcome gift when someone becomes a new client. I also send a gift when someone refers a person to me who becomes a client. Not because they expect anything in return, but because I’m genuinely grateful that they trusted me enough to recommend me.
Appreciation doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate. It just needs to be sincere.
4. Give the Referral Even When There’s Nothing in It for You
Sometimes someone needs a service you don’t provide, but you know someone who does.
Make the introduction.
There’s no referral fee. No commission. No expectation that they’ll return the favor someday. You’re simply helping two people who might be a good fit find each other.
5. Admit When You Get It Wrong
I wish I could say I never make mistakes in my business, but that certainly wouldn’t be true.
Sometimes the most professional thing we can say is, “I made a mistake. I’m sorry. Let me fix it.”
No complicated explanation. No trying to shift the blame.
There’s something refreshing about people who are willing to admit when they got something wrong.
6. Don’t Make Every Relationship a Sales Opportunity
This one matters to me.
Not every person you meet is a potential client. Not every conversation needs to lead to a sale. Not every new connection needs to go into a funnel.
Sometimes you can meet someone simply because you enjoy getting to know them. You can answer a question without sending them your pricing page. You can encourage another business owner, share someone’s work, or help make a connection without wondering what you’re going to get out of it.
People aren’t leads. They’re people.
7. Choose Relationships Over Transactions
This may be what all the others really come down to.
It’s easy to look at business in terms of clients, projects, invoices, followers, email subscribers, and sales. We need those things to run a business.
But there are people behind every one of those numbers.
Someone trusted you with their business. Someone recommended your name to a friend. Someone opened your newsletter. Someone took the time to meet with you. Someone chose to spend their hard-earned money with you.
I don’t ever want that to become ordinary.
And maybe that’s where gratitude comes in.
When we’re genuinely grateful for the people who trust us, encourage us, teach us, refer us, work with us, and support what we’re building, that gratitude shouldn’t always stay in our heads.
Sometimes it should show up in how we treat people.
Technology will keep changing. Business will keep changing. And I’ll keep learning new tools right along with it.
But I hope some things never become outdated.
Kindness. Thoughtfulness. Generosity. Appreciation. Genuine relationships.
Being a little old-fashioned in business isn’t old-fashioned at all.
Maybe it’s just being human.
