I get all types of messages from people who've read and enjoyed NEVER EAT ALONE.

The worst ones are those that say "I liked your book, and I like networking, too. Can I have 15 minutes and a cup of coffee?" My gut reaction is that they obviously haven't read my book, because in NEVER EAT ALONE, I specifically mentioned the problems with these worthless e-mails. They haven't provided any reason for us to meet. There's no mention of anything we have in common and no mention of why the meeting would be valuable to me.

Then there are messages on the other end of the spectrum, like this one....

-----Original Message----1 From: Leslie To: Keith Subject: Fan mail Dear Keith 1 I picked up Never Eat Alone at an LAX bookshop and was captivated. Your advice is fantastic, well written and universally applicable. However, my favorite part of the book is the more philosophical aspect about people and relationships and how they enrich our lives.

Many of your specific recommendations sounded so much like my friend and managing partner Stuart that I started talking to him about the book and bought him a copy. Somehow before he opened it I guess I had told him enough that he wondered if it should be required reading for all our partners. Stuart read the book that night and the next day bought 25 copies for our partners. Stuart has gone on to forward me the dozens of emails he's received back from our partners about the book.

In all this email traffic I discovered that one of my partners and a good friend, Steve, knows you and I gather told you the same story about the 25 copies. So now I am wondering if it would be possible for me to meet you. Coffee or a few minutes at your office would be great, or I could also go for a run if that's better for your schedule. I'd like to thank you personally for your fantastic book, which has had a huge influence on me, and perhaps do some brainstorming about how to further promote the book. You can reach me on my cell or at the email address shown below.

Congrats again on the book and have a great weekend.

Leslie Leslie gets it. Her "currency" abounds: sincere appreciation and flattery, already having helped me spread the NEVER EAT ALONE message, offer to further improve book sales...Then making herself available at my total convenience. And offering to go for a run, which will make the meeting more valuable and fun than just sitting down to talk -- even if the meeting itself happened to bomb.

Now, which messages would you pay attention to? The ones that ask for something without offering anything? Or the ones that appeal to your emotions, suggest business opportunities, offer to introduce you to someone who could be important to your success and happiness, or otherwise sincerely try to make you successful?

Better question: Which messages are you writing?

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