While sitting down to copious piles of stuffing yesterday, I actually did take some time and thought about the things for which I am thankful (my girlfriend’s endless patience, the music of Will Oldham, wine and family holidays). To be honest, I feel a little 1.0, if you wiil, for not yet having made that public.

Public expressions of gratitude, especially in a hyper-word-of-mouth marketplace of resources, capital, and ideas, are some of the best, most functional forms of thanks that you or your organization can offer in return for help. I was interested to take a look at my Twitter stream a couple of times over the past few days and see people expressing their thanks for help and friendships gleaned from their everyday back and forth. Public expression of giving thanks is also functional in two ways: It helps to fortify the reputation of whoever has been helpful to you / bring exposure to their inspiring art / make more people aware of the services they provide. Then it brings to the attention of the public that you/your organization a) are appreciative of services offered / humble and b) will try to reward any help by paying positive lip service to those who offer a hand.

Perhaps, if you have not already, you should consider thanking 4 or 5 people who have helped your organization with free/discounted advice or consultation by Twitter by mentioning them by @handle and their URL if they have one. It is also worth considering going to their Facebook profile or fan page if they have one and posting a heartfelt thank you. Or writing and producing a short and sweet video thank you that you post on your organization’s website. Or writing a post on a related group's Ning. Or sending out words of gratitude attached to your next mass mailing. You get the idea.

Please, if you have ideas regarding creative ways to digitally and publically express thanks, post them below. I am interested to read how doing so is being done in the field, and by what payoff has been observed for taking the time to feature small but meaningful expressions of gratitude.