I hate to ask for help.
Part of it is not wanting to bother others but mostly its not wanting to be vulnerable or to admit that I need help. And unfortunately I’ve needed to ask others for help more than I would like this year.
But when I do ask for help, I make sure I am only asking people for help that I have helped in the past. This is one thing that baffles me is how often my first interaction with someone will be when they ask me to help them.
“Hey buddy! Look you don’t know me but I wrote this blog post today that is about a topic you and your audience could care less about, but would you mind RTing it for me? I normally wouldn’t ask, but well you have more followers than I do, so I thought it would be a nice way to leverage your network for my benefit. Thanks buddy!”
Really?
I get this constantly and I bet you do too. So I wanted to share a foolproof plan for getting more people that you don’t know to help you.
Help them first.
That’s it. If you want someone to RT your marketing post, then RT their’s first. I do this constantly, if there’s someone that I want to share my content, I will first share their latest post (assuming it’s good). Often, they will turn around and share my newest post later that day.
Call it a way to ask for help without really asking for help 🙂 They appreciate me sharing their content, plus they are also happy that they were able to return the favor and share my content.
But social media works better when you give first and then ask. Actually life works better as well.
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Mack you are absolutely right. Giving without expecting anything back should be the way of life. Period. When we do get our favors returned, that is a bonus and confirmation that good prevails. I like promoting worthy Artists and Paintings of Artists (by blogging about them or their art). I like doing that because I see a much bigger picture. We are all connected to each other and by helping them, I inadvertently help myself. How you ask? Because most people are not used to receive without being asked something back in return like you have mentioned in your post. So for me, if I can provide support to someone in my capacity…why not?
Exactly Roopa. If you want help, you need to be willing to help others. As you say, why not?
Yes, yes, yes. And also yes. Helpfulness and thankfulness have done more for my career than I could have accomplished with 10,000 “cold calls.” If you read a fantastic book with information that can help people to accomplish their goals, share and promote it. First, I love sharing great content, and second, it helps the author, who created it. (Did I mention that “Think Like A Rock Star” is going to be my New Media Marketing class text starting in December? LOVE that book!)
And if someone whose work you respect is up for a distinction and needs votes, help them to get them. You’re already a supporter, so why not take the next step and let other people know that? Similarly, if a person you admire is being interviewed or featured, share that information.
There’s no downside to helping people who do great work. If their content has helped you, it will help others, and promoting it helps the author to continue working.
Helping = #WINNING
Always.
Hmmm…Kerry I think you should have written this post, you made my point better than I did 🙂
Love your point about helping people that do great work, promoting them provides value for others, so it’s a win-win!
Mack, you are an excellent example of someone who makes helpfulness an everyday practice. I’m very happy to know you, and can say that everyone else I’ve spoken to admires your positive, friendly approach, as well.
Good one! Can’t tell you how many times I have start-ups ask me to try out their social media software. For free. Without ever trying to build a relationship with me! And with the attitude that it’s a big favor to me, instead of a major time suck that keeps me from my clients and consumes billable time.
Don’t ask – give, give, give, THEN ask.
Mack, a big smooch to you. You help people constantly and it’s good to say no sometimes. #ageneroussoul #holdstrong
Thanks Carrie, this year I learned to stop feeling guilty for saying ‘no’ to people that just wanted me to help them without helping me. As you said, time is money!