By Mark Schaefer
This is a blog post with a mission and shortly, you’ll see why. I’m going to keep the link to use far into the future and maybe you will too. I think it will save you time and get you out of awkward situations for years to come. Perhaps this is the most useful blog post ever. Here we go:
Dear Twitter/LinkedIn/Facebook follower:
I enjoy connecting with people and am eager to help my social media friends in any way I can. However, it is a bit awkward when folks ask me to tweet a link, contribute to a charity, review a blog post, read your book, examine your website, ask for career advice, demand access to my business network, review a business strategy, or like a Facebook page when I don’t really know you.
The social web is a weird place. Perhaps you’ve been following me for some time and maybe you’ve even subscribed to my blog or podcast. Maybe you even saw me speak at an event. I can see why you might think that you know me. Over time, you’re building an emotional connection to me and I don’t even know it.
Here’s an example.
A young guy asked if I could jump on the phone and help coach his boss through his first speech. I never heard of this fellow before … or his boss either.
I mentioned to him that this seemed like a big request coming from a stranger. He sheepishly apologized and explained that he had been listening to my audio books and felt like we were friends.
Understandable. But from my perspective, it’s a little spooky to have people I’ve never heard of pop up and ask me to do them favors. And all these requests add up! If I answered every request from people who want to “pick my brain” I would not be able to feed my family. You see, as a consultant, my time is the only thing I have to sell.
How can we correct this situation?
For people who authentically try to connect with me on my social sphere — commenting on blogs, connecting with me on Twitter, conversing on blog comments or Facebook — I will enthusiastically and tirelessly help them in any way I can. In fact, I never say no. I give my time to help somebody almost every single day. I actively mentor people in need.
Remember that the social web is about being SOCIAL. It’s about giving. In fact, it’s about giving, giving, giving, giving, giving … and THEN asking. So please get to know me before asking for a favor, OK?
I look forward to getting to know you as a person because once we’re connected, you never know where it may lead.
I hope this blog post is useful to you not only by presenting a 360-degree view of the networking world but as a post you can share with your audience when they pummel you with requests for favors.
Your friendly neighborhood blogger,
Mark Schaefer
A shortened link to this post for your future enjoyment and use : ) bit.ly/GrowByGiving
