If I can be of help let me know…

People often say this to me during networking events (both online and offline.) This is especially the case if I have done something that has provided value for them or has helped them. This is part of the reciprocity cycle. Unfortunately, many of us are not prepared to answer this question in a way that

a) will allow the other person to help us.

b) actually provide some help for us.

The problem is that we often ask for things that require a much stronger relationship and a deeper level of trust than what we have at the time. So if someone asks me the question, “how may I be able to help you?” and I respond with: “if you know someone who is into personal development and would like to do a course, please send them my way,” the odds are that they will nod theirr head and say, “OK” and that will be the end of it.

Compare the above response with this one: “thanks for asking. As a matter of fact there is. I have recently written a new article and would appreciate it if you were to take a few minutes to read it, rate it and possibly make a comment. May I email you the link to it?”

I’m much more likely to have the person help me doing the latter than the former. And in the process I will have strengthened our relationship.

So go ahead and make a list of things that people can do for you that require a relative low investment of time and risk and have them ready the next time someone asks you how they can help you.

Please share with me what are some of those ways so that I can add them to my own list.

Tagged as: Business, Networking, Online and offline, tactics, Tools