OFFERING HELP TO OTHERS

Some points to consider when offering help to others:

Get something out of it for yourself - It is perfectly OK to offer help where you expect to benefit too. An offer along the lines of: “I will help you get rich by selling our product” is not welcome here. However, you may offer to teach someone how to sell – and it is perfectly OK to mention that you could eventually use a salesperson. Be honest. Don’t try to trick people into anything.

Disclose your motives – Be truthful in telling others why you are making an offer. You might give away a free sample of your work in the hopes of creating a paying client later; and that is fine with us… just say so up front.

Set expectations – What do you expect of the people you help?

Cast a broad net – Go beyond NSoW. While our Newsletter may be a good place to begin your campaign, reach beyond our subscribers. Announce your intentions elsewhere: your personal network, community blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Craigslist, LinkedIn, etc. (Tell us other places you’ve found helpful.)

Don’t give up on good people - Many people feel an obligation to reciprocate a kind act, and yet they may feel least able when they need help the most. That is why it is important for them to feel that by allowing you to help them, YOU will get something out of it too. Isn’t it funny how hard it is to pick up the tab for lunch with some people? And those are the people you want to go to lunch with.

Give up on bad people - There are sociopaths in this world who will take advantage of you, and attempt to make you feel guilty for not helping them even more than you do. You don’t need to take it from them; walk away.

Now go to our Newsletter Submission page, read our suggestions on what help you might offer.