Make Sure You Give Before You Receive
January 20th, 2013 | 
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This past week I received a mass email asking me to vote for her local small business firm as the best company in a particular industry within Northwest Indiana. Unfortunately since this small business owner had made no attempt to reach out to me prior to this request, the email went quickly into the Delete File.
In December of 2012, I learned a very valuable lesson about the impact of this mindset “give before you receive.” If you want people to support you or your small business, you must engage and give before making any requests.
Within the realm of social media, this mindset can actually be measured. For me, the best places of social media engagement, of giving, are:
Give before you receive is not a new concept or attitude. There are countless fables, proverbs and quotations about the importance of focusing on the wants and needs of others before focusing on your own wants and needs.
As you begin to start your week, think about those small businesses you can support first without asking for something in return. What may happen this “give before you receive” mindset just may begin to change your small business and personal results.
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Sales leads are like blooming flowers. Nurture them.
In my view this post is the best of the week! A simple message with a powerful statement. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Notice that the do unto others is mentioned first.
Show others how they too can be successful by helping others be successful.
Thanks, Leanna!
Tom Rochford recently posted..AmSpirit Testimonial
Tom – I believe you are correct this is a powerful and simplistic message. Too often I am afraid in our hurry to build our own businesses we forget about others.
This is why I believe positive core values are so important and the first chapter in my book Be the Red Jacke Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts.
Leanne
Another term for the important point you’ve put forth, Leanne, is “Pay it Forward.” In fact, there isn’t a more important lesson for one to learn, if selling or networking is your focus. It’s always about the other guy, what you can do for that person, as opposed to what you can get out of the relationship.
Alas, most people are blind to that concept. They’re so intent on themselves, on what they want, on their goal, that they miss the point completely and do their selling/networking ass backwards. I get the same kind of emails that you do; I roll my eyes. When I follow someone on Twitter and I’m sent an automatic message with a link to sell me something (no “Who are you?” no “I’d like to get to know you” no display of interest in me whatsoever), along with the magic words “Let me offer you the opportunity of a lifetime,” I shake my head in wonder that anyone could be that stupid. Thanks for letting me rant.
Bob
Robert Terson
Robert Terson recently posted..Testimonials
Robert – Have you ever considered maybe we are just too old? I see this behavior much among younger people. Younger defined as those being under 50.
Also, my sense is some of the sales training is also responsible for this “receive me first,” self promotion or it’s all about me attitudes.
Sometimes I feel I am on the planet Pluto and everyone is on Mercury.
Thanks for your rant and it needs to be said with far greater frequency.
Leanne Hoagland-Smith