Networking: Give and You’ll Receive

Somehow I don’t buy the “Give to receive” approach of networking, where you keep giving value away and expect it to come back, I think it is the sure shot way of setting yourself up to be disappointed. I believe in “give to give” and by that I simply mean is, accept the fact that you may never see a return on your efforts and do not expect anything in return. “Give to give” and you will be very pleasantly surprised with what your efforts will unfold…

I use this technique of ‘five and you shall receive’ as often as possible. That’s what social media is all about (which is my profession). We give back by interacting with others and showing them that we’re listening. And in return, they talk back to us and remember us when they, or their friends, or family are in need of our services. It’s about being in the forefront of someone’s mind.

I don’t see it as ‘giving away value’, it’s being a generally nice person. I generally don’t expect anything in return. If I can assist them, then I will. And it always comes back, one way or another.

You make some great points Ben. I’m a little between this post and Dev’s comment. I think there is a fine line between giving and expecting to receive. Really there should come a point where you draw the line at giving constantly, because otherwise you’ll just get taken advantage of.

When I’ve offered my services, I do the initial contact, do the work I offered to help with, then a short time later, usually a week or so, get in touch with them to see how they have enjoyed the work, and if there is anything else I can do.

Really great post Ben,

You are absolutely right about helping, it is always important to help without hoping to recieve.

Hesham and Gloson are really good for this and my experience with Hesham made my blogging journey a better one. Thanks so much for including me also!

Ben, I am so impressed with you “young bloggers” – your wisdom generally far surpasses your years, and your entrepreneurial spirit is admirable. You give me hope for the future.

I’m so glad Gloson suggested that you drop by my blog. That, of course, has led me to yours. And that kind of networking doesn’t feel like “using” people. Dennis is right, but “soon” is relative. Contacts you may through networking may “benefit” you years in the future (particularly when you start making them so young). It’s not just about the blog, right – it’s about life. One day, one of your blogger friends may be the person you interview with for your dream job. Or the doctor who is researching a new breakthrough treatment for your child’s illness. And you don’t want to be “networking” just to exploit those connections, because they’ll know it and it will backfire.

I see bloggers advocating this business of cutting out any contacts that can’t help you right here, right now, and I think it’s a soulless thing to do. You can’t really have meaningful dialogue, every day, with everyone in your network. I don’t have meaningful dialogue, every day, with my own dad. (He’s retired, I’m not, and we live in different states – but we are still close. We just don’t TALK every day.)

I’m all for cutting loose those contacts who’ve clearly made ME part of THEIR network only to ask favors all the time while offering NOTHING in return. That’s the ones who “don’t make the cut” when I can be bothered to cull my connections. But even there – do it in kindness. Situations and people do change over the years, and your network could matter to you in decades, not just days.