Be Helpful First
Here’s a quick way to really turn around your clients: be helpful.
That’s it. There’s nothing more to post. If you can’t figure that out, don’t listen to another thing I say, because “helpful” is much more important than a post on how to blog.
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Comments
Amen. Law of Karma? Good brings more good. Be kind and kindness will surround you. I love this way of life. And I agree, this philosophy applies itself well to business. Of course, there are those excepts like a guy I heard speak on a panel at Brian Zisk’s SF MusicTech conference a few weeks ago. He degraded Internet users who didn’t engage with his celebrity clients’ websites by referring to them as ‘monkeys.’ Clearly an intelligent guy with a horrible attitude that made several audience members sick. Why he is successful? I will never know.
Nice, and I like your brevity, Chris.
This reminds me of Harry Beckwith, how to better market your service -> improve your service.
Client satisfaction, just as in any relationship- friendship, marriage, or business- derives from perception that you care.
Doing more than you have to and being glad to help makes a huge difference!
Ahh. Something that fits any business, anywhere, anytime. The key to my businesses growth.
Sometimes it’s the short ones that hit you the most.
Anthony Russo
Conferencing Consultant
Great America Networks Conferencing
arusso@ganconference.com
http://www.ganconference.com
Phone: 312-432-5377
Skype: anth.russo
It’s the best rule that you can live by. Unfortunately for me, I’ve been taken advantage of more recently and it could lead to the shuttering of the site.
Pay it forward….. it’s all part of having a world class attitude when interacting with clients.
One of the most effective ways of doing this is by making introductions/connections FOR other people, which many folks struggle with. I believe this is a huge issue for the new social networks; getting people to actively network. Perhaps our mission should be to create an online networking space where the entire culture is one of helping one another and making meaningful connections.
Good stuff, Chris!
Richard Dale-Mesaros :)
Chief Deal Weaver
http://www.BlackWidowNetwork.com
603 254 6197
Thanks Chris,
That was my idea when I got into blogging a few months ago and your post today confirms it. The more people with this mindset on the blogosphere will make it a much better environment.
Chris, what a great post. I’m glad to see other professionals still believe in “The Golden Rule.” I believe this outlook will come back to you with rewards, both personally and professionally.
Your post reminds me of the folks who have been my source of inspiration since child-hood.
Someone took an interest in me because they saw something.
I look for that in others and want to help.
It’s only fair.
[…] other day Chris Brogan wrote this short and simple post about being helpful. That’s it. That was his advice. Thanks […]
[…] second thought sank in with a memory of a blog post by Chris Brogan. He very briefly said, “Be helpful.” In my mind, that had translated to the question, […]



Being helpful works. I love being “helpful” and saying yes to my customers, in turn they refer others to me, and have helped to make my business successful. Taking care of my customers and helping them solve their problems is my number one priority. And funny enough,I am very seldom taken advantage of in the process of helping others.