Asking for help is so hard for most people. It’s easy to give but to ask – ah well, we need help with that.

So, this post (from 2010) uses our blog platform to give my favorite clients & colleagues a place to test out a request for help. [While this is an old post, you’re welcome to test your request to see if you get some useful responses!]

 

I have confidence that at least one person will have a significant lead or fulfilled need within one week.

Haven’t you seen this past year’s economic depression cripple so many extraordinarily talented people who have radically struggled in their business? Some have lost jobs, homes, relationships, or their health.

Worse, the really worthy business owners have their confidence erode while forgetting the huge value they really offer their clients. We all go through this at some point in our businesses but to have it last for months depletes peoples’ ability to move forward. So, let’s all help each other instead.

This week let’s be insanely generous and share resources, ideas, actual referrals and connections. All of you who receive this have some genius to offer and are worthy of receiving huge rewards from participating. So, please join in.

 

WHAT TO DO

In the reply below, spell out clearly what you seek. Let us know how to contact you via email or phone. Bookmark this page so you can return periodically to help someone or find out if your request was answered. Put out some good karma and participate!

 

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE   (BE VERY SPECIFIC)

Something our one-stop shop marketing agency is seeking: entrepreneurs leading organizations (ideally with staff size 10-20, but we help solopreneurs, too) who need more clients from  results-oriented marketing: high level Strategic Business Planning, Websites, Social Media Management or Training, SEO, Blogs, Case Studies, Promo materials, web content, media articles or  other communications. Details & prices are on our website. 

Who do you know who needs our help? We can be reached via email.

 

YOUR TURN

Enter your needs or requests, your leads or solutions for other in the ‘comment’ section below.

With hope & belief in your collective genius!

_____________

 

What happened with this experiment?

50% got what they asked for just connecting through this blog – you can see for yourself below.

70% got what they asked for by commenting here and also emailing me to get  more specifics on the person they wanted to help, to ask for an intro, phone number, or similar. A few emails initially said they were afraid to ask for what they wanted (from women, not men. no surprise there! men have no problems asking for what they want, it seems to me. OK, that’s commentary).

Take a look at comments below to see what happened. Marketing lesson: be clear what you ask for. It’s harder than you think.

My own story (what inspired this experiment):When I moved my business from San Francisco to the island of Alameda, 7 miles across the bay, I lost several clients just due to attrition. I reconsidered my positioning, services, how our agency’s services were offered, so I could rebuild the company’s revenues.

In so doing, I realized just one thing: I only wanted to work with “smart people”. I didn’t care their industry, financial situation, demographics, psychographics, or even geographics.

So, I just started asking friends, colleagues, people I met at networking events or conferences and clients to please refer smart people to our agency. Sounds naive, right?

Well, 9 years later and another move to Oakland, we still only work with smart people. Why? Because when you truly respect your clients & they appreciate you, everyone has success.

If you’re a marketing pro and now want to slap me for this experiment, I defy you to try it and email me your own results. You just never know! abliss@allisonbliss.com.

Take a look at comments below and offer your help or put forth your request –  Fingers crossed for you.