For many years, I’ve built my business by giving away help and advice. Sometimes it has felt as if I’ve been too generous. Sometimes I’ve wondered if I’ve been giving away too much. And sometimes, it really pays off!

About two years ago Rona came to one of my Marketing workshops, because I offered her a free place. Every now and then she calls me up to ask me for some advice about her marketing. Sometimes I wonder if I should charge her for the advice, but I never get around to it because it doesn’t quite feel right.

Last week, Rona repaid me massively for all the help I’ve given her over the years. I was at a local meeting of the PSA (Professional Speakers Association) and mentioned to her that I would love to run a workshop for the fellow members, to help them with their marketing. During a session that evening, many of them had asked questions of the speaker, which I knew I could answer really easily; there was also a lot more I wanted to add. Without a moment’s hesitation, Rona marched me across the room to meet Tim, who runs the group. She gave me the most wonderful introduction (I’m too embarrassed to repeat here the lovely things that Rona said about me!) and explained to Tim that I should be booked to run a workshop for the group. Tim’s response? “Of course you can; great idea!”

Many of the other members of the local PSA group are ideal clients for my business. I didn’t join the group to find clients – I joined to improve my speaking skills. However, on talking to a few of the members, I’ve realised that I really could help many of them. Offering my services to run a workshop – for which I might not even be paid – is a great way of showing some of them how I could help them.

And it gets better. Tim suggested that I contact the National chairman of the PSA to talk to him about how I can help other members with their marketing, at the National Conference that’s being held this autumn. So watch this space!

And think about what you can do to help the people you know. When you do give help and advice for free, it will eventually come back to you many times over.