Social Media: Quick and Easy Ways to Pay it Forward
We’ve all heard the phrase pay it forward by now. And during November, when we’re thinking about Thanksgiving, it’s an easy one to consider. There are lots of simple ways to pay it forward. Here are just a few. By the way, you might like last week’s post: How to Keep a Gratitude Journal and Why.
Be Generous First
Give to others first. Giving first makes you feel good, whether or not others give back to you. Although it’s tempting to only give to others who can give back, the biggest need is those who can’t. Being generous on social media doesn’t always mean a retweet, it can mean connecting two people who might have something in common, as this article Beat Generosity Burnout outlines. However, you might want to have some boundaries around how much you give. Selflessness and generosity aren’t synonymous.
Money in the Bank
Having some “money in the bank” means that sometimes you can withdraw a little, too. But you’ve got to put money in before you can take a withdrawal. A lot of people seem to start out by getting a credit card, so to speak, and withdrawing as much as possible. You’ve seen those people: “retweet this!” “Join me!” And the pervasive problem of direct messages asking for business before there’s a relationship. Also, there is a Science of Generosity, with generous people feeling happier and less depressed.
Share, Share, Share
So here are some things you can do quickly and easily. Generosity doesn’t have to mean a huge price tag or a lot of time. Obviously, you can do more, but you can also give a little.
- Retweet articles
- Comment on other people’s posts
- Repost requests with no thought of your own gain
- Offer to help
- Give financial assistance
Generosity and Your Gratitude Muscle
One interesting from the finding of a study on generosity was that you must have a regular practice, and not give to something just once in order to be happier. So developing a gratitude muscle is tremendously important.
How Do You Pay it Forward on Social Media?
Do you have a plan? I’d love to know! And I’d love if you left a comment!
Okay, I’ll give you ONE MILLION DOLLARS, Carol!
I wish!
You’ve been so wonderful as a friend & social media answer to my prayers! I’d write more, but I need to run around and charge some things before the power goes out because there have been some flickerings. Yikes!!!!!!!!
p.s. This is such a great post concept! Keep tweeting it!
And I’ll do my part in retweeting it too. :) Xo
Hi Dyane!
It takes two to tango, for sure. Oh, yes. Isn’t it fun living in the mountains in November? Hah! That’ll teach us to save all our work every minute or so, just in case.
I figured that for November, I’d focus on gratitude and generosity. That’s the plan, anyhow! Thank you so much for dropping by!
Carol
I wholeheartedly agree that generosity is the way to gratitude (and more). Thanks for the reminder to always be generous without expectation of anything in return.
Hi Bridget,
It’s not always easy to give with no expectation! Some days it’s really difficult. And sometimes giving doesn’t help the person on the receiving end, either! So there’s a lot to think about.
Thank you for your generosity, always.
Mwah!
Carol
Hello Carol,
You are one of the most giving SoMe people I know. Time is a valuable commodity and I appreciate all that you share with us.
Thanks for all you do in generously guiding us on the right SoMe path.
Regards,
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
Thank you so much! And of course it takes one to know one! You’re welcome and I do hope we get to meet in person some day.
I was just thinking about you this morning. I saw someone had compiled a list of non-toy gifts for kids with autism. And I was thinking you could do something similar. Something along the lines of “Top Ten Gifts for Computer Users,” “Best Gifts for Moms,” etc.
Thank you again for stopping by!
With appreciation,
Carol
Thank you, Carol. That’s such a great idea.
I just had a very productive morning but not business related.
Now I can get to some real business.
Thanks again!
Hi Patricia,
People love Top Ten lists. I’ve retweeted them sometimes for some of my clients.
So glad you had a good morning.
Friday afternoon is such a nice, quiet time to get work done.
You’re welcome!
Carol
I haven’t read it but Gary Vaynerchuk wrote a bestselling book called “Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook.” Despite appearances it’s not about how to knock people out cold on the canvas.
“Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook” is actually Vaynerchuk’s metaphor for “Give, Give, Give, Ask.” It’s a precept I’ve always followed.
I’m constantly amazed at the people who message me out of nowhere then ask me to do something for them. What makes them think I would respond?
Hi Clement,
I haven’t read Gary Vaynerchuk’s book, either, but that gives me a good idea of its core message. People tend to skip steps on social media. It’s way too much, way too soon most of the time. They’re in a big hurry to get to the last step, and they think that’s ok. Instead, they end up alienating potential collaborators and customers.
Yes, what makes people think you’d respond when you don’t know them at all?
Thank you for your always-insightful comments.
Carol