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We’re In An “Ask Economy.” So How Do You Ask? — Seth Godin

Posted on Feb 20, 2009 - 5:47 PM PST

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A few lessons from this program

Wouldn't you agree that we're in an ask economy? You can't give blogger money to write about you, for example, but if you know how to ask, she'll write about you for free?

Since knowing how to ask can be more valuable than money, you need to learn how to ask. Here's some advice on that from Seth Godin, author of Tribes and founder of Squidoo.

At least once a day I get an email asking me for some ridiculous selfish thing that someone wants.

And then they write under it, as if it excuses them, "you can't blame a girl for asking." Well actually, I can. And I will.

If you ask someone to do something that's selfish--for you--they won't. And not only won't they, they'll never forgive you for asking, because you made them really uncomfortable.

The asking I'm talking about is equivalent to asking someone over for a cocktail party, asking someone to go out to dinner with you. Those are things that help both of you--not just help you.

There are lots of times someone will send me a note saying, "I'm going to be in town, can I take you out for a sandwich? I'd love to pick your brain for an hour."

No. You can't. I'm sorry. I don't know you. I'm really busy. I'm not good at meetings. I hate meetings. I don't even like sandwiches. No.

Because it's not about me at that point, it's about you. And I'd like to be generous, but there are too many people for everyone to be generous to.

So, when you're asking for money for your charity. When you're asking for a vote for your political candidate. When you're asking for someone to spend time with you, you gotta think really hard about why they ought to do it, that has nothing to do with you.

This is an edited except from a program you can download here, on Mixergy.

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  • AJ
    Concept is great.. What are some examples of this as most people know, that when they receive their phone call from you they are waiting for something for to be asked.

    Great post!
  • Great way to look at that question!
  • tom
    Awesome stuff, so simple yet so powerful. I am going to post this on my top 10 link list either tomorrow or Wednesday.
  • Great video! It's like you've just given me an advise for my email to you. Thank you.
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