I was speaking to Frank Reed earlier today. Frank’s over in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina, and if you need a smart Internet marketing guy, Frank’s your man. He’s also one of the nicest guys you could meet, so make sure to check him out on Twitter or subscribe to his blog.
We were chatting about charities and how supporters are almost like investors along the lines of venture capitalists, or stocks and shares guys. Yet these supporters are much more than a standard investor – as well as donations, they invest time, resources, energy and much more into the charity they believe in.
Basically, if you’re a charity, they invest in YOU.
But this doesn’t need to be landlocked into charities. There are many other ways that people are investing in you every minute, every hour, every day and beyond.
It could be they’re reading and commenting on your blog. It could be they’re conversing with you on Twitter. It could be that they’re offering advice via email or a phone call. It could be that they’re babysitting your kids so you and your partner can have a night to yourself. It could be that they’re offering free workshops to help you get up to speed on something. It could be that they’re referring your services to someone.
It could be something as simple as they buy you a beer at the pub after work.
It doesn’t matter what it is – at the end of the day, they’re investing in you. Because they believe in you and they want to show that, in whatever form that takes.
So here’s a request. A little mini call to action, if you like.
- Think of all the exchanges, conversations, get-togethers and other connections that you’ve enjoyed over the past week (you can make it longer if you like – it’s really up to you).
- Make a note of what these were and who they were with.
- Think how you can return that investment – a quick thank you call, recognition of a blog comment or tweet, dinner, the promise that they can contact you anytime for any help they might need, a trip to the movies… Basically anything that you feel merits their investment.
Do this, but do this without looking for anything in return. Just do it because you’re proud and touched to be part of someone’s investment. Do it because you want to invest in them.
Sound fair?
photo credit: h.koppdelaney
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Investment is Much More Than Just Money http://bit.ly/3nFjZd
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Reminder: "Basically, if you’re a charity, they invest in YOU." – http://bit.ly/i9R72 (via @dannybrown) [Blogs]
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An interesting way to look at it, Danny! And I suppose one could say that, when we make these small investments in each other, we're investing in the smooth functioning of society as a whole?
Twitter: katjaib
This is simply awesome. And you're so right. We are investing our time, interest and energy into each other. I love your suggestion… especially the part about not looking for something more in return.
I hope that's what I'm practicing on a daily basis… at least that's my intent. Always say Thank You. Look for ways to support, promote, encourage others. I also love that you've taken beyond social media and into the whole world, where there are so many opportunities waiting. You call it investing. And for those who get need it to sound all business, that's fine. But in my book, what you're talking about is sharing the love.
That's funny, I've been thinking along these lines a lot lately. Just today I was thinking about what I could do for the ones who make each day better for me – whether through a blog post, their tweets, or a simple, “hello”.
Reading: Investment is Much More Than Just Money http://bit.ly/1BsdgT – by @dannybrown
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RT @DannyBrown Investment is More Than Just Money | danny brown http://bit.ly/1KJ7U8 I do try to do just that.
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I think it'd be a natural progression, Rebecca – if we're all invested in each other, there's less likelihood that we'd want to damage that investment. Pipe dream? Maybe – but we can hope
Too often we get locked into the whole “it's all about social media” fishbowl, Kat – when, like you say, it's just a small part of the bigger picture. And at the end of the day, you still need people to “use” social media – so sharing the love brings the end results just as much (if not more) than the tool or platform itself.
Hi Danny!
First of all, this part of your post caught me first – “We were chatting about charities and how supporters are almost like investors along the lines of venture capitalists, or stocks and shares guys. Yet these supporters are much more than a standard investor – as well as donations, they invest time, resources, energy and much more into the charity they believe in.”
Spending my life wearing 2 hats (or more) all the time, the Wausau Whitewater non-profit side of me love this concept and the conversation I was having with my president a few minutes ago resonated with the same theme. So thank you… I have to keep thinking on this side because WW is not a heartstring kind of non-profit, the good we give back to the community in the form of providing recreation, training (including swiftwater rescue training for firefighters), an economic draw, events and entertainment all have value but can't compete with Salvation Army or Share our Strength or Rock for Hunger which all have the heartstring component. So your reference to venture capitalist definitely gives me thought.
The second part of your post about saying thank you has been on mind a lot. I really do try to do that both in real life and online. But I need the reminder and so I thank you for reminding me.
I love your attitude and the attitude of people like Rebecca, KatJaib, and Tanya. One of my career friends @DawnBugni posts regularly tweets with #dailygratitude and maybe that is what we all need, a daily dose of gratitude!
Investment is Much More Than Just Money — http://bit.ly/1Bamyh ~ a good read from @DannyBrown
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Danny:
Some strong powerful words of wisdom here. Paying it forward, saying thank-you, showing gratitude acknoledging apprecation have a profound impact on others. Thank you for the gentle reminder that it is really all about other people!
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Danny:
Some strong powerful words of wisdom here. Paying it forward, saying thank-you, showing gratitude acknoledging apprecation have a profound impact on others. Thank you for the gentle reminder that it is really all about other people!
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