If you consistently don’t get what you ask for, your attitude may be getting in the way or you may be asking in a way that makes it difficult for people to respond. Think about the way you normally make requests to discover how to improve your requests.
Review this list of questions:
Do you hint, hope and beat around the bush with your requests? _It sure would be nice if you would__
Are you being vague? _If there were some kind of way that you might__
Are you stating what you want rather than asking? _I’ve got to find a new accountant to help me with my financials.
Are you giving the person an excuse not to respond? _I know you’re busy._ Or _I understand you may not have the time to help me._
Are you complaining and whining rather than asking? _I’m having a problem with . . .it just seems like no matter what . . if only someone would. . .._
Do you continue talking once you’ve made the request, rather than pausing for a response?
Remember: People want to help and contribute. The way that you ask makes a big difference in the way people respond!
Excerpted from Professional Networking for Dummies, Chapter 6, Cultivating Your Network by Making Requests
