Givers Gain: Why Generosity Is the Key to a Successful Business

​At some point in our lives, we’ve all heard the phrase “what goes around, comes around.” It’s often used in a negative connotation – for example, if you are mean to someone, the saying serves as a warning that it could come back to you. But the saying can just as easily be applied to good things. When you put good out into the world, good things come back to you, and yes that applies to the business world. While it might seem counterintuitive to those who are used to hearing stories of cutthroat businessmen, it’s true that givers gain in business.

​In this post, we'll explore three reasons why givers gain in business: because they build relationships, they care about their customers, and they focus on giving more than taking.

​Why Givers Gain in Business

​When you're generous with your time, your knowledge, and your resources, you not only make the world a better place, but you also set yourself up for success.

​This is because people love to do business with those who are giving. They appreciate the opportunity to work with someone who is willing to help them out without asking for anything in return. And when it comes time to ask for something, people are more likely to say yes because you've done so much for them. Everything you've given will find a way back to you.

​Givers Gain by Creating a Positive Feedback Loop

​It's a basic law of the universe that the more you give, the more you gain. This applies to everything from the simple act of giving someone a smile to the most complex financial transaction.

​There are countless ways to give in business. For example, the reason you see so many consultants offering free consultations? It’s because they use that conversation to help their prospect, and by doing so, they demonstrate the value they provide to their clients. They give away free knowledge in the beginning of the relationship so they can gain a new client.

​There are plenty of other ways to give in business. Want more referrals? Give referrals to the people in your network and they’ll be more inclined to return the favor.

​Want prospects to understand how knowledgeable you are on a given topic? Write content and/or give presentations with actionable tips they can use in their day-to-day lives. When they’re ready for more, they’ll know to come to you because of what you already gave them.

​What You Gain by Giving to Your Customers

​When you give to your customers, they feel appreciated and special. They know you value them, and that you're not just out for yourself. This builds trust, which is the foundation for a strong relationship between you and your customers, and since businesses are built on relationships, your business will grow as a result.

​Prospects will be more likely to become customers, customers will be more likely to buy from you again, refer you to their friends, and give you positive reviews. They’ll want to see you succeed because you'll have demonstrated that you care about them.

​Conclusion

​When you give, you're opening yourself up to receive. So go ahead and give. Give your time, your resources, and your love. When you do, you'll find that the more you give, the more you gain in every aspect of your life.

​If you found these tips helpful and would like to dig into more strategies you can use to grow your business, I have a whole book to help you out. It takes you through the entire process of starting and growing your business, from the foundation, to getting the word out, and you can get your copy here.