One Question Built a Business Network and Generated Opportunities

Dave Kerpen, CEO of Inc. Magazine, has built a substantial network and garnered over 650,000 LinkedIn followers by consistently asking one simple question: "What can I do to help?"

Kerpen states that this question, which he has posed for 20 years in nearly every initial conversation, has been the most impactful tool in his career. He argues that the most effective networkers are not the best takers, but the best givers, contrasting his approach with the typical transactional nature of business networking.

The effectiveness of his method lies in flipping the script on conventional networking dynamics. While many people assess what they can gain from an interaction, Kerpen's approach offers assistance first. This makes him memorable, not through cleverness, but through rarity in offering value.

However, the strategy requires genuine intent and active listening. Kerpen stresses that a superficial "let me know if I can help" is ineffective. True helpfulness involves listening for specific needs—such as recruitment challenges or connection requests—and offering concrete solutions, like introductions to potential candidates.

According to Kerpen, this giving-first approach has opened numerous doors and yielded more career benefits than any sales pitch. The strategy underscores the power of generosity in cultivating influential professional relationships.