One of the great things about social media is not only that I’ve met some great people, but that I’ve had an opportunity to help many of them, and many of them have helped me.

I like helping people. I’ve been very fortunate in my life and career, and I’m glad to give something back. If I’ve learned something that would be useful to someone else, if I can make things easier for them, I’m glad to share what I know.

Social networking makes it easier to help people. Both Facebook and LinkedIn feature the ability to ask questions of your network, but this is superficial, and while possibly useful, isn’t what I’m talking about. Used properly, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter create environments of trust in which genuine relationships develop, and from these relationships come opportunities to help each other. By virtue of the fact that you are in my network, you are “pre-qualified” to ask me for help, and if I have anything to offer, I will.

I don’t believe that I am some kind of guru, or that I have magical answers for all people in all situations. But I do know that I have a lot of experience in a variety of things, and there’s a good chance someone can benefit from my experience. And it costs me nothing to give it away.

Here are some ideas that I’ve put to work:

• Comment and link to blogs. There are all kinds of opportunities to help someone who blogs, or to simply extend them a kindness. When reading, commenting on, and sharing blogs, skip the “A-list” blogs. Everyone is “reading” them already, either directly, or through RSS, and when these bloggers post something interesting or controversial, they can get hundreds of comments and links. Instead, read your friends’ blogs, and comment freely. Give a new blogger some encouragement. Add them to your blogroll or news reader. Compliments, kind words, and links are free, and can be priceless to the recipient.
• Give things away. If, for example, someone mentions they are doing their first event plan, offer to send them one of your best examples as a template. If you’ve done past research on a topic that would be useful to someone, as long as it doesn’t violate any contractual agreements to do so, give it to them.
• Offer career coaching. Volunteer to review a new graduate’s resume, or to help someone in need of a tune-up. Send them your resume as an example. Rehearse interview questions. (I’ve done this often through instant messaging and by phone.) Make referrals to recruiters, and career and employment web sites.
• Volunteer. Help out at events like meet-ups and conferences. It’s a great way to help a good cause while doing something you enjoy.

Why help people? I like to help people because it feels good. I like making things easier for others. It doesn’t motivate me to hope that if I help people out, that it will come back to me somehow. I believe helping should be its own reward. Your motivations may be different. And while I never expect something in return when I offer assistance, I almost always receive an offer.

Conversely, and this one can be hard to do, it’s OK to ask others for help. Recently, being more whiny than anything else, I announced on Twitter “I hate GIFs.” Immediately, at least five people jumped in and asked why, and then offered either to fix the graphic I was having trouble with, or to tutor me in how to fix it. That’s the amazing thing about the spirit on Twitter, or at least among the people in my network. Where else could you get free, around-the-clock software technical support and training? Not from the manufacturer, who has your $800, but from your friends, and from a community of smart people who have most likely already solved the problem you are having.

Twitter is a great place for seeking help with almost anything. Many social media, marketing and public relations people use Twitter to sound out a community of peers on strategic and ethical issues. Twitter is also useful for finding people with the skills you need to help with a project, on either a formal or informal basis. I found a great web developer, and an awesome research associate on Twitter.

Of course these are paid relationships, but they need not be. I’m writing a book, and dozens of people have volunteered to contribute to the book and help me with research.

I’m not suggesting that people aren’t doing these things already. In fact, one of the things I find most appealing about Twitter is that it is a true community for me. I see this kind of behavior every day. I just think everyone, including me, needs to be reminded of how far a little kindness can go.

From time to time, there are gut wrenching cries for help on Twitter. A while back, Chris Wilson a Twitter friend, used a blog and Twitter in the search for a missing girl. Susan Reynolds has been talking about cancer and doing fund raising on Twitter. I have made donations several times when solicited on Twitter, because I trust the people asking and I care about them, and it’s not going to break me to send in a few dollars.

It’s hard to write a piece like this without sounding preachy or sanctimonious. But I’m totally sincere in this. It’s OK to be helpful just because it feels good and it’s the right thing to do. There’s plenty of aggression and name calling online. We can all step up and counterbalance it with kindness.

Like most busy people, I start every work day with a to-do list, and one of the most important items for me is, “how can I help someone today?”