An email inquiry yesterday - could I connect someone with potential sponsors, donors, supporters for an upcoming benefit - has me again writing about conversation and relationship building. It's a noisy crowded world out there, with many good, worthy causes seeking funding and sweat equity. There is no magic wand (or megaphone) to produce sponsors, donors and supporters, or to carry your cause above the crowd. The voices who will be heard will be the storytellers, trusted voices weaving a narrative that draws people in, engages them in the cause, plight or mission, encourages listeners to ask questions, to learn more, then ask, "How can I help?"

I say 'trusted' voices as they are the voices who do not appear suddenly when a benefit or annual appeal is imminently on the horizon. A trusted voice is one that has provided information, answered questions, kept us informed - long before asking for money. The voice that has engaged in simple conversation and built relationships.

Jon Busby's recent blog "Still think social media is for other people? ‘The others’ seem okay to me." is about the simple art of social conversation and building relationships - to then get to the ask....

Be social. Engage with people - and engage in what they are interested in. Build relationships. The "ask" will then easily flow.

Jon's blog Legal 2.0 is found at http://legal-two.com/?p=894 and Jon's "Still think social.." is re-blogged below:

Last week I talked about the following on Twitter;

I indulged in a quiz with @anjeebaby

I viewed pictures of the Wicklow Hills, done that afternoon by @elliottucker

Debated changes in the legal sector with @brianinkster

Was critical with @jkhoey about Linkedin

Found some interesting Apple gossip via @theappleblog

Moaned to @o2 about their 3G network

Wondered whether @shanemacgowan was the real Shane

Listened to @whitespider1066’s direct comments as his beloved Liverpool lost to Man Utd

Read comments on my blog from @beej777 and @markbower

Added comments to @michaelscutt’s blog

Was complimentary to both @mailchimp and @ticktocktea

Laughed at @cherylkerl

Found out that @nooption rates Bryan Robson higher than Kenny Dalglish

Found out how @jamesdunninggeo’s dog was getting on following a visit to the vet

Debated with @stevekuncewicz about Last FM and WE7 music services

Found countless new music acts to explore

Some of these exchanges were done at my desktop, some in my armchair, one when I was walking the dog.

I indulged in conversations with people from all over the world, (most of whom I have never even met) and I traded the immediacy of face-to-face for the opportunity of global opinion. I have learnt at least a little from all of them and that is the positive.

I live a pretty normal life; wife I love, two wonderful kids and we are out and about all the time. I have lots of face to face friends, still go to the pub with my mates. I am not some geeky, spotted kid stuck in my bedroom listening to thrash metal type music. I am (I think) engaging and I engage.

Nothing has been diminished, lots of things have been enhanced (I now know what the Wicklow Hills look like and they are beautiful). I have a ‘life-social’ balance. I am learning, exploring and enjoying this new world. I have refined the information feeds I want…they now work ON MY TERMS.

It’s not all about legal chatter, it is about any conversation I choose to start or become engaged in and if someone does want to talk legal then I happy to do so, if I am in the mood.

If I can help someone, I help them. If I want some help, I can usually find it.

That is Social.