One of the reasons I didn’t keep going to 100,000 followers once I hit 10,000 is because of the increase in anonymous requests from strangers for retweets, reviews and such.

And I’m not one of these folks who doesn’t like to help people or wants to charge $200 for a retweet to 12,000 plus people.

I just have the philosophy that you should treat people the way you’d expect to be treated in a situation, or even better. If I didn’t know you, and walked up to you on the street, and asked you to take me to the airport, bags in hand, you’d think I was nuts. You’d probably cross the street and keep walking.

When you ask a stranger to do you a favor online, that’s what you’re doing. See, I consider the fact that you’re listening to me right now a huge privilege, not an entitlement. And so I’m going to try my hardest to keep you with me. And if you’ve spent even a single dollar with me, same deal.

Is there a right way to get people to retweet you? I don’t know. But this is what I have found to be successful. Oh and before I continue, I’m not trying to be a know it all here, I’m trying to help you. I’ve done this successfully before… meaning I  turned a quick retweet into front page news not too long ago.

Here’s my method.

First, before I ever need their help, I find out who the important people are in the areas that interest me, or would be good for business. Then, I weed out people I don’t share common interests with, or don’t vibe with.

Next, I start friendly conversations with these folks. The ones who don’t respond within 3 days, I don’t judge.  I just focus on the ones that do, and keep monitoring them on a back burner.

Third, I do them favors. Not to create a debt vaccuum, but 1- because that’s what you do for a friend and 2- to see how they react.

I normally don’t have to wait for them to mention reciprocating, they just do it. But If I do have to wait, that’s part of step four.

Step five – I display my gratitude. Bigger favors, bigger thanks. Even a quick thank you goes a long way.

Now, If they don’t offer after a couple of days, I go on to step six – at the point in their day and week when I notice they are least busy, I do them another solid, usually a retweet.

For step seven,  within a day I’ll ask them to help, making the favor as brainless as possible. (Give them the exact text to retweet, cut & paste easy.

Now, as long as you’re working with someone who is being responsive, if you get to this step, there’s no way you’re not getting some type of help. My worst case scenario was someone asking me to if they could wait until the day after their tweetchat.

Why does this work? People want to help, and love to help people who’ve helped them.