Give value ten times before you ask once and watch response rise

A small SaaS founder started posting answers to common questions in her niche during lunch. No links, no pitches, just clear steps and screenshots. She set a simple rule for herself: ten help‑first posts before any ask. After a month, people began tagging her in threads as “the one who explains things.” Her signal was kindness and clarity.

One afternoon she shared a two‑minute Loom video answering a question about importing data. A stranger replied, “Thank you, I tried three guides and this finally worked.” She bookmarked the comment and moved on. Weeks later, when she announced a small webinar, fifty people showed up without her spending a dollar. Someone said they’d been waiting for a chance to support her because she had helped them so often.

The pattern held. Share value, then ask lightly. Spotlight a customer’s story, then step back. Over time she felt less pressure to push. By building social currency—trust, reciprocity, and identity—she could withdraw later without overdrafting. Her spreadsheet said the same: fewer cold demos, more “I already know you.”

This works because social exchange theory and reciprocity bias run deep. When people experience you as helpful and fair, they come toward you, not away. The 10:1 ratio keeps you honest and makes every ask feel earned. It also feels better, which, frankly, makes it sustainable.

Pick one channel your audience actually uses and commit to a 10:1 give ratio. Spend ten minutes a day answering questions with useful, short posts and share one customer spotlight each week with permission. After several weeks, host a tiny office‑hours window and then make a small ask that matches the value you’ve built. Keep it humane and steady. Put the ten‑minute block on your calendar now.