Always be radically helpful

If you're looking for the best business advice, here it is: always be radically helpful.

It doesn't matter what industry you're in. Always, always be radically helpful to people. If you feel like you don't have much utility, that's what you should work on until your eyes bleed.

And not in a "check-the-box" kind of way. This goes beyond extending pleasantries or asking people about their day.

Instead, learn how to genuinely help your target client base in a way that no other person on the planet can. That should be your goal. That's what it takes.

For example, I'm a tax preparer. And a damn good one. I say that proudly — not cockily — because my commitment to my education and, plainly, my curiosity, has enabled me to care for clients in a way that a vast majority of other preparers simply cannot. And it's really not as hard as you think it is.

Here are some of the ways I recommend becoming radically helpful:

1. Get educated. Obviously, this is totally dependent on your field. Some jobs require formal education. Others don't. I won't go into too much detail here, but you should strive to be the most knowledgeable person you can possibly be in your field — whether you're a doctor or an epoxy floor installer. If you aren't willing to do this, you're definitely in the wrong field and have some reflecting to do. Helpers are smart, and they know their field inside and out.
2. Pay attention to what questions your prospective clients have. If you're getting the same question over and over, take note of it and master your response. Practice makes perfect. Also, build resources around these questions. It could be PDF handouts, Q&As, social media or blog posts. Basically, anything that people would find genuinely helpful. To your benefit, this signals knowledge, authority, trust, and anticipatory thinking — things clients really look for! I want my roofer to know their process frontwards and backwards. One shaky response can make me lose faith that my roof won't hold up during the next thunderstorm. And on to the next roofer...
3. Be selective and be willing to offer alternative pathways. As plainly as I can say this: don't see clients as mere dollar signs. You are not for everyone. Being radically helpful is simply being a helper. And helpers do NOT mislead. If you can't help someone with excellence, be transparent about that and point them in the right direction. For example, some clients may think my tax practice's pricing is too expensive. When that is the case, I always give them options. That may look like unique payment terms, or it may be a recommendation to self-file if they have a simpler return. In the case of self-filed returns, I recommend to them what I think is the best e-file software (FreeTaxUSA, 100%), and tell them to reach out with any questions.

In the end, being radically helpful is more than just being a good person — it’s good business. It compounds. It builds trust, loyalty, referrals, and yes, revenue.

Not always overnight.

But over time? It pays the highest dividends.