When you’re asking for help (e.g., looking for career advice, asking for recommendations/referrals for a new job, asking to borrow something from a friend), make it as easy as you can for them to help you.

For example:

• If you’re looking for a new job, and you ask a friend for an introduction to someone at a specific company you want to get connected with, include the company’s website link and a link to the company’s LinkedIn page (so they can quickly see who they know). Or do the analysis yourself, and list LinkedIn profile links to the specific people they’re connected to.
• If you want to get coffee with someone to ask for their advice, don’t ask without some dates or time, or a Calendly or equivalent link to show your availability.
• If you ask for someone to write a reference letter for you, write a draft of the letter for them, including every detail they need to do (who it’s to, highlights about how great you are and your accomplishments, and their information (who it’s from)

If a request is quick and easy, someone is much more likely to do it, instead of leaving it in their inbox for weeks never getting around to prioritizing it.

Make it as easy as possible for someone to say yes and help you!