Hey NEW Founders, there’s a better way to get help and network your way to success (beyond saying “I will not promote.”)

So I get about a dozen messages a day that start and go something like, “Do you have 15 minutes to chat about my idea?” “We, raising pre-seed for XYZ. Can you connect us with some investors?” “Can you look at my pitch deck?” Now, to be fair, I invite these queries because of my job and social media. And I try to answer the ones I can but many I don’t because I know where it ends up. One time I had a founder ask me to help him raise and he had an interesting idea and had already raised serious money. When I asked how much traction he had, he for offended and said that wasn’t what he was contacting me for. I tried to explain but he then told me that he would be telling everybody that I’m a jerk. I obviously hit a sore spot and exposed what was preventing him from raising anyway. I know other great founders and angels that get inundated the same way. Take a moment and put yourself in their shoes. This is why we the our inboxes. I had a prominent founder tell me he doesn’t even look anymore but does want to help founders. Here is the better way: Start by acknowledging why you’re contacting them and then ask a relevant thoughtful question. It goes something like: “I just listened to your latest podcast and appreciate your insight on the state of fund raising. I don’t want to take up your time but what do you think about (insert quick question here).” Don’t leave a closed question open-ended request like, “Can we meet?” Or “Can you help me?” You’re just adding friction. Help them help you. Give them a chance to answer your question quickly and then demonstrate you’re the type of founder that respects the value of time and is coachable. Trust me when I say that’s enough to motivate us to put in more effort and invest time (even money). You might be the next Zuck or Musk working on a baby unicorn in a rocket ship. But how do we know through all the spam and noise? Help them help you. And BTW, I’m not the biggest fish in the pond either. I sat in a room of founders this week that are far more successful than me. I work with them every day. It’s humbling. But they’re even tougher to get to because their advice is premium quality. I’m very fortunate to have been guided by some very generous founders. A lot of founders want to pay it forward. Give it a shot. For the rest of you veterans here, what’s some other advice you would give to new founders that want to approach you for networking and help?