The wind screamed in my ears, and the snow that flew past my face was practically horizontal. I was skiing in the middle of a blizzard, at 11,000 feet above sea level on a mountain in Utah. Looking around, I saw a tall figure nearby. “Can we get down over here?” I shouted, pointing left.

A woman’s voice with a European accent answered through the wind “No, go over there. I’m a masseuse and emergency room nurse. You need a massage later today?”

Everyday Marketing without being a Smarmosaur . . .

Although all the business gurus say it’s necessary to market yourself 24/7, it’s not possible to take that advice literally. Even if you were somehow able to train yourself to market in your sleep, there are plenty of times when it’s ALWAYS inappropriate to pitch your services:

1. During the climactic scene of the year’s most anticipated blockbuster film, in a packed movie theater on opening night.
2. In the middle of a heated argument with your spouse.
3. While being arrested.

Ridiculous examples aside, are all other moments equal? Is it possible to market yourself in your daily life without coming across like a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman?

Yes, it can be done. The trick is to look at the people around you, and ask yourself one question: “Can I help?”

Can I help?

If you saw a child’s ball about to roll into the street, you’d run a little to catch it and throw it back. If your neighbor was struggling on his porch with two bags of groceries, you’d offer to hold open the door for him. So if you see a pregnant woman holding her aching back, or your accountant popping another aspirin on April 14th, or a stranger in the bookstore skimming through a copy of Train For Your First Marathon in 6 Months or Less, why wouldn’t you offer assistance as a wellness professional?

The kid down the street isn’t going to say, “Hey you, get your hands off my ball!” and the runner with a dream won’t be offended by your offer to help him reduce his recovery times between training sessions. Helpfulness is an important kind of courtesy. If you keep your eyes open, you’ll find people who could benefit from your skills every day.

Back to my winter adventure . . .

Two hours later, exhausted and sore from the strain of skiing at high altitude in potentially deadly weather, I found myself totally relaxed, receiving deep-tissue work from the Dutch massage therapist who had assisted me at the summit, Corine. Her 30-second question on top of a mountain turned out to be exactly what I needed, right when I needed it. Where would I have been without her willingness to offer help?

Take a moment to think about the people in your life. Are they on a mountain, hunched over in the garden, or buried under paperwork? Who could use your help today?

Now quit thinking about it, and go talk to them! Your soon-to-be clients will be so glad you did.