Have you seen the movie Pay it forward? If you haven’t – the movie talks about a 12-year-old boy who needs to come up with an idea of how to change the world and make it a better place as a part of his school project. And he comes up with the winning idea. He will help three people, and they will have to help other three people instead of giving him something in return, etc. Such a simple idea. And such an Utopian idea at the same time. Of course it works in the movie – it’s a movie, anything can work in the movie. But could it work in real life? Could it work in social media communities?

People have brains, but we have emotions and passions, too. And when we are passionate about something, we just want to do it. For fun. For free. For ourselves and for others. Besides, we are altruistic by nature; at least I like to think so. And there are so many passionate and altruistic people in social media communities. They are willing to help you – provide an answer to your question, give you an advice, etc. They do it because they want to do it, not because they expect something in return. And they don’t help only three people; when they see the problem they might have solution for, they offer it.  But this should not be a one-way ride. As a member of any community, also social media one, you should give, too. Not just take. Be happy and grateful when someone helps you but don’t hesitate or be afraid of helping either. Because your idea might be just what someone is looking for.

So, when someone does you a favor, replies to your questions, helps you in one way or another, don’t pay it back (btw, you should thank). Pay it  forward.