Give generously, but let relationships run both ways. Only ever giving robs the other person of the chance to help you.
The idea
Read The Giving Tree as an adult and it's devastating: the tree gives everything until she's a stump, and the boy never asks what she needs. A lot of us are that tree. We make intros, send articles and ask how we can help, and the conversation wraps without us once saying what we need. Relationships have to run both ways to survive. People want to help, so when you never ask, you take that chance away from them.
How to do it
Before your next networking conversation, have two or three specific, concrete asks ready.
Keep giving generously.
Example
When my confidence dips, I catch myself making the whole conversation about the other person, and I'll only mention what I need if someone pushes. Most people won't push. One community I'm part of has a rule: you can't participate unless you're willing to help others and make it clear how others can help you.
Asking for Help Is a Gift: Helping lights up the brain's reward centers, so never asking for help denies the people who care about you a genuine feel-good moment.
Have Your Ask Ready: Prepare a one-line, specific answer to "what would be most valuable for you?" and put it in your signature and bios.
Kill the Vague Ask: Say what you want, how long it takes and why them, and build in an easy out so that "no" is safe.
Positive Imbalance: Generosity that isn't immediately repaid strengthens bonds, so skip the instant quid pro quo and let the scales stay uneven for a while.