At times even when you don’t intend to hustle your readers , too much of redundant stuff sends the wrong message.

You are right. I sometimes forget that a few hundred people read every word I write and start treating my blog as an online diary or a scrapbook and, sometimes, almost as a memory aid. That happened with all the posts about my citizen journalism interviews in the last two weeks. The lesson I have learnt is to remember how it looks from outside in.

But, I wasn’t talking about that here, I was talking about situations when I know I’m hustling, when I’m almost expected to hustle, like the three situations I wrote about.

@Dina/ @Manuscrypt: I agree with your point about the difference between hustling to promote yourself promote something bigger than yourself. My point was that hustling is tiring irrespective of what your are hustling for. In my case, I was hustling for a cause against terrorism, a social mobile venture and a book whose proceeds go to charity.

@Ankesh: My own approach to community building is really quite similar: first, focus on building something worthwhile, then the community will follow. Both “1000 True Fans” and “Made to Stick” are great reads and I go back to them often. And thanks for pointing out @havi: I’m following her now.

1. First rule of networking: you need to have something of value to give to people. If you can help people, your networking – either online or offline – won’t feel like hustling. Mother Teresa – Princess Diana – you wouldn’t call them hustlers, would you? But thats what they did. Hustled with love.

2. “Build small community and thousands will want to join.” – Confucius. You could use social media to build small but intensely loyal communities too. You don’t really need 23,000 followers like Chris Brogan and Gary Vaynerchuck. As Kevin Kelly says – a 1000 true fans is enough to spread your message far and wide. (Google “1000 true fans” – its an interesting read.)

3. Focus on a 1000 true fans. And focus on making the ideas you talk about sticky and viral. And you’re set. No working the room necessary. No hustling needed. (Good book to read = “Made to stick”.)

For every Anthony Robbins or Dan Kennedy – there is a Roy H. Williams or a Sean D’Souza. For every @chrisbrogan – there is a @havi – (check her out.) Yes – there are other approaches out there that wont make you feel like a consummate hustler!

We all hustle once in a while. If the ‘hustling’ leads to meaningful dialogue/conversation/action that is visible to those who are recipients of your “hustle” then it makes sense. If it’s only about how great I am, and how great I am perceived by my community and the rest of the world, it just won’t work.

A lot of the people you mention use their social media ‘whuffie’ for causes outside themselves – is that hustling?

Building your influence and brand really comes from the relationships you are able to build with a wide audience based on solid and credible work, thought, intent, experience, energy, imagination. Not just hustling