Even when you work remotely, you can still be a close friend.

Give your favorite friends and colleagues some love. Share their work. Introduce them to someone with similar or complementary interests. "Like" and comment on their social media posts. Send a quick email. It costs you nothing, but it's worth everything.

Lend a hand, share a link

In that spirit, I recommend the book: How to Self-Promote (Without Being a Jerk.) The author, Bruce Kasanoff, decided last month to offer his book online for free, as a way to expand his own network. That, and the words “how to self-promote” in the book’s title, seem to contradict the book’s content, which is all about supporting other people’s professional and personal goals.

That resonates with me. I’ve always been eager to help other people find work, connect them to my network of contacts, and make their mark.

Mentoring is a Dorf family thing

My father got me started on this path. He had a reputation as a gruff, no-nonsense perfectionist, but he was also a devoted mentor. Dad was proud to develop his employees’ talent, and he always urged them to fulfill their potential — even when that meant he had to spend time hiring and training their replacements. (By the way, I got my first taste of the power of proofreading when Dad asked me to screen incoming job applications. Two or more typos in a candidate’s resume or cover letter meant instant rejection…by a 16-year old.)

My brother Bob honored Dad’s legacy of mentorship by establishing a Philip Dorf Mentorship Award at the New York chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Bob is a pretty awesome mentor, in his own right. (He may have inherited Dad’s gruffness, as well as his mentoring flair, if scuttlebutt is to be believed.)

Bob has started seven companies since age 22, and now he guides and advises entrepreneurs all over the world, as they launch their own new ventures. He even wrote (with co-author Steve Blank) the definitive how-to book: The Startup Owner’s Manual, and he teaches lean start-up methods at Columbia University. By all means, get Bob to deliver a workshop for your state’s small business development council — but if you need a marketing campaign to launch your business, just contact me directly.)

How can I help you?

Here’s the pitch: If I can help you to take the next step in your career, build your network, grow your business, or do the same for someone you care about, please get in touch.

It doesn’t have to be a paid gig. Sure, I welcome new clients, but I am equally happy to make new friends. I’m also ready to lend a helping hand or a listening ear to friends and former colleagues. If we’ve worked together in the past, or we have a friend or former colleague in common, I’m here for you.

Now go out there and share some love.