Guide
A practical guide to choosing between direct help and network assist based on whether your situation requires execution or access.
Some situations need direct execution. Others move faster when the right person uses their network to move things forward. Choosing between these paths early can save time and make the next step much clearer.
If the work depends on someone doing the task, reviewing documents, or guiding the process step by step, direct help is usually the better fit.
This path works best when the helper can personally move the work forward.
If progress depends on reaching the right specialist, office, operator, mentor, or decision-maker, network assist is usually more valuable than direct execution.
This path works best when the helper's relationship, network, or access is the real advantage.
Service pages and helper profiles usually give enough public context to tell whether the stronger fit is hands-on help or network assist.
If the distinction is still unclear, start by clarifying the request itself.
Yes. Some helpers can do the work themselves in one situation and use their network in another. The important part is being clear about which path is being offered.
Ask whether the main need is execution or access. If the blocker is the task itself, direct help may fit better. If the blocker is reaching the right person, network assist may fit better.
See the full library of practical guides about asking for help, comparing services, and working with helpers.
Review public requests to understand how people describe real situations and outcomes.
Compare public capabilities and see how helpers explain the kind of help they offer.
See helper profiles and the public work they are connected to.
A practical explanation of network assist, how it works, and how it differs from direct help on TrySomebody.
A practical guide to finding useful local help by reviewing requests, services, and helper profiles.
