Who Should You Listen To?
So who should you listen to?
Well you could just take advice only from Kyle & Carson as the owners of WA or members ranked say in the top ten, but that might be a trifle limiting. As well as Kyle & Carson’s expertise and the more active members of the community, there are lots of members who pop in and out of WA, who may not maintain a high ranking but still have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share that you won’t want to miss out on.Nor should you forget the members who are relatively new to internet marketing but also have things to share about the challenges they have faced and in getting started, mistakes they’ve made, difficulties in staying motivated, how long it’s taken to make their first $10 and so on.
So there is a lot of good advice worth listening to.
Sometimes it may be confusing if members disagree but you will have to ask further questions and make your own decision about the advice being given. It's what you do every day.
But the biggest problems occur when someone starts to give advice when they really have no experience of what they’re talking about.
But how do you know if someone is giving you poor advice?
Well to be fair – you can’t always. WA is great place and most people won’t try and give advice about issues they know nothing about and if they do someone else will probably step in and say why they think it is wrong. But no one can keep their eyes on everything. Sometimes you just have to use your common sense.And this came up a couple of weeks ago when a member suggested how to make $300 in the first two weeks of starting your internet marketing journey at WA. The advice was extremely poor – some of it just plain silly and some of it completely wrong. Although steps were quickly taken to remove the material there were clearly people who were intrigued, some who thought it was great and others who kept asking for further information. I don’t blame them. Who wouldn’t want to make money that quickly?
But it comes back to using your common sense. $300 in two weeks when you know nothing about internet marketing? Think about it. It doesn’t sound very likely.
Use you common sense
One of my favorite television programmes is ‘Judge Judy’, an American arbitration-based reality court show presided over by retired Judge Judith Sheindlin whose no nonsense approach to dealing with civil court cases is legendary in the US. One of her favorite sayings to the poor people who come up before her is:-
Just occasionally, even inside WA it’s a mantra that’s well worth remembering.
Recent Comments
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Hi Beverley! Thanks for your article. It helped me in a variety of ways. The other day, I opened my mouth in LC and thought I knew what I was talking about, but Rich quickly set me straight, which I appreciate. It did make me stop and think that I need to watch what I do say, especially as a newb. I know there are probably a few things I may have to offer to other newbies, but I need to stay within my own level of expertise. And I certainly like to offer encouragement, if I can. What I appreciate about Rich, Craig and others is they send me links to answer my questions so I can go there myself and learn about it. This has always helped me a great deal. Also, what I find frustrating with myself, is I don't always ask questions in the right way because I don't really understand what I'm asking. :( Some of the experts have been willing to hang with me until I get it and I'm really grateful about that. I feel, sometimes that it may frustrate them though. I would always want someone to tell me if I was over stepping my bounds in the way I ask for help or the way I offer it. Thanks again!
Kathy - thanks for taking the time to read. I'm glad it helped. But don't put yourself down. You have expertise and things to share just like we all do. As you say you watch to stay within your current knowledge. I never give people advice on SEO or techie things because there are people round here who know so much more than I do. But writing articles - that I know about and am happy to advise.
I've blogged about the difficulty of asking questions. It's a challenge for all of us. It's particularly difficult to ask when you're not sure what your talking about or how much detail you need to give for the question to make sense! It's a constant learning curve.
Beverley, as always, thanks for the encouragement. You nailed it about my frustration with asking questions. Will you please send me the link to your article on this? Being reminded that it is a constant learning curve is very helpful. You know how it is, I'm sure, I want to know it all and I want to know it now. ;) Nevertheless, I'm still excited about all the learning. It truly is exhilarating!
Hi Kathy - This is the link. Don't know how helpful it will be because you're not entirely new,. https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/bis/blog/advice-for-newbies-ask-questions.
You can also read an article I wrote if you go to Street Articles -
The Challenge of Asking Clear Questions when You Are Not Sure What You Are Asking
You may find this more helpful.
Beverley
Good morning, Beverley. I just read the article you suggested on SA and it was very helpful. It's like the advice you just wrote on your post about skimming when you're reading.....getting ahead of yourself and not taking a breath first :) Sometimes, I tend to open my mouth before I think about it. This has helped me to think first, then ask. Appreciate your insight!
I agree!
Plus don't underestimate the plethora of knowledge that somebody new to IM may have including the good old school of hards knocks which can be applied in any situation.
Giving advice as an expert and sharing information are two different things and when asking for information on "how to" in any forum online you have to do your own due diligence!
It is incredible how the blind are leading the blind online for obvious selfish reasons and your example of $300 dollars a day in 2 weeks may have been one of them.
But I remember my full-time days in mlm (I had a network of almost 15,000 distributors across N.America and beyond) and the misinformation was mind boggling and also deceitful. No wonder most did not make any income or royalties because of the way it was preached just like the $300 a day mentality, I just walked the other way and did my own thing my way and it worked, for awhile anyway!
I think this community here in WA are all learning everyday and if we quote something that we didn't double-check carefully it could be quite embarrassing, but I see a ton of "helpful" individuals that want to learn and share their experiences and for some it might be difficult to put themselves out there, but at least try and give us your experiences and you will not be judged, but guided to hopefully a better way or better communication of the "how to" in your endeavour to build your business.
That is what I would like to see! :) It's starts at the top. Right?
I'm still looking to make my first dollar online but quite frankly I haven't really tried even though I have about 30 plus websites and about 8 years experience online and do not trust most of the "money talk" online.
Garbage in, Garbage out! And go from there!
I want honest money with value given and "duplicatable" for others to use - sounds like a pipe dream I know, but possible.
Kal
Thanks Kal - No one should never underestimate the knowledge and experience of new people. - and you're right there is so much experience inside WA.
I also agree there's a difference between sharing information and giving expert advice but it's not always easy to distinguish the difference.
Want you want is not a pipe dream. It's possible and I hope you achieve it.
This is a great article! It's hard sometimes, because you want to help someone by providing advice and if it's in error, then it is almost the same as if you didn't give the advice.
What I get from your message is don't give people fluff about this business. It really does take patience, diligence, and persistence, which I always emphasize and try to spread the message!
I have caught myself saying something unique that I did and your response seemed more accurate. I'll give you a perfect example: Yesterday, a member that I knew from before didn't feel confident in her writing ability. If this is you reading this, I want to say that it is what I do for my school work, however when I write on here, I tend to not use the tools. Your editor should detect if you had a misspelling when you write your articles.
However, you said that you don't have to worry about the mechanics of the writing, basically. You said to write! I was thinking to myself, I never thought to tell her that. I was only trying to assist her with an answer.
By the way, my grandfather said the same saying, but of course I didn't completely listen at the time. My phrase is, "always take things with a grain of salt"! I even have to be careful of my advice at times. You had a better answer for her than I did. Then again, there are some things that I don't know better than other methods.
Hi
I remember the conversation. I think our advice was complimentary. You answered the specific question but my experience told me what was keeping her stuck was her fear of making mistakes - hence my advice. So it was just different and both were useful to her.
Smiley I have been whining about this for awhile and beverley knew about it that is why she said what she said, I needed to hear both of what you said. That you for being concerned you are great.
I went back later to get the website that you mentioned and could not find it hehee so can you give it to me again.
And really thank to you both because beverley said it right your answers complimented each other.
See you tonight at the hangout
Awww! It's like I almost gained two sisters! Actually, I didn't know the hangout wasn't a WABinar thing. Sorry about missing that! Also, I'm working heavily on my site to get it "pumped"! I'm even starting to like this community more than my other university! Thanks for the support from you two lovely sisters (i.e. only if you allow yourselves to be)!
Also, I admit that I enjoy when someone gives me a different perspective that I don't consider. That's what you did for her, Beverly, not realizing that it added to my perspective.
And you're welcome, Kymee!
Good article Beverly I do agree that you have to be careful who to listen too when they are giving out advise. If they have been here a while and are pretty successful then I will listen to them.
I think I might know who you are talking about that did this, but I'm not going to name any names. The person I am thinking about is no longer with WA. Thanks for sharing this
Thanks Scott. I think we all use our own measure of who we listen to what success means to us.
My point wasn't really to highlight any individual because they weren't the first and I doubt it will be the last - however hard Kyle and Carson try!
It would be much easier if there was one route to take to the $$$ but alas this is not true....the road ahead has many obstacles and mistakes will be made....taking or giving the wrong advice will happen eventually I am sure for most of us...
We are human it happens, it sucks, but it happens, bling as it is known is hard at times to turn away from.....I am sure most of us have chased it, even knowing we should not have....catching nothing, $$$.
We continue to function, I like to do research on all of my problems so I have some idea of what is wrong....but cannot figure it out as most reads like a different language...but this is when I ask the member's and like most here through time we have a pretty good idea of who is telling us the truth...
Or at least the truth as they see it, more than one way to skin a cat....so bad advice or just bad advice for you....I guess it can go both ways....what is good advice for one may not be for another....
It is up to all of us to weigh our options as we take advice....can you drop the ball you have caught a thousand times for sure you can....:)
Yes Tim - it can be a real conundrum at times. And yes it would be so simple if there was a single route to making the money (if a trifle boring)! Thanks for reading and commenting
Well said Beverley,
If I'm not familiar with the person here at WA or any other place online, I generally look at the content and advice they share as there opinions only, I'll also question myself why it's right and why it's wrong.
Then at some point a trust factor is reached and I can then related to it as advice.
But you still do need to pay attention as we all make mistakes and take the complicated routes.
Thanks Craig. You're so wise. We all need to question the advice that we're listening to and we have to reach out own decisions
It's a hard one about the errors. I know myself I've given wrong advice simply by not being up to date enough on something. It's made me much more cautious.
I have been here since last summer. Been slow going, but I have learned quite a bit. I Don't quite get the "follow" system - I have hundreds of followers, yet I haven't engaged a lot.
I follow a handful of people, that I have learned to respect. Hope it's okay to share a few names - I don't pretend that it is complete and I'm sure there are some knowledgeable folks that I haven't included.
BIS - Beverley
magistudios - Jay
I've Tried That - Steve
Veronica.I
TJBooks - John T Jones, PhD
DomW
livinlyfe - Audrey
mama2karsten - Julie
leoemery
TrevorSH - unique spin on offsite SEO "backlinks=back pain"
@Rich - Lives in online chat - always helpful
Ty Johnson
Labman - Craig
Again, this is my list of some that I have found to have solid information based on experience. None of them are experts at everything (except Jay - the online marketing god) but all have good information to share.
I'm really interested in YOUR opinion on others that should be on my list.
Thanks for taking the time to comment and it's kind of you to put me on the list. I wouldn't name anyone because they may not like me doing so (just in case they get inundated with requests for help)
I did laugh though because you didn't put Kyle or Carson on the list!
Beverley,
I compiled the list for any new members that may read your post. I think it's just a finger pointing in the right direction. Also, I figured that Kyle and Carson were a gimme.
And they'll appreciate it. I was only teasing you about Kyle and Carson - as you say they're a given.
Ha - good for you. It know the good judge isn't the only person to use it - but I can hear her saying it now and am often reminded of it.
So true Beverley, and we all need to remember, everyone makes mistakes and can be wrong. I think we still have a wonderful way of doing things here. All this communication is just plain awesome, even with the quirks that come along with it :)
Thanks Shawn - yes they can be. And you're right this mode of communication can be great - at least we get to discuss, agree and disagree with each other.
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Great post. I agree that we need to do our own due diligence even here at WA. We're building businesses and cannot jump at the first or next bright shiny object. We need to stay true to our website's business vision and purpose.
We've been doing reviews on different products, sites, and such in our training and we need to take those lessons and apply them when we're reviewing opportunities. One of the reasons I'm a huge fan of WA is that spamming is not allowed nor self-promotion. That creates a safe place but that place is still one that requires a "business decision" based on proper research and analysis before we go bounding off after the next white rabbit...too many of those "holes" to disappear into.
Thanks Rick for taking the time to read and comment. Yes we do need to show due diligence and most people do. I also like the fact no spamming is allowed. On the rare occasions that it happens in hear - it leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.