Pandora's Box
I think I am about to open a Pandora's Box.
I enjoy helping people. It's in my nature to help. I spent my career doing just that.
Something I have noticed is that folks at WA are at times reluctant to ask for help when they get stuck. Many of the questions I get come with a caveat saying something like "I'm sorry for imposing upon your time," or something along those lines. That's polite but unnecessary.
I agree that it takes time to answer questions but I want to assure everyone that your questions are always welcome.
Creating an online business isn't an easy task when first starting out. Sometimes it's darned right overwhelming. There is lots to learn if you are a novice.
I never had a mentor when I started my online business in 2004. I learned everything from scratch. Lots of trial and error. Ahem, mostly error.
WA is your opportunity to have the mentoring I never had. You can accomplish in months what took me years to achieve.
So here is my advice as a person who once was a newbie. Don't ever hesitate to ask questions. You will save yourself a ton of time.
Those of us who genuinely are here at WA to help don't mind answering questions. You are not imposing on our time.
Some experienced WA members are rather busy so be patient. Sometimes it could take 24 hours to get a response. Better to get a well thought out response in 24 hours than a less than useful response in 30 minutes.
I think when I joined WA, I saw something about having access to mentors in the WA network. I did manage to locate some great mentors who have helped me in my time of need.
It's okay to ask for help. We all get stuck. Even me. Shoot, I was at a loss when it came to creating a favicon. Marion Black came to my rescue and in 10 minutes I had my very own favicon for my website.
A wise man once said, "the only dumb question is the question that never gets asked."
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Lets expound on you quote from Publilius Syrus:
THE MISTAKE EXCHANGE
Do you like to learn from your Mistakes?
Would you like to learn from other people’s Mistakes?
You show me yours & I’ll show you mine. :)
If someone does something you don't like, save that as a mistake you do-not-want-to-do; make a List.
Have 2 Lists:
1.) Things other people do that you like.
2.) Things other people do that you don't like.
Good-Things-List -- Use them & repeat them.
Bad-Things-List -- Avoid & remove them from your procedures.
EXAMPLES:
I Joined a 'Guru's' high dollar program & the first question I asked, I receive a response saying "that info is available for an additional fee".
Put it on my Bad-Things-List as: DON'T REQUEST MORE MONEY TOO SOON OR TOO FREQUENTLY.
I joined a 'Guru's' program & received a Promotion for an Event… attended the Event… it was a waste-of-time. This happened repeatedly.
Put it on my Bad-Things-List as: DON'T WASTE PEOPLE'S TIME WITH BAD CONTENT.
I joined a 'Guru's' program that made several promises. Inquired about not receiving one of the promises & received a reply to be patient. It's been a year now & I'm still receiving the "be-patient" reply.
Put it on my Bad-Things-List as: DON'T MAKE UNFULFILLED PROMISES OR REPLY RUDELY.
These people see me as 'Low-Hanging-Fruit" (Prey). I am somewhat Knowledgable & desire Respect. Therefore, I will avoid them in the future.
Put it on my Bad-Things-List as: DON'T PUT THE WRONG PEOPLE ON THE 'LOW-HANGING-FRUIT' LIST.
It's important to determine how other people (prospects, Gurus or anyone) see you.
Does a 'Guru' see you as 'Low-Hanging-Fruit' that they can prey-on?
Does the 'Guru' see you as knowledgable and therefore respects you?
Does a prospect see you as a Predator and therefore avoids you?
Does a prospect see you as a Mentor and therefore wants to hear from you?
The way other people see you is determined by 'Things-You-Do’ & ‘Things-You-Don’t-Do’.
If you reciprocate & share some things on your Lists, I will put you on my Good-Things-List & continue sharing with you.
Good-Things-List:
Visited a site and noticed at the bottom of every page were 2 buttons: (Return-To-Top & Return-To-Homepage).
Put it on my Good-Things-List as: Use "Return-To-Top & Return-To-Homepage-Buttons” at the bottom of site pages.
What have you put on your two List?
By reciprocating, we can develop some beneficial ‘Ground-Rules-For Success”.
What you have learned from ‘Mistakes’ (your own & those of other people)?
What do you have on your “Good-Things-List” & your “Bad-Things-List”?
Wally Wiki
starting to ask more questions, there is such a pool of knowledge here in the community We are so fortunate to be here.
I agree. I can't count how many times I have asked and received help. It's so refreshing to know I have reliable folks to lean on.
It's surprising to realize that I learn more from the questions I get. I often get new insight when I give my responses.
So it's a two way street. Guess we are scratching each other's backs.
I was shy to ask questions at first but when I got such an overwhelming response, I realized just how supportive this community really is.
That was one of the best things I liked about this community which is the support and encouragement I have received. Boy can I ask dumb questions.
Great thoughts. There are enough of us here to help answer questions that Pandora's box should be more than manageable. I often spend a considerable amount of time myself looking and researching for answers rather than asking a question.
So I will chime in to anyone who is new and say ask the questions, save yourself grief, and you will grow your business.
Hey, thank you for your comment. I'm sure folks new to WA will be reading this. One more echo of encouragement. Thanx.
Hi Mike, Pandora's Box, when she opened it didn't realize she would release all the troubles and evil on the world?
I certainly wouldn't put you, WA, and its members in that category, quite the reverse.
Always enjoy your blogs, keep them coming.
Howdy! I did look up the history of Pandora's Box before writing this post. You are quite correct.
In modern times, it would have been more appropriate to say, "opening a can of worms," meaning a whole lot of work for me when people realize they are free to ask questions.
I definitely opened a box, or can, or something. Yikes!
I got the sense that new folks to WA are a bit shy about asking questions. I was hoping to give reassurance that it's okay lean on someone who has had experience running an online business.
I hope this post helps.
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Thanks Grampa, :-) much appreciated! What the heck is a favicon?
Just kidding I'll look it up!
Thanks again,
Tom W.
LOL !!!!
My stomach hurts from laughing so much. Love the favicon question.
I thought you would get a kick out of that.I noticed your funny bone immediately
Thanks again,
Tom W.