A New Member at Wealthy Affiliate: Watch What You Say!
Now that I am working my way through the Bootcamp training, building my MMO site primarily promoting WA and starting to get a few referrals I have started taking more notice of what is said to newbies here at WA.
This community is built on paying it forward, and as such we will all have cause to chat to and at times to advise a new member at Wealthy Affiliate.
I am asking that you consider your words carefully. Every single one of these new members is someone's referral.
The referee has worked tirelessly to build their site, often many thousands of hours spent writing content, researching products, trawling through keywords etc. to produce a trusted, authority site that someone has believed in enough to click their link and come and see what WA is all about.
Your words can see them leave WA in an instant and all that hard work is for nothing.
Now I am not advocating for telling untruths, not even for sugar coating the reality that is affiliate marketing, but if a Starter member asks how to close their account perhaps a few words of encouragement, as well as letting them know how they can do that, would be in order.
I know everyone's heart is in the right place, but I have seen some cringe-worthy responses to Starter member questions in Live Chat as well as within blogs or unanswered questions.
Is it too much to ask that you treat them as if they were your own referral?
This is a genuine question not a command :) I know I now do, for every Starter member I speak to and help I go out of my way to make them feel welcome. Not just because it is the right thing to do but because I want my referrals to be treat the same.
What goes around comes around.
The WA platform I believe sells itself, it is the only place to be to build an affiliate marketing business hands down, that is why I market it.
I believe we can best help Starters by encouraging them to work through the first free 10 lessons so they can see for themselves and make an informed decision about WA. That is why Kyle & Carson have set it up this way.
Newbies will know if they want to continue or not at that point and they get a chance to experience everything WA has to offer.
Also, pointing them in the direction of their referrer is helpful.
I know not ever referrer is active within WA, and there are apparently even some who refuse to help their referrals, but on the whole I believe most referrers are eager to be given the chance to build a relationship with their referees and to see them succeed.
And to any of my referrals who maybe reading this if you need ANYTHING ask me. It is my job to help you succeed here, you are not just a number to me. I sincerely mean this and I look forward to working with you.
Before you respond to newbie queries please consider if they were your referral how would you answer their question?
As always I appreciate your thoughts and comments about this blog. Am I way off the mark with this? Are my expectations too high?
Let's share and grow as we continue to keep this as the very best community for affiliate marketers anywhere.
Recent Comments
132
Well said Heidi!
I am actually surprised that I have not seen more people expressing similar thoughts in the past.
Every interaction that a person has here on WA can leave them feeling good about their experience here or bad.
Best wishes!
I have to say when I had a niche site I didn't pay much attention to what new members were asking or the problems they were facing.
Yes I answered questions when I could, which wasn't very often cause I usually didn't know the answers lol, and I certainly tried to be friendly.
What I didn't consider was that they are someone's referral and a few kind words may make the difference to the new member staying, therfore not only improving their chances of online success but also the success of their referrer.
Heidi,
I love the perspective you have brought to communicating with new members. I never thought of it like this. But now that you have mentioned it I agree with you totally.
Just be kind to the members we respond to in a non critical manner. We have a lot to offer in constructive suggestions to help the person instead of frightening them away.
My motto is make a friend with each communication and all will be well.
Cheers!
Edwin
Oh I love that "make a friend with each communication" that is exactly what I'm talking about Edwin.
You have summed my whole post up in those few words.
I know sometimes what we say can be misconstrued and taken to be critical, but if we all try to make a friend every time we communicate I'm sure that would lessen.
Thank you
What a great set of thoughts, Heidi. I have a pre-crafted response that I sometimes send to members who've just gone Premium to tell them what a great decision they've made and encouraging them to go through all the training, build their websites and be patient.
If someone asks a question in Live Chat that I know the answer to, I'll try to answer carefully and in detail.
But I'm certainly guilty of answering someone who's asking how to leave by just pointing them to the method.
As a result of your post, I'm going to craft a response that encourages them to stay before telling them how to leave if that's really what they want to do. Then I can just copy and paste it when I see the question asked.
Thanks for making me think about this, Heidi.
Glad it has given you pause for thought Phil.
And it's not like you, or anyone else for that matter, have any obligation to go that extra mile, but I sure would appreciate it if you did and it was one of my referrals.
We do need to answer the question, and if they want to leave we shouldn't be cagey about pointing them in the right direction, but maybe a word or two of encouragement to stay and look around and make the most of the wonderful opportunity they have come across wouldn't go astray :)
Thanks
I remember when I first joined I was too scared to open my mouth in Live Chat, I use to lurk in there reading everyone's comments, learning and watching the banter.
I always saw a positive and supportive group and I just hope that is what new members also see these days.
Heidi,
Great post and reminder.
That first impression is indeed very important and, as you have suggested, if the wrong words are used by premium members we may reflect a negative image upon the entire WA community.
Your post also refocuses our attention on the referrer/referral dynamic and how we can improve it and have everyone benefit from it in the end.
Some wise words from The Fathers of Mercy website:
Watch your thoughts . . .
Watch your thoughts, they become your words.
Watch your words, they become your actions.
Watch your actions, they become your habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny ( your eternity).
Sow a thought . . .
Sow a thought, reap a word.
Sow a word, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny (an eternity).
Blessings!
Wise words indeed Gabriel, thanks for sharing.
I know people don't intentionally set out to disrupt or distress new members but sometimes a little more care may go along way for a new member.
This is a very good post Heidi.
Just this morning , I logged in to live chat to get help and I have seen few people arguing about stuff on the chat. Also people complaining about not getting enough as a starter member ? Seriously ? The starter membership is FREE .. and as the name implies.... you get what you have given !
For someone newbie like me is not very motivating.
Also, I don't even know who referred me to WA it would be good to know . I wish that my referrer will have the same welcome /go to attitude like you do as I am lost at a moment whom to ask questions to .,
If you have a referrer vs signing up directly you can see who it is by clicking on Help Center. You'll see Kyle, Carson and your referrer.
Thank you for helping Scott. It seems many members do not know who their referrer is and perhaps how to contact them, maybe another blog worth writing :)
Thanks for sharing your experience Jimini.
I am like a sponge at the moment looking for reasons as to why people don't go Premium or why they don't stay at WA.
I firmly believe this is the best platform anywhere to learn this stuff and I am amazed that people come and see it and then don't make the most of it, so I need to know why.
I hope you check out the Help Centre as Merlyn suggested and find your referrer, if you have one other than Kyle or Carson. I'm sure they would love to hear from you.
Thanks Jenna and Aloha back, I'd love to come visit your part of the world one day. It always looks so beautiful.
Yes, it is beautiful here. The eruption creaated new black ssand beaches here in Lower Puna.
Come and see it with your own eyes :-))
Aloha back to you, Heidi!
Jenna
Thanks Shane and I'm sure people are maybe not even wanting to be discouraging with their answers.
I just wonder if a few additional words of encouragement might make the difference to new members.
Undoubtedly it would make a difference to encourage new members. I understand what it mean as far as referrals to the business of WA members, more importantly the success of the new member is important as they are looking for an alternative in life and with time and hard work they will achieve it here at WA. Kind Regards Shane
Good advice and post Heidi. I alway try to welcome as many as I can. Important since many may even and have come back after they have no success anywhere else.
Yes indeed William I see quite regularly people saying we came months or even years ago and now we are back, they are still someone's referral :)
Thanks for having a read and leaving your thoughts.
Wonderful post. I have seen examples of what you are saying.
Encouraging others and helping doesn't hurt our businesses it only helps us.
Training and encouraging others also helps us learn and encourage ourselves.
Thanks for the thought that went into your post.
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Thank you Heidi, your post is so nice for newbies like us thank you for your good lesson to me
All the best in ur expectation
You are very welcome Ramadhan, and please know that the community here is super supportive, there are members here with vast experience who are more than willing to share their knowledge.
My best wishes to you on your affiliate marketing success.