What I learned on Live Chat Today
I have to admit, I've always been scared to chat in Live Chat.
Lost in Live Chat
When I first started at WA I tried Live Chat and got so lost because there were so many different conversations happening at the same tme. And it seemed like everyone was speaking another language.
Fast forward about 18 months, when something Patsy said prompted me to check out Live Chat again, this time to see if I could help anyone. But I felt inadequate, questions were over my head.
In a way, I felt shy, which is not like me. But when I lack confidence in my abilities I'd rather observe and learn than offer to give out knowledge. What if I say the wrong thing? What if I give out the wrong advice?
Live Chat Fail
So when Kyle recommended we spend 15 minutes a day on Live Chat and aim to help 5 members a day, I got cold feet.
I was happy to tackle all the other tasks he set out for us and starting checking them off my list.
I popped onto Live Chat at different times each day and found that there were already active members already answering all the questions popping up. No doubt Live Chat asssistance is at an all time high with this being a requirement for the Super Affiliate Challenge.
So I found other ways to help members... but in the back of my mind I felt I will have failed my mission this month if I complete all 12 posts but never help a soul in Live Chat.
And then... early this morning that all changed...
Live Chat Success
I popped onto Live Chat again and just when I was about to leave because all questions were being answered already... a question popped up that I could answer!
Yay!
And then another and another.
And I answered. And it felt great!
And I landed up making two new friends.
What I learned on Live Chat Today
- If you're brand new to Wealthy Affiliate, you are on Live Chat to ask questions.
- If you've been here a while, you are on Live Chat to answer questions.
Now this may seem obvious, but I just wanted to clarify this for the newcomers who are also doing the Super Affiliate Challenge.
They may not be ready to answer questions yet, but they will learn so much by asking them.
So their task is slightly different (ask not answer) and the way they will help 5 people each day is different.
Because by asking questions, they are helping more advanced members gain teaching and coaching experience.
And as they get the answers they are looking for, they can, in turn, build their confidence and knowledge base to go on and answer others when they get to the same point.
3. It's a cycle. The more you learn, the more you can teach.
Which brings me to an important point.
4. Only answer the questions you are absolutely confident answering.
When answers start coming naturally, you know you're ready. Or at least, that's how it was for me.
5. Live Chat is addictive!
One fab conversation on Live Chat and I'm hooked (just as I am on all my favourite WA Tools, Site Content, Jaaxy, Site Comments etc.) I just love this place so much!!
And it goes without saying...
6. Live Chat is a great way to make new friends.
In Live Chat you learn who to follow. Which means, as you gain experience, that it's actually a fabulous tool for building a loyal following too.
7. Leaders are created in Live Chat.
Because Kyle and Carson's philosophy, their entire business plan and all their training on Wealthy Affiliate is focused on: HELPING OTHERS.
New Members are crying out for our help...
It behooves us to go and help them.
You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want. Zig Ziglar
Thank You Kyle for highlighting Live Chat and adding this to our Task List.
I now see the value of it.
Over to You
Do you use Live Chat? Is it one of your favourite learning tools?
Were you also scared of it at first? Or is it just me?
To Your Success
Recent Comments
28
Hi Lauren, I haven't gone into live chat to try to help anyone yet, but when I do I will be keeping your tips in mind. Thank you for sharing
Luba
I certainly have experienced the same feelings that you went through...except for the final stage of actually helping someone. I will pop in more frequently and try to change that. Thanks.
Debbie
I would encourage everyone to check out Live Chat periodically, even if you don't think you have enough experience to contribute.. I enter with a two-fold purpose:
1. To offer what small help I can--I'm usually not the only one giving an answer, but when more than one of us answers, it gives the questioner multiple perspectives.
2. To LEARN...just seeing answers to questions posed has given me so much more information, especially when a response includes a link that I can check out and bookmark for later reference.
Kyle's requirement for the Super Affiliate group is another of his brilliant moves to get us engaged.
I'm in!!!
Best wishes,
Joe
Hi Lauren, not sure how I can be so dumb! I have pretty much avoided Live Chat for the same reason. I often think about trying to dive in, but it makes me feel pretty useless, as I usually can't help :(
For some reason, the blindingly obvious cycle you have described, 'ask' not 'help' to start with, had not actually occurred to me?! Now I feel that I have certainly missed out on a crucial learning opportunity for the time I have been here.
Lesson to self: Listen to people who know more than you and who are trying to help... stop being precious because you might look daft not knowing stuff in an area you have no reason to know anyway. That's why you came here and stayed here... Dummy!!
Many thanks for a swift boot towards better understanding. Hurrah for the SWAG training, you guys are the best! Sue :)
Glad to hear I.am not alone, Sue. Hey.. Don't be so hard on yourself. This wasn't meant as a swift boot, rather a gentle nudge.
Haha! I know it was a gentle nudge thank you! But I am giving myself a swift boot, otherwise I may be tempted to procastinate again :)
I didn't go to Live Chat before SWAG, but as you say on this blog, it's the place to go everyday, be part of the community and questions and answers are both quite interesting, it's one more place to learn here at WA
I don’t frequent there much Lauren but I will endeavour to do so in the future. It is all about paying it forward after all and sharing experiences!
Thanks
Wayne
I go to Live Chat everyday, most times I listen and learn. I have answered questions at times, but still feel somewhat intimidated by the pace of Live Chat...great post
Love this, thanks for posting, Live Chat is the only area of the membership I haven't entered / interacted but will definitely make some time to pop in there whilst bearing your post in mind.
Thanks Lauren.
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ENCOURAGING! Thanks!
Continued success,
Joshua
Pleasure, Joshua. Same to you.