Ambassador Badge - The Small Print
When I opened my computer today there were two things waiting on me, an ambassador badge AND a question.
I've been ambassador before, all the way to #4 and I know this turf comes with some serious questions that can affect the whole course of someone's online journey and success. And we also often hear Jay pointing people to ambassadors for answers in his webinars, so this is a perfect opportunity to show you the small print that actually reminds us:
We don't need to know the answers but we do need to point people in the right direction
--->get to know where the answers are, which blog, which training, which person
And that applies equally to all members on the platform, ambassadors certainly have more responsibility because people go to them more but there's a pay it forward system in here where all members take part in answering and helping each other and that's what makes it such a dynamic community and such an amazing atmosphere.
And I'm not saying this as an ambassador, just like the millionaire members have no extra rights and privileges neither do ambassadors, I'm saying this because the past couple of weeks I've seen quite a few people in the classrooms and chat give advice on stuff they clearly didn't know, so we all have a responsibility here.
How Would You Answer This?
Here is the question I received, word for word, it was an excellent question and I'm glad the person asked:
'' I am name, a Premium member here at Wealthy Affiliate and joined Wealthy Affiliate just a month ago. I am pleased to know that you are very much Experienced and successful here at WA. I need your little help and want to ask some questions.
1) As a beginner, what was your strategy which leads you to this success?
2) And what would you suggest to me, whether I should take a start with Wealthy Affiliate Promotions Niche or any other Niche?
3) At this level, what would be more effective for me, SEO marketing or PPC marketing?''
However what would you have answered? And this applies to all members as we all help out with answers in here.
- Are you familiar enough with the platform to know where to find the strategy which leads to success that Kyle is showing us? Hint: it's the entire training, he set it up like that for a reason. Short and sweet and effective. Master levels 1-5 then master Magistudios
- Have you nailed the whole concept of niche, do you know where to point people to find out? I wrote a couple of blogs on niche recently, but in those blogs I also pointed people to where I think they'll get some good ideas and answers.
- SEO vs PPC, are you familiar with where PPC is in the training? Notice Kyle does teach it but notice also when, at what stage of learning, levels 6&7!! And could you point people to examples of successful people in here using it and even successful people in here not using it?
The Problem with High Rank and Ambassador
Let's look at a sentence from that member's question:
I am pleased to know that you are very much Experienced and successful here at WA.
When people see 'ambassador' and 'high' rank this is what they see and sort of expect:
The WA ambassador: skilled pro, experienced master surfer of all things wealthy and affiliate.
However, seeing as the ambassador role is currently set up for all active members in the community, even the socially active members, what you may acutally get is this:
**And I also always like to point out that some of the lower ranked members often are the most knowledgeable and most successful members, so their achievements and help and contribution can't be ignored either. **
Meanwhile: here are some blogs I wrote on niche and ambassadorship and you can use the search bar to find others, though rememeber all member contributions are just that, extra personal contributions,Kyle's main training and Magistudios live webinars are the core to keep focusing on and master.
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/mozmary/blog/what-is-a-niche...
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/mozmary/blog/niche-selection...
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/mozmary/blog/are-ambassadors...
So now I've got to go write and publish two website blogs for every WA blog that I write, balance ;)
Mary
Recent Comments
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Heya Mary, so happy to see you back as an Ambassador. Congrats!
And yes, I hear you, its a huge responsibility and I often feel lacking in experience and expertise.
I got the same private message (so am sure you're correct in saying its to all Ambassadors) and haven't had the chance to reply yet. I'd be interested to see all 25 Ambassadors answers as am sure we will all answer differently.
Hi Mary, funny, I was thinking about saying something similar. Thanks for writing this post.
Mary -
Congratulations on your ambassador status!
And, thanks for the perspective. It's good to be reminded of these things. I have been here a year, now, and it is interesting to see the number of people who joined around the same time and are at a significantly "better" rank than I am. Some (a few??) had even reached ambassador status within a few months of joining!
So, I am cautious when reading their blogs. I have learned from many of the posts, but realize not everyone knows what they think they know.
Lydia
Congratulations on your ambassadorship Mary and you make some hugely valid points here. I am sure you will be a great ambassador. Unfortunately I have seen some blogs from ambassadors recently that have not embodied the spirit of the pay it forward system here. More “look how brilliant I am but I’m not telling you how I do it.”
This saddened me because new members look to the ambassadors for help.
No you don’t need to know everything but you do need to be willing to at least help.
With Grace and Gratitude
Karen
Hi Karen,
I second your sentiments entirely! And Mary is 100% correct in her statement that not all ambassadors are created equal, or achieving success in their own affiliate businesses for that matter.
Some of our top ranking members have yet to generate a sustainable income from their online businesses, this doesn't mean they are not successful in other ways, but please please don't try and position yourself as the guru of affiliate marketing (or traffic generation) if you're not. (this is a general rant and certainly not targeted at any one person!!)
I think the important thing is that all of our Ambassadors need to keep it real and make sure they are being honest about their level of success outside the community of WA... otherwise we run the risk of diluting the value from this platform.
The training that Kyle & Carson have developed is a solid foundation for building a successful business, that's what we all need to master and that's why we're here.
Congratulations Mary, I'm sure you will be keeping it real for all of us!
Cheers, Karen
Thank you for putting my attitude and experience into a much better perspective than I could achieve.
Not all Ambassadors are created equal ... just love that and it is something new members need to be aware of.
Anyone with a brain can work out the fakes from the real deal and Mary, you are the real deal
Thank you Karen
Thanks Karen, you've made an excellent point about helping, the pay it forward attitude rather than fluff up self philosophy! Boy I hear you! As for me, well kind words, but I'm more a real deal in progress lol, still lots to learn. I know it is possible to become ambassador either by blogging or helping, and helping pays us back more as individuals. I spent some months just helping out before xmas and took a break but then realized looking back just how much all that helped me too, win win folks, Karen is 100% right about helping!
wowsa, keeping it real, love it!
You are so right and have summed up a lot of the frustrations of many members at times, people have to stop positioning themselves - pretending just embarrasses themselves and the entire platform and undermines the good stuff!
Thank you for keeping it real ;)
Hi Karen, well said.
Regarding the 'traffic generation' post if I'm thinking of the same one where members asked 'how' and they didn't get a proper answer, they need to 'back up' what they say! with screenshots. Prove it!
My comment wasn't meant to target any specific post it was just a general statement - but now you mention it I think I know what you're referring to. Heaven forbid it was nothing more than a headline hook to create an opportunity to provide an affiliate link to anyone who made contact via PM.
Surely that doesn't happen around here... right?
Hi Karen, nooo that doesn't happen around here...;)
When you stated 'traffic generation' I thought you were referring to one of them, there were 2. Not the first one for PM, they had back up, but the 2nd one that didn't.
Everyone should back up their claims.
Congrats Chief. Your first question; what is a good plugin for shortcodes, drop caps and so on? I tried the Meks plugin and it took me two and one-half hours to straighten my computer out.I entered the code correctly on the text page on either side of the target letter and hit update, and everything went haywire.
Seriously congrats on your accomplishments.
I love the way you've explained the High Rank & Ambassador system. All real valid points that I agree with. Your selection of pictures for this post are fab.
I giggled at your 'so true' comment below "I think the ranking system has to get one step ahead of human nature here lol!". Craig's comment below proves your point.
Your suggested solution of different coloured cups could be a step towards that.
As it stands it's understandable that newbies assume the top ranking members in general 'know it all' & 'the most successful'. I did too at the beginning & sadly was sent on a few wild goose chases.
Over time we get to know which members of whatever rank do offer the best guidance.
Congratulations on your Ambassador badge. Badge or no badge to me you're one of them. :)
Very kind words Brigitte! Thanks for sharing on the wild goose chases! Glad you got past that and who is who and what is what now :)
Good post, LMM.
Have you received your royal invitation to Harry and Meghan's wedding yet? ( You know those of us with royal blood are on first name basis with them, don't you?!!) Mine came in the mail yesterday, so if you don't have yours yet, I'm sure it will be arriving soon.
Which reminds me of a quandary...what are you wearing to it? Do I have to wear a disgusting hat? Oh me, what to wear, what to do?!
lol HRH, the downside of such invitations!
I'm not sure I can squeeze it in this time round :D
Well, if you're not going, I won't either! Too much hassle crossing the pond if you won't be there to greet me! Besides, we both have writing to do! HRH
As always, i agree with this. New members need to understand that ambassadors certainly don't know everything, and ambassadors need to understand that it's ok to direct a querent somewhere else.
I offer myself up as an example. I know more now at rank 181 than I did at rank 6. But nobody asks me anything now, versus daily questions then.
I love the way you explained everything in your blog. As members, we need to be able to point people in the right direction and toward the people who have the answer to that particular question. You have earned the ambassador badge since you have been a great inspiration to many of us here at WA.
Jerry
You make excellent points about being a "good Ambassador" We need to know enough and be willing to "help" others and if we can't give an answer, where to point them. I'm trying to take it seriously - because I was overjoyed when Ambassadors helped me in the past and I need to "pay it forward."
-Shirley
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Hi Mary, thank you for this well said!!
Yay! you are BACK congratulations! you are a true Ambassador and not like the handful that got there the 'ways' they did...I HAD to say that. I never planned on being one and how many times have I wanted off that list, especially with what's there right now. Spamming.
I received a PM with the exact same questions!! haha
It has to be the same member it's identical.
I haven't answered 'him' yet I just got in. He must have sent it to all of us.
Hi Patsy, thanks for the kind words. I sure hope they figure out a way to stop the spamming soon :)
You are welcome Mary :)
'They' need to know first.