Do you DARE ask for help in IM?

46 replies
Most days I get emails asking me questions. Some are from clients and customers, some are from people who aren't. Some are from people I just dont know.

About half the questions are really really simple things - stuff that could easily be answered by spending ten minutes on Warrior Forum.

Other questions are a little more difficult to answer - but I work out the issue and send back a reply.

Occasionally, there are questions that are so indepth, I can't really answer them without 'creating a $997 product in the process' type of thing.

Whilst I know there are some Warriors out there who will answer any sort of question, even the same question, on the forum or in email, day in day out - for me that isn't always possible.

I'm not even thinking about the difference between answering technical versus mindset questions. That is a whole different kettle of fish.

The thing is, both in terms of questions that I get asked, and questions I ask others - there isn't a guarantee of an answer.

Sometimes, your email or questions get's forgotten about, or you sent it at the wrong time and it got buried in the inbox. Sometimes the person you asked doesn't want to answer, because the question is just a bit too in-depth or they simply don't know the answer.

In other words, when you ask questions - particularly in IM / MMO there is a good chance you might not get an answer.

You might get rejected.

Actually, let me rephrase that - at some point you will get rejected. Would that stop you asking questions?

Would fear stop you ever asking questions - quietly struggling along?

Sure, it could be argued that most questions are unnecessary and cover the same basic concepts time and time again (how do I make x$ in x hours? who are the top marketers in... etc) - but many Warriors don't ever seem to ask questions on the issues they are really stuck with.

just wondering, do people hold back asking questions because of ego or fear of rejection? and of those questions that people do ask - why are so many of them basic ones that can be easily answered by research?


Would you dare ask Andy Jenkins a question about video? Eddie James about audio? Nick james about seminars? Chris Cardell about direct mail 'newspaper' response rates?

Or would you simply keep quiet thinking that you would never get a reply?
#dare #frank kern #mind control
  • Profile picture of the author Ernie Lo
    Nope not at all...I aint scared of anyone on the Internet haha. Everyone is here to learn and help others, you'll find most of the more successful members are more than willing to help.

    I've PM'ed people from Willie Crawford, Steven Wagenheim, Andry Henry, Kevin Riley etc and have some of them even on Skype who I talk to...do I sometimes sit back and think wow as these guys even respond to someone at my level? Sure I admit that maybe I do...but you get use to talking to them after a while as they are only human.

    They are just like you and me with a little more cash that's all....they won't bite.

    If anything I'd like to think they appreciate people who are go getters and look like they want to get their questions answered and want success instead of the guys who only complain and get nothing done.
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  • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
    Yes.

    Asking questions is a fantastic way to educate yourself.

    My children will all be taught to ask plenty of reasonable questions to find stuff out.

    No matter how much I learn, in business, in life... I can always want to learn more. the worst that could happen is you get a rejection, they don't even hurt anymore

    Peace

    Jay
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Jeeez,

    I just remembered i actually was supposed to reply to an email from Willy, and that was last July. Eeek! Sorry Willy!

    thing is both Ernie and Jay are heavy hitters, and totally have the right attitude about questions. I worry about the 90% of IMers who struggle and are scared to death of rejection. i have some customers who are scared of

    I'm not talking about turning up n La Jolla and asking Kern to review your product on camera there and then. Not freaky stuff! lol
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  • Profile picture of the author edd666666
    Sure I ask questions here on a regular basis and 90% of the time I get fantastic input. Sometimes the question will go totally unanswered and just fade into the Warrior graveyard, but that is OK as well. I use the Forum so much that when my new webpage The Conduct KNOCKOUT Broadcast Interviews System was up and running I placed a thank you notice here, because I felt it was more the Forums work than mine. Of course I give back as much as I can so it is a two way street. OK, thanks, Ed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    I guess that is a great first step - but do you ask questions outside of the forum?
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  • Profile picture of the author tecHead
    I don't ask question; I demand answers, dammit!!

    Just kidding

    I'll ask a question in a heartbeat on the forum; even whacky ones. Yet, I agree with you... more of our (silent) Newbian friends should ask more.. c'mon guys/gals!
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  • Profile picture of the author ileneg
    It depends.

    And "it depends" seems to be the answer to so many questions that are IM related or otherwise. So many variables, very little black and white.

    Isn't it Dan Kennedy who says that people don't really want to learn howto fish - they just want you to hand them the fish? (Not a direct quote obviously).

    Many people can answer many questions for themselves using the "search" function here and in Google etc. Many people won't; just as many people do. Probably much to do with individual personalities and differences in the way people learn etc. The differences are always interesting to me though.

    ileneg
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    • Profile picture of the author Gail_Curran
      Here's how it works in my universe.

      1) I have a question. If it seems Google-able, I Google it.
      2) If I don't get a sufficient answer or if the question is specific to a product, I'll ask a question.
      3) Since I am invisible and my writing is incomprehensible, the question is either ignored or I get an answer that is completely irrelevant.
      4) I figure it out myself or change directions.

      If you want to get anywhere in IM, you need problem-solving skills, that's for darned sure.
      -
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      • Profile picture of the author tecHead
        Originally Posted by Gail_Curran View Post

        Here's how it works in my universe.

        1) I have a question. If it seems Google-able, I Google it.
        2) If I don't get a sufficient answer or if the question is specific to a product, I'll ask a question.
        3) Since I am invisible and my writing is incomprehensible, the question is either ignored or I get an answer that is completely irrelevant.
        4) I figure it out myself or change directions.

        If you want to get anywhere in IM, you need problem-solving skills, that's for darned sure.
        -
        wow; that is so sad:confused:

        You nor anyone on this forum should feel invisible.. and this post seems pretty comprehensible to me.

        My Nana always told us, "If first you don't succeed, keep on suckin' 'til you DO get a seed.".. so chill with the defeatist attitude and keep pushing forward.

        PLP
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    I tend to prefer using the google site: operator to forum search. In terms of questions thy aren't answered though, I do feel that people often shy away from asking.
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  • Profile picture of the author alexbbbh
    When you are part of a community, of course, you should always ask and see if anyone has experience in the fields where you lack. This is how you grow and get better at what you do. It the end it's just like in real life - it's networking.

    What I do not agree with is the idea of waiting for saviors. First am I going to do my own research. I am going to do my testing. I have google. I'll search for an answer and I'll give some ideas a try. This also helps in the time department cause if the answer will never come from the person or the place that you asked, what will you do? Will you never start?
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    • IMO this isn't a matter of should or shouldn't but do or don't.

      There are some people who no matter what will not open their mouths to ask a question. This usually comes from fear of rejection or appearing stupid. I understand lurking for a while to get a feel of the community because there are some harsh forums out there but at some point you'll have to jump in.

      It takes a relatively thick skin to do this full time and the ability to overcome human insecurities is a hallmark of the successful IM'mer.

      So if a person can't muster enough moxie to speak up when necessary then they probably can't muster enough to make the sale.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mohammad Afaq
    I try and answer most of the questions I get but some days I have gotten over 20+ questions in a day (That usually happens when I post a helpful thread on warrior forum and post on my blog) and it gets hard but still I try and help them out.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rockmanfl
      I think it's very important to ask when you're not srue, I've learned so much from forums like this and that information is so valuable. I've found people on here and really friendly and will offer to help a lot and even if it's something that's been discussed before, they'll help point you in the right direction
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  • Profile picture of the author BlazingSwitch
    I get them almost daily.

    I get them from some past or existing consulting clients, or hosting customers, or just friends. Also the occasional who reads some point on a forum and contacts me for additional information.

    If it is a quick hit and run. I do not mind IM. But if it's a detailed conversation. I prefer phone or email.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    The comment about being invisible will surely ring true for so many Warriors that it is quite sad. I would hope that asking questions and being a little cheeky goes beyond just using Warrior forum - but it seems like a lot of newer members do not feel 'significant enough' to do this.

    I hope that changes!
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  • Profile picture of the author IM Listing
    I tend to always have questions in my business whether it's business business business to client client business it seems like there's always questions to be asked and to be answered no matter who you are what you are or what you do where you go.
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  • Profile picture of the author InternetM39482
    I Google most of what I want to know and usually, I figure it out.

    In cases I can't, I'll ask my friends who might be knowledgeable in that area and if it doesn't work out, I'll ask the experts.

    So yes, I do ask the experts when its required but I make sure I have taken the initiative to find the answers myself, first.
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  • Profile picture of the author ryanbiddulph
    I tend to ask more questions these days.

    For a while, I didn't. It was an ego thing. I also feared rejection. Interesting mix.

    With a dose of confidence, a little less pride and a hunger to get really good at this stuff I began to question and network with some of the big dawgs.

    A number of these guys will answer your question if asked which is both cool, and smart. They became successful by realizing that each good deed is prospered and most are down to earth guys, so they answer.

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  • Profile picture of the author Joel Gray
    Initially we all ended up here because we had questions about IM, but if you take the time to join the WF I do not see why you would not ask questions. Now I would suggest that anyone that has IM questions make sure that the questions have not already been answered somewhere else in the WF, but other than that go ahead and ask the questions as some of the answers you will get may be worth 5 figures!

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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Joel - I know exactly what you are saying, but it seems that the obvious questions, which can be easily answered by searching are the ones that get asked most. The really meaty questions, don't seem to get asked too often...
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  • Profile picture of the author Alfred Shelver
    As a newbie my belief that yes asking questions is important but i have often seen a newbie ask a question that was asked by another newbie 3 days ago.

    I do not want to be thought of as the person who does not even have enough motivation to search before asking a question. Maybe i am wrong and maybe i care to much what others think but before i ask a question i make 100% sure i cant find the answer without starting a thread.... there are alot of answers on this forum so dont get to start as many threads as i would like
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    That's the thing isn't - so many people seem to be scared of asking experts?
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  • Profile picture of the author Joel Gray
    And the funny thing is that all the experts at one time or the other were like most of us and needed to get answers from somewhere. And once again like most of us migrated toward the Warrior Forum.

    Joel
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    • Profile picture of the author sanssecret
      My mother always told me, 'shy bairns get no broth'.

      Yes, a lot of questions have been asked and answered on the forums. But maybe the particular warrior whose opinion you most respect, didn't answer it? So why not ask them?

      They're no different to the rest of us. They're working for a living, paying bills, dealing with families, and wiping their own backsides after a trip to the loo. What's to be scared of?
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    Most of the experts have been members of WF at some point - quite a few modern gurus were here in the pre Vbulletin days.

    In fact, the only guru who I don't think I have ever seen on here is Eben Pagan.
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    • Profile picture of the author mcmahanusa
      If I have a question, my first step is to research it, to see if I can find the answer on my own. If that doesn't work, I research it again in a different source.
      I am reticent about approaching a heavy hitter only because I understand they must be inundated by emails, and even though they might have the kindest hearts, and the best intentions, answering every question might be too much of a drain upon their time.
      Of course, some heavy hitters spend most of their time in their mansions, or Lamborghinis (Veyron?), or at the beach
      Or so their sales letters would lead you to believe. No one like that on this forum, of course.
      Seriously, I am willing to approach anyone, but as a courtesy, and for my own satisfaction, I rarely do, but instead usually work it out on my own.
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    • Profile picture of the author JayXtreme
      Originally Posted by Steve Peters Benn View Post

      In fact, the only guru who I don't think I have ever seen on here is Eben Pagan.
      He's here.... that's for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author rhinocl
    You shouldn't shy away from asking questions. If someone can create a $997 product by answering your question, then the question has helped both of you.
    But don't waste people's time do some research first.
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  • Profile picture of the author April6e
    Like you said, I'm afraid to ask a question because it's usually simple stuff that they have answered a million times before.
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    April, usually a quick search on here will find what you are looking for. I've noticed quite a few people search by literally typing in a sentence such as 'how do I install an SSL certificate on my website'. It is often a lot better to search for just the keywords such as:

    'install SSL website'

    As it will return a lot more results and they will be pretty relevant.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    I tend to answer more questions than I ask...
    ...and the answers cause people question my sanity.
    So indirectly I cause a lot of questions to be asked. It's just always the same one.

    Are you crazy?

    Yes.
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Steve,

      Speaking from the other end of the discussion...

      I ask questions of my subscribers. Not every week, since I tend to try to reply to all of the answers, and that can take days.

      I also get asked a lot of questions. Sometimes they're so vague or would require so much depth (people don't know how much it could take to get to where a simple answer would suffice) that I don't always have the time.

      I hate that, but it's reality.

      On the flip side, I do try to answer. I got one recently that prompted a 15-page answer, in the form of a series for the newsletter. Another set me off on a Google search for a good tutorial, because the guy clearly didn't know the right terms to have ever found it on his own. But he was smart enough to know he had a problem, and what was needed to solve it.

      I love those kinds of people. "I don't need you to do it for me. Just tell me what street I need to be on to find the place for myself."

      That's the position that's most likely to get you a useful response from a busy person. They respect it, because they believe you'll do something with what they tell you.


      Paul
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      • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
        That is something I do not do enough of - I get asked a lot of questions, but I don't tend to ask subscribers / clients or customers too many questions.

        I have tried adding 'yes/no/not sure' type responses on web pages - but I'm not sure how much I trust people's responses on those kind of questionnaire forms.

        I know some 'gurus' ask their list what type of products they want - I'm not sure how useful this is.

        Totally agree about those who ask how to find out themselves versus 'what is the answer'. Self motivated, self started types - they are a pleasure to help!


        Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

        Steve,

        Speaking from the other end of the discussion...

        I ask questions of my subscribers. Not every week, since I tend to try to reply to all of the answers, and that can take days.

        I also get asked a lot of questions. Sometimes they're so vague or would require so much depth (people don't know how much it could take to get to where a simple answer would suffice) that I don't always have the time.

        I hate that, but it's reality.

        On the flip side, I do try to answer. I got one recently that prompted a 15-page answer, in the form of a series for the newsletter. Another set me off on a Google search for a good tutorial, because the guy clearly didn't know the right terms to have ever found it on his own. But he was smart enough to know he had a problem, and what was needed to solve it.

        I love those kinds of people. "I don't need you to do it for me. Just tell me what street I need to be on to find the place for myself."

        That's the position that's most likely to get you a useful response from a busy person. They respect it, because they believe you'll do something with what they tell you.


        Paul
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        • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
          Steve,
          ask their list what type of products they want - I'm not sure how useful this is.
          Depends on how you ask, and what the relationship is with your subscribers. The most effective systems I've found are to just read the feedback (I read ALL of it), and to do a 12-product survey. Learned that one from Marlon.

          The last one was pretty basic. I came up with 12 ideas for products I knew enough to easily create, titles for each, and brief descriptions. The question was very close to, "If I dropped all 12 of these on your desk right now, and told you you could keep one of them, which would it be?"

          I've done that a few times. Strangely, when I create the one they want, they buy it. My first real "home run" was a product that combined the first and second place answers in a survey like that. It was the very first ebook on list building.

          I ask a lot of questions of the experts who matter to me: My subscribers.


          Paul
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          • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
            Paul,
            I keep the really dumb questions (techo things) for my close personal friends who won't embarrass me !!
            [chuckle] Those are the ones I'm most likely to ask publicly.

            When I got a Macbook Pro, I asked here and in a group I'm part of that's got a ton of very technical people in it about software for it. Security stuff in the security/anti-spam group, and marketing and productivity software here.

            For marketing techniques, I tend to buy products from people I know have Real Clue, and then learn enough to be able to ask intelligent questions. Then I pick up the phone, or email someone with experience.

            A friend asked me today about the rates they should expect to pay for certain types of writing. I've been out of that gig for a decade or so, so I emailed Tiffany Dow and Bev Clement. Bev's got stuff going on, but Tiff emailed me back quickly. Put together with my experience and what I know of the guy's field, I had a useful answer for my friend within an hour or so.

            You can be a bear with very little brain and still get things done, if you know who the smart people are.


            Paul
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          • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
            Originally Posted by Paul Myers View Post

            Steve,Depends on how you ask, and what the relationship is with your subscribers. The most effective systems I've found are to just read the feedback (I read ALL of it), and to do a 12-product survey. Learned that one from Marlon.

            The last one was pretty basic. I came up with 12 ideas for products I knew enough to easily create, titles for each, and brief descriptions. The question was very close to, "If I dropped all 12 of these on your desk right now, and told you you could keep one of them, which would it be?"

            I've done that a few times. Strangely, when I create the one they want, they buy it. My first real "home run" was a product that combined the first and second place answers in a survey like that. It was the very first ebook on list building.

            I ask a lot of questions of the experts who matter to me: My subscribers.


            Paul
            I guess after a few years of doing corporate customer surveys and focus groups I began to see a real disconnect between what people said they wanted and what they bought.

            Probably been a mistake not to start asking more questions of my subscribers in terms of what they want...

            ta!
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            • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
              Steve,
              I guess after a few years of doing corporate customer surveys and focus groups I began to see a real disconnect between what people said they wanted and what they bought.
              People will tell you what they think will make them look smart.

              Ask what they think of pop-ups, and they hate them. But pop-ups work. Same with long copy in sales letters. It's fashionable to complain about such things.

              Notice the way I asked the question. "If you could only keep one of these..." No motivation to lie. I didn't ask them for an opinion. I asked for a decision.

              Focus groups are quite often influenced by strong individuals, first-speakers, etc. These folks had no influence from anyone outside their own heads. In circumstances like that, groups will generally tell you the truth. And they'll be much smarter than any of us since, by definition, they know what they want better than we do.


              Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author Paul Myers
      Dennis,
      Are you crazy?
      To which the proper response is, "That would take years of therapy."


      Paul
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Peters Benn
    I think you are spot on about focus groups - it certainly explains why they are so ineffective in terms of results versus behaviour.

    Having said that i can't help but wonder if a similar but far weaker phenomenon occurs on forums as well. I guess directly asking subscribers what they want eliminates this 'question' / honest bias and makes it something I really need to start doing!
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    • Profile picture of the author Lance K
      Ask questions? What? I thought every morsel of information known to man was available at either Wikipedia or EzineArticles.com.
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  • Profile picture of the author higginb3
    I'm never afraid to ask questions, I am more than willing to share what I know as well... After all, we are all headed to the same place on this earth.. none of us get outta here alive.
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  • Profile picture of the author Mbullard
    If you receive the same question more than 1 time, you should create the answer in an autoresponder and have it ready for the next time somebody asks, and they will. If it's asked more than once it usually will be asked again. You could also answer the questions you get asked all the time in your email signature file. You can create many of these signatures for all types of questions. When asked, find the right one, and send.
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  • Profile picture of the author ACGroup1
    I fumbled around and failed so much until I started asking questions. Now I kick myself for not asking first then taking action. Every time I get a paypal email saying "you've got money" I quickly flash back to when I just hoped to get any email that wasn't asking for money. If you want to reduce your learning curve, frustration, and failure rate, ask for help from someone that knows how to do what you want to do.
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