Why WIIFM (“What’s In It For Me”) Is Not the Best Approach
June 25, 2008 by Jodee
Filed under Freelance Writing
I noticed a thread on another discussion board talking about whether more established writers should help newbies. Apparently, some people think that we should leave the newbies to their own devices and not answer questions or give them a helping hand along the way.
This attitude is just plain wrong. Ever since I’ve been working online, I have been impressed more times than not about how generous people have been with their time and their advice. Some of them were people I was working with at the time, and others were just people who popped up to share their experiences on a message board and then went on their way.
People who will only share what they know if the WIIFM factor has been dealt with exist in the brick and mortar world, too. I wonder if they get some kind of a power trip from hanging onto their knowledge like a piece of hidden treasure.
One of the things I like about writing for a living is that I am constantly learning something. It might be an interesting fact, a great quote that I hadn’t heard before, or how to tackle an assignment in a different way. If it weren’t for people I’ve “met” online sharing what they know, I wouldn’t have learned
- How to Calculate Keyword Density
- How to Work Awkward Keywords into an Article
- How to Find Information Online
- How to Drive Traffic to a Website
and a lot of other things….
I’ve mentioned a few times here that the business of writing is about building relationships, and when we are generous with what we know by sharing information with other people, we are doing just that. We all have to start somewhere, and it doesn’t take a lot of effort to share what you know with your colleagues. Even if you don’t see any “benefit” from doing it immediately, doing the right thing is always in style.
Besides, at some point that new writer may be in a position to hire you!
Wow, look at the new digs! Very nice. I like it.
And I’ve seen people leave discussion groups because they bragged about how great they were and people asked how they did it. That person told them to research it. And they thought they were by asking about it!
I love to help people and share my knowledge. I’ve done it in all of my jobs. I see no reason to hoard info – it doesn’t give me any more job security. You win so many more friends by being generous.
I admit, though, that new writers should at least try to find info and get a base of knowledge before asking an experienced writer. Then the new writer will be able to form more specific questions rather than, “how do I make as much money as you do?”
Can I give one additional tiny bit of feedback? I like having links to other posts where you can jump from post to post without having to go back to the home page and find them. I don’t see them on the new design, but it certainly is a helpful feature.
I love the new color palette.
I like the new digs, too!
@ Becky: The only thing that I don’t like is when someone asks whether I can “get them into writing.” I can point them in the direction of jobs but that they would have to send out apps and do the work necessary to get started themselves. Some people don’t like that idea very much, unfortunately.
As far as the “how do I make as much money as you do” question is concerned, the answer is always the same: Work hard and do good work. (Rinse and repeat.)
First of all, I LOVE THE NEW LOOK! It’s soo purdy and professional all at the same time…
Now I agree that we should lend new writers a helping hand, I still feel very new some days. However, my thoughts are with becky on this. She said that new writers should at least try to find the information first. Far too often I see writers coming in and asking questions that have already been answered. I have no problem answering again but I have to draw the line when the someone posts looking for the answers to their questions or continues to ask the same questions when they don’t feel they’ve gotten enough answers or still don’t understand. Maybe that’s a different topic entirely but I’ve seen simply too much lately.
On the same hand, I read a post on another blog about just how unhelpful some work at home discussion boards are. The writer talks about how many people on discussion boards (wahm ones in particular) are simply after their own agenda and how many posters on these wahm boards will ever be completely truthful and in many cases lie to you. I don’t agree with it (I did write my own post and view on this at my own site).
Still, it’s sad to see that other writers would choose not to share what they know. I can’t imagine not helping someone who needs it, but I think that in order to be a writer, you have to start looking for the information yourself and not rely on everyone else to fill in the blanks.
@ Nikki: Good point about people looking for their own information. I once worked with someone in an office who thought that rather than use her own brain that it was easier to just ask her co-workers whatever she needed to know. The straw that broke the camel’s back for me was when she asked me what size envelope to use to mail something!!! (Um…whatever size you need to put the letter and enclosures in…)
I know I have said that there is no such thing as a stupid question, but come on! Sheesh!
You know, I have had several friends ask how to do what I do. I have a rather lengthy email that I send their way when they do. As far as job security goes, not one of them has chosen to pursue what I do. I think sharing the info is a great idea. It helps them learn what I do, decide whether or not they want to do it, all without spending a dime or too much precious time researching. I’m not a wealthy freelancer, but I have enough to pay my bills and only work a few hours a day, so I am happy, and happy to share. I think the idea is that we don’t want to create “competition,” but if you are worth your salt as a writer, a newbie isn’t going to be that much competition.
@ Nicole: Other writers are friends, colleagues and “competition” – but in a good way. If I’m not a good fit for something, then I’m not going to get the job. Trying to sabotage the competition by lying or withholding information won’t change that fact.
I tend to classify people who withhold information just because they can in the same group as the people who flag a Craigslist ad so no one else can apply for the job. It’s silly, childish, and ends up making them look bad.
As for competition–creating competition is one of the best things anyone can do for their business. I write ebooks for a living. Recently, I started a blog that, hopefully, will help people write their own ebooks more effectively. If a reader takes that information and becomes a competitor, that’s fantastic. I’ll have to work harder and smarter to get the jobs I want.
For someone who is easily lulled into complacency, I need that challenge.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Jodee. Because of helpful advice from experienced writers I’ve found jobs, gotten great career advice and decided to pay it forward whenever I can. I might not have all the right answers all the time but my heart is certainly in the right place when I give out advice.
@ Jodee – If there’s a question that’s been asked a hundred times, then I would expect a new writer to at least search and read through what’s already been said. After that, if they can’t find what answers they needed, then they should definitely ask. I get frustrated at writers, though, who view everyone else as competition. I would prefer to call them colleagues.
A successful freelancer answered a few of my questions when I was starting out and I don’t think I would have had as much confidence in myself without her encouragement.
@Shawn, that’s a fantastic point. Complacency makes a writer dull. Being on our toes, I believe, brings out the best in us.
My personal philosophy is that you reap what you sow. I see no reason not to help people when I can and I would hope others would do the same for me – generally I find that to happen.
I love the new design!! I’ve been away for a couple of days dealing with strep running rampant through my house and I come back to a whole new page! Awesome!
Writers who refuse to help newbies are…I can’t even think of something to illustrate my thoughts on what they are.
When I began blogging, Jennifer Chait was the reason I landed my first gig. She was and is someone I admire with much more experience. I took a page from her book and offered the gig to a friend who was looking to break into blogging when I was ready to resign.
Without a supportive community of writers, I don’t see how a new writer can feel comfortable or have anyone to look up to. That is one reason I love this blog/community and the Absolute Write forums. Nearly everyone, new and veteran, is supportive, friendly, and generally full of good advice.
I’ll help newbies when I can. Heck, I’ve even subbed out work to a few of them. Also helps reinforce in my own mind what I’m doing.
Jodee, I like this post a lot. What you say really applies to most areas of life. Yes, there is a difference (as others have pointed out) between those who are asking because they don’t know and those who are simply lazy. I do think sometimes you can be so new to something you don’t even know where to start, which is also different. As more time goes by I realize just how important community and a network are. Maybe even more than important, essential even.
There’s one great reason to help writers that are newer than you: being able to just talk to a writer — even one with a little less experience — can help you improve your own work. Talking through problems, getting a second writer’s opinion, all of that can come from any other writer — not just those that have been on the job for decades.
Good post!
I like the last sentence best -because a lot of people discount what the future may hold.
Don’t bite the hand that just might FEED you tomorrow.
Great advice. Thanks.
~victoria