Comments on: Why WIIFM (”What’s In It For Me”) Is Not the Best Approach http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/ Mutual Respect Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:51:11 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Victoria http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29367 Victoria Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:16:54 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29367 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 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

]]> By: Thursday Bram http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29325 Thursday Bram Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:17:57 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29325 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. 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.

]]> By: Morgan http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29270 Morgan Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:22:18 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29270 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. 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.

]]> By: Phil http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29194 Phil Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:15:30 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29194 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. 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.

]]> By: Julie F http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29143 Julie F Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:06:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29143 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. 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.

]]> By: Andrea http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29134 Andrea Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:30:19 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29134 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! 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!

]]> By: Mariella http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29113 Mariella Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:47:42 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29113 @Shawn, that's a fantastic point. Complacency makes a writer dull. Being on our toes, I believe, brings out the best in us. @Shawn, that’s a fantastic point. Complacency makes a writer dull. Being on our toes, I believe, brings out the best in us.

]]> By: becky http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29088 becky Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:59:40 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29088 @ 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. @ 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.

]]> By: Dana - The Writer's Blog http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29080 Dana - The Writer's Blog Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:38:10 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29080 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. 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.

]]> By: Shawn Norris http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/comment-page-1/#comment-29074 Shawn Norris Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:12:55 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/why-wiifm-whats-in-it-for-me-is-not-the-best-approach/#comment-29074 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 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.

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