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Linda's Soapbox
Why Don't People Read?
~~ by Linda Johnson, Linda's Computer Stop

As I mentioned in the last issue, in an attempt to better organize my incoming mail and also to keep spammers from grabbing my email address off my website, I removed most of the "mail to" links from my pages and am using feedback forms now.  Also, my last rant was about people assuming I have nothing better to do with my life than answer every email sent to me asking for free help.  I DO try to help people for free, but I do ask that they do it through the proper channels.

Here's the way I have it set up.  I basically have two forms people can use. 

• One is for people to use if they have a problem with something I sold them, find a broken link on my website, find an error on my site, have a question about my services or ebooks, or just want to submit feedback to me.  This is my CONTACT FORM.  It clearly states this:

"NOTE: This is NOT a form for you to submit free computer questions. This form is strictly for your use if you have a problem with my website, ezine, or any product or service I sell, or if you want to submit feedback or suggestions about my ezine or website.

"If you need answers to other problems or questions, use my Support page, to see your choices. If you submit a problem like "Microsoft Word won't print", using this form, I will NOT answer it."

• The other one is the ASK THE FLEET FORM which clearly says this:

"Use this form to submit questions or problems that you would like to have answered by ABC's Fleet of Writers. This is a FREE service, for subscribers only. Though we will try to answer all questions, we can not promise that we will and they will be answered in the order they are received, so please be patient. Thank you.

"You MUST be a current subscriber to ABC or your question will not be answered. If you are not a subscriber, click on the "Subscribe" link in the right sidebar of this page. It's free. Questions from non-subscribed email addresses will NOT be answered!"

Seems pretty straightforward to me.  No?

Well, let me tell you, during the past month I got 93 form submissions via my Contact Form asking for free computer help and I got 127 Ask the Fleet questions from email addresses that are NOT subscribed to ABC.

geeeesh!!

At first, I was personally sending each of these people an email explaining how to do this properly, then I realized this was futile.  The whole reason I set this up in the first place was to make LESS work for myself, not MORE.  I also started asking myself, "If these people can't even read the instructions on these forms, how on earth will they be able to follow the instructions if I do try to solve their problem?"

So, now, I simply delete all inappropriate questions sent via my Contact Form and all Ask the Fleet questions that come from non-subscribed email addies.  At first I felt guilty about this ... but now I do it, almost with pleasure. If I'm going to try to help people, the one prerequisite I have is that they are able to follow directions.  I really don't think that's too much to ask.  And certainly not too much to ask for something I do for FREE. 

I believe there are two types of people who use free services on the Internet:

1. Those who appreciate what they get and try to minimize the work done for them for free by following directions and being patient, courteous, and grateful. They understand that the more they do to help the free service, the longer it will remain in place for everyone.

2. Those who don't care about anyone but themselves and can't be bothered to read instructions.  They just want their problem solved NOW and they don't care if the free service disappears once their problem is solved.

My free services will continue to remain available for Type #1. Type #2 can go take a hike!

How do YOU feel about this?  Let me know by going to my Contact Form and sending me feedback.

Linda Johnson is a college instructor of all of the Microsoft Office Programs, as well as Adobe PhotoShop and Windows. She also teaches online distance learning classes in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word at Eclectic Academy. She has worked helpdesk and teaches and lectures at many local businesses and tech schools in her area. Support this newsletter by checking out Linda's eBooks, MS Word MAGIC!, Book I: Fonts, Fun & Formats and Book II: Table Wizardry, How To Get Started As a Software Trainer, and her newest series of MSOffice eBook Tutorials and CD