How much information is free information? How much should be guarded and how much should be shared? If you’re asked by someone, “How do you do this?” or “What methods work for you?”, should there always be an answer?
Say you receive a request from someone asking about some of your business practices or approaches.
Do you always offer an answer, or do you feel uncomfortable giving them one?
Is there a limit on help or is it part of the whole transparency and relationship building approach to social media?
Take it offline as well. It isn’t just restricted to social media.
We build relationships every day because we want to help people and be helped where needed. We offer our experience and ask for that of others when we become stuck.
Some relationships move to a higher level than others. Some may even become akin to partnerships without the legalese to say so.
Yet is there a time to draw the line at how much free help is offered? Is there some help that should be viewed as a business service? Where’s your line drawn?
photo credit: Jeff Bauche._.·´¯)
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How much information is too much information? Is there a part where your business head should come into play and you start charging for information?
via uberVU
How much information is too much information? Is there a part where your business head should come into play and you start charging for information?
via uberVU
How much information is too much information? Is there a part where your business head should come into play and you start charging for information?
via uberVU
This line is definitely a tricky one to balance and one I’ve had to encounter this new year a lot more. For close friends and people I’ve built sound relationships with online, and off, I’m very comfortable in helping them with their successes and endeavors. I see it as good will and karma.
When it’s a random person or company you don’t know, then that’s where the line gets thin, IMO. It may be similar information that is requested but there’s no relationship built there and I honestly become more reluctant to give out free help (all the time). Don’t get me wrong, good karma doesn’t always come from helping people you know but those you don’t, as well. I’ve done so numerous times but sometimes the requests get to be a lot and lose the point of being mutually beneficial and just for their own good.
A continued topic I think we could have over coffee or a beer and a very timely one, Danny – thanks!
Would you have a “limit” on the goodwill for those you’ve built a strong relationship with? Or, for argument’s sake, on the topics you’d offer free advice on?
Well I don’t think there is a Universal answer, but my first reaction, if in a situation where it is uncomfortable or your unsure about sharing, would be to suggest making it a more formal trade of information. Is there something they could share with you about what they know that would make you feel better about sharing with them? Mutual benefit is always better than one party benefiting.
Personally I am young and in an absorption stage. I want to take in as much as possible from all sources, so my reaction to that desire is that I share anything I have to offer. It is different, and there are much more confusing lines, when you are an authority. Being a professional with paid services requires you to draw lines.
I think that’s where the tough part comes in, Erik – you want to help and don’t want to let close relationships suffer. But can this then lead to being taken advantage of?
Hey Danny,
It’s definitely an interesting issue, and one that is becoming increasingly relevant as interest in the social media expands. As I see it, there are two sides to this argument; these being that of the community and that of the professional.
In one respect, the majority of what we know about the social media is a product of collective knowledge development therein. Questions are frequently collaboratively approached and addressed, and whilst the individual posing the question benefits from having their issues answered, the information recorded is a valuable resource for whatever comes afterwards.
On the other hand though, many of those engaged in the social media are either marketing or PR professionals for whom these platforms represent a livelihood. Any information given away freely within the social sphere has the potential to jeopardize the professional’s business; though arguably such actions may help to build perceived integrity at the same time.
It’s an interesting discussion and one that is likely to draw many differing perspectives.
TLR
I guess it can be likened to the article directory equation – how much do you wish to inform and how much do you hold back for your “own readers”.
And although we all share the same space, do some wish to share it more equally than others?
I think stop where it feels right – this goes for taking as well as giving. Most of us want to help, and appreciate being helped, but we know where to draw the line.
As far as jeopardising business goes, I find that a bit or even quite a lot of helpful advice goes a long way to winning business – after all a ten minute phone call, or a bit of advice in a blog post is hardly a substitute for years of training and experience in a given field.
There will always be those who refuse to pay for professional help – let them trawl the web for free information and tips, and good luck to them – they were never going to be a client anyway.
I agree; it’s one of the reasons all my initial consultations are free. I’ll also add small “bonuses” throughout a project, extras that I could charge for but instead prefer to build that relationship.
I guess the main question is, as I mentioned to Erik, when it comes to feeling that you’re being taken advantage of. It may be that the other party isn’t intentionally “pumping” you for information – yet how much of that information should they be expected to attain themselves?