Ever bogged down on a project and wished for a friendly professional to lend you a hand? Twitter is burgeoning with highly-caffeinated pros eager to share their knowledge in 140 characters or less. Follow these five simple steps to get free help from genuine pros in real time.
1. Clarify Your Need -
When you’re frustrated and need help with something, your first instinct will be to express your struggle in very general terms. Having trouble with a Wordpress plug-in? Your immediate response will be, “I need help with Wordpress!” when your real need is not with Wordpress, but with a specific plug-in. If you Tweet “Can anybody help me with Wordpress?” most of the professionals will ignore you because they don’t have time to clarify your need for you. That’s what clients pay for. Step away from the frustration-induced generalities and find focus by describing your problem in specific terms.
You need to move from, “I suck at Wordpress.” to “I’m having trouble getting the Sociable plug-in to display buttons correctly.” There isn’t a single perfect way to find clarity in a crisis situation. However, a few tried-and-true methods are physical activity, laughter, or talking to a friend who takes absolutely no interest in your predicament. Everybody needs a friend who thinks the internet is stupid. If you don’t have one, do what you can to find one. They’re great for reality checks.
2. Create Your Question -
Once you’ve defined your problem, it’s often a simple matter to create a question. Continuing the plug-in example, your question might look something like, “How can I get Sociable buttons to display correctly in Wordpress?” That’s not bad for a basic question, but you can do better. Remember, the more concrete and particular your question is, the more likely you’ll be to get a useful response. “How can I get Sociable buttons to display only on the home page?” is a good question because it requires a single answer, not a conversation.
Once you’ve clarified your need and crafted a very specific question, it’s time to move toward finding a solution.
3. Leverage Existing Resources -
“Existing resources” are the answers already available to you online. If you have your question crafted and ready to ask, there’s something very, very important you must do before sending it as a Tweet.
Type your question into a search engine and check the first few pages of results for a solution to your problem.
Google, Bing, and Yahoo! are just a few search tools that will allow you to look for an answer before asking your Twitter followers for help.
There are many free tutorials online that provide step-by-step solutions to many of life’s persistent questions. If you can’t seem to find an answer, go ahead and tweet your question. Now that you’ve already seen some search engine results, you’ll be able to quickly see through the users on Twitter who delight in providing friendly answers remarkably like those on the front page of Google.
Serendipity? I think not. If you don’t believe me, try asking your followers, “Where can I buy spotted prawns online?” Most of the responses will point you to “great-alaska-seafood.com”…the top result from a Google search. It’s in poor taste to ask another to do something you might have already done for yourself. Don’t be lazy.
4. Tweet For A Solution -
If search engines fail to provide you with a satisfactory answer, it’s time to leverage your Twitter community for a solution. For best results, do this with two tweets.
- Let your followers know you’re going to tweet a question. “I need help! If you know a Wordpress plug-in pro, would you mind forwarding my next Tweet to him?” Is a great opening Tweet because it primes your followers for the upcoming question.
- “Do you know how to make Sociable display buttons on a specific page? Thanks for the help!” Is concise, friendly, and an easy question for a knowledgeable user to answer.
If you don’t get an immediate response, don’t worry. It can take awhile for your question to find a professional with time to answer. Just wait a few hours and ask again. Patience is a good thing. Remember the three P’s of information procurement and be precise, pleasant, and persistent until you find a solution.
5. Promote Your Savior -
We all know to thank people who help us. It’s simply the polite thing to do. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get sucked back into a project as soon as we find a solution. Make a point to say thanks before going back to work. When you’ve received help on Twitter, it’s important to go beyond a simple “Thank You” and take a moment to recognize the person who gave you help. Thank everybody who made an effort and give special attention to the person who provided the final solution. You don’t have to gush and insist that everybody follow that person. (Although that might be nice.) Just make a point to be pleasant and thankful.
Use these five steps whenever you run into trouble and you’ll discover that Twitter isn’t just another search engine. It’s a group of wildly different people willing to offer insight and wisdom on more topics than you’ll ever think to struggle with. If you take the time to be clear in your requests, thoughtful in your actions, and grateful in your responses, Twitter has an excellent track record of returning surprising value.
Do you have any additional thoughts or a story about a project saved by a Twitter follower? I’d appreciate your input!
You could also try threats… I find they work if they include small fluffy animals and sharp objects.
Seriously though, good advice Seth. Dealing in generalities in particular is bad enough and indeed with 140 characters its hard to be specific sometimes, but the more specific the better. This goes for Search Engines as well of course.
You could also try threats… I find they work if they include small fluffy animals and sharp objects.
Seriously though, good advice Seth. Dealing in generalities in particular is bad enough and indeed with 140 characters its hard to be specific sometimes, but the more specific the better. This goes for Search Engines as well of course.
“Help me now or the duckling gets it!”
Something along those lines? =)
I think it's possible to narrow most problems (especially those with websites) down to the point where a great question can be asked in 140 characters even if the solution-provider takes a little more space to answer.
Thanks!
“Help me now or the duckling gets it!”
Something along those lines? =)
I think it's possible to narrow most problems (especially those with websites) down to the point where a great question can be asked in 140 characters even if the solution-provider takes a little more space to answer.
Thanks!
I'm going to take this opportunity to demonstrate #5 and give a big thank-you to Seth for helping me out via Twitter on Monday, both with a task and a solid lesson.
Thanks man!
I'm going to take this opportunity to demonstrate #5 and give a big thank-you to Seth for helping me out via Twitter on Monday, both with a task and a solid lesson.
Thanks man!
Ooh, that.
I was just being grouchy. I'm glad you found it useful. =)
I've asked a lot of people for help and stumbled quite a few times. Anything I can pass on is a pleasure.
Thanks Nate!
Ooh, that.
I was just being grouchy. I'm glad you found it useful. =)
I've asked a lot of people for help and stumbled quite a few times. Anything I can pass on is a pleasure.
Thanks Nate!
For my friends who struggle with #3 and ask me first instead of Googling for the answer, I give my answer to them in this form: http://tinyurl.com/mwq9kt
While it may seem mean, it has helped to change some habits. Even better, I've received some backatcha replies in this form from my friends when I seek answers I should have Googled for first
(Love it!)
For my friends who struggle with #3 and ask me first instead of Googling for the answer, I give my answer to them in this form: http://tinyurl.com/mwq9kt
While it may seem mean, it has helped to change some habits. Even better, I've received some backatcha replies in this form from my friends when I seek answers I should have Googled for first
(Love it!)
I love that site!
Somebody asked one of *those* questions earlier today and I responded on Twitter with “Allow me” and a bit.ly link to the google search results for their question. Made the point handily. =)
I think it's a great habit to put the personal effort in before even thinking of asking for help. Search.twitter.com is useful, but trying to use your followers as a concierge service? Meh.
Thanks Sarah!
I love that site!
Somebody asked one of *those* questions earlier today and I responded on Twitter with “Allow me” and a bit.ly link to the google search results for their question. Made the point handily. =)
I think it's a great habit to put the personal effort in before even thinking of asking for help. Search.twitter.com is useful, but trying to use your followers as a concierge service? Meh.
Thanks Sarah!
Thanks, Seth. I ask a lot of questions (especially on FB) before thinking and then while waiting for an answer, get bored and go find it myself on Google. I'm learning to slow down and Google before I ask.
Thanks, Seth. I ask a lot of questions (especially on FB) before thinking and then while waiting for an answer, get bored and go find it myself on Google. I'm learning to slow down and Google before I ask.
Like you said on Twitter, following these steps has the added benefit of making you seem much, much smarter because you end up asking only the thoughtful, well-built questions. =)
Thanks Jessica!
Like you said on Twitter, following these steps has the added benefit of making you seem much, much smarter because you end up asking only the thoughtful, well-built questions. =)
Thanks Jessica!
Great post Seth. I've definitely found that if you ask the right question(s) at the right time, you will receive lots of great feedback and differing viewpoints. It also helps to follow up – meaning don't be shy if no one responds the first time you ask. Think up another way to ask in order to get the response(s) you are looking for. And, I know that your post is focused on Twitter, but I have to add that LinkedIn is also a good place to get input depending on what it is you are looking for, especially if you are asking specific groups where you undoubtedly will get lots of responses. It's interesting to see the difference in responses you might get posting a similar question on both Twitter and LinkedIn. Again, thanks for the great post.
@KimBrater
Great post Seth. I've definitely found that if you ask the right question(s) at the right time, you will receive lots of great feedback and differing viewpoints. It also helps to follow up – meaning don't be shy if no one responds the first time you ask. Think up another way to ask in order to get the response(s) you are looking for. And, I know that your post is focused on Twitter, but I have to add that LinkedIn is also a good place to get input depending on what it is you are looking for, especially if you are asking specific groups where you undoubtedly will get lots of responses. It's interesting to see the difference in responses you might get posting a similar question on both Twitter and LinkedIn. Again, thanks for the great post.
@KimBrater
Just a question. Why is it that we accept BING so quickly?
Just a question. Why is it that we accept BING so quickly?
This is cool and nice of you to share. Thank you!
Hello, my name is Jeannie…
This is cool and nice of you to share. Thank you!
Hello, my name is Jeannie…
Well said!
A huge benefit of being this concrete is that anyone listening to the “Sociable” tweetstream will pick up on your tweet even if they're not following you.
Thanks for the tips.
Well said!
A huge benefit of being this concrete is that anyone listening to the “Sociable” tweetstream will pick up on your tweet even if they're not following you.
Thanks for the tips.
Hi Kim!
Yes, I think the same sort of process applies to Linked-In or any other social network you're hoping to leverage for help. Being pleasant, putting effort into finding a solution before asking for help, and asking great questions will provide a lot of mileage no matter what the precise context is. It's worked for me!
Thanks!
Hi Kim!
Yes, I think the same sort of process applies to Linked-In or any other social network you're hoping to leverage for help. Being pleasant, putting effort into finding a solution before asking for help, and asking great questions will provide a lot of mileage no matter what the precise context is. It's worked for me!
Thanks!
I recently asked for help on twitter. Sent it along the lines of 'Need blogging help that requires more than 140 characters. Help please?'
Got three replies from wonderful who helped out enormously. Reading this post, I'm beginning to realize that being more specific would have gotten me more targeted help.
One of them asked me for a guest post in return for their help. Loved being asked that! I get to help someone else out too.
I recently asked for help on twitter. Sent it along the lines of 'Need blogging help that requires more than 140 characters. Help please?'
Got three replies from wonderful who helped out enormously. Reading this post, I'm beginning to realize that being more specific would have gotten me more targeted help.
One of them asked me for a guest post in return for their help. Loved being asked that! I get to help someone else out too.
Because it was presented as a search alternative and, all things considered, it's actually pretty good at what it does? Sure, Google trumps it for some types of search but I think Bing did a great job hitting the ground running and certainly deserves a spot as a search “option.”
Because it was presented as a search alternative and, all things considered, it's actually pretty good at what it does? Sure, Google trumps it for some types of search but I think Bing did a great job hitting the ground running and certainly deserves a spot as a search “option.”
Hi Jeannie,
Glad to meet you. Quick hint: If you reduce the image size of your header, it won't bleed to the right and make your theme look broken. Some themes will automatically compress a header image to fit…unfortunately yours isn't one of them. Crop it down a bit, re-upload, and you'll be sailing free!
Thanks for reading!
Hi Jeannie,
Glad to meet you. Quick hint: If you reduce the image size of your header, it won't bleed to the right and make your theme look broken. Some themes will automatically compress a header image to fit…unfortunately yours isn't one of them. Crop it down a bit, re-upload, and you'll be sailing free!
Thanks for reading!
Precisely. You're also giving those same people who love to google things an opportunity to still be helpful while you maintain some control over the types of answers you can hope to get.
Precisely. You're also giving those same people who love to google things an opportunity to still be helpful while you maintain some control over the types of answers you can hope to get.
Nice post.
I would just add that this strategy is more likely to pay off if you have “built your network before you need it.”
This is a concept I've seen Problogger talk about and it makes a lot of sense to me. The idea being, of course, that if you can build a strong network of online friends before you need help with something or an answer to a question, you will be much more likely to find help in your time of need.
Nice post.
I would just add that this strategy is more likely to pay off if you have “built your network before you need it.”
This is a concept I've seen Problogger talk about and it makes a lot of sense to me. The idea being, of course, that if you can build a strong network of online friends before you need help with something or an answer to a question, you will be much more likely to find help in your time of need.
Helping people out is one of the fastest way to build friends. Ever.
Asking great questions and promoting people who help you out is a fast track toward a strong network.
I think Darren's method applies more toward the monetization side of things than the actual networking portion?
Thanks Leo!
Helping people out is one of the fastest way to build friends. Ever.
Asking great questions and promoting people who help you out is a fast track toward a strong network.
I think Darren's method applies more toward the monetization side of things than the actual networking portion?
Thanks Leo!
Yes! Specific questions tend to deliver much, much better returns. You still got help though and that says a lot about the people on Twitter. =)
Good ol' guest posts. I'm sure yours was great!
Thanks Samar!
Yes! Specific questions tend to deliver much, much better returns. You still got help though and that says a lot about the people on Twitter. =)
Good ol' guest posts. I'm sure yours was great!
Thanks Samar!
I asked for help in locating a flux capacitator for my friend Doc. Seemingly his buddy that was supposed to be helping him buggered off to play some impromptu guitar. Kids, eh?
Anyhoo… never did get that flux thingie. Haven't seen Doc for more than 50 years. So I'm not sure – can you be too specific?
I asked for help in locating a flux capacitator for my friend Doc. Seemingly his buddy that was supposed to be helping him buggered off to play some impromptu guitar. Kids, eh?
Anyhoo… never did get that flux thingie. Haven't seen Doc for more than 50 years. So I'm not sure – can you be too specific?
One of the 1.2 gigawatt models? LOL.
If you ask very specific questions about time machines on Twitter, I'm certain you'll get great answers.
That said, shouldn't you have simply queried a search engine? The cool thing about these 5 steps is that they weed out most of the questions we really can answer on our own.
Thanks for the laugh, Danny! =)
One of the 1.2 gigawatt models? LOL.
If you ask very specific questions about time machines on Twitter, I'm certain you'll get great answers.
That said, shouldn't you have simply queried a search engine? The cool thing about these 5 steps is that they weed out most of the questions we really can answer on our own.
Thanks for the laugh, Danny! =)
Well there's a fine how do you do. I followed your advice and everyone just said “Let me know when you find one.” This Twitter thing is a strange beast – I thought I was asking for help, not the other way round. Is this what they mean when saying “Engage in social media”?
Well there's a fine how do you do. I followed your advice and everyone just said “Let me know when you find one.” This Twitter thing is a strange beast – I thought I was asking for help, not the other way round. Is this what they mean when saying “Engage in social media”?
Looks like I'm late. Very good common sense (something we often forget) article.
Looks like I'm late. Very good common sense (something we often forget) article.
You're never late, David.
I know it's “common sense” but it seems to be growing less common on Twitter as more people treat the platform as a place to ask questions a search engine would do a better job of answering.
One step at a time. We'll make it. Right. It was either this or start sending people the “Let me Google that for you” link…and I'm trying to be nicer these days. =)
Thanks!
You're never late, David.
I know it's “common sense” but it seems to be growing less common on Twitter as more people treat the platform as a place to ask questions a search engine would do a better job of answering.
One step at a time. We'll make it. Right. It was either this or start sending people the “Let me Google that for you” link…and I'm trying to be nicer these days. =)
Thanks!
If you walk into a bar, expect to find people drinking. =)
“Engagement” has turned into a bucket of drivel on many accounts. Getting people to say something isn't so hard. Getting them to dedicate their mental capacity toward something you are also fixated on…that's engagement. Passion is magnetic, sir.
If you walk into a bar, expect to find people drinking. =)
“Engagement” has turned into a bucket of drivel on many accounts. Getting people to say something isn't so hard. Getting them to dedicate their mental capacity toward something you are also fixated on…that's engagement. Passion is magnetic, sir.
what exactly does Bing “do” that is different?
what exactly does Bing “do” that is different?
It isn't loyal to YouTube so you get search results from all video platforms. (Hulu included) They also seem to index things differently than Google does. I have only a few items that rank equally with Bing and Google. That tells me they're mixing things up a bit. When I'm looking for a specific result, it's nice to have access to tools that search in different ways.
Their homepage is much nicer, too. =P
It isn't loyal to YouTube so you get search results from all video platforms. (Hulu included) They also seem to index things differently than Google does. I have only a few items that rank equally with Bing and Google. That tells me they're mixing things up a bit. When I'm looking for a specific result, it's nice to have access to tools that search in different ways.
Their homepage is much nicer, too. =P
How do I post a question at Twitter re a problem I have (I've lost the search box and saved searches at my site)? I can't find anywhere to do so at Twitter's help site. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
How do I post a question at Twitter re a problem I have (I've lost the search box and saved searches at my site)? I can't find anywhere to do so at Twitter's help site. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
It's okay, folks! Twitter has restored my search box and saved searches. Sorry to have bothered y'all. I swear Twitter is going to do me in one of these days. Nothing but problems, problems, problems!
It's okay, folks! Twitter has restored my search box and saved searches. Sorry to have bothered y'all. I swear Twitter is going to do me in one of these days. Nothing but problems, problems, problems!
Hi Marie!
Twitter announced that they were dropping a few sidebar features because their system was overloaded. Function, as promised by Twitter and discovered by yourself, was restored soon after.
The Twitter blog is a great place to check for updates. I'm sorry I didn't see your question sooner or I'd have shot you a quick answer on Twitter!
Thanks!
Hi Marie!
Twitter announced that they were dropping a few sidebar features because their system was overloaded. Function, as promised by Twitter and discovered by yourself, was restored soon after.
The Twitter blog is a great place to check for updates. I'm sorry I didn't see your question sooner or I'd have shot you a quick answer on Twitter!
Thanks!
Thank you for contacting me, Seth. I really appreciate it. In hindsight, I imagine the shock of Michael Jackson's death tied up Twitter beyond belief. I think that's what caused some temporary hiccups. I'm going to try to find your Twitter site so that I can follow you. I'm there as MarieNL.
Thank you for contacting me, Seth. I really appreciate it. In hindsight, I imagine the shock of Michael Jackson's death tied up Twitter beyond belief. I think that's what caused some temporary hiccups. I'm going to try to find your Twitter site so that I can follow you. I'm there as MarieNL.
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