What can we tell new members in easy to understand words to help them?
By ctrymuziklvr
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
United States
December 4, 2007 7:33am CST
After reading responses to one of my previous discussions it's so obvious that a lot of the newer members may have read the guidelines here but don't understand them. Maybe mylot isn't taking into consideration that a lot of the foreign members don't understand as well as those of us who speak English every day of our lives. So, let's try to give the new members the benefit of our knowledge of mylot and explain the makings of a good discussion!
Next to this box is says Please be as descriptive as possible. The more details you provide, the more likely you are to receive responses to your discussion. This is the reason we are starting discussions....to get responses so we can earn money.
A discussion that says "I like country music do you?" is not a good discussion. You have to talk about WHY you like it and mention your favorites. It helps to ask questions at the end like "who is your favorite singer or group".
If you make 100 one liner discussions you aren't going to earn any money here. If you're here just for the fun of it then that's all well and good and you can do it if you want to. But, another thing is that your one liners aren't helping your friends earn because you aren't giving them discussions to respond to!
Ok, who else has something to offer our newer members to help them with their mylot earnings?
4 people like this
8 responses
@raychill (6525)
• United States
4 Dec 07
Honestly I just don't think people bother reading the guidelines. It isn't that they can't understand them, but more so they don't bother looking.
Maybe I'm just unfaithful in people (this is very true) but I just really doubt people will take the time and effort to do so.
For instance, I constantly see questions asked about "why do I not have a star by my name" or "what does that star indicate". If one read the guidelines, they would not have to ask. If one bothered to search for posts (clearly labeled in a box called SEARCH) they would find the billions of posts where people have already asked and answered said question.
I think, aside from the guidelines, people need to learn to SEARCH for messages. I see the same questions asked over and over and over and OVER again and again and AGAIN by different users because no one bothers to search for it and see if it's been spoken of before.
I'm pretty cynical.
2 people like this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
4 Dec 07
raychill - interesting you say that about repeating questions to start discussions againa nd again.... I see that to, even quilty of it myself,and have started trying to do better, but I wonder if it is intentionaly or just wanting to chat so instead of searching for one already started, you just start one yourself so you can keep track of it better and then the thought of the possibility of a better chance of earnings if you start the discussion and it gets going and going and you can respond to those repsonded to you as opposed to posting a response to an existing discussion and that might not have any other responses or responses in several weeks/months. I'm cynical to a point too, but I also beat myself to a pulp giving hte benefit of the doubt! But this is rather an intersting topic - would like to hear more about it! I started one discussion and the responses were to the point and intelligen - a good list of thoughts and responses and then I noticed another discussion about the same topic and read it and it was full of those one liners and just malarky answers, some even a bit rude and not about the discussion hardly. So.. anyone have a happy medium to offer out?
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
5 Dec 07
Well Coffeebreak, as with all rules there are always exceptions.
What I was implying was those people who constantly ask "what does that star mean" "why did I have a red 9 yesterday and now I have a yellow 7" "why don't I have a star?" all they have to do is SEARCH for it. I'm not saying ALL posts can't be repeated because I think there are exceptions in which a post can be repeated.
However, there are other occasions like right now with it being the holidays I've seen numerous posts like "what is your favorite holiday movie" and etc. I just don't think we need to have 10 of them right now. Or "did you decorate yet?" over and over again.
I understand your point and again, there are always exceptions. (Don't kill, but it's okay if it's in self defense...ALWAYS exceptions) but most mylotters who repeat are not exceptions.
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Dec 07
My thought on repeat discussions is that some people can't think of anything to discuss and asking questions about mylot seems like an easy way out. Not to mention they probably didn't read the guidelines and really don't know.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
4 Dec 07
I would recommend not just reading the title or the first few words - but the entire discussions - too often the answers are off topic. And not answer yes or no or the like. The worst is, "Never heard of it, can't give an opinion". And comments of the like.
I don't always give my opinion in the initial discussion because I don't won't to slant the reader either way - plus I like to engage in a discussion - so when people answer - then I continue the discussion with my views and experience.
I tend to sometimes write TOO much in the initial thread starter - a happy medium is optimal.
There are a lot of great discussions here - something for everyone, and if everyone did follow these rules we could have even more fun - and make some money at the same time!
2 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Dec 07
Having fun and making money are the reasons most of us are here. Some people make it less fun when they try to ruin everything don't they?
@unicorn_vaibhav (462)
• India
4 Dec 07
Simplest advice to newbies would be too have them write their posts correctly and sincerely and not only for sake of money. Give a though before posting and make meaningful posts
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Dec 07
All very good advice. I wonder if any new members are reading this....lol
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
4 Dec 07
Take the time to read the posting carefully before responding, and try to respond with more than just one line. Just adding a simple *I agree/disagree* isn't really productive
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
4 Dec 07
Don't "Post to “flame” other users! Being mean to others is just not fun. Anything derogatory that is directed at a myLot user is strictly prohibited. Just be nice and have fun!" -It's fine to disagree with a person's opinion but there is no reason to be nasty about it.
If a person posts a fact about their personal life that you personally don't agree with don't start name calling and saying that they are a horrible, irresponsible person. Find a tactful way to respond or better yet don't respond at all. It isn't nice to attack people for their lives and there is no point in arguing with them over something that they know is true for them just because you disagree or don't like it.
2 people like this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Dec 07
Most times I think it's best not to respond at all since all some people can say is bad things. Of course it's going to hurt someones feelings since we're only human.
@girlgonefishing (2174)
• United States
4 Dec 07
I think having friends is very important. Especially if you are always willing to read their discussions, rate them and tag them. If you do that, they will be more likely to watch for your discussions and return the favor.
2 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
5 Dec 07
I have found that i make good if i answer lots of discussions with a nice answer.I do not open a large amount of discussions, but i do answer a lot of them and that pays well..I do know that short answers do not get it, it is best to not answer at all rather than say something like"I don't know"..That is not a good answer or reply to any discussion..It has no depth, no reasoning to your answer..I have noticed a lot of new mylotters do this and that is not good...I understand that some of the ones from other countries do not know english as well as us, but they could learn a lot of english by taking note of our spelling and the way we reply...You are right about what you said, people will not answer a one liner very often, they must make it interesting...
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
4 Dec 07
I agree, ctry, that sometimes things seem to be getting lost in translation here on myLot. You brought out some very good points and I would only like to add that it is frustrating when some of the responders who obviously speak a different first language, give responses that don't address the topic at all. It is those times that I will sometimes try to explain a bit more exactly what I am discussing. We should all try to help those newer members who seem to be struggling with language problems, as for the one-liners, I don't know how we can help them.
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
5 Dec 07
Hopefully we are helping the new members with this discussion. Earlier today I noticed two members who's discussions consisted of ???????????? and I'm wondering if they finally got deleted or they stopped doing it and started doing the right thing.
