Guru Job Offered--Many hours/no pay

[Forum Boss]

Folks,

We've got a problem. As the site grows in popularity, I am getting deluged with email requesting advice on everything from stock design to mirage reading. We are getting a lot of requests along the lines of "I can't find any information on loading for the .257 Roberts Ackley 0.150 short--will you please do a QuickLOAD work up for me."

This evening I spent two HOURS answering email--and that's all just from today!

Anyway, is there someone out there, very knowledgeable, who would be interested in fielding some of these questions?

- - - -

Or, alternatively, should I limit access to question answering and research to people who donate to the site?

Something has to change because I think you want your editor to be an editor and produce more big stories and tests, rather than spend 10-15 hours per week answering individual questions.

Any advice?

This is complicated by the fact that doing the Bulletin EVERY DAY is burning up a considerable amount of time.

 

[Ogre6br]

replied via email
P

 

[dreever]

Isn't that what the forums are for? I would post just that, and refrain from becoming bogged down with answering individual e-mails.

 

[rstreich]

What Danny said.

It'd be better for them in the long run as they'd likely get a wider range of opinions on their questions and it'd drive more traffic to the site as a whole.

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

What Danny said.

It'd be better for them in the long run as they'd likely get a wider range of opinions on their questions and it'd drive more traffic to the site as a whole.

+1

Finding out where and how to access the information that's needed is an integral part of the learning process.

 

[jb1000br]

Copy and paste the question in the correct forum, then email them back a link to the post.

JB

 

[memilanuk]

Just a thought... in your 'sig' line you say 'Send questions/comments to mailbox@6mmBR.com' but you don't say 'only on website issues' or something to that effect. It looks to me like you're effectively inviting anyone and everyone to email you about anything. While I admit I've emailed you in the past about something I knew was on the site but hadn't been able to find... I generally try to limit direct emails to stuff pertaining to the site.

I'd suggest perhaps amending your sig line,and anywhere else on the site that email address is posted) to something along the lines of 'If you have questions/comments or submissions regarding the *website*, contact mailbox@6mmBR.com - please post other questions in the appropriate forum.' And then any loading / gear questions that you get... simply return a form email saying the same thing.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[280man]

I agree with all the above you guys are right on as usual if it were me I would come up with a form email to send back to these people directing them to the forum as for the daily bulletin you are doing a great job and I can see how it takes up so much time you might consider making it the Monday thru Friday Daily Bulletin or recruit some help for it THANKS again for the best shooting website period

 

[Rustystud]

Paul:

You are a first, an attorney with a conscience, and from the Republic of Kaliforny to boot.

I thought your e-mail responses were restricted to site administrative issues.

You might consider allowing a few of your selected subscribers become "jr Moderators/Associate Moderators" and assist with responding to your e-mails. Their responsibility would be to triage the e-mails and redirect them to you as need be and to other "jr Moderators/Associate Moderators" who have particular expertise.

Just and Idea

Nat

 

[dreever]

I think Monte has seen what the rest of us have overlooked!
I think a change here will help a lot in curtailing the flow of e-mailed questions.

 

[Forum Boss]

Monte, Danny et al,

I've changed the Signature line. We'll see how it works. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[DesertLefty]

Just cook up a boilerplate email response that says something like:

"Sorry, the demands of maintaining this web site do not allow me to respond to questions unrelated to the site as a whole. I'd suggest that you post this question in the appropriate forum. The site has many qualified members who will be willing to help you."

When you get an inquiry that you want to handle yourself, then do it. For the other 99%, just shoot back the boilerplate reply.

You need to save your special talents and energy for the big work.

Lefty

 

[Sal]

I agree with what has been proposed here already.
You do a great job, and I hope that you choose where to spend your energy.
At the same time it is easy to overload the forum with the same type of questions, leading to forum members becoming more hesitant to reply. Difficult line, but many forums get bogged down by newbies wanting everything answered at once..
Keep up the good work !