Should we be telling them?

I was wondering if it's in the best interests of others out there that we tell the folks who are blatantly turning off their prospects with hype and so forth that perhaps they need to examine who they deal with and how they phrase things?

Here's the scenario: A person who has expertise in another medium, comes online and has a site, which is a tad over-done but still acceptable. I signed up for their list (out of curiosity) and the first offer was okay but the next ones are the pie in the sky and paint me a pretty picture hype types. One was from a well-known (among those who pay attention) spammer.

This person seems on the up and up and is just naive regarding online realities (or so it appears). I was able to discern wheat from chaff but, would I be doing others, who may not be astute or experienced, a disfavor if I clued this person in?

Here's my thinking: If the person stopped doing the things that can clue folks in, would it not be hurting others who would need to know the reality about their 'expertise' so they take what is written with a grain of salt?

Sandi Bowman

[Ankesh]

Interesting question Sandi.

For the most part: I don't give unsolicited suggestions or advice or warnings. They are almost never welcome even if you mean well.

Doesn't matter how well you phrase the warnings. It also doesn't matter if you ask "may I point out something that may be distasteful to you?" first before letting them know about their error.

Most people won't appreciate it.

If the person asks for feedback, then use that chance. Or if you know a common friend, then pass the message via them. But be the direct messenger of unsolicited advice only if you really really feel uncomfortable about the situation and if you don't mind being snubbed.

(For the record: I love unsolicited suggestions and warnings.)

Same goes for telling people about typos. I always do it, even if they didn't ask. It's amazing the different reactions you get. When someone points out MY typos to me, I LOVE IT!

I remember seeing a 4th grade typo on a very well respected COPYWRITER's website (he had 'breath' instead of 'breathe') -- His arrogant response was for me to bug off, and that he was making so much money on the site, he didn't care about typos. Bear in mind, he's trying to make his living off of WRITING.

Others have more appropriately thanked me -- I remember Marlon Sanders thanking me profusely when I pointed out a GIANT typo that changed the whole meaning of one of his big launches -- and it was in the second paragraph! He said he was gonna fire someone over that one!

-- TW