Comments on: Is the Social Web Making Us Too Dependant? http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/is-the-social-web-making-us-too-dependant/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 02:28:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: David Carroll http://www.suzemuse.com/2010/02/is-the-social-web-making-us-too-dependant/comment-page-1/#comment-1304 David Carroll Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:06:55 +0000 http://www.suzemuse.com/?p=2022#comment-1304 You dilemma is similar to other knowledge based professions Sue. Chartered accountants, doctors, and lawyers experience the same problems. People often ask them for free advice, and often undervalue the services these professions provide. Of course there are differences. Older professions are backed by legislation that allows only their members to practice and encourages clients to use their services. If you are looking for solutions, I would advise you to look towards these more established professions, for tips on how to educate your future and existing clients about what you do (and don't do), when to charge for your services, and more importantly convince them that it's worth it. Lawyers and accountants often find it tricky to explain why a singe sheet of paper is worth thousands of dollars, even if it keeps their client out of jail, or gets them get a bank loan. A long term goal might be to establish an association that can educate the public, help customers choose qualified businesses, pool advertising, lobby government and set common standards for your profession. In short. The web is never going to change human nature. It just exposes us to more of it. Good and bad. The tricks, traps and tribulations of working in a service industry have not changed in thousands of years. You dilemma is similar to other knowledge based professions Sue. Chartered accountants, doctors, and lawyers experience the same problems. People often ask them for free advice, and often undervalue the services these professions provide.

Of course there are differences. Older professions are backed by legislation that allows only their members to practice and encourages clients to use their services.

If you are looking for solutions, I would advise you to look towards these more established professions, for tips on how to educate your future and existing clients about what you do (and don’t do), when to charge for your services, and more importantly convince them that it’s worth it.

Lawyers and accountants often find it tricky to explain why a singe sheet of paper is worth thousands of dollars, even if it keeps their client out of jail, or gets them get a bank loan.

A long term goal might be to establish an association that can educate the public, help customers choose qualified businesses, pool advertising, lobby government and set common standards for your profession.

In short. The web is never going to change human nature. It just exposes us to more of it. Good and bad. The tricks, traps and tribulations of working in a service industry have not changed in thousands of years.

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