For the past week I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off..
No this is not the brilliant excuse I have for not blogging in so long, it just simply states my current state of exhaustion. I would love to tell you my absence is do to sunning on Malibu Beach, clubbing in Miami, spending my days on a cross country bike run from Chicago to Florida with my brother, or simply splashing in the pool with my midget leaving no time for the net. But then I wake from my fantasy and remember I have marketing campaigns to run, emails to answer, code to write, product photos to take, and pestering of my business partner to perform.
Until yesterday I never realized how much time I spend explaining things that are self explanatory to people who refuse to either take a moment and listen or follow clear written instructions.
I understand that every one is different in the way they do things. There is nothing wrong with that at all. For example I’m the type of person who reads the manual top to bottom and then goes back and reads over the important parts again to be sure I have them figured out. Katy hates to read manuals and I can tell ya when the words, “did you read the manual” come out of my mouth if she could smack me via phone she would. There is nothing Katy can’t figure out on her own by playing with something. Myself I prefer to read the instructions and know what I’m jumping into before hand. But that’s what makes us a great pair! We pick up what the other doesn’t care for so we have all bases covered. We run our companies the exact same way.
We understand that some people want to read every single detail up front and in their face so they can fully understand what to do. Others REFUSE to read instructions, directions, or product information. You must find a way to be brief and cover all major important factors in the shortest amount of text possible or most people completely over look it. With that in mind we keep instructions short simple and make sure important necessary info is displayed in a manner that you can’t miss it.
What kills me is some people absolutely refuse to even read a two sentence set of instructions. How much time does it take out of your internet surfing experience to read two single short sentences?!?! What makes this matter worse is that once a personal explanation is given they still refuse to follow directions. This weekend alone I had several people blow right past simple instructions and email directly asking for help. Okay no problem that is exactly what I am there for. To answer any questions a visitor may have and try to make their experience successful, timely, and provide an extremely high level of respect and courtesy when answering questions.
But BUT BUT!! Yes there is a BUT! After the first set of instructions, I can understand slight confusion and the need for further questions. I can almost understand someone needing a third set of instructions. BUT, there is no reason on GOD’S GREEN FOCKING EARTH that I should have to explain
5+ times how to read a simple two line set of instructions.
97% of visitors carry out their visits with no problems at all! Thank you to those 97% of people who take the time to read less than 10+ words and make my day super special by joining us in our online presence. You truly do mean the world to the both of us.
Now for that 3% of visitors who drive me nutzo on a daily basis and even manage to do it more than twice daily. WTF?? Do you people only come out of the wood work when I’m on desk patrol? Do you look into your magic 8 ball or visit fortune tellers to know when I’ll be on help desk and wait to pounce on me just to create humorous fodder for your own blogging enjoyment? Yes I’m joking but sometime I so wish I could ask those very questions.
Please don’t get me wrong.. I’m not an ungrateful tool. I fully appreciate each and every visitor that comes my/our way. I’m just wondering what is going on lately. Is there a new virus that jumps from email to your fingers, traveling up your arm to your brain sucking all the intelligence and manners that you would normally possess straight out of your body?
What would make my day easier and much more pleasant you ask? READ THE FUCKING MANUAL in all of it’s two sentence glory pretty please with sugar and sprinkles and whip cream and cherries and nuts and chocolate sauce and extra sugar on top!
And ya know what?? This would actually make everyone happy and make all days better for every one that sits behind a help desk. Please, oh pretty please just give it a try!
More Ramblings - From Futures Past
- Celebration & Sadness - 2007
You have been bombed with these people lately. I don’t know what the deal is but for once I have to thank God that those e-mails are coming to you and not me.
And based on my own experience, you do maintain one of our hardest sites Community Advertising. But I realize that is not where these complaints are coming from at the moment.
You know my opinion of these types of situations. But remember, we are where we are because of the customer service and experience that we provide. So keep that smile in your fingers when you’re responding to them and keep bitching at me and your blog visitors and we’ll all be happy campers! LOL