RTFM: a fundamental MMO tip
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
August 16, 2011 11:16am CST
"RTFM" is a great expression from the IT world (specifically helpdesks and trainers) which stands for "Read The {rude word!} Manual".
I was reminded of this TWICE recently in the online earning space and wanted to point it out to people because it's a fundamental tip for making money online.
The first time I ran into it was on one of the bidding sites, where one of my regular clients posts jobs. Since I'm the Exec Editor for his company (love those pseudo-job titles!) I see all the applications and I was honestly stunned at the number of people who didn't follow the instructions. There's a proper look at it on my blog but the short version is that out of 21 applicants, ONE did what was asked. 
Can you believe that? Less than 5% of applicants. Only one single person who actually followed the instructions and included the information requested in his application. Guess who heads the list for being employed? 
I ran into this again today. I'm leaving Microworkers, since they stopped Paypal payments, so I used up my credit there in getting referrals for a site. I built my task with REALLY simple instructions and asked for a single proof - a line pasted from the confirmation email.
Out of 89 people, 24 pasted the wrong thing completely. That's just under a third.
How do they expect to earn online if they don't read instructions? It's not like it was a difficult request... RTFM!
Can you believe that? Less than 5% of applicants. Only one single person who actually followed the instructions and included the information requested in his application. Guess who heads the list for being employed?
I ran into this again today. I'm leaving Microworkers, since they stopped Paypal payments, so I used up my credit there in getting referrals for a site. I built my task with REALLY simple instructions and asked for a single proof - a line pasted from the confirmation email.
Out of 89 people, 24 pasted the wrong thing completely. That's just under a third.
How do they expect to earn online if they don't read instructions? It's not like it was a difficult request... RTFM!2 people like this
8 responses
@Octav1 (1419)
• Romania
17 Aug 11
I think many people who try to earn on-line are not native English speakers so there might be a cause for what happened to you. They try to earn but they don't understand completely all the instruction because they know only a few English words. I have a few colleagues at work that fall into this category. Even if their English knowledge level is close to zero (I'm not saying that I am a good English speaker, on the contrary!) they still try to earn on-line. Sometimes I ask them what do they understand from the sites they join. "Not much" they say. So how do you expect 100% of your applicants to do a good work?
2 people like this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
17 Aug 11
Because I always use very simple English to describe the task and make it as simple as possible. Isn't that the point of the "Only accept this task if you can complete it" phrase that Microworkers (and most other sites) display?
I have huge sympathy for non-native speakers (since I've been one myself in France) but I would never accept a job if I couldn't fulfil the requirements.
@GardenGerty (157622)
• United States
16 Aug 11
I am afraid we are becoming very illiterate. That is too bad, because, unlike the animals, we cannot compensate with good instincts. Reading is still the fundamental tool to success and following directions should follow right after it in rank of importance. It is a shame that many people do not recognize this at all.
2 people like this
@sergeantrom (5721)
• United States
21 Aug 11
Oh boy, how enlightening, really! I must admit, sometimes I skim the manuals. But when I am deeply involved in a project, I take the time to read and sometimes reread the manual. Have you seen some of these websites lately? First you cant even find the manual. Second, you cant understand the darn thing. I totally agree with you on this though. Some people just want to make a quick buck and get right to the good stuff, picking and choosing what they think is important. 
Definitely a good point in earning online AND off!
But when I am deeply involved in a project, I take the time to read and sometimes reread the manual. Have you seen some of these websites lately? First you cant even find the manual. Second, you cant understand the darn thing. I totally agree with you on this though. Some people just want to make a quick buck and get right to the good stuff, picking and choosing what they think is important. Definitely a good point in earning online AND off! 1 person likes this
@sergeantrom (5721)
• United States
22 Aug 11
Unfortunately, I learned that lesson before with a tiny thing which caused a big mess. Lessons like this are unforgetable and always help me on the next round. 
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
22 Aug 11
I remember the first thing I learned in requirements gathering: listen/read. Even a tiny thing that's missed can cause an enormous problem later on and the same goes for simple task instructions!
@NatashaBird (640)
•
16 Aug 11
The problem is that these days people are too lazy to do more than they think is absolutely neccessary. People expect to be paid for the time they spent on whatever task was assigned to them, not the effort exerted or the quality of the finished product. If they think they can get away with doing the bare minimum then they will; chances are they won't learn that this doesn't get one too far any time soon.
Birdie -
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
16 Aug 11
Absolutely. Their loss, in my opinion - especially since some of them probably did the task and just didn't paste the right proof. So they did the job for nothing.
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
16 Aug 11
I've hired people on oDesk myself and I can absolutely guarantee you that EVERY employer pays attention.
They're spending money, so the first applicants to be refused are always the same ones: those who use a standard application, those who work for big companies, those who make it difficult to see their information (i.e. "you can check my web site for examples" instead of attaching one or two) and those who don't read the instructions.
It's really very simple to read the instructions. Even we can do it, right?
2 people like this
@Awinds (2468)
• United States
16 Aug 11
But reading the manual takes time. Typing what is required takes more time. Let's face it: people today are lazy and have the shortest attention span every recorded in this millennium. This does equate to a good worker. I really think the overwhelming majority of people fail to make only online because they don't want to take the time to the work properly, or to do the work that is necessary.
I have read that blog post of yours. What makes me laugh the most is the one person who applied just to complain about the pay rate. You gotta' love people...
1 person likes this
@SpikeTheLobster (6403)
•
16 Aug 11
Kinda mental, that. I mean, I can understand not wanting to be paid "so little" but whining about it's just dumb.
Spot on with the concentration thing. I think the vast majority of the people who did the task are probably used to employers who don't verify anything. More fool them.
Spot on with the concentration thing. I think the vast majority of the people who did the task are probably used to employers who don't verify anything. More fool them.
@allen0187 (58444)
• Philippines
18 Aug 11
thanks for sharing this info.
i'll start using 'rtfm' every chance i get.
hahahaha!
it is true that one learns something new every day!
