Whenever a prospective Wikipedia client contacts me, I offer them a consultation for free. By contrast, some of my competitors charge for this service.
What’s the catch? My consults must be done by email.
The process is straightforward: I ask an intake question[1], then I provide an honest assessment about the project’s feasibility, along with a price. Then, if they want to chat, I’m more than happy to.
However, when someone wants to get on the phone instead of providing info via email, I turn on the meter. Here’s why:
1️⃣I’ve invested significant time in a white paper and a slide deck, both of which are free and public — no email address required. I’ve worked hard to make these resources comprehensive and clear, and I update them regularly. In other words: When someone wants to do a call first, they typically haven’t read this material.
2️⃣The emails I send to prospects are detailed and personalized. In the vast majority of cases, these messages answer a prospect’s questions. In other words: The call could easily be an email.
(Unfun fact: Almost everyone who wants to “hop on a quick Zoom” upfront wants to ask about price. That’s a topic I address on my website, in a section called... “cost.”)
3️⃣In responding to an email, I’m able to demonstrate my expertise. Wikipedia work is esoteric and thus expensive, so the consult lets me show how a seemingly simple request can be in fact be quite complex. In other words: Even if you don’t hire me, you’ll leave the consult feeling informed and empowered.
4️⃣A call necessitates a different level of time and commitment than an email. Even a purportedly 15-minute call — what with scheduling, explaining that I prefer nonvideo calls, accommodating someone who shows up late or asks to reschedule, preparing, and following up — invariably ends up taking an hour. In other words: Email is more efficient.
5️⃣More than half of those who contact me don’t meet Wikipedia’s stringent criteria. As a result, with an unpaid call, I end up giving away advice that clients usually pay me for. In other words: Want to pick my brain? Then I want to pick your wallet.
6️⃣After I have the info I need, I send back a proposal. The last section always includes the following line: “At your convenience, I’d welcome your thoughts, whether via email or a phone call.” In other words: Let me give you a price before we put an appointment on our calendars.
Of course, not everyone appreciates this process. For one thing, sometimes it’s quicker to give someone a ring. For another thing, some people prefer to talk than to write. (Just ask my Italian wife.)
Fair enough.
At the same time, after 20 years of Wikipedia work, I’ve found that it’s most productive — for both the prospect and me — to chat after I’ve had a chance to review their requests. That way, we can both bring specifics to the conversation, rather than rehashing generalities I’ve written about.
My approach isn’t for everyone. Yet if you’ve read this far, I hope you can understand my logic. And I hope you’ll give me a chance to give you a free consult. I really do love helping folks navigate the world’s most-popular encyclopedia.
[1] My one question? If you want to create a new page, it’s, “What news articles demonstrate your ‘notability’?” If you want to improve an existing page, it’s, “What specific edits do you want to make?”
