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Excellent points. On a related note, I just read a good article on using small barriers to entry as filters for your time: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com

Excellent points. On a related note, I just read a good article on using small barriers to entry as filters for your time: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/i-use-small-barriers-to-avoid-kooks/ http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/blog/i-use-small-barrie... Most of the folks that ask me for help aren't 'kooks' perse, but they usually want someone to make their dreams come true with little or no effort on their part. Asking these people to do a small task as a precondition of your help is a great way to filter out those not really serious about the goal. Here's how it typically goes: "Hey Matt! I hear you do iPad apps! I have a great idea for one! I'm super passionate about this and really want to get it going!" Me: "Great! Before we go any further, it's best to sketch the app out on paper first. Do that and then let's take a serious look at it!" I've had many many conversations like this. Even requiring a simple sketch filters out about 98% of these people. Another common variation is from folks who want to learn programming. Instead of asking for a sketch, I'll send them a link to an excellent beginners tutorial to work through. I very rarely hear back from anyone after that. However, those very few that do come back are typically great to work with. I haven't always used these filters. I used to really try and help everyone that asked for it. Unfortunately that nearly always ended up with me putting in time and effort to help someone who I would later discover wasn't really all that serious about the goal. Small barriers/filters have been great for saving my energy for those that are really serious about doing something. It's really been a sanity saver.

apike 15y ago
Thank you, from a recent founder whose volume of requests has been going up exponentially. I really love helping out people when I can, but helping them make the first step before I dig in is more practical than scheduling coffee with everybody who gets in touch.
Monkeyget 15y ago
What is the beginner's tutorial if I may ask?
- mattjaynes 15y ago
  Sure, for ruby, I usually send them to something like this: http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/documentation/quickstart/ http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/documentation/quickstart/ It's short and gives them quick wins. Having their hands dirty with code that works really builds the confidence they need to continue. If someone is willing to even just start the tutorial, that meets my filter-qualification and I'm very happy to help them with any stumbling points as they go through it.

apike 15y ago

Thank you, from a recent founder whose volume of requests has been going up exponentially. I really love helping out people when I can, but helping them make the first step before I dig in is more practical than scheduling coffee with everybody who gets in touch.

Monkeyget 15y ago

What is the beginner's tutorial if I may ask?

mattjaynes 15y ago
Sure, for ruby, I usually send them to something like this: http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/documentation/quickstart/ http://www.ruby-lang.org/en/documentation/quickstart/ It's short and gives them quick wins. Having their hands dirty with code that works really builds the confidence they need to continue. If someone is willing to even just start the tutorial, that meets my filter-qualification and I'm very happy to help them with any stumbling points as they go through it.