Generally I don't do these. Why? About 90% of my answers were either never approved by the clients or the projects were simply left in limbo. It is like giving clients free information. Huge waste of time.
What should happen is that Ancestry EC staff review answers after 30 days if the client has not selected an expert's answer and award it to the expert with the best answer.
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I agree totally. Ask an Expert is a waste of time. Ancestry needs to delete this service or alter the Ask An Expert to Choose an Expert for Advice. No advice before choosing the expert.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the Ask An Expert system is flawed. I believe I had three clients choose my answer. The trouble is they ranked me with 4 stars. I have to sit there and wonder how someone could pick my answer as the best one and not rate me as high as possible. I know the answer is because we never really worked together. They never got to know me and therefore felt like no reward was needed.
ReplyDeleteYes, ideally it would be nice to have EC choose the answer themselves after 30 days. However, I'm sure they don't want to pay someone to sit there and read through our answers. Plus there could be favoritism.
I really don't think there's an easy solution. Unfortunately.
Todd - I've had instances where clients leave me with a bad rating or 4 of 5 stars on an obvious 5 star project. Contact EC and explain to them the situation. Two of my projects they just removed the rating as they sided with me (that I'd provided excellent service). I would actually prefer the ability to comment on a badly-rated project (like what you can do on eBay ratings).
ReplyDeleteIn reference to the "Ask An Expert" system, maybe a system that worked like this would work:
1)Project after 21 days "times out"
2)If there are no answers for project, it is removed. If there are answers, the answers are forwarded to an EC staff member.
3)The staff member compiles the 10-20 'Ask an Expert' projects that have not been awarded per week (this is a blind guess) and take them to a meeting where 3 staff members listen for 3-5 minutes each about the project and answers.
4)Projects that are deemed answered are awarded...those not are removed.
Let's not kid ourselves. Ancestry is or will be making $$$ on this...especially from me :)
Just checked Ask an Expert and the winner goes to....
August 15, 2009 project for $15.00. 3 answers already. I guess the client is still holding out for that good answer?
I answered a few when I first started in October but they are still sitting in my active file. So I guess that means that we are giving free advice.
ReplyDeleteMy question is do other potential clients see those same answers and if so then we are really giving free advice to the many.
Hey Josh,
ReplyDeleteI was not aware you could dispute a rating that a client gave you. I will keep that in mind if it happens again.
On your solution to the Ask An Expert, I agree with the scenario. However, it's convincing EC to go ahead with it that is the problem. Yes, they will make more money by having more answers awarded. They need to balance that with the extra time they would need to spend looking at our answers and awarding us.
Plus, I believe the way it is now, the potential clients just ask a question. They don't have to front any money. Your method would have them agree to put a hold on their credit card. Although I think they absolutely should put money down first, is EC afraid people won't participate if they have to put money down before asking the question? I don't know.
The whole thing just needs to be reworked. It can't go on this way.