on advising newbies, avoiding the pitfalls of too much knowledge 0

[JKK]

One of the biggest challenges in trying to help people is to imagine ourselves not knowing all that we know. For example, the term TPG: The new numismatist (let's say NN) rarely knows that this means Third-Party Grading (service). Some of us are good at realizing that we're addressing an audience that doesn't know all that we know, and some follow the "I'm not going to spoon-feed you; you know how to Google, so keep up, homes" approach.

We can do better, and since I'm probably the only professional editor in this particular space--if not, I'm not seeing anyone else step up, so I might as well be--I can help by mentioning things like this. I'd encourage us all to remember our audience, what it doesn't know, and to take the few extra moments to dial the guidance down to their level. It might feel repetitive, such as when explaining TPGs for the twentieth time, but each new arrival lacks awareness of our fatigue. We will better serve them if we try our utmost to assume less knowledge and impart the maximum understanding.

It's always reasonable to refer NNs to explanatory articles, price guides, grading guides, and so on. We can't control their content, and it will often be worth examining. But when we're the guides, let's make sure we don't miss the basics. For example, when the NN asks what the coin is worth, that question has multiple valid answers. There's what a typical dealer might pay; there's what a private collector might pay; there's what the price guides say. Obviously dealers do not pay full retail. Most of us have seen that collectors tend to pay more than dealers. No one's going to give them full book. NNs need to understand this or they can't get a fair idea of which number applies to their circumstances.

This could help alleviate some needless confusion.

[RonnieR131]

 JKK, you and so many others have done a wonderful job with newbies. I remind a few, a very few, about the 'What you need to know before posting coins for inquiry' thread that you started. The NN's that ask questions and then won't take 'no' for an answer, I think has been handled nicely. Sometimes it's quite humorous, like the person that was arguing about some coin, and Lange chimed in to help, saying that the coin was damaged The person finally said "I'll just send it in to get it graded". Lange responded, "Ok, I'll be looking for it when it comes across my desk". They didn't even bother to look at his title, much less realize that he was trying to save them the time and expense, doing it for Free. I'm more easily amused than the average person, but if that didn't put a smile on everyone's face, I don't know what would. 

[JKK]

Thanks, Ronnie. I do less than most around here. My outlook is that there are the helpable and those who can't or won't be helped. With them, I don't bother. With those who can be helped, I'm usually about the fifth to speak up.

[GoldFinger1969]

I think we are very helpful with the newbies.  They'll absorb knowledge and if they have questions -- simple or complex -- most of us are willing to take the time to answer.

Bigger problem is newcomers who post here 1 or 2 times and then disappear.

Edited May 13, 2022 by GoldFinger1969

[VKurtB]

On 5/12/2022 at 10:35 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

Bigger problem is newcomers who post here 1 or 2 times and then disappear.

Must be witches and wizards afoot. 

[nickhardinn]

I am a newbie ,It's a pity I don't always have free time, I'm willing to sit on this forum for hours.Such knowledge and help as here I have not found anywhere else on Google) Also here is a lot of information and materials that I use in my research for studyessay.I always recommend this forum to my colleagues and friends who collect coins

Edited May 31, 2022 by nickhardinn

[Alex in PA.]

There are plenty of excellent coin forums on the Web.  A forum is only what you make of it.  

Edited May 28, 2022 by Alex in PA.

[Hoghead515]

I try to help when I can. If someone ask about something I can confidently answer. I have however answered questions wrong before. But the experts quickly corrected me. I still have lots to learn. The wonderful people on this forum has taught me more than anyone could imagine. One of the biggest things that newbies need to be taught is not to believe all the garbage that is floating around the internet and you tube. If we can find ways to keep them here long enough to learn that. Thats how I learned all I have. I was buying into alot of the, "get rich off pocket change, all doubled dies are worth a fortune, and other ." I didnt know any better at the time. Luckily I stayed on the forum reading every post and quickly learned all that I was mostly seeing was craziness. Its no wonder newbies think they got all these rare finds. Everywhere you look are these videos spewing that garbage. 

[Oldhoopster]

You can also feel confident of an answer if there is a consensus of opinion.  There are enough truly knowledgeable collectors and experts on this site (and the other forums I frequent), that any incorrect info will be called out and corrected.