Why I'm not answering your Quora A2A

On Quora, the question-and-answer crowdsourcing site, I frequently get A2As—that’s short for Ask to Answer—from people hoping to score a free business name. I wrote for Medium about why I no longer answer those requests.

Comments

[david]

i know several people who are painters and wall paperers. The too common experience while painting rooms in a customer's house is, The customer says, "oh, you've got the paint and brushes right there. could you go ahead and paint the ceiling and the little bedroom this afternoon?" Now, the common answer from these painters is, "sure, as we discussed, the rate I charge is, X. Just go ahead and write another check and I will get right on your new painting jobs." More often than I would have guessed, the check is produced and the new paint job gets done.

[Duchesse]

Yes, sister, you tell 'em. I would often provide this line (delivered in my best Groucho imitation): "I'd work for nothing but then I'd have to bill you."

Problem is, many persons who ask me. these days have never heard of Groucho.

[david]

Betsy Robinson wrote a short (~1000 words) story on this subject. A fun read. You can read it at https://abandonjournal.com/betsy-robinson/cost-of-care/. Abandon Journal showcases writing and art created with abandon. Some people might call the story a psychological thriller. Maybe those people should not insist having someone's work product for free.