Hand-Holding or Flying by the Seat of Your Pants?
We all learn in different ways. We’ve talked about preferred modes of communication a few weeks ago, but what about your learning style?
When you’re learning something new for your online business – whether it’s learning a new skill, marketing method or even a piece of software – do you prefer step-by-step instructions or just to run with it?





I usually prefer to be taught concepts and then to apply them myself. If the concepts are fairly abstract, then some ideas for how to implement them are useful too.
Of course, some things really demand step-by-step instructions — particularly things that you’re only going to do once or twice or things that HAVE to be done in a very particular way.
If it’s something I’ve never done before, I prefer hand-holding. But if I have the general concept down and am just learning “add-ons” or “upgrades” then I like to run with it.
Twitter: aliceseba
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For me, if it’s technical and there is an actual step-by-step (example: using software, installing a plug in), then I want step-by-step. But for other big picture stuff, there is no set formula – and each situation requires it’s own evaluation and action plan.
I am with you on the tech stuff Alice. I am quite good at figuring things out on my own, but it helps to have a guide when I am learning something particularly difficult.
I am pretty independent, and once I get the basic concept I can just run with most things that come my way. ;o)
Teri
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Twitter: lexirodrigo
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Definitely step by step! I like detailed instructions before doing anything. I had to laugh at myself when I sewed table napkins – I mean, they’re just squares or rectangles, right? And yet, I still “needed” to get the instructions from one of my sewing books. It sounds crazy, but that’s the way I am.
The majority of the time, I am independent and “fly by the seat of my pants”. I taught myself HTML, CSS and everything I know about WordPress. I’ve learned enough PHP to modify WordPress themes. I just need some good documentation and I’m off and flying.
However, there are definitely times where hand-holding would have been appreciated; like when I started working with Flash.
I think what I usually need to most is “another set of eyes” for when something isn’t working and I can’t see why. Someone to bounce stuff off of would be great!
I read all the comments, they all have good detailed info, but for us new beginners like myself that has pretty much learned everything I know in the last year about computers, I still do not understand alot of the lingo they talk about unless I can read step-by-step with images to guide you with until I can comprehend what they are saying, Step-by-step yap thats for me.