[WikiEN-l] How to deal with direct requests for articles?

[Stephen Streater]

On 28 Sep 2006, at 12:36, Oskar Sigvardsson wrote:

> On 9/28/06, David Gerard <dgerard at gmail.com> wrote:
>> My phone number and email are publicly available for media contact
>> purposes. This means, of course, I get emails and calls about
>> *everything*.
>>
>> A common call is "How do I get an article about me/my book/my  
>> achievement?"
>>
>> Now. What's a helpful answer to this? Better than "You don't, someone
>> else has to write one," because you *know* they'll just write a  
>> really
>> bad one themselves and it'll all end in a tearful AFD entry and
>> someone hating or fearing Wikipedia henceforth.
>>
>> Assume that referring them to a web page or policy page is less good
>> than being able to answer on the phone right there.
>>
>> Ideas please?
>>
>>
>> - d.
>
> Fist off all, this should really be in our FAQ (I've just skimmed over
> it, man it's big, and I couldn't find it). Someone should put that in.
>
> To answer your question, if I were to get those calls I would calmly
> explain that we have fairly high standards on what people can be
> subjects of articles. Tell them that if they deserve to have an
> article in wikipedia, they will. Just not written on request or by
> themselves. Point out that if they do write an article on themselves,
> it is very likely it will be deleted and it is not always a nice
> discussion to read. You might also want to point out that you yourself
> doesn't have an article, I can imagine that would convince some people
> ;)

I would suggest that they start contributing to Wikipedia.
After a period, their name will be recognised by other
passing editors who will be surprised that they don't have
an article yet, and they will write one.