Getting better response - hints

[jerrypeters]

I receive the forum's newsletter and see that, in each newsletter, there are many messages posted with multiple pages of responses for each post .

I have submitted a few posts and receive very few, if any, responses. My posts, IMHO, are no more or less interesting than the posts I read in the newsletter so what am I doing wrong? Are there techniques or procedures for getting wider distribution and response.

Any thoughts are very welcome.

[PaulCrawhorn]

The goal should be quality not quantity.

Put into the title those keywords that are most specific, also attractive to your target audience.

Do not imply you expect the help, always show gratitude for those volunteering their time and knowledge.

Search both the forum and google first, so you do not ask FAQs, and do not ask to be educated about 101-level basics - word the Qs as specifically as possible, able to be answered in a minute or two.

Posting "I have heard that..." (controversial misconception) can lead to people wanting to a corrective answer.

[jerrypeters]

Thanks Paul. Good points all.

[jerrypeters]

Well, so this is another example of my concern.

I have had one response to my original post and I am reading the current newsletter with pages and pages of responses to posts that are arguably not very interesting. I don't begrudge any other's responses I just want to make sure I'm not posting in a way that doesn't provide exposure.

I understand that quality is more important than quantity but if you don't get enough exposure and responses - the quality is not there either.

Anyway ... any other ideas?

[PaulCrawhorn]

Post in other forums.

Also social media.

[wyb2]

I noticed your post that included a couple of photos got a handful of responses. That’s probably one pretty good hint. People are lazy, a wall of text scares a lot of people off.

Agree with quality over quantity. Do you actually read those threads that go on for pages? They rarely stay on topic, and are usually a waste of time after the first 20 or 30 replies.

Nothing wrong with replying to your own thread after a few days to bring it back to the ‘new posts’ page. CF seems to go through busy times and lulls.

[Tetepare]

Are you kidding? You hit a miracle around here

I looked at your threads and they were answers and/ or provided with the best possible solutions in short order. That’s a miracle. Be thankful you weren’t inundated with bad ideas, dreamy but unpractical suggestions, or meandering foolishness.

[wholybee]

What is your goal? This isn't social media, and you are not judged by how many likes or followers you get. Creating a conversation with a lot of replies isn't usually a goal here.

If you ask a question and the first person to reply answers it satisfactorily then there isn't much reason for anyone else to follow-up.

If you ask a question to which there is a lot of controversy, you might get a lot of replies, and not ever resolve the issue.

[skipperpete]

You’ll get a rapid response if you post on Colregs, anchors, not clearing in or out, guns, batteries or corrosion.
I’m always curious about the threads that start and then the OP vanishes ....or the fake threads with some inane question as a “first post, joined 1 hour ago”

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by skipperpete

You’ll get a rapid response if you post on Colregs, anchors, not clearing in or out, guns, batteries or corrosion.
I’m always curious about the threads that start and then the OP vanishes ....or the fake threads with some inane question as a “first post, joined 1 hour ago”

You forgot Lithium batteries and “Blue Water”


Seriously Jerry if you just want to chat, plenty will. But if you ask reasonable questions you may be stopped short by reasonable answers. Go ahead and try this: ask a fairly basic question that’s ambiguous, add a bunch of details nobody will read, and it will go for pages- but don’t follow any of the advice.

[wyb2]

Originally Posted by wyb2

…
Nothing wrong with replying to your own thread after a few days to bring it back to the ‘new posts’ page. CF seems to go through busy times and lulls.

Ha! Quoting my own suggestion because I didn’t even realize that’s exactly what you had just done. And sure enough, 5 responses in an hour or so. Maybe I actually know things sometimes! (Emphasis on sometimes)

[torpnr]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

You forgot Lithium batteries and “Blue Water”.

Sorry - I appreciate this is off topic, but we should also mentions cats vs mono. That’ll stir a few pots.

But seriously; the advice above is good. And +1 responding to yourself if you don’t get the traction you want.

[Benz]

I'm sometimes reluctant to start a thread because I know there'll be a bunch of off-topic or thread-drifting posts to sift through, and usually if I post it's because I'm looking for a clear answer to something.

[jerrypeters]

Ok, ok, I get it. It's just sometimes I see a dozen responses that provide a variety of views and I think that's often quite helpful. By page 2 or 3 I agree, there is considerable drift and little value. Anyway, I appreciate the response here. thank you.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by jerrypeters

Ok, ok, I get it. It's just sometimes I see a dozen responses that provide a variety of views and I think that's often quite helpful. By page 2 or 3 I agree, there is considerable drift and little value. Anyway, I appreciate the response here. thank you.

You don’t want hundreds of opinions. You want those that have experience and knowledge behind them. You need time here to figure out the two dozen to listen to.

If you want to chat that’s ok too. You could discuss something of your experiences. Or anchors.