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stricknine
01/23/2009, 09:41 PM
I have posted a bunch of threads, all topics and headings, but some completely strike out!

I expect a bunch of the local reefers to chime in with their input, but with no result, and am wondering;

What makes a thread worth looking at?
What catches your eye?
Am I in the right forum?
What makes someone not want to post on a thread?
** its the canadian flag, isnt it?...[kidding]

Lets see if I can make my posts more...post worthy.

THANKS!

CHAOSTACTICS
01/23/2009, 09:48 PM
It may just be because RC is so big and unless you're giving stuff away or have lots of pretty pics or some important person with 4000 plus posts you only get a quick glance, you can try your luck on smaller forums (reefbuzz, nano reef, and the like) or try posting in the most visible part of RC the general discussion threads and see what you can do there. You also have to make a effort to bump your thread periodically so it doesn't get buried.

Ronny#66
01/23/2009, 09:53 PM
Talk about how LFS gouge the Aquarist and the thread will go on for ever. I know from experience.

Ronny

stricknine
01/23/2009, 10:23 PM
Ha, ha.

Like it here, but may try the smaller ones when need be. Trouble is I know from reading other threads there are ppl here to lend a hand, but no replys.

Must have to have a catchy thread name and pics!

Salamander
01/23/2009, 10:38 PM
I think alot is in the title. I don't look at threads that say something like "Is this ok?", "How do I..." Will this work?" etc.

A good description in the thread title is key IMO. You may not get tons of views with a precise description but I bet they'd be more quality replies.

There are forums for certain topics here but some are less frequented than others. Its best to post in the appropriate forum, but if there's no traffic (look at the top to see how many are viewing) you might want to post in a more active forum.

Its also important not to write too much. Keep it as short and sweet as possible while explaining the situation.

If you have to write a bit to describe your questions, don't do it all in one paragraph. Separate it into little bits that are easily read and digested. Kinda like I did here.

Pics are great too. They can explain the situation with few words sometimes. That makes it less work for others to understand and provide feed back.

But it could also be the Canada thing too. :) Eh?

Whys
01/23/2009, 10:39 PM
Typically, it helps to have a nicely descriptive title. Unless you know it's a boring topic. Then it's better to have an obscure title. :D

It really depends who is on, what they feel they know, and the mood they are in. It's always hit and miss, but here is one trick you can try... play to the ego, either as the protagonist or antagonist, ie: "The Best Advice I've Read on RC" or "Bio-Balls Are the Only Way". If someone just asks a question like, "How Do I..." it's easy to feel lazy and not read or reply. If you make a bold statement like, "Why Refugiums Are a Waste of Time", then you get peoples emotions going and they don't feel so lazy anymore. ;)

In truth, I don't know squat about reefing. But I've been arguing online for a very long time. :)

Good luck to the "eh" team. :thumbsup:

Salamander
01/23/2009, 10:46 PM
Good points Whys.

Whys
01/23/2009, 10:50 PM
Back at'cha Salamander.

stricknine
01/23/2009, 11:26 PM
Very "wise" whys. Wow, the depth in the name and the answer are astounding!

Aside from the sarcasm above, you do bring a good point. Gotta have that appeal around here. Just hate posting a simple thing I need to figure out and find a fat 0 replys a day later. Gotta work on my mental manipulation.

Juruense
01/23/2009, 11:39 PM
It does not help that threads often fly off page one after <10 minutes...

Reefbox
01/23/2009, 11:42 PM
pics. its all about pics. people are busy/lazy and pics catch the eye.

SoLiD
01/23/2009, 11:46 PM
Pictures of new projects and new techniques always catch my eye. :)

stricknine
01/23/2009, 11:48 PM
PHOTOBUCKET it is.

I should post a pic or two for everything, relevant or not. Gotta say, I love the pic threads too!

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/m_strickland/IMG_2716.jpg

http://i478.photobucket.com/albums/rr147/m_strickland/IMG_2708.jpg



random img posting!

SoLiD
01/23/2009, 11:57 PM
It worked for me... Nice Rock Structures.

Hook
01/24/2009, 12:02 AM
I think you just started an attractive thread...lol

raen
01/24/2009, 12:05 AM
Nice tank shots. My advice.........P~I~C~T~U~R~E~S!!! People Love um, and some are visual learners, and require them. Take it from me, I am a total newb, and my SUPER boring thread is almost on the 4th split. Nothin great on my thread, just fun, NON DRAMA!!!!! Get more pics up, and you'll be fine. PS your shots were great!

cloak
01/24/2009, 04:31 AM
Breaking the rules?

;)

Qdaddy
01/24/2009, 10:04 AM
I was wondering the same thing? I posted a thread a couple of dyas ago about rodi. Got 200+ views, but only 16 replies, with about 1/2 of those were stricknine and mine. (Thanks again stricknine). I was hoping to get a wide range of ideas and only got a few. It seems if your not building a tank from scratch, or posting a million pictures of an established tank you will only get a few replies. IMO

reefworm
01/24/2009, 10:48 AM
Hook may be right. I love the irony. Aside from that, lots of good input here, esp. focused, descriptive subject line and a hint that there are pics [think of it like a good thesis statement?]

Michael
01/24/2009, 10:52 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14227751#post14227751 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by stricknine
I have posted a bunch of threads, all topics and headings, but some completely strike out!



the problem is this is the new to the hobby, and it depends on what time of day the thread is posted as to what attention it gets, sometimes its so busy here the threads last bearly 15 mins before it jumps to page 2,other times its very quiet and only novice reefers are browsing and cant actually answer the question posted, also we dont all know everything, however i personally hate unanswered threads and will always try to post a reply if possible, its not the way you post its just that some questions would be better off in certain forums, i suggested to the moderators the other day that the fish health section should be classed as a main forum, unless you click on the community link you wouldnt know it exists, and the amount of fish health problems i see here is incredible, i suggested moving the fish health section to the main forum link, i personally believe it would benefit the site and most newcommers would get more attention with this specialised subject, however the moderators felt it was ok where it is, and to be fair to them they know what works well here and what dosent, but these are other reasons why certain questions go unanswered, some questions are difficult to answer and need specialist attention, perhaps 1 or 2 of your questions were similar, in any case keep your chin up, its not your posts, just coincidences and keeping bumping it back to the front page if you dont get replies:)

oh by the way, i like canadians;)

Chris&Mel
01/24/2009, 11:23 AM
I am usually successful at getting the answers I need. Sometimes It takes a day or two, but I do think the trick is to give it a bumb once or twice a day until some one who knows the answer chimes in.

*If you bump it enough Mike (from England) will answer

Whys
01/24/2009, 12:31 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14230398#post14230398 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
oh by the way, i like canadians;)

When traveling the middle-east, we're all Canadians. :D

Chris&Mel
01/24/2009, 12:47 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14231031#post14231031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
When traveling the middle-east, we're all Canadians. :D

Bunch of wana be's.....lol.....(JK)

Chris&Mel
01/24/2009, 12:48 PM
But who could blame you....