My threads die horribly. I have come to accept this as fact. I’m so used to it that I’m not even bitter about it anymore. However, it has started me wondering about the general construction of threads and why some that I think will drop off immediately go on forever, and why some that should be destined for greatness get about as much encouragement as a PETA member in a butcher shop.
In my quest to determine the elements that create a prolonged thread, it has been necessary to examine threads in general and break them down into their constituent parts. Each part contributes in a very specific way to the overall success of the thread. From the choice of forum, to the title of the thread to the writing style, there are a lot of choices to be made when starting a new thread and sending it off into the cold cruel world that is the SDMB. In looking at these choices it becomes clear that all must work in harmony to lure readers in, and then encourage them to post.
[ul]
[li]Thread Forum - It doesn’t really matter what you are saying if you have said it in the wrong place.[/li][li]Thread Title - Curb Appeal!! Perhaps the most important decision since so many dopers only skim titles before deciding what to read, let alone post to.[/li][li]Writing Style - Light hearted, serious, rant, pleading, etc. . . The tone of the OP sets the mood of the whole thread.[/li][li]Author - The only thing you don’t have control over, unless you pay one of the big names to submit your thread for you. . . Hmmm. Perhaps a money making scheme for you dopers with seniority.[/li][li]Post Time - Sometimes it doesn’t matter, but if you post late at night, and the thread rolls off of page one before the day crowd sees it, it will probably be lost without some gratuitous bumping.[/ul] [/li]
CASE STUDIES
Let’s take the “a” thread as an example. (No, I’m not going to link to it because nobody wants that monster resurrected)
This thread is an interesting example because it falls into that ever so popular category of game threads. It seems that if you post a game which requires little or no mental effort, you are almost assured a large post count. i.e. “Quote - Unquote Game”
Obviously MPSIMS was the place for this thread to be. It had no real substance, but it had a lot going for it none the less. An interesting, albeit short, title that caused many people to open it just to see what it was about. Once inside, the mood was lighthearted, and the game was entertaining. It took very little effort to come up with and submit replies, so they would come in rapid succession. All in all, a very popular thread.
As an example of a real loser I will submit one of my own. “I submit for your approval - continuation” (Again no link, because I don’t want it resurrected. I use it as an example because I don’t want to bash anyone else’s thread outside of the Pit.)
As with the previous example, MPSIMS was definitely the place for this thread. It asked for no factual information, and was mostly a place where one could create literary caricatures of fellow dopers. It’s downfalls were as follows:
[list=1]
[li]Post time - This was posted so late at night that it rolled to page 2 before 8:00 AM, and was shamefully bumped by it’s author.[/li][li]Writing style - For the fairly easygoing subject matter, the mood selected by the author was probably too intense and wordy.[/li][li]Title - This was the least descriptive title possible. I believe the author chose it in a sleep clouded attempt to arouse curiosity. Not a good plan in retrospect.[/li][li]Author - The author of this post messed up big by not paying one of the big names to submit for him. (You veteran posters should get Pay Pal accounts for this reason)[/list=1] [/li]
Despite all of this, the thread did recieve several good responses including one several minutes after posting by the illustrious Scylla. This initial success made the author overconfident and also prompted the Bump to see if anyone else would bite. But it was not to be. With less than 100 views and very few posts, this thread went the way of the dodo.
These are my findings, but obviously I have NO idea what makes a successful thread. Can someone please tell me so I can update my research?
