How Long Do You Make Your Discussion Posts?

I agree that responses should be substantial. Sometimes it can be seen either way, though, that a quick one-liner response is given just to rack up response points, or that a long-winded response is given... just to rack up response points... (LOL)

Actually, I was wondering more about the question that is posed in a discussion. When I post a discussion question to which people respond, how long do you think it should be? Realizing that you just started here, are you more likely to respond to a three line discussion question, or one that is more substantial (several paragraphs)?

I have heard that from other users, too. Some have a theory that it keeps people on a page longer, and means that they are more likely to view the advertisements on the page. But I don't know if anyone can prove this; it is all part of the "secret algorithm"...

Do you find yourself more likely to read and respond to a one-liner discussion or one that is more substantial?

LOL! We tend to think alike, greysfreak, on many of the points that you raise...

until 200, separate important points out

(after 200, bold and emoticon to your heart's content)

ask questions for others to answer

give people something to answer, discuss, or talk about

the more you write, the better

Agreed! Thanks for your contribution to this thread!

I agree that a response should actually respond to the discussion.

What about the discussion itself? Should the discussion starter make the original post long or short? Are you more likely to respond to a long discussion or to a short one?

Thanks for your reply!

I would like to respond to a long discussion as possible as I can,as long as I'm not lazy enough and I have a lot of advice to give.^_^

sorry,there's a mistake in the sentence.I mean
I 'd like to give a long response to a dussion as long as it interests me much, when I'm not lazy enough and I've got much advice to give.^_^no matter how long the original discussion is.

"I would like to give a long response to a discussion as long as it is of great interest to me, provided that I'm not being lazy or that I have much advice to give... no matter how long the original discussion is."

Great answer! (I am fairly certain that) I understood your meaning. Thanks for the reply!

Hello, josechukkiri! I was waiting for a response along the lines of what you are saying. There are "industry standards" for things like blog posts, which are generally considered normal for 250-600 words (or some target range along those lines).

There are no particular restrictions here at myLot. I do not know the absolute minimum number of words that a person could use to start a discussion post. (Three maybe? This could turn into something like that gameshow, where the contestants said, "I can name that tune in three notes..." - "I can start a discussion with three words...") I think it could be done in three words, not including the title. But you are right; myLot makes no restrictions so far as I have read about a minimum or a maximum number of words for a discussion post.

Content is key - sharp, strong content.

But do you think that you have a personal preference for your own responses? Are you more likely to respond to a short discussion post or to a longer one?

I suppose that the length of the discussion does depend on the topic being discussed. "Hey, what movie did you last enjoy?" will probably not take as many words to get the ball rolling as "Has anyone here ever tried to figure out pi? How far did you get past 3.14?"

Thanks for your reply!

Hi, KrauseHome.

With 7200+ discussions and responses under your belt, you are a myLot veteran with some experience to share and words that are worthy of particular attention. Thanks for your comments on this discussion!

I am referring to a new discussion that you would start.

How much do you typically feel needs to be said in order to get good results on a discussion? Is less more? Is more less? Or would you say that the content is truly king, and discussion length is a servant at best?

Thanks again for your thoughts!

Hello, lindazhao333! I am sure that as you compel yourself to write longer posts that over time it becomes easier and more quickly done.

That is the question, though, is whether people are likely to read a longer post or not. I think that maybe if a person is viewed as a valuable contributor -- if all of their posts contain valuable information that is worth reading... then a longer post may do well for them.

Thanks for your reply, and happy posting to you, too!

Hi highlyclever, that might also be the point, but I can't write too much long, 6 lines are already so many to me, hehe... Good day and happy posting...

You do very well, lindazhao333, and I hope that many people read your discussions and comments!

I wonder, though, if someone on myLot who has difficulty reading English is more likely to respond to a longer discussion or to a shorter one?

I believe that asking questions is a definite key to a successful discussion post. It gives people something to think about and something to which they can respond.

Have you noticed any trends in any of your posts? What kind of posts are more likely to generate a lot of responses? What posts did you expect a huge number of responses, only to watch it sit with nothing?

Thanks for your reply!

Have you noticed any trends in any of your posts?
Not really,or may be I haven't noticed it yet.

What kind of posts are more likely to generate a lot of responses?
I think discussions in interests which has a lot of members will likely to generate a lot of responses.Also,the discussion should be interesting and generating a lot of curiosity.

What posts did you expect a huge number of responses, only to watch it sit with nothing?
Well,there was this particular discussion about "dumb crook" started by me,and I thought I would at least receive 5-7 responses,but I got only 1!

Cheers! have a nice day

Happy mylotting and happy earnings.

Jay Leno has a series on The Tonight Show called "Headlines". He takes stories out of newspapers where the editor made a mistake, or there is something odd or funny. One of his favorite stories to tell are the "dumb crook" stories... and these seem to be very popular, so I am surprised that your dumb crook thread did not get very many responses.

Do you think that it could be improved -- a discussion thread title that says: "Have You Heard a Good Dumb Crook Story?" or "Share Your Dumb Crook Story; I've Got a Good One!"? Something in the title that invites participation may be a key to getting people to stop in and reply.

A guy robbing himself... that is pretty sad.

Yea,I think you are right.I think I could have improved the title a bit more interesting.I just thought at that time that title like this would create curiosity,but unfortunately it didn't occur.Next time I will be more cautious.

Cheers! Have a wonderful day

It is always a fine line that we walk in trying to create discussion titles that will attract users... sometimes they work, and sometimes they are a learning experience!

(^_^)

I still think that you could start a "Share Your Dumb Crook Story" thread...

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oh, monaliu! I wish he could tell his troubles or questions in a short story, too.

If you were more comfortable with English, do you think you would still like shorter discussions?

Yes, sometimes. I also like short Chinese stories. But sometimes long pages is needed to tell the details clearly. Both ok for me.