Hey Everyone,
Discussions in other current threads made me realize that I am long over due for a "Customer Service Survey" of sorts.
As someone who writes threads on the forum, I am interested in hearing what things you'd like to see and how threads can be made more enjoyable to read and answer.
Now I have to state right off the bat that I can only work within my own posting style. The number one thing I'm always told is, "Your posts are too long," and I certainly understand that. But it's part of my ingrained style and is unlikely to change, so I can only say that I know and accept that my posts will only appeal to a very small, niche group.
However, I AM open to reasonable suggestions of HOW to shorten my posts -- and just how long is "too long"?
1. Should I stop including personal stories?
2. Should I stop including background info? (I like to explain why the subject seems important to begin with.)
3. Should I ask fewer questions, or split things up into several threads instead of just one thread with a very long introduction?
May I please ask though, that when giving feedback, please consider the perspective of writing threads and the pushback it often brings. I get discouraged when sometimes, the people who want me to change things the most are those who don't write threads or polls, and have never experienced the challenges.
I've seen some people over the years proclaim how boring the forum is, but yet never write threads or contribute to try to change anything. While starting threads isn't necessary, because the people who answer are really the ones who make the threads, I just ask that when giving suggestions, please be gentle.
I am grateful to anyone who spends any time at all reading or answering my threads. But I also LOVE seeing others write their own threads, and I pay close attention to feedback from fellow writers.
Over the years, there have been some fantastic suggestions! The reason I now group questions at the end of an introductory post is because someone pointed out that when questions were scattered among different paragraphs, it was hard to remember what they should be answering by the time they finished.
So, in the hope of trying to develop threads that are of a better service to our readers, I'd like to know:
* What draws you in enough to read a thread?
* What makes you want to answer?
* What things about a thread make you pass it right on by?
* How can threads be shortened for easier reading? Is just asking the questions with minimal info and no personal stories enough? (From what I've seen, it isn't, but I'm open to trying to find a balance.)
* What subjects would you like to see talked about, whether serious or silly? (Keep in mind, I write threads in Singles, Family, and sometimes Miscellaneous. If you are looking for topics in other areas of the forum, like Bible Discussion, News, Conspiracy, etc. -- you'll have to ask the regular authors there.)
This is also why I'm putting this thread in Family instead of Miscellaneous. The crowds in Family and Singles are much more familiar with my posting style (and limitations.)
Keeping these questions in mind, I'm going to write a very basic poll with multiple choice, anonymous answers (no one will see what you chose.)
However, this isn't easy to do with a poll, and since it only allows me about 10 answers, PLEASE come back and give your suggestions here in the thread.
While I enjoy writing threads, it's all meaningless if it doesn't serve others in some way, so I'm hoping you can help me learn how to better accomplish that!
I appreciate your feedback in how we can make that process more effective!
Thank you very much for your time.
P.S. Just got the poll written and it certainly doesn't allow me very many answers! But I'm grateful for the poll function and we'll work with what we've got!
Looking forward to reading your additional feedback here in the thread!
Discussions in other current threads made me realize that I am long over due for a "Customer Service Survey" of sorts.
As someone who writes threads on the forum, I am interested in hearing what things you'd like to see and how threads can be made more enjoyable to read and answer.
Now I have to state right off the bat that I can only work within my own posting style. The number one thing I'm always told is, "Your posts are too long," and I certainly understand that. But it's part of my ingrained style and is unlikely to change, so I can only say that I know and accept that my posts will only appeal to a very small, niche group.
However, I AM open to reasonable suggestions of HOW to shorten my posts -- and just how long is "too long"?
1. Should I stop including personal stories?
2. Should I stop including background info? (I like to explain why the subject seems important to begin with.)
3. Should I ask fewer questions, or split things up into several threads instead of just one thread with a very long introduction?
May I please ask though, that when giving feedback, please consider the perspective of writing threads and the pushback it often brings. I get discouraged when sometimes, the people who want me to change things the most are those who don't write threads or polls, and have never experienced the challenges.
I've seen some people over the years proclaim how boring the forum is, but yet never write threads or contribute to try to change anything. While starting threads isn't necessary, because the people who answer are really the ones who make the threads, I just ask that when giving suggestions, please be gentle.
I am grateful to anyone who spends any time at all reading or answering my threads. But I also LOVE seeing others write their own threads, and I pay close attention to feedback from fellow writers. Over the years, there have been some fantastic suggestions! The reason I now group questions at the end of an introductory post is because someone pointed out that when questions were scattered among different paragraphs, it was hard to remember what they should be answering by the time they finished.
So, in the hope of trying to develop threads that are of a better service to our readers, I'd like to know:
* What draws you in enough to read a thread?
* What makes you want to answer?
* What things about a thread make you pass it right on by?
* How can threads be shortened for easier reading? Is just asking the questions with minimal info and no personal stories enough? (From what I've seen, it isn't, but I'm open to trying to find a balance.)
* What subjects would you like to see talked about, whether serious or silly? (Keep in mind, I write threads in Singles, Family, and sometimes Miscellaneous. If you are looking for topics in other areas of the forum, like Bible Discussion, News, Conspiracy, etc. -- you'll have to ask the regular authors there.)
This is also why I'm putting this thread in Family instead of Miscellaneous. The crowds in Family and Singles are much more familiar with my posting style (and limitations.)
Keeping these questions in mind, I'm going to write a very basic poll with multiple choice, anonymous answers (no one will see what you chose.)
However, this isn't easy to do with a poll, and since it only allows me about 10 answers, PLEASE come back and give your suggestions here in the thread.
While I enjoy writing threads, it's all meaningless if it doesn't serve others in some way, so I'm hoping you can help me learn how to better accomplish that!
I appreciate your feedback in how we can make that process more effective!
Thank you very much for your time.
P.S. Just got the poll written and it certainly doesn't allow me very many answers! But I'm grateful for the poll function and we'll work with what we've got!
Looking forward to reading your additional feedback here in the thread!
