How can I improve my posts here?

[Zoro]

I want to contribute to this community, and I feel like my posting/writing is unclear or something.

Especially those posts of mine without replies.

It'd be great to get some feedback on my posts and have any confusing parts brought to my attention. This way I can make it easier on other guys who might want to give advice, and just have it be easier to read in general.

Thanks Men.

 

[Smurf]

This.

I know my writing needs to improve in some way so sticking around to here some responses

Jake.

 

[lostnumber]

This isn't targeted at either of you, but one thing I'll throw out there is to reply and follow up to the threads you start. There is nothing more annoying to me then typing up a long and thorough response to someone's question/problem and never hearing anything back from them. Was my advice helpful? Did they even read it? I ask questions on the boards occasionally when I have a tricky scenario I don't know how to unpack, but most of my posts are trying to help others with the problems they are encountering. I find it gratifying when my experiences and the techniques can be helpful to others, especially given my background of improving from zero skills to a point of relative success. It doesn't encourage me, or I imagine any of the other posters here, to devote their time and energy to responding to questions when it sometimes feels like the advice vanishes into a black hole. If you disagree with someones response even a polite but noncommittal "thanks for the response, I'll keep that in mind" type of post would be better than hearing nothing. Or better yet, post why you disagree, and maybe it can turn into a fruitful discussion. And if you found someone's post helpful you should say so!

I'm not calling out anyone in particular on this, and in fact I know I've been guilty of it myself at least once, so I understand how easy it is to read responses and never reply. But it is something I'd point out that all of us should try to keep in mind when posting.

 

[Smurf]

Thanks lostnumber!

Yeah I've definitely done that before where I ghost on a post. I'll try and follow up better with people helping out.

That may be part of the issue I see, so I don't know if its that people don't like the advice or if its just lack of follow up on their part. I like to lean towards myself since that's the area I can control.

Thanks LN, I'll definitely try and follow up more!

Jake.

 

[Big Daddy]

This also isn't targeted at you guys, but most likely Rank 1 members that will never care or read this. I need to get it off my chest regardless.

I find amazing how some people that have no avatar and a handful of posts expect their threads with horrible titles and wall of texts get replies. If the guy has shown zero signals that he'll stick around, I will completely ignore his post.

If it's a higher-ranked member (or even Rank 1 tbh), even if the post is lengthy, I will very probably give it a read given that it has a descriptive title and is properly written, punctuated and paragraphed; some posts are truly unreadable, and if the poster made no effort for me to be able to at least read it, I'm not going to make an effort replying to it.

EDIT: Also, as it just happened now, if I try to post and the forum server delete my shit, I'll get mad and forget it

 

[Seppuku]

There is nothing more annoying to me then typing up a long and thorough response to someone's question/problem and never hearing anything back from them.

Agreed with lostnumber. Some posters ask a question, we take time to give a proper answer, then the original poster never acknowledges that he has even read the answer. It can be frustrating at times.

Also, many posts are very succinct. Not enough details. Or later after a couple exchanges, you find out that some very important details were left out in the first place. Guys you should try to be as accurate and exhaustive as you can when you explain the situation if you want a more to the point answer.

 

[Mr.Rob]

Agree with everyone's weigh in. OP's ghosting on your replies, poorly written posts are annoying, and worst of all having the GC forum log you out when you go to post the lay report you spent the last 3 hours writing only to have it be lost completely into cyber space is probably the only time I've ever cried as a grown man.

@Jwick - I found when I first joined the boards (and still true to this day) I noticed that the more I interact with particular forum members and build a level of rapport and familiarity the more likely they will be to reply to more of your posts just because now you know "XYZ" is cool, he helped me out with that thing, and he has entertaining lay reports and vice versa. Showing interest and making good insightful replies to other people's posts over an extended period of time typically begets them showing interest and making insightful replies to your posts via the principle of reciprocity.

Also, not calling you out Jwick just general observation here, actually implementing the advice and tips you receive and reporting back on how using "XYZ's" advice helped me get "ABC" girl is always cool and gets forum members more invested in your journey and be more likely to click on your threads, etc.

-Rob

 

[Zoro]

Cool guys, thanks for the responses.

@ lostnumber

I'm probably guilty of this...

@ Mr. Rob

Yeah, I'm not really that active here. I could see how that would come into play.

Part of the reason I don't post much is I'm pretty sure most of my 'issues' are just a lack of experience and practice. So anytime I start to write up a post here, half way through I just say fuck it, I'm just going to try it out.

I'll try not to ghost on posts anymore!

 

[Richard]

If you really want to improve your posting - take a look at how Franco, Chase, and Seppuku write. In my opinion, Seppuku has one of the best writing styles of anyone (aside from Chase and Franco) on the Boards, myself included.

It's very clear and concise and there is no question about what is being said which makes it a lot easier for people to a) interpret and digest and b) respond to.

One of the best tips I can give you is; write out your post and let it sit for a solid 30-45 minutes and then come back to it and read it. You should be able to identify and pin-point if there is anything wrong with what you're trying to communicate.

-Richard

P.S. When I'm responding to a question that is more advanced or requires more insightful knowledge I will typically follow that tip, as well. I will write out my reply, let it sit for a while and then come back to it. Can't tell you how many posts I've written and then thrown out because it was unclear after I re-read it. It really helps!

 

[Zoro]

Thanks Richard,

Yes I know, Seppuku is the shit.

Here's a follow up question,

I tend to over think things. Whenever I write up a post, I'll finish and be like "well X or Y might have been the cause" and then just delete the draft and say, fuck it because I know experience will teach me and it's better to just go out.

I feel like I'm missing out on good advice, because I can't keep it straight forward.

Have you ever dealt with this? I'm currently working on being more focused and taking action, and it's coming along. Still have room to improve.

 

[Seppuku]

Yes I know, Seppuku is the shit.

LOL!

I tend to over think things. Whenever I write up a post, I'll finish and be like "well X or Y might have been the cause" and then just delete the draft and say, fuck it because I know experience will teach me and it's better to just go out.

I feel like I'm missing out on good advice, because I can't keep it straight forward.

Have you ever dealt with this? I'm currently working on being more focused and taking action, and it's coming along. Still have room to improve.

Well, I'm not sure to understand why you don't post your draft. Yes, you are missing on good advice. Structuring your thoughts by putting them in writing is a very good way to learn focus. Why don't you try keeping a journal?

If you really want to improve your posting - take a look at how Franco, Chase, and Seppuku write. In my opinion, Seppuku has one of the best writing styles of anyone (aside from Chase and Franco) on the Boards, myself included.

It's very clear and concise and there is no question about what is being said which makes it a lot easier for people to a) interpret and digest and b) respond to.

One of the best tips I can give you is; write out your post and let it sit for a solid 30-45 minutes and then come back to it and read it. You should be able to identify and pin-point if there is anything wrong with what you're trying to communicate.

Richard, thanks for that. You have a very good style too.

I usually write down all the initial ideas as they come. It makes a beautiful mess. Then I re-organize the sentences, re-order the arguments in a more logical way, look for duplication of ideas, remove the superfluous, try to make self-consistent paragraphs, and improve the structure of the whole post. Last, I look for spelling mistakes and grammar (English is not my first language).

Writing regularly on these Boards have helped me improve my written style. And I actually became somewhat addicted to writing.

Seppuku

 

[Zoro]

Well, I'm not sure to understand why you don't post your draft. Yes, you are missing on good advice. Structuring your thoughts by putting them in writing is a very good way to learn focus. Why don't you try keeping a journal?

I'll try not to throw the next ones out in manic frustration. The writer making a mountain of paper balls in his waste bin comes to mind... lol

Journaling usually becomes a mess for me. Maybe I'll go for it again soon, since I'm starting to feel more organized.

I usually write down all the initial ideas as they come. It makes a beautiful mess. Then I re-organize the sentences, re-order the arguments in a more logical way, look for duplication of ideas, remove the superfluous, try to make self-consistent paragraphs, and improve the structure of the whole post. Last, I look for spelling mistakes and grammar (English is not my first language).

Writing regularly on these Boards have helped me improve my written style. And I actually became somewhat addicted to writing.

Seppuku

Now I don't feel so crazy. I should realize that it's natural when writing to make edits and reorganize and what-not.

Thanks again guys.