You don't have to close with a question if the rest of the post is still focused toward making people want to talk to you- this post didn't ('cause it was 2 am and i forgot) and it doesn't seem to be slowing all y'all down! But it definitely helps.
I tried to to talk about some of what makes a good closing question in that section above above, but a lot of it still comes down to I know it when I see it, and also I sometimes still guess wrong on what works. (I once got a whole bunch of comments in response to a technical question about orbital dynamics? I was not expecting that.)
But I think maybe a good guideline is:
1) Unless the question is the whole post, it needs to flow naturally from the rest - if it reads as out of left field, or like you aren't actually interested in the answers, it won't work. 2) Everyone should know immediately what their answer would be without thinking very hard. (Putting it into words might still be hard, but they should immediately know what they want to say). This is why both very open-ended (the commenters aren't really sure what you want, or have too many choices) or very specific or specialized (the commenters don't have an answer on the tip of their tongue) aren't ideal. 3) Everyone should feel like their answer will be different from everyone else's, and a useful addition to the conversation. This is why asking for personal experiences or opinions is usually better than asking for facts or advice - you don't want people thinking "Oh, I know the answer, but somebody already probably answered it better," you want them thinking "my specific response that nobody else could make is needed here." 4) It helps if you've already answered it for yourself earlier in the post. It provides an example of what kind of answers you're looking for, it makes it clear you aren't looking for one correct answer, and it offers a little vulnerability on your part in exchange for the vulnerability you want them to offer up.
...based on the above, the ideal DW discussion post is "I'm wearing my brown leather hiking boots that I've climbed volcanoes in, my lil BUB socks, and my floppy brown Strawberry Shortcake hat and it feels great! What are you wearing?" But I guess there's a reason that question is a cliche! (Somebody should try that post and see if it works.)
PS: I also really appreciate when people put questions in their replies, it makes it a lot easier to know what to say back and keep things moving. :D Even if those do sometimes take longer to write up.
no subject
I tried to to talk about some of what makes a good closing question in that section above above, but a lot of it still comes down to I know it when I see it, and also I sometimes still guess wrong on what works. (I once got a whole bunch of comments in response to a technical question about orbital dynamics? I was not expecting that.)
But I think maybe a good guideline is:
1) Unless the question is the whole post, it needs to flow naturally from the rest - if it reads as out of left field, or like you aren't actually interested in the answers, it won't work.
2) Everyone should know immediately what their answer would be without thinking very hard. (Putting it into words might still be hard, but they should immediately know what they want to say). This is why both very open-ended (the commenters aren't really sure what you want, or have too many choices) or very specific or specialized (the commenters don't have an answer on the tip of their tongue) aren't ideal.
3) Everyone should feel like their answer will be different from everyone else's, and a useful addition to the conversation. This is why asking for personal experiences or opinions is usually better than asking for facts or advice - you don't want people thinking "Oh, I know the answer, but somebody already probably answered it better," you want them thinking "my specific response that nobody else could make is needed here."
4) It helps if you've already answered it for yourself earlier in the post. It provides an example of what kind of answers you're looking for, it makes it clear you aren't looking for one correct answer, and it offers a little vulnerability on your part in exchange for the vulnerability you want them to offer up.
...based on the above, the ideal DW discussion post is "I'm wearing my brown leather hiking boots that I've climbed volcanoes in, my lil BUB socks, and my floppy brown Strawberry Shortcake hat and it feels great! What are you wearing?" But I guess there's a reason that question is a cliche! (Somebody should try that post and see if it works.)
PS: I also really appreciate when people put questions in their replies, it makes it a lot easier to know what to say back and keep things moving. :D Even if those do sometimes take longer to write up.