How to maximize your chances of receiving useful answers in forums?

Question

I have put together what I've learned as a part of SoloLearn community and my post is now featured in SoloLearn's Blog (Yeah!!!)
https://www.sololearn.com/Blog/38/8-simple-rules-to-get-help-from-the-community

What would you suggest from your personal experience?

Answer 1

Great one!
I'm missing two points:
- Avoid posts like 'Hi' and 'I want to make friends'
- If possible try to post in English (maybe by using a translator tool), because this will appeal more answerers. But don't be afraid to post in your native language. Sometimes you're lucky and someone will help you anyway.

Answer 2

Great summary :)
I'd add up a couple of things, though:

1. Avoid asking people questions of general preference, like "which is the best language". Rather, describe what you want to achieve and then perhaps ask for the best tool or solution to do that.

2. The forum is run in English. People often downvote non-English posts, especially non-Latin ones (sorry, tough luck). In order to avoid that, mark your question with [XX] where XX is your ISO language code - [PL], [RU], [TR], [ID] and so on. It gives people information that you probably won't understand the answer in English, and those eager enough will make an effort to reply to you.

3. RTFFF - Read the freaking forum first. Be realistic - in such a great community there most likely was someone before you, who had the same or similar question or doubt. Too many threads are about the same topic already, don't add up your own, just because you're lazy :)

4. Mark best answers as best. This is not only a good manner, but it makes the person who made an effort to reply to you happy and gratified. For most of occasions - it is one of the only decent (xp-wise) rewards for high-experienced users to achieve some xp boost.

5. Don't cheat in any way. Sololearn community won't tolerate cheaters. Codes are free, but don't appropriate them as your own! Always leave the author's credentials and do not to publish the codes, leave them as private. Also, don't run fake accounts just to win some challenge xp - will be noticed in a second :)

Answer 3

Considering the current search system on SL, using appropriate tags may also help people to locate your posts for future reference or also to provide answers to unanswered questions.

Answer 4

If you edit your question, make it known by adding Edit: or Update: to the end.
Edit: You could add [Solved] to the start of your question when your problem is... solved.
Edit2: Don't edit your code in your question after you learn how to fix it. Leave it broken so others can see both the problem and the solution.

Answer 5

Awesome post @Lana, congrats 👏😊 I agree with your tips, @Tashi's and @Hatsy's as well.

- What I can tell from my experience is that there's more traffic at certain hours and days. I just started studying this because it seems to me like just like any other social platform there is a "best time" (hours) and "best day" (weekdays and weekends) to post questions to reach more people that could answer.

- Also, attracting "influencers" to your question does matter, because when one of them answers a question their hundreds/thousands of followers see it in their home feed and "discover" the question and therefore are more likely to answer.

- I've also noticed that questions about SoloLearn (like this one) and other questions about people's preferences also attract a lot of participants.

It would be nice if you could come up with another blog post about "giving useful answers" (I mean, not doing a raw copy-paste from google with no extra value or explanation of your own) that would encourage me to ask more here about technical topics ☺

Answer 6

Format questions as questions. If you don't, then people don't understand what you are asking.
Post questions after you have tried to figure it out yourself.
NEVER ask for someone to just write a code for you, always try for yourself first.
Be kind to others and tolerant, because there are many things that others may not understand. We are all here for each other and will help in whatever way we can, so don't be afraid to ask questions (as long as they relate)

Answer 7

The same things you mentioned.

Answer 8

It's a nice blog post, but how is it that the ONLY link to the comunity guidlines is at the end of it?
I mean, many users do not even bother going to the website: wouldn't it be better to stick the reading and the rules as the first thing you see in the Q&A?

Answer 9

Great post. Here's one more from me:
Try not to ask which language is better, because these kind of questions is already asked and will never have certain amswer

Answer 10

I would say the less tags the better.

Like @Jishnu stated to only have the relevant tags.

Answer 11

Yeah, I want people to learn them first, So that redundant question will not be asked.

Answer 12

try to say every details that you think important and don't ask repetitive questions if you have, search it here or use from stackoverflow

Answer 13

I agree with you all

Answer 14

awesome work. now how to make this blog post required reading.

Answer 15

Cool blog! Here's mine:
- Posting detailed question
-Adding sample code
-Adding reference
-Serious Question
-Being Learner

Don'ts
-Spam (I always see this)
-Making Friends (This is not facebook)
-Nonesense Question (I see lot here)
-Asking common question
-Incomplete details

That's mine.. I have experience in many communities not only here. You can also find me on GreenSock Forums... :) Willing to help here.

Answer 16

Make the answer well structured and try to use English beacuse it's the most understood language around the world.Be nice and respected (BNBR) in your approach of asking the questions.
If someone in the answer section has a query regarding your question reply to them and avoid ambiguity
Also the tag section is very important make appropriate use of it.

Answer 17

Way to go! kudos..

Answer 18

Marked,

Time to teach kids :D

Answer 19

amazing work.. agree with you.

Answer 20

ask questions completely and point out the exact issue if you can. A direct approach is always better if you want a conclusive answer. And also use the tags appropriately in order to ensure that you get the attention of people who may have the answer for you