How to write a good forum topic that stands the test of time

Forum fact: there are 2969 forum topics on the Landscape Juice Network. When writing a new forum topic, please consider the following so that your post can stand the test of time and be useful, not only to LJN forum members, but to others further afield who may be looking for help and assistance on a particular subject. Titles that explain the forum content Write a title that is reflective of your question or your offer of advice. For example, a title that says 'starter cord' is very limited and and it is also very difficult to determine what the nature of the post is about - it is not easily found by site or internet-wide search either. However, a title that says 'Tips and advice on preserving garden machinery starter cord' is much more positive for search engines and for explaining more accurately what the contents of the post might be about. Opening paragraph The success and longevity of a forum post is often determined in the delivery of the first paragraph so it pays to be accurate, informative and clear about the nature of the topic. The first paragraph is also extremely important when it comes to how search engines decipher the content so please consider the wording of the text and the tags you write to accompany your post. For example writing some thing like... 'Got onto the lawn, snapped, had to get a new one, lost half a day. Not good news' might be reflective of what you were thinking but there is very little to broaden the topic enough so that it might stimulate submissions from others. Consider what advice you are asking for, or offering to others... Search engines like words and phrases like 'how to...' 'tips on'...'advice on' so if you are asking a question then make it clear in the title and your opening paragraph. You can also anticipate what other searchers might be looking for, by offering advice but still asking a question with your title. My opening paragraph for help and advice on preserving a starting cord on garden machinery might well start something like this... 'How do you prevent a nylon starter cord on a lawn mower or other garden machine from breaking regularly and what advice would you offer others on preserving the cord for longer life?' The above can be both a question if you genuinely don't know the answer and you need advice, but it can also be the question others might be asking even if you know the answer. If you are asking a question then you might broaden the question by adding ' are there any tips you can offer on how I stop snapping or chaffing the cord on my machine?' Or if you are offering advice you might then list some of the tips you can offer by sharing your experience - for example, your follow up paragraph might read... 'I have found that the best way to ensure that a starter cord enjoys a long life is to make sure that the cord is longer than your pulling capacity so that when you pull the cord to start the machine, you are not constantly hitting the stop as the cord runs out. Pulling the cord in the direction it is designed to be pulled and not at an angle, so it rubs against the guide eye, will stop chaffing and rubbing and preserve the nylon cord.' Once the accuracy and direction of the forum thread is set up, there is every chance it will run and run and enjoy a long life and help others along the way. Also make sure that your forum post is in the right category and you have selected the right descriptive tags to accompany your piece.