My questions of the day aren't working! I hear that a lot. The response to the question of the day is not overwhelming. I know why this happens. Really I do! There is actually one reason why they don't work. Yes, I could separate them out into a thousand different reasons but there is really only one reason:

Members don't like wasting time typing posts if they think there will be no response.

 

If you don't care enough about a question to answer your member's responses, don't ask it. If you would see it and not be inspired to answer it on another board, don't ask it.

 

Presentation is an important part of posting posts that garner member response on boards. Take for example the difference between: What was your favorite birthday present? nt and Hi everybody! I am struggling to find just the right birthday present for my daughter's birthday. We have gotten her a few things, but I really like to get something special, a keepsake item that she will remember when she is an adult. Last year we got her a treasure box filled with tiny polished stones that we had collected on our trips that we took last spring. Yes, the poochi was a momentary favorite BUT it is the special rocks that have a place of honor in her room. Have you ever received or given a special birthday gift? What was it? Do you have any ideas for me?

 

Now, presentation is not the end of having questions that work. In fact it is only the beginning. The most important step comes next. Answer the responses to your questions. Yes, all of them. If you have a REALLY busy board…you can pick a thread or two each day to answer. But I want you to reply to the responses to your roll call, to your qotd, to your games. ALL of them. I don't care if the answer was boring. I don't care if you disagree or completely agree with the answer. I don't care if you don't like the member. I don't care if you just asked it for the posts. If someone cared enough to answer the post, then care enough to find something to respond to IN the post. Ask a follow up question. Smile. Thank them. It doesn't really take long.  Work the board. Care for the board. Smile from the wrists down. Be curious. Have fun. RESPOND TO POSTS ON YOUR BOARD. Try to avoid nt responses but RESPOND TO POSTS ON YOUR BOARD.  Then community will build.