Effective thread titling

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'''A well-written title for your post will significantly improve your chances of getting a helpful response.'''
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'''Detailed post titles get detailed responses.'''
 
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A good post title should be like a condensed description of your post, and typically includes a description of the '''application''', and a description of the '''situation'''.
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A good post title should be a '''detailed''', condensed summary of your post, with a description of the '''application''', and a description of the '''situation'''.
 
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*'''Application:''' Make, model, year, part number, product name, etc. As many relevant '''specific''' details that you have.
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*'''Application:''' Make, model, year, part number, product name, etc. As many relevant '''specific''' details that you have about the vehicle, part, product, tool, or procedure about which you're asking.
*'''Situation:''' What's the problem, issue, or '''specific''' question?
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*'''Situation:''' What's the '''specific''' problem, issue, or question?
 
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=Rationale=
 
Ideally, you want to attract as many qualified people as possible to your post. The right title will encourage forum readers to click through and read your post. Also, a well-titled post will come up in Google and other search engines for relevant searches. You may find someone responding to your post by saying: "I found this discussion in Google...".
 
 
Let's say you were an expert on Buick Nailhead engines, and you were browsing a forum, looking at the titles of threads. Do you think you would read a thread titled: "Engine question", or this one, titled: [http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/best-manual-transmission-put-behind-1960-buick-401-nailhead-169000.html Best manual transmission to put behind a 1960 Buick 401 Nailhead]?
 
  
 
=Examples of good post titles=
 
=Examples of good post titles=
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/3-manual-speed-gearbox-flathead-bellhousing-can-i-adapt-134897.html 3 manual speed gearbox on a flathead: which bellhousing can I adapt?]
 
*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/3-manual-speed-gearbox-flathead-bellhousing-can-i-adapt-134897.html 3 manual speed gearbox on a flathead: which bellhousing can I adapt?]
 
*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/low-buck-solution-early-hemi-front-covers-150572.html Low buck solution to early Hemi front covers]
 
*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/low-buck-solution-early-hemi-front-covers-150572.html Low buck solution to early Hemi front covers]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/how-apply-waterborne-wax-grease-remover-181871.html How to apply waterborne wax and grease remover?]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/advice-fiberglass-tilt-front-end-47-chevy-aerosedan-84-s-181753.html Advice on fiberglass tilt front end for '47 Chevy Aerosedan on '84 S-10 chassis?]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/how-fix-cloudiness-clear-coat-181095.html How to fix cloudiness in clear coat?]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/how-fix-dime-quarter-sized-rust-holes-roof-181701.html How to fix dime and quarter-sized rust holes in roof?]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/best-abrasive-large-scale-rust-paint-removal-jobs-180803.html Best abrasive for large-scale rust and paint removal jobs?]
  
 
=Examples of bad post titles=
 
=Examples of bad post titles=
*'''"Question"''' ''(most threads are questions)''
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*Help me immediately
*'''"Engine question"''' ''(slightly better, but we probably already know it's an engine question if it's in the correct forum)''
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*I need help
*'''"Flathead"''' ''(slightly better than above, but it doesn't give details on the specific details: question, issue, problem, etc.)''
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*Help car quit running
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*Et cetera
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==References==
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[[How to ask a question]]
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[[Category:Hotrodders.com]]

Latest revision as of 21:44, 23 May 2012

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