Nothing is more frustrating than trying to decipher a forum post which has no paragraph formatting or capitalization and the words just run on and on. Even a forum post with as few as 100 words becomes a challenge to read when it is not properly formatted. If others must use their cursor to 'follow' the text in order to determine what you are trying to say, there is a good chance that the message will be ignored.
While this is a common complaint of many moderators who get paid to read every post and decipher the message, the greater concern deals with the other forum members. What will they think when they see a message that is difficult to read? Will they understand the content? Will they even bother to read it?
Although text messaging has its own unique formatting, this style does not apply in the world of forums where clarity is vital if you want your question answered or want to post an answer to someone else's question.
Remember, most community forum members are volunteers and are not required to read every message; they have the option to pick and choose what they wish to reply to. Following the guidelines below will make it that much easier for others to understand your message.
Use capital letters when beginning a new message as well as the first letter of every new sentence. Also, follow the rules for capitalization which includes capitalizing all proper nouns; i.e. a person's name, a product or service name, or a city or state, to name a few. (Incidentally, the use of all capital letters when communicating via internet is considered to be shouting and should be avoided.)Although some abbreviations may be acceptable, it is advisable to avoid 'texting' abbreviations in most cases. They should never be interjected into the middle of a sentence such as 4 in place of the word for.
Use the default font size and color for the majority of your content. Posts comprised of huge font sizes and wild colors make reading difficult and may lessen the credibility of your message.
Insert a space between sentences.
Start a new paragraph when expressing a new point or thought.
Use the spell checking feature to correct any mistakes and always proofread your message before posting. Does it address the topic at hand? Is your content clear and concise?
Your goal in posting to a support forum is to get help with a problem or to provide advice to someone else. Proper formatting will not only ensure readability, but will also provide for a more successful forum experience.
About The Author:
P.C. Daniels is an experienced forum member on a number of customer-driven support communities, a super-user on one and is also a professional Community Moderator.
Through his interest in computers and technology, Daniels discovered the value of peer-to-peer support forums as a means to resolving requests for help and advice on a wide variety of topics.
Check out The Forum Guru for a listing of over 570 up-to-date forums from Automotive Repair to Wireless Devices.
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