Subjects for Your Online Polls

June 12, 2009 | Filed Under Traffic Generation

by Rashelle Colsinger

So you checked out Polldaddy or WP-Polls (or even ilovepolls.com) and it’s all configured and set to go. You want to go live this week. You’re a bit nervous and a bit excited and a lot hopeful all rolled into one. So, what subject do you plan on asking about?

Simple. what moves and motivates you in life? What motivates you may also motivate others. My expert opinion, however, is that you should make the topic as broad as you can when you first start out in this business.

For example, if you are a NASCAR fan and want to ask “which NASCAR pit crew is the best? Many people know and occasionally watch NASCAR on the television. Most won’t know which pit crew belongs to which driver. So, you might want to broaden it to ask “which NASCAR driver will take it all this year?”

Of course, it’s acceptable to narrow the topic after you start to get regular contributors and visitors. If so, the detailed question approach is appropriate. My line of questioning above is for when you are first beginning to get a following.

A second common way of selecting subject matter scan the headlines of news shows and the major networks. You don’t need to dive into much of the details to get an general feel for what is being discussed and reported (or what the print and communications medium wants you to hear and read).

First, select your general subject. As I type this, President Obama is in the country of Egypt. The President of the United States and Egypt are two great starting points. Middle East Peace is another. Oil is still another.

Begin to narrow down the topics. Is there any kind of controversy with the President and Egypt, the Middle East, drilling for oil? There are tons of possibilities. Next, are there are other players involved (other nations, other issues, other leaders). In the example above, Islam would be a good general topic under Egypt because that is one of the reasons the President of the United States is going there. What are his goals for the trip? Are those goals achievable?

Finally, brainstorm for a question. I could ask, “will there ever be Middle East peace in the near future?” Or “Should Middle East lower oil prices?” or lastly “Is the President of the United States a Muslim?”

Again, you want to create controversy. As they say, controversy sells. Think about it. When people get engaged in a controversy, most sides of the issue comes out.

About the Author:

Rashelle Colsinger is a freelance writer and she loves online polls. Her favorite polls are located at A Daily Poll and A Weekly Poll. Click here to get your own unique version of this article with free reprint rights.

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