Tired of trying to spark quick engagement in your self publishing community? Our This or That templates make it easy to kickstart conversations and draw in members with playful, low-pressure prompts. Add instant fun to your group and watch participation grow.
Connect your community and StickyHive auto-posts these templates on the best days & times for engagement.
This or That posts work because they lower the barrier for participation. Members do not need to write lengthy responses or overthink their choices, making it easy for even quieter members to join in. These prompts tap into our natural enjoyment of sharing opinions, especially in a light and casual way.
For self publishing communities, This or That questions connect members over shared experiences and preferences, from writing habits to book launch strategies. They spark friendly debate and reveal personality, building a sense of camaraderie. By inviting quick choices, they keep your feed lively and interactive, paving the way for deeper discussions later.
Plotter or pantser - which are you?
💡 Example: "Plotter or pantser - which are you? I am definitely a plotter!"
Draft by hand or type on your device?
💡 Example: "I always draft by hand. How about you?"
Early morning writing or late night sessions?
💡 Example: "Late night sessions win for me! You?"
Self-edit or hire a professional editor?
💡 Example: "I always hire a professional editor."
Cover design yourself or hire a designer?
💡 Example: "Hire a designer!"
Write in silence or with music?
💡 Example: "With music for sure. How do you write?"
Ebook first or paperback first?
💡 Example: "Ebook first."
Write in sprints or steady pace?
💡 Example: "I only write in sprints. You?"
First drafts messy or polished?
💡 Example: "My first drafts are always messy!"
Beta readers or critique partners?
💡 Example: "I love using critique partners."
Wide distribution or Amazon exclusive?
💡 Example: "I go wide every time. What about you?"
Short stories or full-length novels?
💡 Example: "Full-length novels."
Series or standalones?
💡 Example: "Series!"
Write every day or only when inspired?
💡 Example: "I write every day, no matter what."
Coffee or tea for writing fuel?
💡 Example: "Tea for me."
Outline on paper or digital?
💡 Example: "Digital outlines all the way. You?"
Romance subplot or no romance?
💡 Example: "Always a romance subplot!"
Write at home or in a cafe?
💡 Example: "At home."
Pen name or real name publishing?
💡 Example: "I use a pen name!"
Plot twists or steady narrative?
💡 Example: "Plot twists keep things fun."
Write alone or with a co-author?
💡 Example: "Write alone."
Book launch party online or in person?
💡 Example: "Online launch parties for me."
NaNoWriMo participant or prefer solo challenges?
💡 Example: "NaNoWriMo every year!"
Blurb first or book first?
💡 Example: "Book first."
Write in order or jump around scenes?
💡 Example: "I love jumping around scenes."
Use Scrivener or Word?
💡 Example: "Scrivener!"
Traditional publishing dream or indie all the way?
💡 Example: "Indie all the way for me."
Focus on one project or juggle many?
💡 Example: "I always juggle three projects."
Write with snacks or no food allowed?
💡 Example: "No food allowed."
Write to music playlists or ambient sounds?
💡 Example: "Ambient sounds for focus."
Big writing goals or small daily wins?
💡 Example: "Small daily wins keep me going."
Outline character arcs or let them unfold?
💡 Example: "I outline every arc in advance."
Write first thing in the morning or after work?
💡 Example: "After work."
Publish under one genre or cross genres?
💡 Example: "I love crossing genres."
Social media marketing or email list focus?
💡 Example: "Email list is my top priority."
Write with a strict word count goal or just go with the flow?
💡 Example: "Strict word count goal every session."
Write in your genre or experiment often?
💡 Example: "I always experiment with new genres."
Edit as you go or wait until the end?
💡 Example: "Edit as I go is my process."
Join writing sprints or write solo?
💡 Example: "Writing sprints make me productive."
Write at a desk or on the couch?
💡 Example: "On the couch for sure."
Share your writing progress online or keep it private?
💡 Example: "I always share progress online."
Big launch day or slow build release?
💡 Example: "Slow build releases work best for me."
To use these templates, simply copy and paste them into your community posts or stories. Rotate through different themes to keep things fresh. Encourage members to reply in the comments and, when possible, share their reasoning. Use imagery or polls on visual platforms to boost participation. Mix in your own examples for a personal touch, and respond to answers to keep the conversation going.
These This or That templates work across all platforms. On forums and Facebook groups, post as text and encourage comment replies. On Instagram or TikTok, use Stories, Reels, or polls for quick taps. On Twitter, post as a question and invite replies or use Twitter polls. For Discord or Slack, use channels or threads and tag relevant roles. Adapt the format to suit platform features but keep the prompt clear and concise.
You can frame 'This or That' prompts around key decision points, such as 'Indie Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing,' or compare specific processes like 'Query Letter vs. Direct Upload.' This not only encourages members to share their experiences but also helps new authors understand the pros and cons of each path. Incorporating industry terms like 'royalty rates,' 'advance payments,' or 'distribution channels' will make the discussion highly relevant to self publishers.
Engage your community with scenarios like 'Amazon Ads vs. Social Media Marketing' or 'Paid Reviews vs. Organic Reviews.' You can also drill down into tactics: 'Newsletter Swaps vs. Blog Tours' or 'Pre-order Campaigns vs. Launch Day Blitz.' These templates help authors weigh various marketing options specific to self publishing and can lead to more nuanced conversations about return on investment and audience growth.
Absolutely! Create prompts like 'Self-Edit vs. Hire a Developmental Editor' or 'Beta Readers vs. Professional Proofreader.' You can even get more specific: 'Automated Editing Tools vs. Human Editor.' These comparisons help highlight the trade-offs in quality, cost, and time management that self publishers regularly face, fostering informed discussions.
Customize your templates with choices like 'Romance vs. Thriller Covers' or 'Ebook-only vs. Print-on-Demand for Nonfiction.' You could also compare genre conventions, such as 'Series vs. Standalone for Fantasy' or 'Pen Name vs. Real Name in Romance.' This approach ensures that discussions are grounded in the unique challenges and expectations of different self publishing genres.
Pose strategic comparisons such as '99c Launch Price vs. $2.99 Launch Price,' 'KDP Select Exclusivity vs. Wide Distribution,' or 'Free First Book vs. Discounted Box Set.' These prompts encourage authors to share data-driven insights and personal experiences with various pricing models, helping the community make informed decisions.
Frame your prompts around real-world dilemmas, such as 'Respond Publicly to Negative Review vs. Ignore and Move On' or 'Purchase Your Own ISBNs vs. Use Platform-Provided ISBNs.' Using these industry-specific scenarios can lead to valuable peer advice and support, as these are common hurdles faced by self publishers at all stages.
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