Why Aren't My Answers Getting Upvoted? Should I Ask Questions Instead?

Thank you for selecting this topic. After thoroughly analyzing your answers, there are several key reasons why they haven't received as much upvote traction. Here are the primary factors:

The Urgency Hurdle

By the time you post your answers, it's likely just a matter of hours, which isn't enough time for others to find them. Patience is a virtue, especially in the age of instant gratification. Give your posts at least a few days to gain visibility and reputation within the community. This allows more people to stumble upon your answers and provide feedback.

The Practice Gap

Your experience with answering questions on Quora is relatively new. Consistency and regular practice are essential. I've been contributing answers daily for years, and that dedication has significantly improved my standing within the community. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it does make progress.

The Question's Appeal

Your current approach involves choosing questions that may not inherently excite the majority. While targeting questions with high visibility is logical, the key is to focus on areas where you can genuinely contribute something substantial. Your answers should add value to the discussion, adding insights that others find beneficial. Simply aiming for high traffic questions isn't always the best strategy.

The Write Quality

Your answers are often cluttered with vague critiques of existing posts rather than directly addressing the question. This approach is counterproductive and diverts focus away from the primary purpose of Quora—that is, to provide direct and concise answers to questions.

When it comes to effective writing, brevity and clarity are crucial. Your writing tends to be lengthy and focused on showcasing your intellect rather than serving the reader. Refine your approach to craft concise, direct answers that provide value and address the core of the question.

The Path to Improvement: A Practical Guide

Here's a step-by-step plan to help you improve your upvoting rate:

Start Practicing: Write 100 answers, but don't rush. Let them sit for a week before reviewing them.

Evaluate Performance: Identify the 10 answers that received the highest number of interactions (views, upvotes, comments). Analyze what made these answers stand out.

Refine Your Approach: Incorporate the elements that worked in your top-performing answers into your future content. This will help you create more engaging and effective posts.

It's important to recognize the effort and dedication required to improve your writing. I, for example, am 55, and I've spent my entire career honing my writing skills. I've specifically focused on improving my answers on Quora for several years with the goal of enhancing my writing capabilities. Consistent hard work and self-critique are the keys to success.

By following these steps and maintaining a commitment to improvement, you can significantly boost the value and visibility of your answers on Quora.