Why post request threads

[intelligenceseeker]

I have come across a couple of incredible request threads but never get a response back from the poster after I message and express interest. It is super frustrating

 

[Tassu]

While it is undoubtedly frustrating to get no reply from someone you approach, this is a hobby and no-one owes anyone a reply. People with incredible request threads likely gets an incredible amount of messages. In some ways, this is a question of how you approach people and what are you offering. Unfortunately people are going to take a look at your request thread and use that to gauge you. Since you don't tell much about yourself (style, frequency, preferences), chances are that people pick those who share such information without asking. It makes things a lot easier.

Have you had any luck with people reaching out to you?

 

[intelligenceseeker]

That is very fair, I definitely do not feel I am owed a response, it is just disappointing when you come across a RT that is incredibly aligned with my interests.

I’ve had some luck with people reaching out to me

 

[Tassu]

I recommend polishing your own RT. Look at what those incredible RT's are doing and do some of the same yourself. Let people dig into what you like and are into. Show them your writing. In some ways, it's all about marketing yourself.

 

[Keith Logan]

The first message is hella important. It is the opportunity to make a good impression. Always assume that you are competing with a couple others who would similarly be expressing interest as well.

To concisely summarise a few things that would sway (this is a personal point of view) my decision to take on a play:

1) OOC vibe. It matters a lot for me. I personally feel my best works are often with people whom I could talk thrash uncensored and just about anything under the sun that aren't play related. If two persons are on the same wavelength, you can literally write anything and trust your partners' intuition and thought processes when it comes to the play.

2) Plot muse. It fluctuates. This is ironic, but I am bored of most of my own ideas on my own RT. The PMs that really stood out for me are the ones who approached me by putting a spin to my existing ideas and turned them into something fresh. I adore novelties. If someone comes to me with a comprehensive and unique setup that challenges my own biases, it speaks volume about their creativity.

3) Long messages. I know quantity does not necessarily equates to quality. But I'm on the camp that believes that you can't have quality without quantity. I enjoy diving into the little details, nuances, thought process of characters and their history with great depth. You can't possibly do that with a few words. Once in a while, you might be able to capture all these essences concisely. But more often than not, concise is not sustainable if I am not looking for a quickie. One caveat is that obviously this defers between individuals. I know there are players here who would much rather play things casual and fuss free, or keep things old school like back in the messenger days where posts were a lot shorter and everything was quicker back and forth. But personally, I am more drawn to (first time) PMs that come with at or over 1k word count. If someone puts in that much effort into their message, I am more inclined to want to return the favour.

4) Writing samples. This will save everyone time and heartache.

 

[Siph]

Keep in mind that if someone puts a lot of effort into their RT, they'll expect a proportional amount of effort in the messages they receive. It's not at all uncommon (or unreasonable, IMO) for people to simply ignore messages that they find too curt or lacking in detail. Plus, if you think their thread is incredible, there's a good chance other people thought the same and are already blowing up OP's inbox -- do your best to stand out!

 

[intelligenceseeker]

This is really good feedback! Thank you all for this. I will absolutely take this into account moving forward!

 

[reverie.]

i agree with everything the others have said above, but let me also point out that not only do your preferences matter (not everyone likes the same things), but how you express your interest is crucial to the receiver. i don't know how many messages i have received throughout the years of people sending me two sentences asking if one of plots are still open and that they're interested in writing with me... without giving me a single detail regarding their potential character, a scene they'd like to write, kinks they find fitting for the story or even what they like about the plot in general. like, why do you want to write it with me?? what is so intruiging about this plot specifically? or is it how i write my characters?? it is such a turn off to receive messages where they haven't put any effort into the message nor the plot they want to write with me. just because it's my plot, doesn't mean i don't want my partners input or spin to it ~ it's our story once we start writing it and i want us both to contribute to it.

i always reply to the messages i receive, even if they send me just one line, but i will admit that getting those kind of messages kiiiinda pisses me off a little. they've obviously not read my request thread properly, and i actually think it's rather rude towards me as a literate writer to assume that i would be interested in writing with someone who approaches me with "hi. i see you like incest, i do too. do you wanna do a father x daughter rp with me?" or something along those lines. if you've read through my request thread and glanced at even ONE of my public roleplays, you should be able to tell that i put a lot of effort in my roleplays and my writing partners..... and just, no. sorry, i got carried away. honestly tho, it's a bit offensive to not put effort into your message, sorry. i expect AT LEAST a solid paragraph, minimum, when someone approaches me. with the right information in it. preferably three if not five.

all in all ~ put in some effort and you will be rewarded with amazing writing partners!