Tips on getting views and replies on your build guide thread?

Hi all! My greatest pleasure in Path of Exile is coming up with my own builds every time I play. I've been playing since 2013 and never once used some else's guide, as that would ruin the fun for me. Sure sometimes the builds I come up with kinda suck, but most of them are ok. A few are really good and those are the ones that give me a sense of achievement while playing this game.

With all that said, a lot of the fun I get from making builds also comes from making guides for them and posting them on the class forums. I only do that when the build has at least proven itself on mid-tier maps. I usually get some feedback but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to increase the number of views and replies to a build guide thread. What do you expect to see in the title of a build guide and when you open the thread?

People (me mostly) want videos.

It seems people look for:

- Is it cheap? Very rich players have no need for guides, usually.
- Is it Atziri/Über viable? Nice gear check milestone.
- Is it fun?
- Is it original? Do you use any "lesser known" mechanics?
- Do you use popular skills/items?

Implement those, and your guides will be found when searching. Videos of clear speed/bosses is always a plus.

Well, short good title which contains ascendancy and main skill. When I open I will look for gear and passive tree. Those determine if I do it,don't list everything every gear part in a separate spoiler (e.g. gloves, then boots,etc). One spoiler with all gear including flasks and jewels.
It has to be cheap, a build worth playing as league starter or at least worth as second char, since many people play league. Don't use caps or clickbait ( 1 00000000 DPS UNBUFFED SUPER DMG GOD MODE) . Explain your mechanics if there are any. It's nice to get some explanations ^^ gl with your guides, I just wrote down what came to my mind.

Oh and bandits...people like to forget them. Also videos of atziri and the usual

"

Flurbereinigung wrote:

Oh and bandits...people like to forget them.

I will never understand this one. If you know the game, and have read the guide - bandit rewards should be pretty self explainable. But hey, not everyone knows the game.

That's the point, people who learn the game mostly require this. And even if you know the game, better safe than sorry, I don't like to spend 20 regrets to change my bandit.

Thank you all for the quick and very useful comments! Definitely got some ideas for my next guides.

If you feel like giving me a more detailed critique, here are all the guides I've made so far:


I'm not trying to promote all those build guides by linking them here. Most of them are old and broken now anyway because of updated game mechanics, nerfs, new passive trees etc. But maybe if you feel like doing so you can have a quick look and tell me some parts that I can improve for my future guides.

I have a YouTube channel where I post videos for all the builds. I usually get some positive feedback on the comments and thumbs up. Sometimes people will give very unconstructive criticism such as simply saying "unplayable build" without any explanation.

I like builds that looks flashy and fun.

I took a look at your guides and you certainly have a good structure and format to your guides. Unfortunately, the playstyles look rather bland and isn't quite opie op. So while the 'form' is there, the substance is lacking.

My take anyway.

clickbait thread tittle
bump your thread
BIG NUMBERS
videos that make your build looks OP
updates
league start is when most players visit poe forums and look for build,
reddit is your best friend

-Fancy, attention-grabbing title. Popular skills/builds lead into possibly more views.
-Summary of the build, your idea, whatever
-Maths why this works if you're dedicated
-Gears. Having multiple examples of a slot is nice, descriptions of which stats you need is better
-Flasks and other options
-Jewels
-Passive tree.
-Bandits
-Leveling tree, does your build have any stages, leveling tips/uniques?
-HC viable?
-Uber Atziri, Uber lab, Guardians/Shaper (lol as if) viable?
-Map mods you can't run
-Ascendancies, which order to pick them?
-Gem quality, which ones first?
-VIDEOS! Boss fights + full map clear. Must. I have to see how the build looks and plays.

I think I just started listing things I like to see in guides, but if your guide is well written and contains all the actual guide material, you should get views or at least replies. Oh, and art. Art is nice.

In reality, something like 1 MILLION DPS IMMORTAL BV PATHFINDER will catch a lot of attention. Remember to overemphasize the dps number.

Good luck.