How does someone get 1927 Best Answers?

Question

It seems hard to answer 1927 questions, but how does someone get so many BEST answers? Is there a strategy to get people to VOTE for your answer as BEST?

I've always wondered.

Answer 1

I have the most number of BA in the Business and Finance category with 5,400+ best answers, and here are my strategies:

1. Answer only what you know. If you are planning on improving your BA percentage, answer only the questions that you think you can answer best. In my case, I stick to Business and Finance category because that is what I know best. I check and read other categories, but I don't answer them if I do not think I can give the best answer.

2. Answer the question with the intent of providing the best answer. Instead of saying "Google the answer" - do it yourself. You'd be amazed at how many users do not know how to search and would reward you with a BA if you just give them links based on the search that you did. Take time to answer the questions well and make sure the answer has a chance to be selected as BA.

3. Research as much as possible about the question. If the person is asking for information on business plans, for example, give the person 5 links instead of just 1 sources. Aside from websites, think of other sources of good information -- e.g. books, associations, magazines, etc. and give the link to the asker.

4. Always put sources for your answer, and make it as credible as possible. Instead of saying "go to this link" summarize what is on that link.

5. In my experience, people love detailed and complete answers -- whatever the length of your response. Though I have lost several points to askers who prefer one sentence responses, people in general like long expounded answers. Long answers show you know the topic very well. If you are giving a short response, make sure it contains everything the asker wants.

6. Develop your "money points" - questions where you've written extremely well responses and search for those questions regularly and answer them. In my case, I always answer questions on availability of grants for business and my batting average for this type of question is 90% best answers.

7. Prepare shortcuts - time is of essence sometimes when you want to be the first person to answer the question. It may be beneficial to have a document of your responses so you can respond fast and quickly when you spot a money question.

8. Don't take YA too seriously. Despite best intentions, despite researching the question well and despite spending so much time crafting your response, your answer oftentimes will be overlooked. Sometimes the asker will select another answer that has more links. Or sometimes the asker will choose an answer that is sooo different from the question, yet the asker liked. Sometimes the asker just don't know anything and selects the answer that is totally wrong. Or sometimes more people simply vote on the other answers, than yours. Just move on.

Answer 2

Gosh, this question must have been meant for me.

I joined back on May 9th. I had no idea how big this thing would get.

I started out, just answering a dozen questions a day. Some in the morning, some at lunch time, and some after supper. I just wanted to keep in touch, and see if people had any interest in joining my Computer Yahoo Group. I had already recruited experts from other yahoo groups, so I figured that I would come here. The whole idea was to create some awareness of the SpyWare and Spam problems that people have, and how to avoid this. When the total addition kicked in, it became 30 answers per day. Sometimes, I will do a total Answer-Fest on a Saturday or Sunday.

OK, here is the math part. I've been a member of Yahoo Answers for just 169 days. Times 30 is 5070. I do my best to answer correctly, accurately and politely with the idea to get the BEST. But many people ASK, then never pick a BEST. So I go back into my ANSWERED questions thing and VOTE for my own answers. (this is about 4 days later). I did not realize it, but a bunch of people ar voting for the best too. By some fluke, they vote for my answer... These people seem to be pretty picky, but I appreciate the BEST answers that I get.

It seems that I still can answer about 20 questions a day. At the end of the day, I start hunting for my own BEST answer. Gosh, sometimes I can't remember what I wrote. HEY, sometimes I even vote for a better answer that is NOT mine.

Back to the MATH. At first, I answered all sorts of questions. But once I appeared at the COMPUTER & INTERNET Top 10, I stick with this category. Roughly half of my questions end up with BEST, so today, that comes out to 1927.

Let's see what day 170 brings. I am now shooting for 2000 Best Answers.

I live for the BEST ANSWERS that the ASKER gives. That means that I really helped. I am totally thilled when I get Five Stars, and the persons says "it's fixed".

dwightl.geo is going to catch and pass me. I have no doubt. If he just voted for his own answers, he pass me in about a week.
( I'm routing for you dwightl.geo, GO MAN GO )

But the REAL GEEK is imisidro, who leads the Business & Finance group with 4,033 BEST. That guy is on the moon and breathing my dust.

Answer 3

I think when people not only answer accurately, but thoughtfully and they don't just throw up quick replies like, "Yeah" or "No, they don't" then they are much more likely to be chosen as the best. Obviously there are some categories here where the answers are philosophical or subjective, but at least in the Computers area, answers are for the most part factual, so it's easy to see a correct one.

When I'm answering someone, I try to pretend as though I asked the question and then I read it back to see if it sounds like an answer that would actually help me.

And if someone has 1927 Best Answers, it means they also spend a lot of time on this site :)

Answer 4

Of course because that person has a smart mind and gives better answers. But dont worry my friend coz I can give u an idea. Make two Yahoo accounts ask questions from one, answer from another and then return 2 choose ur answer as the best, Forget 1927 u can get a fcukin million best answers.N o one will be able to match that feat in the next 5 years. As simple as that.

Answer 5

It's easy. There's a secret code. Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, b, a, select, start. That will give you 100 extra best answers. You can thank me later.

Answer 6

It takes months and a lot of hard work to get that far.

Answer 7

They are giving answers that are intelligent, heart felt and comprehensible. Just my opinion. God bless

Answer 8

Wit, intellegences, friends on Y!A....the possibilites are endless.

Answer 9

Research. I usually google or use research websites.

www.wikepedia.com
www.support.microsoft.com
www.dictionary.com
www.google.com

I find all my answers here.

Answer 10

By cheating.