What are your Answers! strategies to increase your Best Answer percent?

I have the most number of BA in the Business and Finance category, 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.

I think that the best thing to do is to find questions that you really know the answers to and try to word things in the best way possible.

I did see someone that had a friend go on and ask a bunch of questions and then choose their friend as the best answerer for all their questions, I'm sure it is against the rules but it is a quick way to make a lot of points, and get that best answer percentage up.

You have fallen victim to the leveling scheme my friend. The real purpose of Yahoo! Answers is to answer questions, and recieve information. The leveling is just a way to have a bit of fun along with it. This isn't like Pokemon, where its all about leveling and being the best. Just have fun and answer questions you know something about, and you will level.

It's quite brilliant though that Yahoo put that feature...leveling can get addictive.

the best way to increase your percentage of best answers is to answer only quesitons that you know merit a best answer from the asker. Don't jsut answer Poll or opinion type questions, but make an effort to really completely answer questions from an asker who NEEDS an answer to a problem. These are more likely to choose a best answer. This way your percentage won't be brought down by answering lots of dumb questions. However, you have to factor in the amount of points you can get from answering lots of dumb questions...

I don't know about my percentage, but I find that answers I give that are factual and easy to read with a bit of added humour generally hit the spot! Oh and ALWAYS check the spelling (nothing more irritating than bad spelling)!!

Well I am level 6 with 25%, so I don't know if I qualify to answer your question, but I don't really have any strategies. I mean, the points don't really do anything-I just answer questions that interest me, or I want to answer.

I answer the best that I can. I offer what I feel is the best advice or whatever. I also try and answer things that I have a clue about. I'm not gonna answer questions that I have no unearthly clue about. I'm not out to get free points. I actually try and help those that have (usually) serious questions. I guess that's it. ^_^

~El-Matto

Look like you are doing OK in that department!

I've often wondered if the multi-account trolls use their different accounts to vote fro their own question. But I guess the trolls don't really care about the points or providing a good answer.

There are no differneces perhaps only the order used it is a long adictive slog which is fun and helps the day go along with the knowledge that you can aquire and give to others

eighty 4. Opium/heroin. the could be an mind-blowing style of weed from Afghanistan yet Afghanistan is an opium farming u . s .. Marijuana is appeared down upon there while opium and heroin are basically omitted by the police.