Developing Strong Ledes for Nextdoor.com

Nextdoor.com is your online source for sharing recommendations, uproar and camaraderie with neighbors you’ve never met. No topic has yet proven too miniscule, obscure or personal for this free social network site, which is riper than ever for conversation and inquiry.

It’s up to you to write posts that stand out from the pack. Follow these tips and yield gargantuan returns in the form of thanks and replies on Nextdoor.com today.

Make Your Point

You have like two seconds to grab a reader's’ attention as their eyes scan the page. Playful allusions and carefully crafted hints will only cost you valuable interaction on Nextdoor.com. Make your point straightaway to optimize impact:

• My Cat Was Shot

• Carolina Moses: I found your red purse in the latrine behind Buckley’s

• Help! Opossum found.

Ask a Question

Draw in readers and involve your audience by asking them questions. Put the onus of safety, know-how and social welfare upon the community with a well-worded and direct query:

• Loud intermittent banging sounds from inside shed at 214 Hickory Drive?

• Would someone like to hire my son-in-law?

• Where is the internet?

Implement a Surprise Ending

Make your lede pop with a verbal sucker punch. The unexpected goes a long way on Nextdoor.com and a surprise ending allows your topic to stand out from the boundless doldrum:

• Looking to buy: college student

• Keep an eye out for foxes as there have been many sightings in the north end of town lately and one of them actually ate my niece

• Chicken Sitter

Generate Intrigue

A dash of mystery makes for a flavorful Nextdoor.com post. Pique curiosity and take full advantage of a Nextdoor.com gaper delay:

• For Sale: Craftsman LT1000 riding mower in good condition, some blood, asking $350

• Shady character seen walking again yesterday

• Free!

Maintain Dignity

Above all, remember that Nextdoor.com is an open forum. Allow decorum to inform your headlines and consider the adage “less is more” when generating your lede:

• Free: dog stroller, my dog didn’t like it, mint condition

• ISO a GI Doctor (stop there)

• 
  

Nachos

Nacho-Average-Rater©*

*Subject to Subjectivity

Chips.
The backbone of the nacho, though oft ignored, is the chips themselves.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
Yellow corn chips are included.	+ 2
More than one corn chip type used.	+1 for each additional chip type.
If chips are homemade…	+1 quality, crunchy, yum -1 flaky or weird
Grease level under control.	+1 low -1 high
Subtotal →

Cheese.
This simple ingredient can make or break the nachos.   Ultimately you’re looking for thoroughly melted and natural cheese produce.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
The cheese is thoroughly melted.	+2 yes -1 no
Multiple cheeses are involved.	+ 1 for each additional cheese type.
Canned cheese or “nacho cheese” used.	-1
Cheese dispersed evenly.	+1 even - 1 major clumps
Some of the cheese is “browned”.	+1
Subtotal →

Tomatoes/Salsa/other fancy names.
These help to round out the plate and add complexity to the bouquet and mouth feel.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
Tomatoes are fresh.	+2
Tomatoes/Salsa involves other things like onions or herbs.	+2
Tomatoes are not “soaking” the chips.	+1
There is a good amount.	+1 just enough - 1 too little or too much
Subtotal →

Sour Cream and Guacamole.
For many, these components heighten the experience beyond their wildest dreams.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
Guacamole is present.	+ 1 room temperature - 1 something is “off”
Sour Cream is present.	+ 1 normal sour cream - 1 flavored sour cream
Neither!	+2 stands alone -1 too dry without somethin’ somethin’

Olives.
Irrelevant, imposing, and, frankly, irritating.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
Olives are included.	-2
Subtotal →

Beans.
They need to be there.  Did we stutter?
Description	Point System	Point Tally
Black beans are included.	+2
A substitution for black beans has been attempted.	0 does not detract from dish -1 detracts from dish
Subtotal →

Meat.
Meat on nachos is a highly personal component, if one at all.  There are parameters that must be met regardless of patron preferences.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
If CHILI	+1 zesty and NOT SWEET + 1 dispersed well - 1 causes overwhelming sog
If CHICKEN	+2 white breast - 2 riddled with that chewy stuff, clearly not choice cuts (I’m looking at you on Sundays, Iron Hill)
If OTHER (aka crab)	+ 2 tasty - 2 creepy
If MEAT-FREE	+2 stands alone! - 1 feels somehow lacking
Subtotal →

Jalapenos.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of appropriate jalapeno incorporation.
Description	Point System	Point Tally
Jalapenos included.	+2 fresh -3 canned -2 absent
Jalapenos are evenly dispersed.	+1
Extra jalapenos are available upon request.	+1
Roasted jalapenos are present.	0 you’re okay with that -1 you’re weirded out – why aren’t these sliced?
Subtotal →

GRAND TOTAL! →	/25
Tip!	Multiply your score by 4 to get x/100! (wink wink)

Please email leighcgreen@gmail.com with scores of 21 or above.

Local Nacho Roundup.