How to Create Must-Read Discussion Threads

Do not index

A thriving Skool community isn’t just about content—it’s about conversations.

The best groups don’t just post and hope for engagement—they use strategic discussion threads that naturally spark massive participation, deeper connections, and ongoing dialogue.

Ryan Duncan has seen that Skool groups that consistently use engaging discussion strategies experience:

✅ More comments per post, leading to better visibility and retention

✅ Higher member participation, even from those who rarely engage

✅ A stronger sense of community, as members interact and build relationships

This guide will show you:

✅ How to craft discussion threads that members can’t ignore

✅ The key elements that make posts interactive and engaging

✅ The best types of discussion threads to use in your Skool community

Want to see high-engagement discussions in action? Join Ryan’s free Skool community and experience how structured conversations keep members active.

Why Most Community Discussions Fail (And How to Fix It)

Many Skool communities struggle with low engagement on posts because they don’t invite conversation.

The 3 Biggest Reasons Discussions Flop

🚫 Too Informational – If a post just delivers content with no question or invitation to respond, members consume but don’t interact.

🚫 No Clear Prompt – If members don’t know what to comment, they won’t engage.

🚫 Feels Like a One-Way Street – If a post reads like a monologue instead of a discussion starter, it won’t spark conversation.

📌 Example: Instead of posting “Here’s how I increased my revenue by $10K”, a better version would be: “I increased my revenue by $10K—what’s your best tip for increasing revenue?”

Pro Tip: Every discussion post should feel like an open invitation to contribute.

The 5 Key Elements of a High-Engagement Discussion Thread

To drive massive conversations, your posts need a structure that encourages replies.

1. A Scroll-Stopping Hook

✔ Make it curiosity-driven, bold, or slightly controversial.

✔ Use numbers, questions, or shock value to grab attention.

✔ Keep it short—5-12 words max.

📌 Examples:

“Unpopular Opinion: Cold Outreach Isn’t Dead”

“What’s the Best Business Advice You’ve Ever Ignored?”

“I Made $50K in 30 Days—Ask Me Anything”

Pro Tip: If your hook makes people pause and think, they’re more likely to comment.

2. A Relatable or Thought-Provoking Question

✔ Use open-ended questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer.

✔ Keep it simple and easy to respond to—avoid questions that feel too broad.

✔ Make it personal so members feel like their response matters.

📌 Examples:

“What’s the biggest mistake you made when launching your business?”

“If you could only use ONE marketing strategy for the next year, what would it be?”

“What’s a lesson you learned the hard way?”

Pro Tip: If a question makes someone reflect on their own experiences, they’re more likely to reply.

3. A Clear CTA (Call to Action) for Engagement

✔ Tell members exactly what to do.

✔ Use simple instructions like “Drop your answer in the comments!”

✔ Make participation feel effortless.

📌 Examples:

“Comment below with your top answer—I’ll respond to every comment!”

“Reply with ONE word that describes your business goals this year.”

“Tag someone who needs to hear this.”

Pro Tip: Adding “I’ll reply to every comment” increases engagement because people expect a response.

4. Tagging & Encouraging First Responders

✔ Tag 3-5 engaged members to start the conversation.

✔ Reply quickly to the first few comments—this signals activity and draws more participation.

✔ Encourage members to engage with each other (e.g., “Reply to someone’s answer with your thoughts!”).

📌 Example: Instead of “Drop your best sales tip below”, say:

"Drop your best sales tip below! @[Member1], @[Member2], I know you have some great insights—what’s worked best for you?"

Pro Tip: Discussions with early engagement get more visibility inside Skool’s algorithm.

5. Follow-Up & Keep the Thread Alive

✔ Post a follow-up question to keep the conversation going.

✔ Summarize key takeaways and highlight top responses.

✔ Encourage lurkers to jump in late.

📌 Example: “Loving these responses! Quick follow-up: What’s ONE thing you’d do differently if you had to start over?”

Pro Tip: A discussion thread shouldn’t die after a day—keep it active by engaging consistently.

10 High-Engagement Discussion Thread Ideas for Skool Groups

Here are proven high-response post formats you can use immediately.

1. Unpopular Opinion Post

✔ “Unpopular Opinion: Most People Waste Too Much Time on X”

✔ “Hot Take: Paid Ads Are Overrated—Change My Mind.”

2. “What Would You Do?” Scenario Challenge

✔ “You just lost all your clients overnight. What’s your first move?”

✔ “You have 30 days to hit $10K in revenue. What’s your plan?”

3. “Hardest Lesson Learned” Post

✔ “What’s a business lesson you had to learn the hard way?”

✔ “What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made that actually helped you grow?”

4. “If You Could Only Pick One” Poll

✔ “If you could only use ONE traffic source, what would it be?”

✔ “Which matters more: Mindset or Strategy?”

5. “I Need Advice” Reverse Q&A

✔ “I need your help—what’s the best way to get leads without ads?”

✔ “Drop your best time management tip—I need help!”

6. “Guess My Results” Engagement Post

✔ “I ran this strategy for 30 days—guess my results!”

✔ “What do you think happened when I changed this one thing?”

7. Meme or GIF Reaction Post

✔ “Describe your business journey using only a GIF.”

✔ “Drop a meme that perfectly explains your biggest struggle right now.”

8. “Fill in the Blank” Prompt

✔ “The biggest mistake I made in my first year of business was ______.”

✔ “The one thing I wish I knew before starting was ______.”

9. “What’s Your Favorite?” Post

✔ “What’s the best book you’ve read this year?”

✔ “What’s your go-to software/tool for X?”

10. “Let’s Play a Game” Post

✔ “2 Truths & 1 Lie—Let’s Play!”

✔ “You’re stuck on an island with one business strategy—what is it?”

📌 Example: Communities that mix different discussion formats see higher overall engagement.

Pro Tip: Rotate between personal, tactical, and fun posts to keep things interesting.

Join a Community That Uses High-Engagement Discussions

Want to see discussion threads that generate massive engagement? Join Ryan’s free Skool community and experience how structured conversations drive participation.