Comment Topics: Getting Started

Best Practices:

• Start Strong – Launch your project with 8-10 comment topic questions (minimum of 5).
• Mix It Up – Use a combination of polls, multi-select and long response questions to balance structured input with space for community members to share opinions and ask questions.
• Keep It Fresh – Update comment topics every 6-8 weeks to maintain engagement and encourage continued participation.
• Align with Project Phases – Ensure questions evolve with the project (e.g., Phase 2 questions should build upon Phase 1 feedback).
• Communicate via Updates – Post an update to notify subscribers what you are hearing in the feedback (there is a template for this). Additionally, update when new questions are available so your subscribers know to answer new questions.

In the Feedback > Questions section you’ll see we’ve laid out Phase 1 & Phase 2 Questions. These can be used as-is or adjusted to better fit your project. Phase 1 indicates the beginning of your engagement. You’ll want to start out with questions that are approachable while also confirming the community needs and priorities for the overall plan, amenities, and programming. Identify areas where community engagement can influence the project plans. 

Comment topics help identify the community needs while highlighting the public benefits the project can offer. This is your chance to tell a story around what the project offers while also educating the community and correcting any misinformation. This encourages productive conversations. By fostering productive conversations, you build trust and ensure meaningful engagement..