We’ve all seen them – those social media posts that make you stop scrolling and do a double-take. The ones that make you think “Whoa, did they really just ask that?” Hot take questions are guaranteed to get people talking. Let’s explore how a little bit of audacity can bring your content to life.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
What are hot take questions?
Hot takes aren’t about offering carefully measured opinions. They’re designed to be deliberately provocative, poking at assumptions, challenging the status quo, and pushing some buttons (without causing genuine offense, of course). The best hot take questions have no easy “yes” or “no” answer.
They’re open to debate, igniting a back-and-forth as people jump in to defend their own stance. Additionally, hot takes typically tap into topics that are widely known or experienced, making them easy and relatable for people to latch onto.
A well-crafted hot take should linger in your mind. Even if you firmly disagree, it may leave you questioning something you’ve taken for granted.
Hot take vs. unpopular opinions
It’s easy to confuse unpopular opinions with hot take questions, but there’s a crucial distinction. An unpopular opinion is simply a view held by a minority – it might be quirky or unusual, but it doesn’t necessarily stir up debate. A hot take, on the other hand, is forcefully designed to get a reaction.
"I enjoy the taste of black licorice." (Unpopular opinion)
"Black licorice is the most disgusting candy ever created." (Hot take)
See the difference? The first statement is merely a preference. The second is a forceful assertion designed to get a reaction.
The origins of the hot take
The term “hot take” is surprisingly rooted in the world of sports journalism. It originated within sports talk radio where hosts would stir up controversy and provoke passionate reactions from listeners. They’d pick a hot-button topic, offer a bold and often poorly supported opinion, and essentially dare people to call in and disagree. This tactic was designed to fill airtime and boost audience engagement.
With the rise of social media, the hot take migrated beyond sports. Now, everyone from casual social media users to businesses can throw their own attention-grabbing opinions into the digital arena, fueling debate and often earning those precious clicks and shares.
How to use hot take questions for your business
Hot takes are not just a party gimmick, they can be a powerful business tool. They offer businesses a unique way to boost engagement, gain insights, and even strengthen teams. Let’s dive into how to use them strategically (or get straight into some example questions):
Use them at events
In-person events offer a unique opportunity to use hot takes for a real-time buzz.
Unlike online posts where a hot take lives only on the screen, events allow people to directly engage, debate, and put their own spin on the conversation. Here are some strategies to spark lively discussions:
- Entrance provocation: Post a hot take question as a welcome sign. Ask attendees to write their answers on a visible “debate board”, sparking conversation from the get-go.
- Tabletop discussions: Include hot take questions on table cards. These questions can be related to your industry, challenges within your field, or more general for playful debate during networking breaks.
Use them for social media engagement
Social media is the natural habitat of the hot take. Opinions, arguments, and passionate pronouncements are what these platforms thrive on. To make your hot takes stand out and create meaningful engagement, try these approaches:
- Polls: Use polling features (Twitter, LinkedIn), but always include a way for your audience to explain their reasoning. This deepens engagement.
- Niche debate: Keep your hot take questions aligned with your brand or industry, attracting the right audience, and ensuring relevant conversations.
- Conversational posts: End your posts with hot take questions that are open-ended and encourage different perspectives, not just a boring “yes” or “no”.
Use them for live webinars or Q&A
Webinars and Q&As can often fall into the trap of being predictable and overly structured. Hot take questions can inject a dose of spontaneity and make these events far more dynamic.
Here’s how to use them to your advantage:
- Thematic focus: Build your webinar around a hot take question central to your industry. This positions you as a thought leader and invites engaged participation.
- Moderation is key: Don’t overplan. Prepare opening points, then actively moderate, ensuring diverse viewpoints have a voice and the discussion stays on track.
- Question-driven Q&A: Open your Q&A by inviting hot take questions from the audience, turning it into an active debate rather than a passive presentation.
Use them for team building
Hot takes can foster critical thinking, respectful disagreement, and collaborative problem-solving within teams. Try these approaches:
- Team Icebreaker: Start meetings with a lighthearted hot take question to get everyone engaged and thinking creatively.
- Deeper Discussions: Use industry-relevant hot takes to spark debates on challenges your team faces. Encourage finding solutions together.
- Empathy Building: Try hot takes that force team members to see issues from a different perspective, promoting understanding and collaboration.
Use them for a corporate assessment or survey
You don’t want your employees to think critically only when they’re in group. Many people really open up to a hot take question if they can react to it in all discretion.
Say you’re trying to gauge employee sentiment in your organization. Here’s what you could do (by the way, it’s better to keep this type of questionnaire anonymous):
- Open with an icebreaker: In the context of a survey, the icebreaker hot take is especially useful to set the tone of openness. It will encourage employees to share their genuine opinions from the beginning.
- Offer multiple choice hot take statements and ask respondents which one or which ones represent the company culture best. It might be wise to add an optional comment box for them to add any insights. They may feel more comfortable that way.
- Integrate scenario-based reflection: Prompt employees to consider somewhat extreme, hypothetical situations related to the company’s goals or challenges. It will encourage respondents to think creatively and critically about potential solutions.
15 hot take example questions
5 hot take example questions for events (tabletop discussions)
- "If you could predict one major disruptor in our industry within the next five years, what would it be?"
- "What's the most overrated trend in our industry right now, and why do you think it's not living up to the hype?"
- "If you had the power to change one stereotype about our industry overnight, what would it be?"
- "What's the most underutilized technology or strategy in our industry?"
- "If you could swap roles with our CEO for a day, what's the first thing you would change?"
5 hot take example questions for social media engagement
- "What's the best-kept secret about our product/service that you think our competitors would hate for you to spill?"
- "What's the boldest statement you wish a brand would make on social media, and do you think we have the guts to do it?"
- "If our CEO were to go live on social media for an impromptu Q&A session, what burning question would you ask them to put them on the spot?"
- "If our brand were a meme, which one would it be and why? Bonus points for creativity!"
- "What's the juiciest piece of gossip you've heard about our industry lately, and how do you think it will impact our brand?"
5 hot take example questions for a corporate assessment or survey
- “What is one issue in the workplace that you believe management is unaware of?"
- "Imagine you have the power to implement a new initiative to boost team collaboration. What would it be, and why?"
- "What do you think our competitors are much better at than us?"
- "If you could call out one industry trend as overhyped or irrelevant to our goals, what would it be, and why should we steer clear?"
- "Which company tradition or practice do you think is holding us back from reaching our full potential in the market?"
How to create your own hot take questions
To create your own, start by identifying a widely held opinion within your industry, niche, or target audience. This common belief is your springboard for the hot take. Next, identify the opposite perspective, an exaggerated angle, or a hidden weakness within the conventional view. Don’t hold back – the goal is to be a little provocative!
Once you’ve got your counterpoint, transform it into a question that invites passionate debate. To add extra spice, consider techniques like playing devil’s advocate (“Isn’t focusing on data-driven decisions actually a risk to creativity?”), intentional exaggeration, or bold choices that force people to pick a side.
Remember, your intention matters. Do you want your hot take to be playful banter, a prompt for serious debate, or something in between? Tailor the intensity to your desired outcome and be mindful of your audience. What level of controversy will be engaging, not alienating, for the group you’re addressing?
Moderating hot take discussions
Hot take questions are a strong tool for fueling discussions, but their success depends on creating a space for civil and productive debate. That’s where effective moderation comes in.
To protect your brand’s reputation and foster valuable exchanges, set clear guidelines that emphasize respect and a focus on ideas. Lead by example – model the kind of thoughtful engagement you want to see. Address individuals seeking to disrupt the conversation while engaging openly with those offering genuine, if strongly held, opinions.
When discussions get lively (as they should!), de-escalate any unnecessary hostility with reminders of your guidelines and open-ended questions that redirect focus. Seek common ground and point out the complexity of most issues. Your goal isn’t to squash diverse opinions, but to elevate the conversation. By actively moderating, you turn hot takes into powerful tools for boosting engagement, gaining valuable insights, and strengthening your brand’s connection with your audience.
Dos & don’ts when using hot take questions
You know what a hot take question is and how to create one, but using one effectively takes finesse. Let’s break down the dos and don’ts that turn a potentially controversial opinion into a catalyst for compelling discussion.
Dos
- Do understand your audience: Tailor your hot takes to be relevant to your customers’ interests. If you are an IT consultant, a hot take about cyber security is far more likely to resonate than one about pop music.
- Do have a point: The best hot takes offer a fresh perspective, not just contrarianism for its own sake. What meaningful insight can you share?
- Do be genuine: People can spot a fake hot take a mile away. Only express opinions you actually believe in, even if they’re a bit quirky.
- Do invite debate: Phrase your hot takes as questions or open-ended statements to encourage discussion. “Isn’t our reliance on passwords just asking for trouble?” is far more engaging than just stating your hot take as fact.
- Do maintain a playful tone: Even the hottest takes shouldn’t be mean-spirited. Lighthearted humor diffuses potential tension and makes your hot take more palatable.
Don’ts
- Don’t be disrespectful toward differing opinions: The goal is a lively debate, not a character assassination. Avoid ad hominem attacks or belittling those who disagree.
- Don’t be afraid to back down: If the discussion reveals your hot take was misinformed or poorly considered, own up to it. This shows a willingness to learn and grow.
- Don’t make it personal: Target ideas or trends, not specific individuals or groups. This keeps the conversation productive and avoids unnecessary offense.
- Don’t just drop the hot take & disappear: Be part of the conversation you start! Actively engage with responses to show you value the discussion.
- Don’t lose sight of the purpose: A hot take is a tool, not the entire goal. Aim to inform, spark thought, or find common ground – not just to be the loudest voice in the room.
Online engagement starts with hot take questions. It sticks with two-way interaction.
Hot takes are literally meant to warm people up. And they’re quite effective. But in general, your goal isn’t for things to end there, is it?
To keep the temperature from cooling down all too quickly – think ahead of what you’ll “give back” after you’ve gotten a reaction. In the case of online surveys or assessments – whether they be destined for employees or lead generation – this is why Pointerpro’s automated feedback report-building capability is so popular, both with HR professionals and marketers.
