How to get interaction with NPCs?

[GM Hansj]

It always seem like there's a long pause in people's responses when an NPC appears and has to be interacted-with. I find I have to really lay out players options about saying something, doing etc.

But anyway, I'd be curious what approaches/ideas other GMs have here.

[Miner Cotren]

1) Make it personal

NPCs that at least one of the PCs know is a great start -- an immediate connection, familiarity. This removes the obstacle of "what should I do?" if it is a more familiar person.

2) Make it immediate

Maybe the NPC talks to one specific PC, calling them a name, mistaking them for someone else, accusing them, being overly familiar, etc. This removes the obstacle of "I don't even know if I should say hello to this person" that stops many posts.

3) Make it important

Why is this NPC here? Delivering a message? A threat? A quest? Is it something the PCs will be excited about? This removes the obstacle of "Why am I talking to this NPC at all?"

Just my thoughts :)

[Mightypion]

If the NPC is a big deal:

Consider posting the knowledge planes/nobility/religion/local etc. checks as well as their spoilers in their introduction.

If they are not important, you can still post perception or sense motive or some profession rolls could still tell the PCs something. So, just post the DCs and the to be unspoilered information in case of success.

This is a "Call to roll" and thus "Call to post" hook, and at least one player will typically interact witht that NPC in some fashion.