Floris
11-12-2005, 02:39 PM
So you have started your community but you can not handle reading all the threads, moderate new posts in certain forums, allow or decline new registrations. Remove the trouble users or provoke people to post replies to grow content. You're obviously in need of staff members. Of course, you want the best. Loose staff members who are usually a bit younger in age are as good an asset as serious staff members.
Info - Both Loose and Serious Staff Members, a Must?
Loose Staff Members
I suggest these to be moderators and not super moderators and definitely not administrators. These can be on-topic and both off-topic forum moderators who are fans of the discussions at hand. Who will go the extra mile to get to know the community members and wake up in the middle of the night to post a reply to a thread that makes no sense at all. The ones you sometimes think about 'omg, why did I get that 12 year old on the team?' This is why though.. Serious staff members usually don't bother with bending the rules, helping out the regulars a bit more then the newcomers, who post to get things active again for no particular reason. Keep the fun in the site and go :banana2: at times.
Serious Staff Members
I suggest these to be super moderators who have the potential to one day become shared administrators. They fit to moderate posts and members. To validate what fits the site. The help out in disputes and keep things under control. To help create the more serious edge your forums could have. Someone to which your members can turn to and be taken seriously when there are disputes with other staff. They can help a lot better behind the scenes, help manage the forums and members. Keep an eye on things. Take off the load you as admin usually don't have the time for :fish:
So, a must?
Yes, I think it is a must; Though of course this depends on your community topic. I can imagine an enterprise company with a community for customer support has no place for an 11 year old who types like OMGwtfKtnx!!1! - you get my drift I am sure ;)
Requirements!
Think about who you need, for which task and why, how long, what age, location, skills, experience, etc. Do you pay your staff or not? Are there compensations? Legal aspects might be an issue too. Write this down, discuss this with other staff members and make a public announcement inviting those who qualify and have an interest. Screen them and check up on their word. Give a trial period and start with an agreement lasting 3 to 6 months to see how things are going.
Failed :(
There is always a change you have someone on staff that doesn't match the team setup. This IS actually a valid reason to give someone you are releasing from their position. Of course, try to be friendly, but not too personal. Be professional, but not an asshole. Explain in simple to understand argument(s) why you're releasing them from their position. Give the ex-staff some time to say goodbye and perhaps tell your community it was done in a friendly manner. And set the ex-staff status to a valued member so this ex-staff does not get the impression he or she is just 'dumped'. It is hard to do, but sometimes it is best for the community in the long run, and that's what your interests should lie.
Win!
Obviously, if you pick the right staff, loose or serious, you will have a nice team to assist you manage your web site, community and keep content active. So don't forget that, and appreciate your staff. It is as important to your community as people signing up and posting.
Info - Both Loose and Serious Staff Members, a Must?
Loose Staff Members
I suggest these to be moderators and not super moderators and definitely not administrators. These can be on-topic and both off-topic forum moderators who are fans of the discussions at hand. Who will go the extra mile to get to know the community members and wake up in the middle of the night to post a reply to a thread that makes no sense at all. The ones you sometimes think about 'omg, why did I get that 12 year old on the team?' This is why though.. Serious staff members usually don't bother with bending the rules, helping out the regulars a bit more then the newcomers, who post to get things active again for no particular reason. Keep the fun in the site and go :banana2: at times.
Serious Staff Members
I suggest these to be super moderators who have the potential to one day become shared administrators. They fit to moderate posts and members. To validate what fits the site. The help out in disputes and keep things under control. To help create the more serious edge your forums could have. Someone to which your members can turn to and be taken seriously when there are disputes with other staff. They can help a lot better behind the scenes, help manage the forums and members. Keep an eye on things. Take off the load you as admin usually don't have the time for :fish:
So, a must?
Yes, I think it is a must; Though of course this depends on your community topic. I can imagine an enterprise company with a community for customer support has no place for an 11 year old who types like OMGwtfKtnx!!1! - you get my drift I am sure ;)
Requirements!
Think about who you need, for which task and why, how long, what age, location, skills, experience, etc. Do you pay your staff or not? Are there compensations? Legal aspects might be an issue too. Write this down, discuss this with other staff members and make a public announcement inviting those who qualify and have an interest. Screen them and check up on their word. Give a trial period and start with an agreement lasting 3 to 6 months to see how things are going.
Failed :(
There is always a change you have someone on staff that doesn't match the team setup. This IS actually a valid reason to give someone you are releasing from their position. Of course, try to be friendly, but not too personal. Be professional, but not an asshole. Explain in simple to understand argument(s) why you're releasing them from their position. Give the ex-staff some time to say goodbye and perhaps tell your community it was done in a friendly manner. And set the ex-staff status to a valued member so this ex-staff does not get the impression he or she is just 'dumped'. It is hard to do, but sometimes it is best for the community in the long run, and that's what your interests should lie.
Win!
Obviously, if you pick the right staff, loose or serious, you will have a nice team to assist you manage your web site, community and keep content active. So don't forget that, and appreciate your staff. It is as important to your community as people signing up and posting.