Recruiting Moderators

[TCP/IP Warrior]

Hello all, I have a little dilemma.

How do you recruit Moderators/Administrators without spamming? I have a very unique idea for a community but it just won't work without recruiting existing "heavy-weights" in the industry.

So, how would I approach them to at least "think about it" without breaking the rules?

THanks!

[Scott]

I would tend to pick moderators from an existing community. Only then do you know how well they'll perform.

[Odd Fact]

Maybe start with a introduction email about yourself and a broad decription of the fourm. You could include why you believe that person would be a good asset.

Normally you would recruit from within the community. For a new community you might contact people you work already.

[TCP/IP Warrior]

pick moderators from an existing community
Exatly what I want. I have watched these moderators for a while now and they have
the skills to make this successful which is where my question came from; how do I NOT SPAM them in the recruiting process????

start with a introduction email about yourself and a broad decription of the fourm
Catch 22! If I do that is that not spam even though they would gain from it and at the same time inprove the whole industry?

:doh:<-- stuck between a hard rock and success --> :dance:

[Minarette]

Is this a new forum? If so, chances are that you won't need any moderators yet :)

[TCP/IP Warrior]

It is a new forum and it doesn't need the moderators to actually control it. The purpose of the moderators that I have in mind is in order to give the forum "weight" at the beginning. Later on, as the community grows, they would be more of "advisors" to the other moderators and to the admin.

For example, FU has SoftWareReview and his experience as a moderator carries weight in his responses in this and other forums. It's that kind of experience in my opinion that can help a young or new forum grow in a positive manner.

[Scott]

Humm, I'm not necessarily sure I like the idea. Does it mean that those members who are experienced but not an advisor should just be ignored? I'm guessing you're looking for something like WHT's guides? Not sure it'd work as well for a new forum, as you really want to encourage everyone to post, including experienced non-advisors.

However, to go back to the original question, anyone who would be interesting in such a position is not likely to consider such an email as spam. They're more likely to be pleased by the suggestion, even if they decline. To quote wikipedia - "Spam by e-mail is a type of spam that involves sending identical or nearly identical messages to thousands (or millions) of recipients." You're not really doing anything like this, so I'd suggest being bold and sending out a couple of emails. Make sure you outline what you want to achieve and why you want them.

[Odd Fact]

I believe TCP/IP is looking more for experienced members to help draw new members and to help develop communication.

This is a common quest for new communities or communities needing a boost.

[TCP/IP Warrior]

Odd Fact: Bingo! :fu:

Scott: I do not wish to run a forum where people (specially advisors) are ignored. Quite the contrary. Thank you for your answer though... it made me realize that in fact I might have come accross that way.

[mobosof]

if you are within their community and have been watching them perform so to speak, then no doubt if you are active they may have noticed you too :)
and i suppose there is a pm facility??
a whisper in there ear in there own environment wont alarm them..they can check you out :) ....and pm back if interested?
you can outline your proposal with a personal touch, and they may think more of you with the one-to-one approach

[the_real_tisse]

Just thinking out loud here: if it is a new forum, I would offer excellent quality stuff, the "heavy guns" sure will chose quality over quantity.

So, first make sure you have a solid product, then go for revenue, not the other way around.

Just my view on it ofcourse :)

[Webmaster7]

Exactly. I would only select a moderator if he/she already had demonstrated interest in participating in the forum.

Mobosof, are you the same Mobosof, the Swish expert? Welcome :)

[mobosof]

I'm mobosof?? last time I looked :) but i no expert..i'm a gopher
thanks for the welcome, sorry late posting..kinda busy

[TCP/IP Warrior]

Just thinking out loud here: if it is a new forum, I would offer excellent quality stuff, the "heavy guns" sure will chose quality over quantity.

So, first make sure you have a solid product, then go for revenue, not the other way around.

Just my view on it ofcourse :)

Thanks... that is a very logical approach. :peace: