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Choosing forum moderators can seriously affect the popularity of
your social network. Here are some tips to help you pick moderators
who’ll help keep the peace, stimulate debate and contribute to the
general “culture” of your site.
Good moderator trait #1: Enthusiastic
There’s no point giving the job to someone who doesn’t want to do it.
Or who wants to do it but is too busy. It’s going to take a significant
time commitment, so your moderator really has to enjoy the role. Having
said that, enthusiasm is a necessary but not sufficient condition.
Good moderator trait #2: Knowledgeable
To operate effectively, moderators need respect. If they don’t have it
when they take on the role through existing reputation, they’ll need to
earn it swiftly through a demonstration of general intelligence and
broad knowledge about the profession. Intellectual bullies will make
mincemeat of the ill-informed moderator.
Good moderator trait #3: Humble
Unfortunately, many who possess the smarts to be a moderator are a
little too keen to make others aware of the extraordinary extent of
their cleverness. And no-one likes a smart-arse. So moderators need the
wisdom of Job – and a countervailing humility. Unfortunately, there
aren’t many of us left.
Good moderator trait #4: Disinterested (in actions at least)
It would be wrong to demand that your moderators be fence sitters –
able to see both sides of every argument. People who want to be
moderators will often – even generally – be passionate individuals. But
they must be fair and able to act with disinterest. They can’t appear
to favour those who share their views or, worst of all, delete the
contributions of those who don’t.
Good moderator trait #5: Sense of humour
Moderators often have to tell people to cool things down, to not get
personal and, frankly, to get a grip. That’s a key part of the job
really – to foster spirited debate but maintain a civility that
minimises the possibility of fisticuffs at the next convention.
Cracking the whip won’t endear you. But a cracking wit, on the other
hand, can help take the sting out of many tense situations.
Choose your moderator wisely
In summary, good moderators need to be passionate enough to want the
job in the first place, but not so single-minded that they can’t
accommodate alternative opinions. They need to be cluey without being
pompous. And able to maintain discipline without seeming like a
schoolteacher keen to fill a detention quota.
Clearly quality moderators don’t grow trees. But it’s worth spending
time to find the right people – rather than just conceding the job to
those who ask for it. Because, once you’ve made someone a moderator,
you’ll face a delicate challenge if later you decide you must relieve
them of their responsibilities.
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