![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sarahmichiganI've moderated a few on-line groups, including a yahoo group and some low-traffic LJ communities. I'm writing an article about how to be a good moderator for an on-line group, and I have ideas, but I'd like feedback from my friends list. I know I have at least half a dozen people on my FL who have experience in this realm.
Some ideas I'm already working with:
-Have clear membership and posting rules.
-It's OK to have loose rules of moderation or strict ones, but just be clear about spelling out what they are.
-Enforce the rules evenly, no favoritism.
-Have a thick skin. It's likely you'll be criticized.
-It can be nice for moderators to introduce themselves, and tell a little about themselves.
-Have a clear policy about flame wars and how to report if you're being attacked or abused by another group member.
-Decide if you want to take a interventionist approach or a more hands-on approach and be ready to explain yourself and why you've chosen that approach.
-Consider finding a co-moderator or back-up moderator in case you want to take a vacation or get sick.
-Make clear, obvious announcements when there are changes, including changes in rules or changes in who is moderating/how to contact moderators.
Do you think I'm wrong on any particular point? What would you add?
Some ideas I'm already working with:
-Have clear membership and posting rules.
-It's OK to have loose rules of moderation or strict ones, but just be clear about spelling out what they are.
-Enforce the rules evenly, no favoritism.
-Have a thick skin. It's likely you'll be criticized.
-It can be nice for moderators to introduce themselves, and tell a little about themselves.
-Have a clear policy about flame wars and how to report if you're being attacked or abused by another group member.
-Decide if you want to take a interventionist approach or a more hands-on approach and be ready to explain yourself and why you've chosen that approach.
-Consider finding a co-moderator or back-up moderator in case you want to take a vacation or get sick.
-Make clear, obvious announcements when there are changes, including changes in rules or changes in who is moderating/how to contact moderators.
Do you think I'm wrong on any particular point? What would you add?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-06-18 06:52 pm (UTC)Be consistent. It's rule 1, 2, and 3. If people know what to expect, you'll have to do less moderating. I was very vocal on debate threads, and people knew that I'd delete personal attacks whether they were from someone I tended to agree with, or someone I had no respect for. (at least I like to think that was obvious)
MUST have other moderators, and things will be smoother if you hammer out a pretty similar policy together. It's very difficult for someone to accuse you of abusing your power if you're acting in concert with another mod. Particularly if you appeal to a different set of posters than the other mod(s).
Which brings up another point about mods. Best thing you can do if you have someone who seems very vocal and challenging about the moderation on the board is to make that person a moderator. Keeps em busy, so long as you make a good character assessment about whether or not they'll abuse their power.