Super Moderator Guide

How can you make your moderators feel good?

Email them once a month, and let them know how much you appreciate
their helping out
Remember that these moderators are volunteers; they give up their free time to help you out. When you find your true moderators, you must try everything in your power to make them happy and keep their interest in the site alive. Moderators will continue if they know their duties and presence on the site is appreciated and wanted. Send them a nice email once in a while, asking how they are and telling them how much you appreciate what they're doing.

When you first recruit a new moderator, create a new topic to welcome them
Have you ever been to a party where you don't know anyone, and it looks like you'll end up standing by the punch bowl all night feeling uncomfortable? But then someone out of the blue says 'Hi', and you feel a little better. Often new moderators feel unconfortable when they first begin -- and even if they have been around the forum for a while, welcoming them through a dedicated thread is a really nice gesture, and a great way for you and other members to boost the morale of the new moderator. Simply introduce them, and express how happy you are to have them aboard.

If you have a ranking system, make sure the moderator stands out
For instance, allocate them a different badge or star color. It makes them feel important, and helps members recognize your moderators. This means members can more easily message the moderators with questions and comments, as well.

Find another word for moderator
Depending on your forum subject, you can get really creative about what you call your forum helpers. Over time the name "moderator" has gotten a little twisted, and has started to imply negative connotations. To provide some fun and excitement in your forum, find a neat word to call your moderators -- they'll appreciate it. Here are a few I've come up with:

• Guide
• Leader
• Official
• Governor
• Expert
• Advisor
• Mentor
• Helper
• Staff
• Officer
• Sensei

How can you keep your moderators?

Keep the forums moving forward
Continue to add features and promote the forum. No one wants to moderate a dead or stagnant forum. My personal goal in my own forum is to introduce a new feature every week, whether it's a chat event or a new forum feature. Moderators will recognize that this site is a pretty happening place, and thay'll want to continue to help out. They'll stick around only as long as the site continues to grow and prosper.

Backup your mentors in disputes
If there's a dispute between a member and a moderator, side slightly with the moderator. Of course, there are always exceptions to this rule, but try to follow it as much as possible. You and your moderators are a team, and you need to show your leadership. Sometimes being a moderator can be stressful, and they can take a lot of flack, but if you back them up, they'll feel better. If they did something wrong, such as deleting a topic incorrectly, calmly show them their error and how to better moderate in the future.

Keep your moderators informed
They are part of the site and want to know what's happening. If there is a secret new forum coming soon, tell them about it and ask what they think. Let them grow as leaders, and give their input on the site's development. They will feel more important and a greater part of the site.

When should you have a "little talk" with your moderators?

If they haven't been visiting frequently
This is quite possibly the most likely scenario in which you'll need to have a chat with your moderator. If you realize that they haven't been around in a week or so, casually email them to ask if everything is ok and remind them that you really need them to moderate a few times a week. If that doesn't work, email them an ultimatum, and then regretfully inform them they are relieved of their duties. Don't be shy about this: having tardy moderators not only gives you extra work and more stress, but your members will notice it too, and begin to wonder whether you're a good admin.

If they let obscene content run through your community
You need to stress that the moderators act according to your guidelines. If they let language fly without giving out warnings or editing the offending posts, then they are no better than those making the posts. They won't earn any respect from other members, and they make your forum look bad. Again, email them or relieve them of their duties.

If they display a lack of tolerance or show major biases
Depending on your forum subject, many topics can get offensive in nature and very sensitive. For example, topics like religion are notorious for attracting fanatics who rant their opinions. If a moderator joins in, rants their own biased opinions, locks topics they don't agree with, or edits posts because they don't like them, then you have a problem. To be effective, your moderators should remain objective during heated discussions, and try to calm things down before they get themselves into a fight.

If they abuse their power
Locking or editing topics that the moderator doesn't agree with is a type of
power abuse that's more common than you'd think. You usually won't notice because you can't tell what they've edited or deleted unless a member comes out and complains. Again this can be controlled by solid rules and guidelines for your moderators and the rest of the members.

Building a community takes a lot of work -- I bet I opened up many eyes with this article, and hope this shows how dealing with moderators can turn you into a
manager. Like all things though, it takes a lot of time, hard work, and dedication. To be successful you must trust your moderators and make them feel important. Keep them updated on the community's status and talk to them. In the end, it's all fun and games, so enjoy it! Good luck!