New Moderators and volunteering for future mod positions

[Clinton]

Kay, it's always tricky to strike a balance when it comes to the blog. I do want people to write for it but I don't want the blog to become a promotional tool where people sign up to post some re-hashed content from elsewhere as an excuse to stick a link to two in.

A lot of people have suggested writing for the blog - I've had numerous discussions with "established" members by PM and (and non members by email). I'm sure that many of them could come up with some great content (especially those who already write on the subjects we discuss).

But mention any requirement to not link back to their own sites and they suddenly lose interest i.e. they want to create posts just to they can get links/drive traffic. I'm a bit uncomfortable about that, it's the wrong motivation. It could also attract marketers, SEOs etc., registering and posting just to link to their latest venture, review their own ebooks, or make recommendations for a site/product without disclosing their association. They don't see anything wrong with such "subtle" promotion - and maybe there isn't, it's allowed in most blogs - but our blog section could end up looking a lot different to the rest of this site where self-promotion and advertising gets quickly picked up by a mod and deleted.

At present members can create blog posts but can't link out from them.

I'd waive that for moderators. Anybody who's a moderator here is one because they've demonstrated their commitment to the ethos of this site - so they're safe. I'd also make an exception for specific members who've built enough posts and have acquired the Thanks and Rep to prove that people value what they say. Such exceptions would have to be on a case by case basis if the member contacts me by PM.

[robjones]

Anyway, my thanks to ScottJ for modding these boards and I look forward to him becoming a mod again when time permits him. In the meanwhile a hearty welcome to our two new mods: Kay and KenW3. I'm delighted to have them on board.

Looks like some excellent choices there. Those that take the time to volunteer their effort in that role (and do so for the right reasons) are a blessing to the forum to which they contribute, and you selected the right type (and God save the admins that pick the wrong type... cause we've all seen it happen).

Not sure what level of spam you get here, but so far I havent noticed it, so whoever's doing the job so far appears to be keeping it in control.

[KenW3]

I do want people to write for it but I don't want the blog to become a promotional tool where people sign up to post some re-hashed content from elsewhere as an excuse to stick a link to two in.

Valid concern, considering the mess in some of the other forums. Many guest bloggers supply a piece of their overall content as a way to drive visitors to their sites. Spinning content, to create enough originality to pass Copyscape, is a common practice.

But mention any requirement to not link back to their own sites and they suddenly lose interest i.e. they want to create posts just to they can get links/drive traffic. I'm a bit uncomfortable about that, it's the wrong motivation. It could also attract marketers, SEOs etc., registering and posting just to link to their latest venture, review their own ebooks, or make recommendations for a site/product without disclosing their association. They don't see anything wrong with such "subtle" promotion - and maybe there isn't, it's allowed in most blogs - but our blog section could end up looking a lot different to the rest of this site where self-promotion and advertising gets quickly picked up by a mod and deleted.

When running a website business, there are several tasks that must be accomplished. The owners of these businesses are focused upon growth, advertising, profitability, and what activities they can engage in to further their interests. Driving traffic from other sites to theirs, through anchor text links and signatures, by supplying something of value to the other site, sharing their knowledge and experience, is motivation. Receipt of the education from some guest bloggers is a benefit to visitors and should be rewarded in some way, but how? Problem is, what is in the best interests of their business versus what is in the best interests of this forum, can certainly be a conflict of interest.

Speakers at the various web business conferences often provide classes for free. They do this as a way to demonstrate their expertise in an area. This is an advertisement of their services, but is also a benefit to the audience and a draw of paid visitors for the conference promoters. In exchange for an hour-long PowerPoint presentation, speakers get five minutes at the end to tell the audience what they do for a living. Free advertising and recognition of expertise is their incentive to travel, network, and teach for free.

I wish I knew what compromise to suggest... or even if compromise was a possible solution. Any ideas?

[DomainMagnate]

All great choices Clinton, good to know you've got the right people to watch the forum and keep it clean!

[Clinton]

Ken, I tried that with the EP site in my signature. The plan was to get some good articles and allow the authors a bio linkback. This is how it works in practice: You get emails from people who want to write. They suggest topics. You discuss it back and forth a bit. Then they serve you some junk they outsourced to a cheap "content creation" third party. You turn them down. They go away annoyed. I must have wasted days and days in the various conversations with just one article ever resulting from it (and even that wasn't so hot).

In exchange for an hour-long PowerPoint presentation

An hour long presentation from an expert is certainly good value in exchange for a permanent linkback. In addition to SEO value the link also directs targeted customers to his site.

Suggestions? Here's one: They start it as a forum thread or I post it for them in a forum thread. If that OP acquires enough thanks from established members it gets posted to the blog ...links and all. Any other suggestions welcome.

rob and DM, thanks.

[Clinton]

The mods are doing a fantastic job as always. My sincere thanks to all of them and to the other admin, Ken.

Regulars of this site would have noticed that the forums have been pretty busy of late. There are one or two things I can do to attract further talent and expertise to these forums. I have a little more time to work on that now that Ken is taking over more and more of the usual admin tasks.

I might just go ahead and work on new features /attracting new talent but, prior to increasing activity here, I need to be convinced that existing quality will be maintained. To do that we need one or two more mods. We get very little spam around here and we have a fantastic, intelligent and mature acting memberbase. Please see the OP for a reminder of what the job's all about.

Please PM an admin if you'd like to volunteer and you have the time. Thanks.

[Clinton]

Since my post above, Slowdive and akirk have signed up as volunteers. But we have lost benitez17 who is taking a break after modding this forum almost from the start.

I could do with one or two more volunteers. Do you want to see this forum continue to grow and succeed? Would you step up to the plate to commit time to mod duties? For those that do, I guarantee you will learn a ton (even if you have extensive experience being a mod or admin on numerous other forums)!

[TeamFreedom]

Since my post above, Slowdive and akirk have signed up as volunteers. But we have lost benitez17 who is taking a break after modding this forum almost from the start.

I could do with one or two more volunteers. Do you want to see this forum continue to grow and succeed? Would you step up to the plate to commit time to mod duties? For those that do, I guarantee you will learn a ton (even if you have extensive experience being a mod or admin on numerous other forums)!

Hey Clinton, I would like to see the forum grow. I may not be cool enough to be a moderater but I would be happy to help you in any way I can to see this place grow significantly.

Tell me what you need, I'll get it done.

[Clinton]

That's very kind, TeamFreedom. Mods aren't chosen based on how cool they are but on their posting history and the respect they command from other members. So I never rule anyone out of eventually becoming a moderator. One thing all mods have in common is that they've made quality posts that have been often promoted to the frontpage as articles.

In the meanwhile if you want to help you could pick up on the suggestions here or, as you are now familiar with the forums, come up with other suggestions for that thread. And thanks for your offer.