Good Mod Advice Plz

June 7, 2008, 10:37 AM

Hi there ^^

So here's the story- I just recently got made a Trainee Mod on another forum. This forum has a sister site which I'd already been modding for for a good while, and since the admin runs both places he asked me to come over to the other one and mod there. That would be all fine and dandy, but I've only been active on that site for about 2 weeks......

There's a huge amount of people saying they're really not happy that I was made a mod so soon, even though I was a mod for a long time on the sister site. It's caused a lot of jealousy and resentment, and I'm worried that I might not be able to do the job very well because of that. The other mods have been really supportive- they seem to understand that being a mod isn't about power or popularity, that it's a duty to the forum, and they think I'll do really well. But even they aren't gonna be able to help much if the jealous members just flame me to pieces. Sure they can ban loads of them, but it's not really gonna answer anything.

I want to do really well at this modding job- the admin seems to be counting on me and I don't want to let him down (I'm representing the sister forum which is quite important), and just generally I care about the place and want to do it justice. So I wondered if any of the staff here have any advice on things I can do just to get more comfortable there, and hopefully start to build up a rapport with the members and get them to accept me. Any advice would be great, thanks in advance guys ^^

June 7, 2008, 10:45 AM

Prove them wrong, but don't go overkill and try to solve every little problem. The worst thing you can do is try to smooth over every single bad thing that happens. That is just impossible and makes ya look like a spotlight whore.

Do your job, keep watch over your assigned section and keep a eye out for overly serious offenses in other sections, which, if no other mod is online, is a incentive to go into that section to stop the problem. If the other mod is online, tell them ASAP or tell a higher mod.

Lastly, you WILL mess up, everyone, and i MEAN EVERYONE does, that is natural. You cannot be a miracle worker either, so don't try to be one, even if they expect it. If someone bashes you about not being on to stop a fight or something, remind them that you have a life outside of the internet ( or elsewhere on the internet

) and that takes precedent . No use losing your sanity and well-being over a website after all ( know that feeling all to well).

Just do your best and stick to the rules.. don't make exceptions or you'll be labled as a favoritist who babies certain people.

June 7, 2008, 11:14 AM

I think the worst thing you could do is simply ignore what some of the members might be saying to/about you; you should grab the situation by the balls and make sure it's drilled into their heads why you're there, and what you're going to do [moderate the forum per request].

The only other advice that could be given is self-explanatory: moderate your areas effectively, be diplomatic [if it's required], be fair/reasonable, and most importantly 'nice' about it all. There's nothing worse than a member of staff that's overly obnoxious when they're moderating posts/threads... well, anywhere really. I was rude and look how popular I became.

June 7, 2008, 11:18 AM

Thankies, I'll do my best. Already managed to kill a spambot, and got a good comment from the other mods, so I'll be ok on that front. I've also applied to become a forum counsellor, maybe people might get the message that I'm there to help. Stress level decreasing ^^

June 7, 2008, 1:23 PM

You've already got good advices from Tielknight and Saix. Just do the best you can and don't let the members get to you, hard as that may be. But be confident in what you do (despite the tiny mistakes you make along the way) and soon enough, the members will most likely see that you do deserve that job. Most importantly, bond with the members, old and new alike. Not because you feel it's part of your job and that you're obligated to do so, but because you want to take a break from moderating and chill out with them.

You can be friendly but firm at the same time, and remember that there's a boundary between taking things too seriously and taking things not so seriously. Try to be somewhere in-between, because it may very well help you in your decision-makings as you come to face various unexpected situations while being on staff. Don't be afraid to admit mistakes and apologize, whether it be to the members or any members of staff. It's important that you acknowledge your own mistakes as well and take it from there.

Anyway, it'll be a bumpy road every now and then. One day you may feel like you're having a grand time with the members and moderating in general, but the next you may completely feel down because a member has said this or that about you. But, what can you do, right? You will never please everyone, despite how good of a job you may do everyday. And that's okay...perfectly just fine.