Comments on: Not all online community members are created equal

By: When an influential community member goes rogue | Community Building

When an influential community member goes rogue | Community Building — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:48:03 +0000

[...] Not all members of your online community are created equal. Some are more popular than others, some contribute more often than others, and some are just more influential than others. [...]

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:53:26 +0000

That is an awesome idea about giving your best members some recognition. They will become more loyal and active!

By: Lisa Udy

Lisa Udy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:13:15 +0000

I just created a new forum, but I have a lot more designing to do. I don’t have any members yet, but I can already tell who my most important members are going to be. I do believe they can make my forum stand out, and this just gives me the much needed information that my thoughts were true.

Great article!

By: Shawn

Shawn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:31:31 +0000

Wholeheartedly agree; these are the members that I usually approach to see how they would feel about certain changes or additions to the community. The ones that put in the effort seem to give the most thought out feedback towards the site.

By: 95 things I have learnt in 9 years of community building | Community Building

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:08:21 +0000

[...] 85. Don’t focus solely on your power members. [...]

By: Stan

Stan — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:00:42 +0000

Yeah I guess people could abuse that system but if they don’t then people will only give reputation when they feel the post is good and useful. I think it’s quite a good way of measuring the content of peoples’ posts.

By: Martin Reed - Blog Author

Martin Reed - Blog Author — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:06:08 +0000

Sally – I agree, that’s why you need to reach out to these members.

jennifer – Those kind of messages can be annoying, I personally don’t like to restrict what people have to say in this way, though. If you do, you are once again raising the bar for getting involved. We should be making it easy for people to contribute, and they should feel comfortable doing so. Sure, they might only say, ‘I agree’ today but they might get confidence from that post and write something far more substantial tomorrow.

Stan – I am uncomfortable with these kind of ranking systems. They can encourage cliques to form with a few members constantly ‘thanking’ their friends, creating an elite which can be intimidating for new members.

Kyle – I completely agree.

By: Kyle M

Kyle M — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:53:56 +0000

I would have to say that content really separates regular members from most important members. Anyone can increase a post count, or offer a welcome, but someone who can offer quality, readable posts time after time is a great person to have on your side.

By publishing great content that person is showing that he/she not only values the community but is also passionate about the topic.

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:53:44 +0000

I’m not sure how reputation is “a good measure” I’m just not sure…..

By: Stan

Stan — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:50:15 +0000

I agree with Jennifer. Forums have thanks buttons for a reason. On some forums where someone posts some useful information, almost all the replies are simply people saying thanks. It means when you’re looking for some added information related to the first post you have to look past hundreds of posts just saying ‘thanks’.

Also, some people assume post count means authority. On some forums people with a larger post count bully the people with less posts.

I personally feel that length of time at the forum is more important than number of posts. Also, post quality has to come into the equation.

Reputation is a good measure.