Comments on: Warning: Power members may actually harm your community

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

When an influential community member goes rogue | Community Building — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:49:03 +0000

[...] influencers are of huge importance to your online community – and they’re also a little dangerous. You need to keep them onside, but you also need to be seen to treat them the same as everyone [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:36:37 +0000

Good article. Running a forum is harder than I expected it to be – it can be a fine line to walk at times between allowing free and open speech and cracking down on those trangessors who just want to inflame. The danger alluded to in your article is that a forum can become “cliquey” which then deters other newbies from joining and taking part. Encouragement of new members – from greeting them personally (if time allows) to thanking them for their contributions – is the way to go, I feel… for me at the moment, at least!

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:42:06 +0000

I have definitely seen power members poke fun at new members for not knowing whats going on. This is not good at all. Addressing the issue is also a hugely difficult task.

By: Edward

Edward — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:02:59 +0000

meadd: You may not realise it, but high-posting members are steering conversations (and I have been one, so there’s no shame in it). You may not be spotlighting on purpose but the attention IS on you more than anyone else. Even if you’re helping someone else with a problem, replying multiple times signifies that it’s YOU who are helping and not someone else (it also kinda implies that you live there, therefore it’s your house).

You may not see it territorially but I guarantee there are some quiet members who do. (not that the answer is NOT helping, but just to give you a perspective on it)

By: Using and assessing feedback from online communities | Community Building

Using and assessing feedback from online communities | Community Building — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:26:22 +0000

[...] Power members are both a curse and a blessing. On the one hand, they can help lead your community in a positive direction. On the other hand, they can wield excessive influence and actually be a distraction. They can also make quieter members less likely to voice their own opinions. [...]

By: David

David — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:15:50 +0000

Handling an online community can be really difficult. I have seen first hand the kind of spats and arguements that can occur over nothing. Somehow people seem much more agressive behind a keyboard.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:20:58 +0000

I read your article and smiled.

It’s something I’ve seen and witnessed (and come up against).

Interesting name though, ‘power users’. I’ve always thought of them as regulars, but power users is much more apt!

By: How are you rewarding members of your online community? | Community Building

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:14:47 +0000

[...] though, without adequate community management you could end up with a community of power members and silent members. You still need to get involved and ensure the spotlight turns on quieter [...]

By: A new community manager in an existing online community | Community Building

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:43:08 +0000

[...] Register an account (use a nickname, or your real name according to the existing culture). Spend time (days, not minutes – depending on the size of the community) reading existing posts. Read the profiles of your power members, and the more reserved contributors. [...]

By: Shawn

Shawn — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:26:11 +0000

My ROOMMATE is one of these power members on my community, but don’t tell him that I said that! It gets interesting at times.