Types Of Forum Members

[kingsuv]

Types of forum members

Considering your forum users to be all the same is a fatal mistake - each is different, but generally they can be categorized into several groups.

This article won't deal with spammers, which have been covered in greater detail in another article - it will however cover the different types of members your community may attract. I suggest that reader's also look at the Types of Spammers article, as the information in it is related to this article.

Naturally, the makeup of your community will depend on the subject area. Professional subjects will get less flamers for example, but more spammers. This is just a broad guide about what to expect from certain groups.

Web Newbie - all industries get newcomers to their communities - it's what keeps them growing. As long as your community is newbie friendly then these people will find a new home with you. It is important if you want to encourage newcomers to your community, that your moderating team are newbie friendly and tolerant of mistakes.

Fly By Posters - like Fly By Spammers as discussed in the article, Types of Spammers, Fly By Posters generally find your community and post a one-off question then don't come back.

Community Pillars - usually started off as Fly By Posters, but then decided to come back. Still don't visit too regularly, but they gradually build up a decent post count with reasonable contributions.

Forum Angels - these can be the life blood of your community - they are active and regular users who will be first to respond to questions and

queries.

Attention Seekers - these people usually post a lot but don't have much to say. They will usually be considered as Forum Angels until things don't go their way - this is when they turn into:

Drama Queens - these people just cause trouble over nothing. The problem with online communities is that the anonymity gives people a lot of confidence (where they usually wouldn't have any). At some point in their lifetime (in your community) they will rant about how things are run. They seem to be unaware of the one single principle that all surfers should be aware of: "You can't win an argument on the Internet"

Experts - these people may also fall into other "types" as well from time to time, but generally they are the people who are listened to within your community. Their word is gospel. Usually, they are long term members with a track record of informative and helpful posts. Every community should have a few of these!

Spammers - see Types of Spammers for more info.

Peers - as your community grows, then other admins / businesses from your industry will get involved. While technically these people are the competition, you should show respect for the fact that they are part of your community, and not the other way around. Within your community, they are the closest thing you have to an equal (your status as Admin raises above the average Joe member).

Lurkers - these are people who frequently read your forums, but don't register and therefore don't participate. Lurkers take a lot, and don't give. But you should consider why they don't register - perhaps if you could convince them to register, your community would be a better place? It's not always possible to determine how many lurkers your community has.

Vigilantes - sometimes also Drama Queens, these people latch onto a cause and fight for it with their dying breath! They will become exasperated with other members who don't share their passion and will become the mortal enemies of members who oppose their views! In short, they can be the catalyst for major drama on your forums, and should be dealt with tactfully!

Essay Writers - why say in 100 words what you can say in 5000? These users, often Vigilantes, Drama Queens, Attention Seekers or Forum Angels tend to write huge posts, usually taking every previous comment in the thread, quoting it and countering it with an argument. Natural debaters, these people can bring life to a community, but more often than not can simply serve to perpetuate meaningless discussions. I like having juicy ongoing discussion in a community, but they do require more attention from Moderators than normal discussions.

Moderating Team - yes, your Moderators are a type of member as well! You need to cater for their needs as much as you need to cater for the needs of other members, so you need to get to know them. You will have handpicked your Moderators, so they should have some of the following traits: knowledgeable in your subject area, reliable, literate, tolerant, easy going, kind, dedicated.

Your Moderators are the ones holding your community together - look after them!

[Low n Loud]

broken down perfectly!

[XtremeSPL-SCAMMER]

everyone is a newbie to me, til they post 100 times once they post over that, they will prolly stick around a while.

[fourlug]

Essay Writers - why say in 100 words what you can say in 5000?

Thought that was pretty funny, reminds me of english class.

[AI James]

i'll go under Vigilante lol

[mrwigglezdj]

im a noob

[Xplorer]

Noobin it up

[jasonw30]

they didn't have redneck in there.....don't we get love too???

[Big P]

damn dude i dont ever fit in :mad:

[LSN2meBoom916]

Thought that was pretty funny, reminds me of english class.

<--The aforementioned. Guilty as charged I think.

Referring to the Novels I tend to write.

Edited December 20, 2007 by LSN2meBoom916