This Thanksgiving week we’ve been publishing stories that emphasize the powerful role of community. And we’re not just talking about physical communities! We also recognize the power that online communities can empower people…if done right.
Creating an online community is a bit like opening pandora’s box: while it can serve as a safe space for like-minded people to connect online, it can also quickly turn into a place where so-called trolls hijack the conversation and spew relentless negativity. That, however, doesn’t mean it’s not possible to build a place online to share ideas and make connections without all the trolls or negativity. With the following tips, you can make a troll-free online community where people actually feel safe to share information.
Identify anchors: When you’re first starting your community, it’s important to build your foundation with a few people who are every bit as passionate as you are. Identifying anchors begins with defining your own distinctive mission and values. What do you stand for, and how will your group stand apart from similar communities?
Set standards and moderate diligently: The content that you and your anchors’ post will set the tone for your community, but you still should have a written set of guidelines that your members can refer to. For example, if you want an online community free of political commentary, make it clear that political comments will not be tolerated. Once you have these guidelines, make sure to put them in highly visible areas on your webpage.
Curate your community: If you want a community where there’s a deep respect for all, your members should feel that they are among a select group of peers who have been carefully vetted. Find the commonalities that you think you should unite the group and make it a prerequisite for them to be accepted to the online community.
Invest in getting to know your community: When you take the time to get to know your members as deeply as possible, you form strong connections that naturally lead to positive, respectful interactions within your forum.
Enforce your guidelines: If you want a troll-free online community, you need to make sure people respect your rules. If inappropriate comments are being made or someone has shown frequent disrespectful behavior, don’t be afraid to tell that person that their online behavior is unacceptable and remove them if needed. It may sound ruthless, but that’s what needs to be done if you want to protect your online community these days.
