When members join, and then ask to become staff, what do you say? This has happened to me a few times, because my forum recently started. I usually say: "Be active, post quality content and stand out from the crowd. You won't get a staff position straight away."
If someone joins and asks to become staff straight away I will tell them straight off no. It is a rule on most of my forums that members can not ask to be staff anyway so I would place a warning note on their account if they ask multiple times.
If there's not active, how do they expect to become a staff member? This is something that I say as well. Work hard, and prove to us that you want to become a staff member. Such as, help out on the boards, let's see what kind of topics you can bring to the table. As well as, can you keep your cool? Do you flip shit easily? If you answered Yes to the second one, I don't think you can be staff. We like being laid back.
I've had users ask this before and I tell them all the same thing. We pick our staff from the active users on the forum, if I see that you are helpful and friendly and we need staff, I'll contact them to start the discussion. I try to keep a minimum about of staff on hand, but then again, my forum isn't large my any means.
Before i grew a backbone as admin, i used to make anyone who asked a staff member. Now a year later, I am picky...if you are not active and you ask me, I am likely to mock you lol. I tell them staff members are people i feel i can count on to be there if i am unable to be there. and are good leaders. Not someone asks me because they think they are great.
If they ask to become staff shortly after joining, then you have no proof of whether or not they have the qualities to be a helpful staff member. Some people can be enthusiastic about helping, but I think it's wise to choose staff that contribute a lot to your forum. In the case of what to say to the "Can I be staff" member, I'll likely explain to the user the process for choosing staff and encourage the user to continue contributing and they might be considered in the future.
I'll simply say, thanks for your interest, but we're not looking for staff at the moment, unless I actually want some members to join my staff then I'll ask them to fill out a application.
I just tell them no, that we're not looking for any staff. I only ever promote people when they are active members and would make good mods. That doesn't not work in line with someone who would request the power to me.
I tell them that staff is invited, and that offers are appreciated but never granted. THe ones who get angry because they are not made staff are the last ones that you want to give any power to.
Thanks for the discussion guys, keep it coming! It is always interesting to hear what you have to say!
I try not to be rude even though I find those people to be pretty annoying. I usually go for "Sorry, we have enough staff members at the moment, but please apply next time we're recruiting". Most of the times they go away after knowing they won't be mods after 1 day, though!
Trying not to be rude is the hard part. You want to tell them to go away, but try and keep them active.
Yes, certainly don't be rude even if those askers are annoying. I usually say "No, sorry". I think it's short and sweet. There's no need to further explain that to them.
I do staff reviews every 3 months and generally if someone asks I keep them in mind when making moves. Will never give it to them right away as I look for activity out of my staff as there more section leaders that also keep stuff in line.
If they're the type that is going to disappear if they can't be mods after a few days, then they're not the kind of people I want on my board anyway. They don't sound like they would be very good for the community overall or contribute anything that I would be looking for. I wouldn't be rude, but I'm not going to be heartbroken if they disappear either.
I have to agree with Jessi on this one: If people expect they can be mods after sending a PM, then they're going to be disappointed. I'm not going to make anyone who doesn't deserve it or who will fade away after a couple of weeks, a mod.
