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CP Storm, via Flickr (CC license)
Managing online community: It's not always a brawl, but it's definitely no place for wimps! |
(Editor's note: This is final installment of a three-part Tidbits mini-series.)The third core online skill I wish I'd acquired in journalism school is how to lead and moderate communities.
A successful forum or blog relies upon a robust user community. However, these communities don't magically form. They require enormous amount of time, effort and leadership. If you're lucky enough to develop a community, the work only gets harder: a forum/blog moderator is equal parts party host, discussion leader and diplomat.
What does this have to do with journalists? Online, writers and editors are expected to interact with the audience. (If you work at a place where this isn't an expectation, start looking for another job; your current gig has an expiration date.)
Audience interaction can yield better stories and more interesting content, but it also opens the door to arguments, mindless debates and comments so stupid -- so egregious -- you want to throttle the nearest life form.
Moderators must swallow that first impulse and step back. They need to see opportunity amidst arguments and story ideas amidst flame wars. They need to lead the discussion and prod it when it falters.
These skills can only be developed through experience, and that experience should begin as early as possible. If a student emerges from journalism school with an ability to foster a community, that student will never have a problem finding a job.
...That concludes this mini-series. The three skills I've discussed are just the tip of my own journalism iceberg. I'd love to hear what others think.
What Web skills do you wish you'd learned? What should we be teaching future Web journalists? Please comment below, or on part 1 or part 2 of this series.
Learning to manage online communities online can also help editors...
