How do you keep your volunteer moderators motivated without being able to pay them?

I checked one forum that we manage voluntarily and I noticed that the moderators are barely active again. The truth is that volunteer jobs on forum don't always work. You can't motivate people with just a "thank you" forever. Sometimes little recognition helps. Giving them voice in decision making and showing appreciation publicly is very important.

I tend to hire my friends because if I just hire randoms they always let me down.

I don't because I've been flying solo on my board for years, which currently has 2,600+ members and 21,000+ posts. Most people who want to participate in moderating or generating significant content for a board would probably want something in return, and I don't have much to give. Since I know and can manage about 99% of the aspects of my message board, I've always run it fine.

I either work myself, without hiring staff, or hire paid staff. My experience, tell me it is difficult to keep your volunteer moderators and other staff active. You can't make them do what you want if you are not incentivizing their contributions.

You can offer volunteer mods account upgrades. This is something you can do without having to spend money and they are going to appreciate it.

Also, you can gift them a little cash token of appreciation by the end of the year to say thank you for supporting the community.

Heatman said:

You can offer volunteer mods account upgrades. This is something you can do without having to spend money and they are going to appreciate it.

Also, you can gift them a little cash token of appreciation by the end of the year to say thank you for supporting the community.

That upgrade idea actually helps a little but motivation is still deeper than that. Volunteer mods eventually burn out if appreciation stops. Even small recognition threads or letting them suggest forum rules gives them a sense of ownership. People like feeling respected for their effort.

Bright said:

Heatman said:

You can offer volunteer mods account upgrades. This is something you can do without having to spend money and they are going to appreciate it.

Also, you can gift them a little cash token of appreciation by the end of the year to say thank you for supporting the community.

That upgrade idea actually helps a little but motivation is still deeper than that. Volunteer mods eventually burn out if appreciation stops. Even small recognition threads or letting them suggest forum rules gives them a sense of ownership. People like feeling respected for their effort.

I completely agree with you on all those input. Doing one thing only for them when they are not being paid isn't enough. Having them play a role in decision making to some extent is definitely going give them a sense of belonging in the community.

I’ve been on a great many forums and have worked with some amazing people, and some that just want to be on staff for the title. It’s the latter ones that you can’t force to actually do their job and stick with it.

On a forum I’ve run for over 11 years, there is a long-time member who has been on staff for probably 9 of those years, I’m guessing? He’s an older gentleman and doesn’t know how to do anything in the ModCP really, struggles to close and move threads, etc… but he greets everyone and gives input on the reports. So, he’s remained valuable to us in his own way.

I tend to ask myself if I really need staff to begin with.

If the forum is overwhelming me, then I’ll add a moderator. I try not to overload them with tasks and just let them find their comfortable flow on their own, with some tips so they’re not lost right out of the gate.

I don’t require them to be super active, and I try to become their good friend so that they want to come and be on the forum with me.

If I offer any sort of premium thing, I give it to them for the life of their staff role.

Well, my mods like my forum, they enjoy my little projects I made (themes, events, etc), so they are active (if they have time)