How to get forum moderators?

Finding appropriate people

[zielak]

Hi

I have a new automotive website and I'm looking for experienced forums moderators who can help me grow this site.

Any ideas how to find apropiate peoples?

[camweh]

For me it doesn't work that way. They'd have to be regular contributers and have a feel for the subject in question before I would even consider them as moderators. They'll emerge if there is any worth in your forum.

[rogerd]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, zielak. I think finding moderators outside your forum will be difficult unless you want to hire professional mods and pay them well.

In almost all forums, moderators are home-grown. They are typically members who have demonstrated a history of frequent participation and being helpful to others. Expertise in your topic is good, as it will earn them the respect of other members, but is not the most important characteristic. Rather, the ability to use good judgment, get along with others, and generally good communications skills are most important.

If you have the luxury of waiting, I'd look for mods who have been around for many months or at least a year - often, people have changing interests, and you want to avoid setting up and training a mod who is going to drop out after a month or two.

Good luck!