Comments on: Don’t be afraid to tell users to ‘get lost’

By: Angela Connor

Angela Connor — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:34:31 +0000

Mr. Woc: Thanks for sharing your perspective. You are so right. I have lots of people announce in a very public blog that they are fed up and leaving…and they never do either. I have found myself getting a bit tough with some as time goes on.
Angela

By: Mr Woc

Mr Woc — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:25:51 +0000

Hi there

I dont think your post was harsh at all, in a general normal working enviroment you probably wouldnt say something like that, well i wouldnt lol !

But online communities sometimes are very different and I find being firm but fair seems to work with some people, in fact it sometimes helps to call peoples bluff lol as conversations usually go like this on my site.

User : this site is rubbish !
Me : If you dont like it leave there are plenty of other sites out there.

They never leave lol !

Woc

By: Mike Pascucci

Mike Pascucci — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:05:52 +0000

Closing a thread/topic down is a great step, and posting to that thread why you are closing it down is a very transparent way to handle those situations. It really assists in explaining the “Why”, while also educating your community as to when the “Lines are drawn” within your specific community.
Negative behavior spawns negative behavior – the key is to ensure that your community knows where the lines are, and when they cross it.

Mike Pascucci

By: Angela Connor

Angela Connor — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 02:11:09 +0000

@Martin: It never occurred to me to turn off comments on that particular post. That’s a great idea and I should have done that. It would have sent a message because comments are never closed on my site. You’re probably right on the public denouncing. I think you can get your message across to an individual or specific groups without being too specific.

By: Nathan Clendenin

Nathan Clendenin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:27:32 +0000

Amen!

By: Martin Reed

Martin Reed — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:21:23 +0000

Hi Angela

Thanks for the link

I find that disobedience (if that is the right word) comes in waves in a forum, so every now and then you need to clamp right down to prevent abuse from destroying the community. Of course, as offensive behaviour requires more intensive moderation, you will get more complaints – normally exclusively from the troublemakers.

At the end of the day, you don’t want abusive members in your online community and sometimes you may have say that publicly to send a clear message.

I would never publicly denounce individual members though, as that would only serve to make the situation worse. As community managers, we need to ensure we remain professional at all times.

If I had to make a post like yours, I probably would have closed the topic to replies – my decision would have been made and member comments would only work to further divide the community between those that support me and those that disagree.

- Martin

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:04:27 +0000

I had a conversation with a lady today that was like this. Different wording… but, for all intensive purposes, similar. It’s a talk I’ve had a dozen or more times, I think.

By: Angela Connor

Angela Connor — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:49:07 +0000

@Mfoley: Please feel free to use that line. I’ve got many more and will share them in a future post! I’m glad you’re with me on this!

By: mfoley

mfoley — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:42:27 +0000

More power to you! I completely agree – it’s something that is tough to do, but has to be done sometimes to protect the vibe that you’re going for in the community.

I like your line – “If you want to be here, act like it.” I might just use that one sooner or later