Paying Staff

[Hulk's iconHulk]

Say for example you're wanting staff for a forum. Is it a good idea to pay them with real cash? Or should you continue hunting and hunting for someone to do it for free?

What do you do? What works out better in your opinion? Paid staff or staff that volunteer?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

I've never paid a staff member before on my forums.

I'd rather have a dedicated regular who's wanting to help out because they enjoy the forum over someone who's being paid to complete list of tasks.

 

[Hulk's iconHulk]

I tend to start a thread looking for paid staff for forums I own and nine times out of ten they just want to help to gain experience without being paid. That's what I like. But if I'm needing a list of tasks done daily that is a bit too much just for a volunteer staff member I'll hire someone on.

 

[Enter Username Here]

If I pay my staff, they better be the best.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

If I pay my staff, they better be the best.

Strange, this forum has the best staff and they aren't being paid.

 

[Enter Username Here]

If I pay my staff, they better be the best.

Strange, this forum has the best staff and they aren't being paid.

I believe if you took the time to look for the right people and befriend them online, they may do all the best work and work needed for free. Some people feel paid in workmanship and ending result.

 

[DrLeftover]

True story here.

I was volunteer staff on an old multi-line BBS.

Then one of the volunteer managers worked out an advertising swap with a local radio station, they would run promos for the board on a couple of their shows, and the board would run ads on the BBS, AND provide content.

Part of the content provided was local sports coverage, something the station didn't really have. They were relying on the local coaches and athletic directors at the high schools and colleges to call in with scores. Didn't work very well.

Guess who was the sports reporter on the BBS.

The good part was that with the station issuing the credentials I could get into major events such as the NASCAR races at the Dover track, Delaware and Del State football games, Philadelphia Eagles training camp, and so on, without having to explain what an "on line service" was to anybody. They all knew what a radio station was.

But I still wasn't getting paid.

 

[ZERO]

It really depends on the forum. If the forum makes revenue, you could pay the staff a good amount from the earning of the ads.

 

[+paradox]

if it's a big or huge forum then i might understand hiring professional help, as well as forums that are owned by businesses...

 

[Payton]

I agree with Nebulous, but if the site owner is making decent profit from the website, I think he or she should distribute some of the earnings to the members. Of course it's totally fine if the position is explicitly stated as a volunteer only ordeal.

 

[Enter Username Here]

But paying out of your own pocket, I don't agree with. Unless you're a successful forum.

 

[spork985]

I don't pay mine and don't feel the need to. They all are more than happy to help out and usually feel honored to even be asked.

 

[MrDawn]

I can see a corporate forum paying people to run their forum. But as far as a self owned forum? No. No point. Most self owned forums go under.

 

[Alycium]

I do not offer payment for staff but I do however, recognize hard work and I will send them an eGift card. It's always nice when people recognize all the work you've done and actually give you a genuine "Thank you!" and give you something for it.

Hard work pays off...

 

[Kale]

Have done paid moderation. A lot has changed since 2014, and do see paid content moderation positions. I've done it and it's not for every one. It was fun, but also is a way more professional thing. You have a schedule, you have to be consistent, etc. I can see the downside and upside to paying staff.

 

[Cory]

If the forum was intended to gain profits, then I can understand paying staff members. Otherwise, I doubt many people would pay staff members on a site that has zero profits. Basically, if the forum is more intended for a business than just entertainment purposes, then I can understand paying staff members. Perhaps I'd pay for staff members on a non-profit forum if they took on big projects, like creating skins and large JavaScript codes. But, that's something I'd only consider if I were fairly wealthy.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Have done paid moderation. A lot has changed since 2014, and do see paid content moderation positions. I've done it and it's not for every one. It was fun, but also is a way more professional thing. You have a schedule, you have to be consistent, etc. I can see the downside and upside to paying staff.

How much did you get paid?

 

[Kale]

How much did you get paid?

$15 an hour at both jobs and they were part-time positions. Work from home, so it was nice.

 

[Dan The Man]

I do not implicitly pay my staff but every December I reward Amazon giftcards to demonstrate my appreciation and gratitude. It's impossible to run a successful forum without a competent and motivated Moderator team.

 

[Cory]

I do not implicitly pay my staff but every December I reward Amazon giftcards to demonstrate my appreciation and gratitude. It's impossible to run a successful forum without a competent and motivated Moderator team.

That's a pretty neat idea, showing gratitude towards your staff. I don't even have any staff members on my forum, it's only me and myself.