Different moderators often show different moderator approaches when dealing with their users. Depending on the situation, each is very useful when it counts.
Positive reinforcement[]
Positive reinforcement: rewarding users with interaction and competition
- Effective in most moderator situations
- Usually involves posting content and replying to users
- Is the most rewarding but has an effort trade-off
Social engineering[]
Social engineering: use of tools, structure and subversion to mod communities
- Works well in communities where the users like structure
- Fandoms that mainly appeal to an older age bracket (i.e. adults)
- Complement it with positive reinforcement to be sure of user growth
Negative reinforcement[]
Negative reinforcement: use of discipline through warnings or punishment
- Often needed in communities where the users don't like structure
- Good for catch-all communties/servers, forums with really big user flux/upheaval
- Is usually controversial with users, so be prepared
Obliging users[]
Obliging users: taking user direction and suggestions
- Is a good way to fix unnoticed issues and notice new mods
- Useful in growth communities
- Weakens mod authority and causes chaos if overused