[capebretoner]

I have a forum that I would like to get moving, but I really don't have the time that it deserves.

How do I go about getting staff, the forum doesn't have the type of people that would be interested. And what is the main benefit?

Also what is a good cash incentive to be staff? I have no idea.

Any advise/help/etc would be appreciated.

[Moelman]

I personally would not pay staff, I think you can usually find people who are willing to do it volunteer just because they enjoy the community.

However I know what you mean in a new community there aren't many suited for staff, I'm in a similar dilemma right now. I have several good active members but it seems most of them only post while at work and I doubt would have enough time to dedicate (since when they get home they're too busy playing WoW to go on forums ).

[Zane]

Having a well know and respectable group of staff members can be vital to any community's success. (Especially the smaller ones!) I would suggest finding another, larger forum with a similar topic to yours and contacting some members who look like they are capable of making responsible decisions and who look like they'll stay level headed. You'll find many of them will refuse, have RL problems, but eventually you'll find someone perfect for the position.

[Big Brother]

The best way to get staff for a new community is simply to go to another place where there are like minded people. For example another community about the same subject. Try and find people that are quite interested in the topic. Once you've identified possible people PM them regarding your project and ask whether they would like to become a part of it.

You really need to see your staff as people that you are working with rather than people that are working with you. Indeed as the owner you do have the final say, however you need to make them feel a part of the community and that they are making a difference. You need to give them the opportunity to dicuss decisions, the more involved they feel the more committed they will be.

[Caddyman]

Ssooo, you guys suggest going to a competitors site and sniping their staff? that's shady.....

[Moelman]

I would never try to steal staff but I don't think approaching regular members of other sites is so bad.

[Big Brother]

Originally Posted by Caddyman

Ssooo, you guys suggest going to a competitors site and sniping their staff? that's shady.....

That's not what I was suggesting at all. I never said anything about the staff, I simily see a competitor site a great place that you are able to find people that are interested in the same subject. This way you can find someone that has knowledge on the subject and will be interested in working on the project, which is extremely important.

[phiber]

I know you can sometimes find friends or people that you can trust to help build your forum but it has been my experience that a paid staff is going to get the results you want.

[LambHost]

I myself wouldn't pay staff, however do ask friends who may be interested in helping or ask around on many webmaster communites as many people would be willing to staff for free.

[monroe12]

Getting staff for a new community could be done easily by giving information regarding the new community into various related communities. Then the members in those communities would add to this new one. Contact the members of some big community related to your subject and you can find some people for good positions among them. Good luck.