How do you create and enforce online community guidelines?

When I first started moderating online communities, I quickly realized that the rules I set only made sense if they were rooted in the community's purpose and values. You can't just throw together a list of dos and don’ts without understanding what your community is all about. For instance, in a creative community, the guidelines might encourage open expression while still maintaining respect for others. If your community is focused on support, the rules would lean more towards empathy and constructive feedback. By clearly defining what your community stands for, you make it easier to craft rules that resonate with your members and keep everyone on the same page.

When you're setting up community guidelines, it's crucial to keep the language simple and clear. I've been moderating online communities for half a decade, and I've learned that straightforward rules are key to avoiding confusion. Break down your guidelines into sections like general rules, content rules, and behavior rules, so everything is easy to follow. Also, make sure to explain why each rule exists and what happens if someone breaks it. This clarity helps everyone understand what's expected and keeps the community running smoothly.

Use a professional online/virtual event emcee. Not only do they have all the skills to handle everything that can go wrong in this space. From the need to fill time effectively when there is a tech glitch, to moderating an equitable conversation and bringing the audience into that experience.

My experience has been that the best communities have a particular culture created by shared values and vision. It takes time to build. Rules can help articulate these values but must be clear and short to remain of practical value. People will tick the "I agree" box at the end of a page of closely typed rules if it is the only way to enter the door. Articulating values with variety in words and voices creates a safe space and guardrails for the community. Practically demonstrating it reinforces this. We can make it easy for people to fit in because they feel seen and heard and experience generosity. Enforcing the rules always feels like a failure but if you are leading a community there are times when it must be protected, generously.