How To Make Better Networker An Even Better Place For All Members Of The Community
Read More: “I Need Your Help!"
I’m writing to you today because I need your help to make Better Networker an even better place for all members of our community.
We have a wonderful community here with tons of committed members and we’re proud to have some of the most successful leaders in the industry as members of our Better Networker family.
But Lately, Some Members are Acting
a Little Like Buffalo Bill
They are “taking matters into their own hands” and “shooting first” instead of reporting threats to the community to the appropriate people.
And while behaviour like this is clearly a problem, we are also viewing it as an extremely valuable opportunity. An opportunity to communicate with 100% clarity exactly why BetterNetworker exists, the value it provides in the marketplace, and how to preserve that value to help you build your business.
And to make sure that each community member is empowered to contribute to the task of making sure the value of BetterNetworker remains high.
So here goes…
The goal of BetterNetworker is to be THE authority site for anyone wanting to start a home business.
To do that, our community has to provide more value than any other option out there. Period. We do that with content—high value content submitted by members like you.
In turn, the exposure you receive by contributing your content helps you generate the traffic and leads you need to build your own business.
It’s truly a win—win situation for everyone.
But in the end, our community exists to provide value to its members (that’s you). And that pretty much makes it your community.
We simply provide a central location for you to stand up and be the leader you want to be.
There’s No Better Time to Become a Leader Than NOW
The fact is, there are tens of thousands of registered members in our community. There are over 12,000+ articles, podcasts, blog posts, and videos.
Not to mention 80,401+ posts in the forums!
What this means is that it’s technically impossible for any one person or team of people to moderate every single piece of content in our community without the assistance of community leaders like you.
We have always been proud of our upstanding community members because they go out of their way to make this community a better place.
With thousands and thousands of pieces of content live on BetterNetworker, and with more being added everyday, you have a virtually endless supply of opportunities to show your leadership by helping the value of the content on the site remain high.
Now before I explain exactly what that means, I want to make sure you understand that by becoming a member of BetterNetworker, we’re making a commitment to YOU.
Here’s Our Commitment to YOU
We will do everything in our power to make sure that the content on the site does not waver from the number one priority: to provide real value to others. When we discover content or other behaviour that is damaging to that community goal, we will act quickly to remove it.
And that brings me to your opportunity to help us lead.
Because Here’s What We’re Asking of You
As a Member of the BetterNetworker community, we are asking you to take responsibility for helping us maintain the value that BetterNetworker delivers to everyone who visits.
And we’re asking you to stand up and take action when you see content or behaviour that is damaging to the community.
By contributing this way, you’re helping others and yourself. The community will see your leadership in action and you will help to preserve and even increase the value that BetterNetworker provides for your business.
So let’s get specific:
There are two steps to take to deal with members who violate the Terms of Service Agreement or Forum Rules and Guidelines here on Better Networker. Those are the folks you feel are behaving in a way that is creating a threat to the health of BetterNetworker (and your business.)
STEP #1:
First, Issue A Polite But Stern Warning To The Offending Member
This is where you have an extremely valuable opportunity to lead. Step 1 is to warn the user that they may or may not be violating the Terms of Service Agreement or the Forum Rules and Guidelines which ALL members of the community agree to when they become members of our community. (Because let’s face it, sometimes people make honest mistakes!)
By “warning” I absolutely do NOT mean “attacking”, flaming, or verbally harassing them. If I catch anybody attacking or harassing ANY user they will be issued a warning.
If ANY user persists in attacks then they will be permanently banned.
The Terms of Service Agreement is available here.
The Forum Rules and Guidelines are available here.
STEP #2:
Report The User To The Better Networker Help Desk
If you have politely warned the offending user and they continue to break the rules then the next step is to submit a support request at the Help Desk:
The Better Networker Help Desk
When you submit a support ticket our moderators will investigate your request. When submitting an issue please provide the URL and site rule you feel has been violated. For forum posts please cut and paste the offensive content.
When they process requests they investigate both sides of the story and this takes time. It may take 3-7 days to completely investigate an offense.
If there are exceptional circumstances it may take longer to investigate.
Because Banning a Member Permanently is Something We Take Very Seriously
Honest mistakes and misunderstandings do happen.
There is always a chance that we will offer the offending member a second chance to be a valuable member of our community.
“What Happens If That Offending Member is Reported After
Their Second Chance?”
If our investigation proves that they have broken the community rules or guidelines again then they will be banned immediately and permanently.
Banning a member isn’t a quick solution by any means.
There is no “instant ban button”.
The fact is, we have to give every member of our community the benefit of the doubt before we investigate a complaint against them.
During these investigations we ask that you do not take matter into your own hands or attack the offending user in any way.
“What If The Offending User Won't Change Their Wicked Ways?”
If the offending user refuses to live up to the Terms of Service Agreement or the Forum Rules and Guidelines then please submit a new support request.
This is the only way we will have an accurate record of the offending users actions.
The truth is, there are over 80,401+ posts in the Better Networker forums alone and it’s almost impossible to follow every last one of them day and night.
Respected members of our community like you are on the front lines and we are grateful for your opinions and support requests.
Please understand that if anything is affecting your experience in the Better Networker community you have a right to report it at the Better Networker Help Desk.
Here at Better Networker we will take your request seriously.
Because we care about your experience here and we want to be a part of your success in our industry for many years to come.
If you are ready to offer your leadership to the community, we are more than ready to accept your offer.
To your success,
Jason The “Better Networker”
Views: 3,405 | 
Comments: 41 
About the Author: Jason Better
Member Since: 09/16/2008
Company: BetterNetworker.com
Industry: Internet
Primary Web Site: http://www.JasonBetter.com
Twitter: jasonbetter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/betternetworker
Great Article
Thanks for stating this clearly Jason. I appreciate it and will definitely help make BN a better place. Thanks for your leadership =)
Re: Report this post.
Jason,
What about the report this post icon that is right next to the quote icon that is in each forum post. I report spam using that tool. Is that effective? If not can you link that to support.
Marty
Good Advice about T&C Violators
What you say makes good sense and the person might have innocently violated the T&C so it's good to err on the friendly side first.
You may want to check the header for the last section, it probably should be:
"What if the offending user DOESN'T change their wicked ways?" or
"What if the offending user WON'T change their wicked ways?" or
something more grammatically correct.
Keep up the great posts.
good job
THANKS FOR PUTTING THAT OUT THERE,I HAVE BEEN SLAMNED ON OTHER NETWORKING SITES,BECAUSE OF PEOPLES COMMENTS
Moving in the Right Direction ...
This is a great opportunity to get moving in the right direction.
Thank you for CLEARLY outlining the guidelines for everyone.
Now ... lets see if we can get everyone to READ this and IMPLEMENT it.
Great job guys!
PS:
As Marty, I'm curious about the report button directly in forum posts ...
Can we get that working? It would make the process WAAAAAAY more convenient.
Convenience = More People Will Be Apt To Use It!
I have recieved so many Hate Comments
That Alot of people will not join BN because of People who say they are being helpful when they are actually being Vindictive. I just would love it if I could Block them. If they had some good points of insight that would not be bad they are just out to shame. If they do not like me I should be able to Block them. I do not think Haters Belong on BN. Let them do there hating somewhere else.
Very clear and concise instructions ...
I'm all for keeping BN the top notch network marketing forum that it is. Attacking, harassing and putting each other down doesn't help anyone and only hurts the cause.
This is the BEST place for networkers to be. So let's keep it that way!
Great article, Jason! Thanks!
My take
I think the first group of people that should get banned are the flamers themselves. I have seen one guy here with over 1000 posts and 50% of them are simply attacking others for doing "something wrong" or attacking those who defend the wrong doer. This guy creeps me out big time.
I don't even know where he finds the time to look for wrongdoers and attack them but he's pretty good at it. These are the kinds of people that make BN not as professional or as welcoming as it claims to be.
Hey Marty,
That's a great question. There are two reasons we're asking you to direct issues to support:
1. The "Report this Post" button is kind of going the way of the "SPAM" button in most email programs. For some, it's become just like the delete button.
2. When you take an issue to support using the instructions in the article above, you'll be required to include specific information about the issue so that it can be resolved quickly.
The community has done a great job of "self-policing" and shutting down folks who are a threat. The article above is meant to give very clear instructions about what to do when things need to be taken to the next level.
I Need Youre Help
You have it.
Mike UK
Rght Track
This is really clear..I especially like that included the section on not harassing nor verbally abusing anyone. If we are all leaders, than act like one. Treat others how you would want to be treated!
Deborah Tutnauer
I need your help
This should be a wake up to all. Joe woods
I need your help
I understand and will do my best to further the goals
of the site and management and members. There is no
need for behavior such as you mentioned from professionals
on a business website. Al Boek
How To Make Better Networker An Even Better Place For All Member
Thank you for the clarification, Jason.
RE: I have recieved so many Hate Comments
I have to agree with Juanita on this one. It would benefit the Community to have an option to "Block" someone, only if it's uniquely warranted and/or needed, not just because I may not like the views or opinions of a person.
Balance is key here, I believe. A Balance between providing valuable content and receiving valuable content. This Community is a Deposit/Withdrawal relationship.
I need to write an article on "The 5 Keys to Knowing Your Relationship Is Growing". I think BN Community would benefit from it.
Good information Jason. Thank you for keeping us on our toes an in a professional manner.
Robert Bryan Anthony
RE: Hey Marty,
Right, Jason. Basically, you're not wanting to have various BN Community Vigilantes running everywhere placing judgment and sentence on every whim. This would place the "true," blessed Community in a negative light for seeming too legalistic and cruel.
Again...BALANCE.
Robert Bryan Anthony
Thanks for this
Jason,
Thanks for this note.
Yes, I'd wholeheartedly agree that there are some members who are acting more like "Buffalo Bill" and harassing than contributing members to a community.
Its a good first step to stopping this.
Better Networker
Thanks for the information Jason...it is appreciated. There has been a lot of bashing and all around issues with some of the people on BN. I will always report offensive behaviour, name calling, disrespect and such. BN has changed a lot since I first joined with a lot of the changes taking place within the last 4-6 months and a lot of SPAM, links in posts, BOT's and some name calling. When someone gets to the point they have to call people names and try and make themselves look good at the expense of others then there is an issue with the community.
I will always uphold the TOS and rules in the forums as I love this community and the vast majority of the people in it. I know it took everyone involved a lot of time and peserverance to build the community and I really don't want to see it move backwards instead of forward.
Restored Faith
Thank you for restoring my Faith in BN, Jason. I was feeling alot of negative vibes in the past couple of months and frankly it was a big turn off and I stopped using BN for awhile.
The playing field has now been levelled and we can all start off Fresh, at least that's the way I am seeing this. Correct me if I am wrong.
Your posting here has cleared the air and we can focus again on "real good shared information" meant to help each other. Keep in mind that we are all in the greatest profession, network marketing cause when you really get the reality of it all, it's a great treasure, a great way of Life!
Bev Bojarski
Getting personal oversteps the bounds
Absolutely nothing wrong with disagreeing with someone's viewpoint but name calling is out of bounds. But I do get a chuckle out of someone who calls a differing view point a "negative" view point. Always two sides to every coin.
Larry Winget in his book "Shut up, stop whining and get a life" puts it very bluntly: "I attack stupidity, I attack laziness, I attack bigotry, I attack hypocrisy, I attack dishonesty. I am not attacking people. I only attack their actions."
I agree with him. You want to say something stupid be prepared to have someone bring you up short. You want to be hypocritical? Be prepared. You want to lie? Be prepared. It's nothing personal. It's simply a matter of letting people know that type of behaviour is unacceptable among people who know more than you.
Glad you posted this Jason. Should be mandatory reading before you can post or respond on BN.
Joyce
Warning To The Offending Member
Just insert in a visible and convenient place five brilliant indicators as lights
* Friendly Member
* And amazing member
* Not so good
* Suspended First Warning
* Account canceled
Loud and Clear
The only online community I have been into that gives emphasis to the value of peace and order. I already feel safe.
You did it again Jason!
Glad that this point is raised mate. *VOTE*
Quote: "The fact is, there
Quote: "The fact is, there are tens of thousands of registered members in our community. There are over 12,000+ articles, podcasts, blog posts, and videos.
Not to mention 80,401+ posts in the forums!" Unquote
I read somwhere on this website that there are over 45000 members of BN. If this is the case, then each member has posted less than 2 posts??
Alternatively, there are some people posting dozens daily, who are very active, & there are those who signed up & have NEVER posted anything.
Just an observation!
But it makes me wonder why & who are actually going to be policing who...
I Need Your Help
Thank you for the advice, fortunately I have not come across any unacceptable behavior, but if I do at least I now know how to handle it.
The power of Value
Yes I have to agree with you 1000% If people would really understand the importance of value over marketing, then our world would be much better and prosperous. Thanks for the article and I look forward to more of them same.
I see that again most people are touting this product and that product. Everyone has the best program with the best value right?
Yeah right.
Solid Leadership Is A Necessity
I am new to this social community, I took a while researching and feeling my way around to see what the values and integrity was like here. After looking at a few different online social enviroments I chose to join here with the intention of becoming a part of the fabric for the long haul.
The leadership was a main component of my decision. Jason you have kept up the faith by your leadership and guidence. It is good to know you are fulfilling your commitment to keeping this social community vibrant, full of value, and a safe place for all to learn , grown , share, and prosper.
Wanda Hamilton
Some tears, some smiles, and a giant "thank you"!
I have been reading all of your comments.
I have to say that it brings tears of joy to hear some of the positive feedback you guys and gals are sharing.
The suggestions about how to make this community an even better place are insightful to say the least.
In some cases downright genius! Thank you!
The community is growing every day and that brings a huge smile to my face when I see how many people we are helping.
When I say "we" I mean all of us in this community.
I want to thank Michael too for calling me out on my numbers.
I just double checked some of the numbers I mentioned and I can barely keep up!
Fact is, there's now over 94864 posts in the forums! Wow.
To see this many leaders in one place.
This many leaders sharing value.
Is a really special thing.
I'm grateful.
Thankyou
I wish to thank the leader of ABN for making our community a better place. Its hard to believe that there are rude networkers out there but there are. Lets try to educate them or stop them.
BE YOURSELF
Let THE GRUMP shuffle off and away...!