How to Become a Chat Room Moderator

Some chat room moderator positions are paid; others are volunteers.

If you love participating in online discussions on forums and chat rooms, becoming a chat room moderator may be the perfect part-time job for you. Typically a job as a chat room moderator entails making sure that newcomers feel welcome and are enjoying their stay in the chat room. You want to make sure that they return. Your job could mean answering questions, greeting newcomers or even making sure that vulgar language is not used on the chat board. Your biggest job will probably be to make sure all those chatting are tolerant of others and showing respect to each other.

Some chat room moderator jobs are paid positions. This will probably not provide you with a full-time income, but it may give you some extra spending money. Other chat room moderators do it on a volunteer basis.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Internet connection
• Experience with online chatting and discussion forums
• Resume

1. Step 1: Find chat boards about subjects you are interested in or passionate about. If you could care less about information technology, you probably would not make a good chat room moderator for an IT chat board. On the other hand, if you love scrapbooking, consider getting involved in a crafting or scrapbooking chat room.

2. Step 2: Prepare a resume highlighting your Internet and online experience. This is particularly important if you are seeking a paid chat room moderator position.

3. Step 3: Be sure you have high-speed internet. DSL or Fios Internet are the best for accessing a chat room on a regular basis. Most chat room positions will require a moderator with high-speed access.

4. Step 4: Do a Google search for current chat room job openings in subjects that interest you. Apply for those positions. Even if they are volunteer positions, consider applying to gain experience until a paid position becomes available.

5. Step 5: Get actively involved in several chat rooms about subjects that are of real interest to you. Chat daily whenever possible. This way, when a position does open up, you will be known as a regular "chatter" and someone who knows what they are talking about.

Tips & Warnings

• Increase your typing speed. Practice daily. When chatting online make sure you are always friendly and adhere to the chat room guidelines. This will increase your likelihood of gaining a chat room moderator job. Talk to other people who are chat room moderators. Find out how they got their position, what it pays, and what the requirements are.

References

• Becoming a Bingo Chat Moderator
• Sample Volunteer Chat Moderator Duties and Guidelines

Resources

• Insider's Look at Being A Chat Room Moderator
• Work at Home Being an Online Moderator