[If you haven't read the original, go here.]

So you've been a Greeter for some time now, whether it be two hours or two years. I applaud you for maintaining your position! However, since you've made it this far, it's time to go further. And no, I don't mean another Purp vs Blue War. This, my friends, is completely up to you.

Let's go over the most important point:

What is a Greeter?

You're the head honcho, excluding the ranking system (i.e. admin, mod, instructor). You know this site like the back of your hand, you are willing to help any and all members, you want to know every new member that comes to town, and you want to own this site like you're Nate. Without paying the money, of course.

This a harder job than Instructor because you need to be everything I said above and more: nice, helpful, willing, determined, knowledgeable—the list goes on! Know what you're talking about, feel comfortable around new members (which is big when it comes to the internet--you don't know anyone really), know where useful threads are located, and most of all, know yourself.

Primarily, you must remember: This is an honor. Big Brother chose you to wear that blue uniform you have on or you have sitting in the closet as of now. Prove to Big Brother, YWS, and yourself that you deserve this special title.

Well, I know what I'm talking about. Got that covered!

Or do you? Knowing what you're talking about and looking like you do are two different things, and both are primarily important. Yes, you want to know where the rules are, how the chat works, what a review is; those are all very significant and are terribly useful to the new member! But do you look like you know these things? Can the member trust you?

When u say 2 da new member dat chtspk isnt allowed, they may possibly wonder what is. Well, as we all know, correct punctuation and capitalization are two significant keys to posting anything on YWS. I's should be capitalized, periods at the end. Yes, grammar is a tough thing to learn, and even you guys are learning the specifics (because you're supposed to know everything, right? ), but capitalizing the first letter of the sentence, spelling each word right—you look like you're serious, and the new member will follow your footsteps since you're their first YWS friend EVA’.

Part of looking the part, don’t overuse smilies. They’re excellent tools when saying hello and looking yourself in your posts! However, when they’re abused, bad things can happen. Those new members feel like they’re allowed to do the same thing, and they’ll go around spamming smilies like they’re candy—and they are. We need to savor our sweets though, or we’ll get a whole bunch of cavities. (Spam is in the rules too, isn’t it? ) Yes, use your smilies; but don’t plant 324 in a row. You know as well as I that they can get very distracting and can even slow down the loading process for the entire page itself. Speed is already an issue at the moment!

…I look good. Can I tell them everything I know now?

No. Don’t do it. I dare you not to do it.

Think about it: You’re a new member, and you’re posting in the Welcome Forum as you’ve been asked to do (‘cause you’re a good little newb *was not*). You just want some advice about the site, the nook and crannies—you catch my drift. Well, you notice all the nice people just saying hi. They’re really not that helpful. (We need a Greeter, people!) Finally, a Greeter comes in…andtellsyoueverythingyouneedtoknowinonegoandyou’reoverwhelmedandareafraidtoreadit so you ignore the post or may even leave YWS altogether.

We don’t want this to happen. Not only does it make YWS look bad, it makes you look bad. The Greeter looks like a strict ninny when they post such replies, and YWS looks like a strict place with no fun or anything enjoyable (and it’s really the exact opposite!). Don’t info-dump! Let other Greeters or members mention another point or two. It makes you look generous, it makes the other Greeter a Greeter, and it makes YWS less scary.

Divide and Conquer: This is a suggestion you Greeters can discuss amongst yourselves whether it be in this forum, through PM, on MSN, or anywhere else. You have a huge list of possible items to mention when replying to a new member:

Rules
Colors
Ratings
Stars
Usergroups
Blogs
Upcoming YWS events
Etc.

Perhaps a few of you grouped together and decided each of you will mention different things to a certain member. This way, there are no repeats, your posts aren’t scary long, and the member takes the info little by little.

Alright, alright. I get it. Can I go say hi now?

You most definitely can! A hello is the best way to greet a member. Making them feel at home and comfortable to talk to you is a key to being the Greeter you are. Whether they’ve posted their interests or not, ask questions and get to know them (and be interested in learning about them!). Your replies should be specific to the new member, not bland copy/paste ones. Those are boring, and you’re a writer! Get creative when you say hello. You may just meet a new friend!

Starting off with easy to answer questions is the greatest hook a Greeter could have. The new member now knows you’re super nice, you’re easy to talk to, and you’re the one they should go to if they have a question or concern. You’re a mini-mentor! Being a Greeter is one huge step to Mentor City.

And when you say, “Feel free to PM me with any questions,” mean it. Mean every freaking word in that sentence. The new member will take advantage of this button if it’s presented. If it’s not, they don’t know who to go to! Offer your inbox to them, and they’ll feel comfortable for having a back-up plan at the least.

[caps][chatspeak]Okay, thanks! Bye![/chatspeak][/caps]

Wait! Don’t go yet! Be sure to check the other forums for new members too! Like me, new members will ignore the welcome forum and jump straight into the site itself. Rescue those poor souls—and don’t take that the wrong way please:

Let them do their thing. They don’t want to post in the welcome forum. Fine! Don’t make them. Suggest it, but don’t make them feel like they broke their first rule. This new member is a stray child, and they need someone to look after them. This is your chance to act!

Notify a mentor! The new member is obviously thinks they’re ready to jump on the bandwagon (and they probably are). A mentor will follow their footsteps and will take that more difficult job of caring for that lost child. Your job is to remain friendly and set an example for the site. You have a tough job already, so don’t stress yourself out. Direct this member to a mentor or, preferably, vice-versa so as to not insult the new member in any way.

In the meantime, be nice when correcting them of any rule they really may have broken. If it’s in the wrong forum, PM a mod to move it. Don’t tell them that they’re wrong. This task can easily be taken care of. By PMing a mod, you can pretend like you haven’t seen the work, in which case you won’t feel obligated to critique it or answer it. Of course, if you see a new member post such a thread, please answer! They want to make a friend, and you should be the first people to step in for them.

Is there possibly anything else you could mention, O Great One?

‘Fraid not. Everything that can possibly said is above, whether literally or written between the lines. Know your title and act your part. This is an important position, or it would never have been made in the first place. Do not take Blue for granted, and don’t listen to those who thing the Purps are better. You guys have a tough job since you need to do nearly everything else the Instructors cannot.

So until the next War, be a Greeter.

'Ear, 'ear, Double-Jabizzle.

don’t listen to those who thing the Purps are better

I don't thing so.

Demi, I kept my blue coat for a reason.

And what is that reason?


Oh, and Jabs, nice pep talk!

<3