What are the tasks of facilitating an online group? - Michael Norton

We all only have a limited amount of time when it comes to facilitating our group.  From previous research the average was around 4 hours per week for some of the most active groups.  

 

And The State of Community Management report backs up that the correct types of action by the facilitator can really increase participation rate. 

So what are those tasks that you need to do and have to do to maintain and active and thriving online group?

Well that’s why we had an Online Chat all about.

It’s been mentioned many times that as a group facilitator we have to wear many hats to get the job done.

Get Satisfaction has a great infographic called Inside the mind of a community manager to demonstrate this.

But what is the secret to balancing such a variety of activities and roles and what are our hacks for productive task management?

During the discussion we tackled three questions.   For group members you can access the full discussion here.  

Here’s a quick summary of the discussion

What does your average week look like?  Do you have a routine of facilitation tasks to manage your group?

• Some facilitators didn’t realise that they had a routine.  Until they thought about it.
• The routine changes slightly depending on how busy the group is
• Tasks range from accepting and declining members, keeping an eye on conversation and helping them flow, uploading new content and creating activities for members to participate in and keeping in touch with key members and connecting with new ones.
• Highlighted how to manage your group on 10 minutes a day.

How do you prioritise your tasks and what ones are the important ones?

• Anything that helps members engage
• Accepting members (you don’t them waiting at the door)
• Responding to questions (24 hour rule) even if it’s a holding message

Do you delegate tasks to other members of the facilitation team and how do you go about it?

• Take it in turns to respond to acceptance messages.
• Take it in turn to send a welcome message
• Have an agreement between the facilitation team who will do what and when so no one feels too pressured.
• You don’t have to limit the facilitation team just to one organisation

If you are a facilitator of a group on the Knowledge Hub and would like to join our next chat you can join at https://khub.net/group/facilitatorscommunity