Audifans is best known for the main quattro list, where everyone is strongly encouraged to post general Audi-related topics. We also maintain a number of sublists for certain models and I consider it no coincidence that the more popular lists have dedicated list administrators running them. However, we have a number of other sublists which need some care, feeding, and stewardship- so I'm recruiting for those interested in helping with the 20v, A4, A8, Events, TT, and V6-12v lists (and encouraging those with applicable Audis to join those lists too!) Click on the title of this post to read on about what is involved and how to apply.
Why did I pick these lists?
The lists I picked seemed to be relatively inactive, with around a dozen or fewer posts a month, and have low membership numbers- in both cases, I made a somewhat arbitrary decision on whether or not they were above the "critical mass" level of usefulness.
What is involved in administering a mailing list?
It's hard to say exactly what is involved, but here are some suggestions:
- Be an expert, or find some. Good knowledge in the relevant topics is a necessity. For example, if you want to maintain the TT list, it'd probably help if you've owned one and know a good deal about it. Or, if you can recruit some knowledgeable friends who will help answer questions, that's good too. I started the 200q20v list back around 1998, knowing very little about them- but a number of talented, expert 200q20v owners like Chris Miller and Peter Schulz joined up.
- Staff the Research Desk. Answer questions posted to the list, because people will not stick around if their questions are answered by silence. Answer if only to help them with how to find the answer. When I started the 200q20v list, I didn't necessarily know the answer to questions, but I often did know how to find them by searching the archives or looking up things the in factory repair manuals.
- Sell it. Politely promote and recruit new members. Hang out on other forums, put a link to the list in your signature indicating yourself as the "list admin", and contribute (for example, by sharing links to the KnowledgeBase and mailing list archives when appropriate.) Heck, you can even tell people on the mailing list when you find something useful on another forum. Ie: promote by helping. Also, you can help promote the sublist and Audifans in general by going to enthusiast gatherings and telling them about Audifans.
- Take out the trash. You should have time to regularly review posts that were held (all our lists require subscription, but a message from a non-member may be of use or interest to those on the sublist you help maintain.) The list software emails you daily about these, or you can check a bookmarkable webpage.
- Stock the filing cabinet. Occasionally dump good info from posts you or others make on the list into the KnowledgeBase, and let people on the list know about it.
- Information Desk. Assist list members with subscription problems (rare), remind both the list and members of Audifans site rules when they're broken, and encourage general questions to be posted to the main list.
- Patience, Grasshopper. Hollistic approaches like these take time.
In short, make the list known and useful. Success will follow, but patience may be required.
Why someone should apply
Fame, fortune, and glory, of course. In all seriousness- for better or worse, when you run one of the mailing lists, you do become better known in the Audi enthusiast community, and that leads to friendships, career networking, and more consideration when you have a question or need help. Helping care for one of the mailing lists is also a way to help give back to the community that (hopefully) has helped you over the years.
How to apply
If you're interested so far, send an email to brett at audifans dot com. I don't need or want a resume. What I want to hear about is how you can fulfill at least part of the vision I've laid out above. Feel free to bring your own ideas to the table, too. Please email in before May 10th, 2009.
As one who manages several audifans sublists let me support what Brett is saying. It really doesn't take that much personal time to handle the admin duties.
At some point the group should take off, but until it does be sure to provide whatever response you can to requests that are posted ... perhaps find someone you know who has specific knowledge and ask them to respond ...
It is odd to see this drive coming up at this particular time. I've been considering requesting the decommissioning of some of the lists ... I had a vision of a "torsen" list that would grow into somewhere that the more "nerdy" discussion would thrive ... unfortunately noone else could see such a vision. I'm also thinking about the ba-group list ... I don't know how many location oriented lists there are, but for some reason the bay area list never hit critical mass ...