Best way to let new members know how to use the point system

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi Mozers,

I have used SEOmoz for a long time and absolutely love the whole community and software.

My question is really something I feel should be discussed. The reason for that is because many of you I think will understand what I'm talking about many times I will give a answer maybe being only one I am then told by the person asking thank you I appreciate a great job. Or they will just mark the page with a simple answered

Please do not think I am complaining. I just want to know if what I am saying is however one else feels 1st off?

If it is something that you guys think there is a better method to letting maybe the people that are unaware or new to the community understand that it is the right thing to award good answers and thumbs up. Please to not think I am blaming anyone at all for this it's not the person who does not award points fault I understand that and do not blame them at all. I feel there is a better way to let them know and they would be more than happy to do it. In fact I'm sure I'm guilty of the same thing when I frist joined.

I did not want to bring this up in a question when somebody leaves a good answer and look like the guy asking for points or look like a guy telling them to give another person points I just want the system to work as it should.

My 1st thought is possibly when there reading the question have something right below the box in a very conspicuous color let them know the rules. I'm not saying I have the answer or that is the best answer I'm asking you guys fellow Mozers to please think of your own ways and post them here or say you know what Tom I have not had to deal with that so it seems strange to me maybe you're the only one. If that is the case I am more than sorry for wasting people's time.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who takes a moment to take part in this. I feel it gives people more incentive to give answers. I know this community is the best SEO community on the web I look forward to hearing all your excellent ideas and answers.

Respectfully,

Thomas Zickell

[danatanseo]

Hi Thomas,

I think you have a really good point. Do you know I was a member of SEOMoz for four years before I ever even realized there was a Q&A forum? Maybe I'm just unobservant, maybe it took Jennifer Lopez asking at MozCon 2012 to pique my interest, I don't know.

Once I did get involved, it took quite a bit of involvement for me to really "get" it.

I think there's an upside and a downside to what you are suggesting. On the one hand, because I kinda had to work at it, I felt like I was participating in something "special." On the other hand, I know there are a lot of people who are great SEOs who maybe aren't even aware that this great group is chugging along with great content in here (I didn't, and I'd been in the industry for 8 years).

I don't know that making the whole "point" issue clearer or more obvious would produce positive results. It might just produce a bunch of point-hungry hounds that post garbage and give thumbs up without really genuinely being involved.

Right now, I think the SEOMOz has a pretty magical thing thing going so I'm not sure if doing something different would hurt or help. Interested to hear what they  have to say. My guess is they already have something in the works.

Dana

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi Dana,

I  agree very strongly with the statement that you said here

"I think the SEOMOz has a pretty magical thing thing going so I'm not sure if doing something different would hurt or help. "

I am no way want to promote people doing things they should not for points. I truly believe like you said SEOmoz has a magical thing going and think that adjusting a small part of it would not hurt the community just because everyone is so great already. What I'm really trying to do is figure out the best way so that when any of us give an answer and then are told that answered my question by the person that they what I believe they would do if they really knew that that was the appropriate conduct if the answer was good or they had contributed something valuable. Equaling the thumbs up

I understand and agree with you I did not know about questions and answers right off the bat nor do I feel that it is something anyone should be ashamed of for not knowing about or anything like that. I know that I have spent time answering questions and I don't mind it I really don't and will be told thank you so much however even if there's no one else involved or if there is someone else involved nobody gets a thumbs up or a good answer. However the question the person came to ask has been answered.

I could not agree with you more that if this were to do something to make people do things they normally would not or point crazy I would be very upset that that was the end result. I do agree with you we have a fantastic community and I believe that this is just one on the road that we can all come together and figure out an excellent solution for. Even if there is no perfect solution at least we tried right?

I agree there are is an upside and a downside. please believe me when I say this if there is chance of a downside for the community because of this issue I would not want to bring it up. The only reason I believe it would not be a real issue is if it somehow did change things dramatically for the worst I truly believe the people here would change the system back.

I think the point system is important and you make some excellent points.

Thank you so much

Sincerely,

Thomas

[Matt-Williamson]

Hi Thomas,

I agree with you on the point that I think there is a lack of awareness for the use of thumbs up and good answers from newer members of the community.

I have seen this numerous times and experienced it myself - you are the only person that responds to an answer and the person asking the question marks it as answered. They then reply to your answer saying thank you, yet they don't give a thumbs up and they don't mark your answer as good, so you get 0 moz points from helping. I always feel that it is against the spirit of the community to reply and indicate that you would appreciate a thumbs up, but I know that when you do answer a question and get recognition it is appreciated!

I do agree with Dana that the community is a pretty magical thing, but would making the etiquette of the Q&A a little clearer produce point-hungry hounds? I don't think so, as it is well monitored and we all have access to the thumbs down button, which I have seen used when people appear to have just posted for postings (or should I say moz points) sake.

As Dana says it would be interesting to hear what SEOMoz's take on this is...

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi Matt,

Thank you for your comment. I could not agree with you more. I also agree that when you do get the recognition of a thumbs-up or good answer it is a huge plus. However it gets to me a little bit when I answer 5 questions in a row everyone is satisfied and there are either somebody leaving it as unanswered but having stated thank you very much that answers my question. They either market answered or not answered but they have stated clearly that it is completely answered. all of that without any thumbs up or good answer. I don't blame them I just think that they don't know yet the best way to reward somebody for helping them.

I agree with you and Dana it is a pretty magical and fantastic community that's why I know there has to be a better way as I highly doubt people will do anything malicious I think these people would be more than happy to reward the people helping them with the thumbs up or good answer if they knew that was the right thing to do. I would love to hear what the official response from the great folks at SEOmoz would be. My best suggestion is maybe a very visible reminder.

I would love to know the statistics of are there more officially unanswered questions or answered questions? I think this is something everyone here can easily come up with an answer for and it will benefit all of us hopefully.

Sincerely,

Thomas

[danatanseo]

Thanks Thomas. I agree with you on all points and Matt too. I have seen instances where someone does, very tactfully, request a thumbs up or to mark the question as answered. SEOMoz of course also prompts you if you've asked a question that appears to have been answered, but that you haven't makred as "answered," to take some action.

I think it really depends on the situation. I know I have also had newbies mark my answer as a "good answer" when they just intended to give it a thumbs up. I know you can reverse a thumbs up, but I'm not sure if you can reverse a "Good Answer." Hmmm, I'll have to check that out. You probably can. I've just never done it.

Has Rand ever done a WBF on "how tos" for the Q&A? If not, that might make a great one (but I bet he's already done one)....I'll investigate that too!

[KeriMorgret]

Hi Dana,

I don't think Rand has done a WBF like that. We'll pass along the suggestion. I'm watching this thread, and will contribute more to it in the next day or two.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi Dana,

Thank you for your support. I think some of the people that might have one or 2 points and literally just signed up want to get down to whatever their Issue could be it seems that that is case quick frequently however I'm not saying that's the rule. They sure would want to award people properly however just have not become familiar enough with the system. I like that you can reverse things especially if they're not warranted. I have no idea if you can actually undo a good answer however I would love to find out. Not looking to do it anytime soon to anyone. I think gone over some stuff that I've seen maybe not a whiteboard Friday but I think the most effective way of putting this into the users standard way of rewarding people for good behavior essentially would be to make sure they notice it without annoying them obviously.

Great post Dana

sincerely,

Thomas

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi Keri,

Hope you are doing well. It would be wonderful if Rand was to do a WBFriday I think even something with a little color when anyone replies or is being notified of their getting an answer would be a very good way to let people know right away and allow them to instantly make up their mind whether or not it was good Just okay or bad answer. Thank you for caring about this particular issue it means a lot to me.

Sincerely,

Thomas

[Matt-Williamson]

Hi Keri,

So what are your thoughts on the points raised here? I still think this is very relevant and I still regularly see people giving thanks but awarding no mozpoints, which I believe is down to misunderstanding the system. Is Rand looking at doing a WBF on the community as a whole?

[BlueprintMarketing]

Hi Matt & Keri,

I'm glad you are still feeling as I do that the point system needs to be brought up more. I just answered a question and believe it or not was even confirmed by another person with the rank journeymen get the person who is new unfortunately did not bother to post even a answered or non-answered I think they just split.

I agree with you Matt wholeheartedly and I would love to see to a whiteboard Friday on this not only that Rand I challenge you to do it done in one take.

I'm kidding that's not much of a challenge for you but regardless get the sharpie that does not to Mark and fix this plague on our Q&A

your friend,

Thomas