October 5, 2023
Discord mods are often among the first members you notice when entering a new Discord community, as they are commonly displayed separately from the rest. But why are their role and visibility so crucial to the smooth functioning of public Discord servers? And how can you become a mod yourself? This article has you covered!
What Do Mods Do
Mod responsibilities vary greatly depending on a community’s size and structure. Therefore, I will talk about the most common ones first and then highlight some additional potential work mods carry out. At its core, moderating a Discord server ensures members feel safe, seen, and engaged.
Ensuring Member Safety
To maintain a welcoming and safe environment for community members, Discord mods ensure that all server activity aligns with server rules and Discord’s Terms of Service. For example, are discussions between members occurring respectfully? Are videos, pictures, and memes posted in line with NSFW regulations? Are there any violations regarding self-promotion rules? These are some of the things that mods look out for. Mods must take appropriate corrective action if a member does not adhere to the rules. Warnings, time-outs, or even bans are issued based on the severity of a rule violation.
Additionally, mods often receive direct messages or server pings from members needing help with a service, product, or server navigation. This is why they tend to be visually highlighted on a server’s members list. The mods’ responsibility is to be available to answer such questions or refer to the right person within their server or company. For instance, someone might ask for permission to post self-promoting messages.
Creating Community Engagement
However, mods also make community members feel appreciated and incentivize server activity by actively interacting with them. This can take many forms. For example, on a basic level, it may involve greeting newcomers and participating in community conversations. It might include checking in with the community from time to time or sharing discussion prompts on a more advanced level.
Other Possible Responsibilities
Here is a list of additional tasks mods might cover. They show how tightly related the worlds of Discord moderation and community management are.
- Participate in and moderate community events (e.g., watch parties, game nights)
- Create opportunities for community activities (e.g., plan/organize events, post weekly prompts)
- Monitor server growth and activity
- Helm improve/ streamline the server
- Take part in community team meetings
What Skills Do Mods Need and Develop
Discord mods should possess the technical skills needed for their responsibilities or be interested in acquiring them. These skills typically involve bots, such as YAGPDB, of which mods must have a basic understanding. Below is a summary of YAGPDB’s general moderation features.
Beyond that, soft skills distinguish a decent from an excellent mod. Here are some skills that merit development if you aim to perform exceptionally in this role:
- Digital communication skills: To express your points clearly despite the communication limitations posed by digital spaces.
- Intercultural communication: To effectively communicate with community members of all kinds of backgrounds.
- Adaptability & flexibility: To handle a variety of scenarios successfully and apply server rules flexibly.
- Empathy: To understand and connect with the community.
- Teamworking skills: To effectively work with the community management team.
How to Become a Discord Mod
Let me first take you through some general information about the mod landscape. As the digital space is broad, aspiring Discord mods may find employment through various means. Moreover, communities on Discord are not exclusive to the esports and gaming industries. Instead, they can be dedicated to all sorts of subjects, including anime, books, and specific content creators. A Discord server’s size and organizational structure shape your path to becoming a mod. To illustrate, individuals or companies with a professional interest in their Discord server often have a different mod recruitment process than the owners of small servers.
With this in mind, we can dive into the specifics. First, you can become a mod through applications posted on a particular server or social media. In this case, you likely have to fill out an application form with questions about your moderating experience, server membership status, or hypothetical moderation scenarios.
Second, you can politely ask if there is a demand for mods in a server of your interest. Again, being an active server member will give you an advantage in this situation. But keep in mind to contact the right person (manager, mod, etc.) and ensure that your approach is in line with the server’s rules. For example, direct messaging certain members might be forbidden.
Thankfully, Discord moderation is a relatively accessible field for newcomers. Thus, the third option is to create your own server. Maybe your previous attempts at becoming a mod were unfruitful, or perhaps you find the idea of growing a community of your own compelling. Regardless, by doing so, you gain valuable skills and moderating experience that will be beneficial for future applications!
Final Thoughts
Discord moderation is a great entry role for those interested in digital marketing and community management. However, its significance for a comfortable and smooth community experience should not be underestimated. Additionally, mods face a diverse range of community interactions requiring both technical and soft skills. Check out this video if you are curious to learn more about Discord moderation!