-- Posted by CaliKevin at 2:05 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 I'd like to know before I go searching for replies for my next Support Leader application, what is the minimum amount of characters needed for the Moderators to actually consider the submitee?  I've had two SL applications rejected because, apparently, I'm too blunt.  It would appear that it's impossible to offer any kind of support with a two or three sentence reply, thus I need to fluff my replies a little more. So what is it, 500 words per reply?  1000 words?  Am I supposed to write an essay whenever someone needs help with they boyfriend?  Because if that's the case, there are some currently appointed Support Leaders that are slacking on the job. -- Posted by greatescape at 2:06 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff Thats the basic formula. -- Posted by CaliKevin at 2:07 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from greatescape11 at 2:06 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff   Thats the basic formula. Thanks, I will try to work on that. *adds fluff* -- Posted by hithere at 2:09 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 this won't easily answer your question, but looking at it gives you an idea. http://www.golivewire.com/forums/peer-nabsii-support-a.html -- Posted by Azzurro at 2:10 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from greatescape11 at 2:06 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff   Thats the basic formula. No no no you forgot something fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff  *Suck up to mods*  fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *Thankyous* fluff -- Posted by TheOtherHorseman at 2:11 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from WindLord at 5:10 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from greatescape11 at 2:06 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff    Thats the basic formula. No no no you forgot something fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff  *Suck up to mods*  fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *Thankyous* fluff haha. Did someone get an application rejected? -- Posted by greatescape at 2:11 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from WindLord at 4:10 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from greatescape11 at 2:06 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff  Thats the basic formula. No no no you forgot something fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *Suck up to mods* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *Thankyous* fluff No actually I forgot this: fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff *answer question* fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff fluff "Hope this helps. If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to PM me.  I would be happy to help you out." -- Posted by marshmellowman at 2:12 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 I've written some replies that were over 1000 words long, sometimes 400 or less. But there is no minimum amount. It should seem to flow well and that you're not rushing it. Be articulate and descriptive and you might as well go into details. Try to apply your experiences to the situation and give as much help as possible. Instead of saying "go see a counsellor", you could say "Seeing a counsellor, perhaps alone or even with a parent, can really help the situation. They are professionals trained to deal with the situation and can help offer new and unique perspectives to see things in a different light. They can also help you find the cause of your problem and how to deal with it effectively without hurting anyone". So you just have to be as empathetic and descriptive as you can. Really put your heart into it and show that you can reassure the person. Give as much help as possible. But obviously there might be some topics that you can't be that descriptive in. In that case help there too, just don't put that one on your SL application. It takes a while to get some really good ones, but dedication is a key factor here. And also, there are support leaders that focus more on eHelp replies than hugely detailed replies in the support forums. -- Posted by Spice at 2:17 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 I look for about 8-10lines plus. And not short sentence, new line. A whole proper paragraph. -- Posted by CaliKevin at 2:24 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 So basically if a thread is only calling for one or two sentences of support, don't bother replying? I'll keep that in mind. -- Posted by TheOtherHorseman at 2:26 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 While that counts as support, the idea is probably to choose responses that show you're willing to actually set aside the time necessary to provide the more in-depth kind of replies. -- Posted by marshmellowman at 2:28 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from CaliKevin at 10:24 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 So basically if a thread is only calling for one or two sentences of support, don't bother replying? NO, that's not the point. Still give help if you can, because as a Support Leader that what you'd be there for. I made so many more supportive replies than just the ones on my application. I just chose the best ones. There will be times when you can't write a great deal, but you still reply because you want to help people out when and if you can. -- Posted by Spice at 2:28 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 If I see something that "requires 2lines of support", I'm sure I could up it a bit longer than that. There are ways to extend what you're saying. Not just "oh, do this and it'll be good" -- Posted by CaliKevin at 2:32 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from UnusualOne at 2:28 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 If I see something that "requires 2lines of support", I'm sure I could up it a bit longer than that. There are ways to extend what you're saying. Not just "oh, do this and it'll be good" My replies never consist of that.  That's what I'm trying to say.  The mods looking over the applications rarely consider the content of the post, just how long they are, and it's pretty ridiculous. -- Posted by TheOtherHorseman at 2:33 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 If you were able to concisely offer excellent support, that's more impressive than stretching it out. One would hope length isn't such a major determining factor as to rule out content.   -- Posted by marshmellowman at 2:38 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from TheOtherHorseman at 10:33 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 If you were able to concisely offer excellent support, that's more impressive than stretching it out. One would hope length isn't such a major determining factor as to rule out content. Well it's one thing to be concise rather than milking it all, but it's another to be too brief and not give much detail. I like to think that giving quite a bit of detail is better for the OP because they can see that someone has spent a lot of time on it, and reading it over is probably better for their mind too. It reassures them and is better than something that is the same thing but only consists of 3 lines. I guess it depends on the type of topic really, I like to write a lot for TDEI topics as the OP is usually afraid and alone and oftentimes has no-one else to go to. -- Posted by Spice at 2:39 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Length doesn't rule out quality, btw. Whoever processed the application may have thought in those mere lines that the support was just not up to scratch. -- Posted by CaliKevin at 2:39 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from TheOtherHorseman at 2:33 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 If you were able to concisely offer excellent support, that's more impressive than stretching it out. One would hope length isn't such a major determining factor as to rule out content. Unfortunately it is.  The content of the post really does not matter as long is it's long and well-written.   I was told this by both a Support Leader and Mod (who will both remain nameless) -- Posted by marshmellowman at 2:43 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 Quote: from CaliKevin at 10:39 pm on Aug. 17, 2008 The content of the post really does not matter as long is it's long and well-written. Really? That's quite shocking, but then not every moderator has the same mindset, they don't all have think as one person so one might be more understanding another might be the "problem". -- Posted by CaliKevin at 1:01 pm on Aug. 18, 2008 So, which mods are you calling the "problem"?  The ones that don't pay attention to the content of the post and only look at the length? -- Posted by barnabas at 2:32 pm on Aug. 18, 2008 I would definately agree that quantity does not trump quality to any of the mods I know. You need good answers. If you have 10 1000 word answers that are full of crap I hope no moderator on this site would approve that application. That does not mean that length is not an issue however. Support leaders should be able to provide a decent length answer,  I would say minimum paragraph length to any question that a member poses in a support forum. Part of being supportive is understanding the problem. You can seek to understand the problem in your answer, provide multiple options, provide personal experience if it is applicable  and provide resources as well. Doing that in less than 4 sentences is a challenge in my opinion. -- Posted by Annastasia at 4:52 pm on Aug. 18, 2008 I don't have a problem with approving an application with short posts, as long as the posts answer the person's question thoroughly, or provide some options, or something. If you can say what you need to say, and help that person in 5 concise sentences, all the more power to you. However, most people need more than that to actually help the person. I feel like a lot of the short posts provide some support, but don't really fully cover the person's problem, and that's where I have the problem with them. Obviously I can't see what posts you used for your application, but if you have any questions about them, I'll try to answer them. =) -- Posted by CaliKevin at 12:07 am on Aug. 21, 2008 Nevermind, this problem has been resolved. hidden bump