system of doing this does not work in rating mode.

Flagging.

The flag tool is overused, and often not used correctly. What members don't realize is that someone has to read every flag. Often members flag articles a couple of times, and this means that same person has to investigate two reports. Flagging should be used for things which cannot be given as feedback to a writer by another means. Flagging was initially introduced to give members a way to let Helium know where problems exist. Little by little, people are taking this button personally, and are criticizing instead of encouraging other writers. If you look at which email you would prefer to receive if given a choice between a full explanation and a very curt sentence telling you that your spelling is incorrect, most people would honestly prefer friendly feedback to flags.

Article tools.

This is the most valuable tool on the site. If you read an article and think it is stunning, use the article tools in the top right hand corner of the article to give feedback. That's what the system was designed for, and the benefit of doing this is that the title you are giving feedback on is automatically included in the email, giving no rise for queries as to which article you are referring to.

The article tool allows you to help people out as well. Use this to tell members who are struggling that help is available for them if they need it at mentor@helium.com Tell them how they can get their article edited by Helium staff. The article tools are a valuable aid to members and is less used than it should be simply because people don't investigate its use and resort to other means such as contact this writer. The disadvantage is always that the writer is less informed of specifics and may be unaware of which article you are referring to.

Feedback forums.

The community is located by pressing My Helium, and then looking on the left hand side where you will note a section called Community. It can also be accessed from the bottom of most Helium pages. The forum is broken up into many sections, though in order to give feedback to a member, take your time to participate in the feedback forums. Often people who post links to their articles in this area want constructive feedback as to why their articles are failing.

Taking the time to give feedback means helping others. While some people have the natural gift of being able to give feedback without criticism, some come over as curt and impolite. The way to get over this is to imagine the poor writer who wants to improve and is already suffering the indignity of low rated articles. They respond to upbeat and well written feedback. Be friendly. Be helpful. Above all else, remember that the member in question could be in any life situation, circumstance or part of the world and your feedback should be clear and polite.

Helium is a wonderful community of writers. With feedback to members it becomes more than just a community of members. It becomes a community of people who care and who work with others to improve their experience and, in turn, the whole presentation and feel of the site. Feedback is vital. Take a little time out and spread the word, though never in a superior manner. We are all equals as members of Helium, though some may have different strengths and weaknesses.

The member who gives impolite feedback has the weakness of being unable to effectively give constructive critique, just as much as the member who needs that feedback may fail to convey their thoughts clearly. When we remember that, things become a lot clearer, and we can all do our part to be proud of our interaction with a worldwide membership that wants to make a difference.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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