User:Jehochman/Talk page watcher

A talk page watcher is an editor who watches talk pages and periodically intervenes with often helpful advice or actions.

Etiquette
In real life jumping into somebody else's conversation can be considered impolite. Within a wiki, such behavior is more acceptable, as long as the intention is to help or amuse, rather than to disrupt.

Many talk page watchers and stalkers comment very little on the actual page, but rather in other places, or do things suggested on an individual talk page.

Benefits
Talk page watchers can provide great benefits, especially to the lazy. The benefits include:
 * Providing timely responses or actions when the talk page owner is offline.
 * Pointing out mistakes or misunderstandings.
 * Researching and contributing relevant details to a conversation.
 * Reverting vandalism.
 * Adding humor to conversations that are becoming too "heavy".
 * Helping to calm editors who become over excited.

How to attract talk page watchers
As talk page watchers are often considered beneficial, many editors like to increase their numbers. To encourage talk page watching, let people know that their contributions to your talk page are welcome.

Talk pages that are neatly organized and archived tend to attract more watchers. Setting up an automatic archive bot helps to keep talk page size manageable.

A talk page that is insightful or humorous is more attractive to watchers. Keeping the signal to noise ratio high tends to encourage talk page watching.

Obligations of the host
When a talk page has many watchers, hosts typically reward their watchers with fine decor, entertainment, or insights. Frequent, high quality talk page posting helps to maintain interest.