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ON BEING A TUMBLR #BOARD EDITOR

As many of you might already know I’m an editor for the #LOL board on Tumblr. This is a huge honor that I don’t take lightly. I personally think the #boards are what make Tumblr so great. At any given time you can find something amazing just by looking at stuff your fellow Tumblrers have tagged or by just going to the Explore page to find something that might interest you.

But the world of editing is a little hidden to the average Tumblr, even if they check out the #Boards. There are maybe 400 editors total? I have no idea. 400 seems about right. But there’s no introduction once you’re made an editor. So, here’s a look at how it works from an editor’s perspective.

Choosing Things

Typically for me it’s about finding content that’s something more than things that I like. The things that fit my style end up on my blog, really great stuff ends up on the #LOL board. Yes there are often some overlap. Since this #board is read by so many people I try to make sure what I post has a redeeming quality other than just “funny.” Everything online is funny. I want to post stuff that has a point, beyond a dumb joke. It should have some social commentary or point of view or something more than just a chuckle at my laptop.

How Posting Works

Here’s a breakdown of how the process works

1) Find something you like

I’d say that’s #LOL worthy; funny objectively, an interesting take on pop-culture, and represents a larger trend about humor. Approved!

2) Press the star button

You get an extra button as an editor, this star button.

3) Select which #board you’d like to post to

I assume if you are an editor of multiple #boards you’d get different options, but I’m only the editor of one so all I get is #LOL. You only get 10 posts to a board in 24-hours, so it makes you make sure you really want to post it.

4) Avoid reposts

Sometimes I select things that other editors have already found. If that’s the case Tumblr built this little dialogue box that warns you. Nice work, Tumblr.

5) Profits!

That’s it! Nothing too special.

How To Find Stuff

Tumblr makes it easy to post something directly from the person who originally put it on their Tumblr to the #boards. I was worried at first because a lot of stuff I like had a real big mess of comments underneath it that I worried cluttered it up. But Tumblr automatically posts the original blog that posted it exactly as is to the #board. This makes it easy, but sometimes I wish I could tag very funny comment threads. Oh well. It also makes it so that no editor can add commentary or change language.

The Other Editors

I’m not really sure if this is like this on other #boards but I don’t have a ton of interaction with the other editors, which I’d like to change. From the #LOL board I’ve met Lindsey and Nick in real life and like very much. I’m IM friends with Andrew and Other Nick who are also super nice. But as for topherchris, thewhatever, alexblagg, ohryankelley, amandalynferri, and stryker I haven’t had much (or in some cases any) contact with. Call me guys!

How You Become An Editor

I have no fucking idea. I got lucky I think. But if you’re tagging your posts properly you’re probably on your way. If you can show that you’re an expert on “whatever” there’s a chance they’ll make a #board and you can be an editor.