This document discusses identifying and collaborating with very important participants (VIPs) in online communities. It identifies five types of community members based on their participation levels, including community leaders who contribute high effort insights early on. The document suggests three challenges to identify VIPs: looking at natural moderator behaviors, triangulating with co-moderators, and finding blind spots. It also discusses how to collaborate with co-moderators and close knowledge and culture gaps to fine-tune conclusions. The key takeaway is that VIPs may in fact be considered co-researchers who can provide important insights.