WebsiteFuel: Topic Channels Manager Instructions

Topic Channels Manager Instructions

Welcome to the article submissions help. Here is a quick run through on the features available to you, along with screen shots. Please note - some of the screen shots *may* open to a new window.

After you have logged in, you will see the full screen. Please scan it, but review this BEFORE entering any information, even if it seems "obvious" to you. This is to ensure you understand the way our server works (particularly with filenames).

Let's discuss the first section:

Date

First, you will see the date on the article. It should automatically be set to today's date and time according to our servers. You do not have to change this.

Setting the Title

Next, it prompts for a title. Remember you will want to keep your title brief, usually to a maximum of 10 words. We aren't strict on this, but much longer and it will either get cut off, or will look "off" in the syndicator.

PLEASE DO NOT USE ALL CAPITAL LETTERS in your title, Summary OR article! The only time this would be allowed as an exception is if you are stressing a point... i.e., using one WORD capitalized or if you are doing an article on correct/incorrect email tips ;).

Setting the Category

Choose the category from the drop down box. This is important - if you do not select a category, you will not be able to save the article. The categories you see in the drop down box are specifically the ones *you* requested when you filled out the content access request form/email. If there is a topic you want to submit an article to, but is not available to you in the box, please email us and request it.

Setting the Filename

Your third step is to enter a filename. *You do NOT* have to enter an extension! Simply enter a word. Example: if the article title is something like, "3 steps to success online", then you would consider calling the article "3steps" - NO spaces, NO .html, etc. Our server automatically assigns the extension of .shtml - which allows for instantaneous updates.

The result would be from *our* system: 3steps.shtml.

Let's continue with the next section.

Choosing the Article Type

You are now prompted to choose the article type: Full Article, Summary Only, Internet URL, or Uploaded file. ONLY select Full Article please.

We do not want "summary only" - people are coming to this system to view the entire article. They will be able to follow to your website to view further information according to your signature file, but please ensure the full article is selected and included. By choosing "Summary only", our server will cause the article to link to *nowhere* - so please do not select it.

Also - we will not include ANY article that links only to a website outside of ours, again - you can use a sig file at the end of your article.

Please do not upload articles in the form of files. This is to ensure we prevent any possible viruses to the system.

In simple terms: any article type chosen other than "full article" will be deleted by our admin staff.

Featured

You may "request" this article to be featured - however, it will appear above *YOUR* other articles if you choose this, not a "site wide" feature.

Author

This is probably pretty clear ;) but I'll state it anyway: this is where you put the Author of the article, whether it is you or if you are submitting this for an associate. Sig files do NOT go here.

Summary

This is where you would enter a brief "description" or synopsis of the article. Instead of saying something like, "Article on Website Development", you would want to "tease" people into reading the whole article. The summary is what people will see through our viral syndicator system, as well as by seeing "headlines" on our site and other sections. Here's an example of one of my "test" articles...

My title was...

Can YOU really truly succeed on the net?

My summary:

Can YOU really truly succeed on the net with affiliate programs? A Special “Start Up” Report for New or ‘not very successful yet’ affiliates.

You obviously don't want to make this very long, its just a teaser... but you definitely want to draw people into curiousity to continue reading the full article.

Let's move on to the next section.

Content

This is our "WYSIWYG" content editor. It is just like Microsoft Word^TM, a "What You See Is What You Get" editor. Here are some key pointers on using this:

- DO NOT hit enter after each line - just keep typing - this system will automatically "word wrap" to the next line. You will only need to hit the enter key when you want to start a new paragraph.

- DO NOT make the text/content copy any bigger than 10 pt please with the exception of occasional subheadings. Size 2 (10 pt) is standard for most sites.

Obviously you can choose to color a certain word, (keep the majority of the article at all times at standard black), bold, italics, underline a word, or even create bulleted or numbered lists.

When you have completed entering your content, you may then select "preview without publishing" if you wish to see what it looks like - please realize that we occasionally change our templates (and are currently adjusting them to the full new look for release) - so you may see the templates change.

Let's move now to the last section.

Upload Images

This is a feature most will not use - however, if you wish to put a *SMALL* picture of yourself, for example, you may do so. To do this, simply click on "Upload images". It will prompt you to choose a file from your computer.

Saving Your Article or Cancelling

Lastly, when you are sure everything is correct and ready, please click "SAVE".
WARNING: If you hit "Cancel" all work you just did will be gone and we can not retrieve it.

If you need to stop where you're at and come back later, simply click to "Save" it, and then when you return at a later date, you should be able to see it to edit it.

PLEASE REMEMBER: All articles are reviewed by our admin staff before they are made "Live" to the public. This usually takes about 2 business days at most, however, during excessive busy times (or if we are out of the office for a period of time), these submission approvals may be delayed.

At all times:

Articles you submit are NEVER sold to anyone. We do not receive money for your articles - your copyrights ARE YOURS - the copyright comments at the bottom of the page are for the main site itself. (And to protect you). We *DO* receive money for advertising on the website (as with 99% of all other content related sites).

If you do not wish to have advertising on any pages of your articles, there are two things you can do: 1) Delete all of your articles, and do not submit them. 2) Contact us - we may be willing to remove advertising on your articles by putting them in a specialized area - but there *may* be a fee for this. (Please remember, the site costs us money to run, which is why we support it by minimal advertising revenues).

If you have questions, comments or concerns, please contact us at any time.