Promoting Yourself, Your work or Your Web Site
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What about a banner exchange or free add space for contributors? |
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I have an e-store where I sell my art, what rules apply to me? |
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I have a on-line store where I sell weird stuff... can I get a free ad? |
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Is paid advertising allowed in the directory?
(Sponsoring Topics) |
Submission Guidelines
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Intellectual Property Rights & Use of Trademarks & Logos
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What is Oddhobby and Why should I contribute?
First you need to know that there are 3 main sections to Oddhobby:
The Store, The eZine, and the Encyclopedia of the Odd.
- - however, only the encyclopedia is based on an open directory model.
Normally, we do not solicit or accept unpaid submissions to the eZine.
Most people who participate in the Oddhobby Open Directory (The OOD) project,
do so because they want public recognition for their skills, or knowledge.
Self-publishers (independents) need as
much exposure (publicity) and support as possible.
Contributors are allowed to sell their work within their "Bio Boxes", or they can link to their web sites. In some cases, contributors can sell their work from within the Oddhobby shop.
What kinds of people or contributions are needed?
Content:
We need artwork; "topic introductions"; abstracts; book, movie, Television, toy and gadget reviews; topic articles; and sci-fi stories.
People:
We need Web Programmers & Web Designers; Artists & Writers; Editors & Prefects; Hunter Gathers & Field Reporters.
Back to Top
What are editors & prefects?
An editor is someone who makes sure that the content you donate is in the correct section and is of a high enough quality to be added to the database. The prefect is an authority that tries to validate the information, and rates it (internally) so that it works well with our search engine.
What are Hunter Gatherers and Field Reporters?
Hunter Gatherers scour the web, local papers and other sources for items of interest: freaky links, stories, contests, events, and suggestions.
Field reporters Our goal is to find reliable well behaved volunteers who attend odd events, take photos, write reviews and report it all back to us! The old Oddhobby use to send people all over the country to attend various events--we hope the new Oddhobby will be successful enough to enable us to hire hire official reporters again. In the mean time, field reporters are volunteers, and do not represent Oddhobby in any official capacity.
How does it work? (also see how to participate)
It starts with a topic. Take for example, "Crop
Circles." Let's say you're an expert and you've written a book on
Crop Circles. The smart thing to do is to write and donate an
introduction to the topic of Crop Circles, or better yet, you could donate an article
(that you've written) on Crop Circles. The important thing to
note is that even if a topic already has an abstract or intro, you can
submit your version and if the editor or prefect thinks it's a better fit,
your version will represent that topic. Each topic has 1 intro,
and 2 abstracts. However, topics can have numerous articles and stories of
fiction.
Articles (also see stories & topics below)
Your article will be "indexed" using our search engine
which is "specially tuned" for odd topics
(we have to keep the details of our search engine secret until the new site
opens). You will also have the chance to add keywords that you feel
better suit your article.
Next, when readers find your article they can rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 and they can click on a link to your "bio box". If you have a web site we will provide a link to your site--where visitors will get a chance to read about you and your book, and hopefully buy your book directly from you. Currently, there are no fees charged to sell merchandise from your Bio Box, and there are no fees to link from your Bio Box to your web site*. And finally, currently, there are no fees to register or submit your work. In other words, it's all free.
DPA's
If your work is constantly ranked high by your readers, you'll get the chance to select artwork (contributed by donor artists) to illustrate your work. These artists are your "donor partner artists" (DPA) and you are their "donor partner author" (DPA).
*we will only link to a page that displays the Oddhobby Open Directory Member Box Banner. If you have a OOD-DPA (donor partner artist) you must provide a link to their site or their Bio Box on the same page as our OOD Member Box Banner. If you have more than one DPA you can display multiple links on the same page.
"Introductions to topics" and abstracts and book reviews
"Introductions to topics" &
abstracts and book reviews are rated by Editors &
Prefects.
Accordingly, there is a minimum standard for those contributions--that means
articles are easier to submit than Intros, abstracts, or book reviews.
Typically, your intro will be accepted and it will remain a permanent part
of the directory. However, there are certain circumstances where your
intro will be replaced: either by a sponsored into, or by an intro ranked
higher by the topic's prefect or editor.
Stories
Stories are pretty much the same as articles except that they are also listed in a separate "Contributed Fiction" section. We are current seeking sponsors to sponsor contests and prizes for that section. If you are a publisher and would like to sponsor a contest please contact us.
Artwork
Artwork is first ranked by editors and prefects and is positioned in a way that will promote the artists:
- Under the appropriate topics in the Open Directory (the Encyclopedia),
- (In some cases) Used as menu backgrounds for certain topics.
The remaining art work is kept in a "holding area" where writers are allowed to select the art as "cover art" to their contributed works of fiction. By matching quality artwork with high quality writing the artist's work is automatically displayed in it's "best light"--both the artist and the writer will benefit from the pairing. Both the artist and the writer will be easily found, just by searching for the topic that their work illustrates.
When readers click on the artist's credit line they will be taken to the artist's Bio Box and they can read about the artists or follow a link to the artist's web site.
Artwork and other donated works will not be used in the commercial portions of Oddhobby (the shop or e-Zine portions) except with the express permission of the creator (i.e. in some cases we allow donators to display banners for their sites in non-encyclopedia areas).
How To Participate?
Hunter Gatherers and Field Reporters, Topic Editors and Prefects
If you're a writer, programmer, or an artist, photographer or web designer, see:
Artists and Writers: How To Participate? (Below)
Artists and Writers: How To Participate?
First you need to register - we want to make registration as easy as we can but we need to try to make sure that you own the IP (intellectual property) that you are donating.
If you own your own site and URL (e.g. www.mysite.com) :
Step 1: Read our
policies on
donated material.
Step 2: Place the Oddhobby Open Directory box banner on your site.
Step 3: Contact Us and tell us where (on your site) we can find the banner box.
Step 4: We will contact you by email and if you are accepted into the project, provide you with a link to the submissions page. If you are not accepted you must remove the banner from your site.
If you have a "free site" i.e. a personal home page (e.g. members.earthlink/~mysite):
Step 1: Read our policies on donated material.
Step 2: Place the Oddhobby Open Directory box banner on your site.
Step 3: Contact Us and tell us where (on your site) we can find the banner box.
Step 4: We will contact you by email and provide you further instructions.
Note: If you are not accepted you must remove the banner from your site.
If you do not have a web site please contact us and tell us about yourself and the types of work you'd like to donate.
How will Oddhobby visitors find our contributions?
- First, there is a directory of Members and Member sites.
- Next, there is a gallery of artwork and contributed fiction.
- There is also an index of artists and writers by name and by the topics used to illustrate their work.
- Finally, there is a filter on the search engine that will return (public) donor info
If you mirror my site, I'm afraid people will stop coming to my site.
In most cases we do not "mirror sites" in the OOD, which means we do not display donated collections in the same way as the original site. We're a search engine, helping people to find you. People will still come to your site to read about you; or read the articles you've written; or read about how and why you started your collection. If your site goes down, you will still have Oddhobby to tell people about you, guaranteeing your place in Oddhobby history!
Most people who donate collections, become "prefects" and actively participate in the Oddhobby Open Directory program.
Do I have to give you a credit card number?
No.
Are there any fees to register?
No, not at this time.
Promoting Yourself, Your work or Your Web Site
I have a site but I don't know how to add the banner box, can you help?
We'll try. If the people who host your site can't help you, Contact Us and let us know who hosts your site etc. And we'll try to walk you through it.
What else do I get besides recognition?
Artists and writers get a "Bio Box" which is approximately 1/3 of a web page in size. They can link their Bio Box to their web site, or they can offer t-shirts and prints etc., for sale directly from their Bio Box. We are also working on a program so that other contributors will get small discounts or special prices for selected shop merchandise, and if all goes well we will have contests & prizes for contributors to the reader Contributed Fiction Gallery.
Note:
Ads and banners are not allowed in the Encyclopedia, however, you can
sponsor
articles and topics.
What about a banner exchange or free add space for contributors?
Pop ups are not allowed anywhere on Oddhobby--although we really need the money, we believe that popup's are the most vile form of advertising ever invented. Also, while animated banners are allowed, flashing, blinking or misleading (i.e. mock warning boxes) banners are not allowed.
Banners for FOO members are allowed in the e-zine,
in non-sponsored areas. Commercial contributors get listed, free in
our Merchant directory as a "Contributing Merchant". Paid
advertising is available in the Merchant directory.
*with regards to the Merchant directory, our free ad policy is subject
change without notice and free ads may be removed at any time, for any
reason, at our discretion.
How are commercial sites added?
See Sponsoring articles and topics
I have an e-store where I sell my art, what rules apply to me?
If you donate quality art to the project, you are treated as a donor (a DPA) and you will also be featured in our gallery. That means you will have at least 6 links to help you sell your work:
- From within your Bio Box
- A link to your site from the Bio Box
- A link to your Bio Box from the gallery
- A link to your site from your DPA's site (keep in mind, you may have more than 1 DPA)
- A link from the donor index
- A link from the topic search engine.
If you are a major contributor we may also give you a banner in the eZine portion of the site.
I have a on-line store where I sell weird stuff... can I get a free ad?
There are no
banners or ads in the encyclopedia (the OOD)--however, you can sponsor an
article.
See
Sponsoring articles and topics
For
non-encyclopedia areas:
Banner
exchanges are available to based on the following:
A. You must
display an Oddhobby button or banner on the Top half of your first page.
B. Your product line must be unique.
C. You must not be publicly traded (true going out of business sales, not
withstanding)
D. Your product line must not compete directly with the products in the
Oddhobby shop.
E. You must be on the up and up with no complaints from your customers.
F. You must not be a spammer.
G. We reserve the right to refuse exchanges with anyone, or to cancel the
exchange at any time.
H. If you remove our banner without telling us, you will be removed from the free directory--forever and a day.
Is paid advertising allowed in the directory?
Sponsoring articles and topics
Banners are not allowed in the encyclopedia.
However, if you sponsor an article or topic you can get a link to your site.
Topics are bid on a yearly basis. If your organization
buys the top spot for Crop Circles, you will be allowed to your post crop
circle article in the first page as the first article of that topic.
The next year a bid will be held:
If you do not bid, and no one else bids, your article
may or may not remain in that position.
If you bid and win, your article will remain in it's position.
If you are "out bided", you will be pushed back to a lesser position. Your money will not be refunded.
Are there any restrictions?
The Oddhobby Open Directory Project is
closed
to porn sites, spam sites, *hate sites, warez sites, or sites that feature
content deemed illegal pursuant to the federal laws of the United States of
America or laws of the state of Illinois.
Joining the program does not allow you to copy or use Oddhobby content
without the express written permission of Oddhobby, or JHLMC, Inc.
Oddhobby, Oddhobbies and variants thereof (e.g. odd hobbys etc.) are
registered trademarks of JHLMC, Inc.
By joining the program you agree to abide by the policies that govern
the OOD project and you agree to remove any and all Oddhobby logo's and
content from your site, upon request.
*Please note, an "obnoxious site" is not the same as a hate site.
What counts as "artwork"?
Artwork is defined as graphics--computer generated, photographs, drawn and scanned. In most cases you can only donate artwork that you, yourself created or have the rights to. In some cases photos of products (old dolls, rare collectables, etc.) will count as "artwork". The products must be part of your collection, or, for sale on your site.
What are the writer's guidelines?
Pending a more detailed set of guidelines: works
submitted must be your original work and written (in *English) for
readers with a minimum of 12 years of formal education. We reserve the
right to reject, refuse or remove any work at any time for any reason.
Abstracts
We need 2 abstracts: One, 80 characters or less, and one 200 characters or less.
Introductions to Topics
Introduction to topics are 1 to 3 page articles that
introduce the major categories of the open directory. For example
"Predicting The Future" would require an brief overview of the some of the
various methods and literature and people related to predictions and how
they are made. Some of the concepts covered would be:
prophet, fortune tellers, crystal balls, tarot
cards, runes, tea leaves, meditation and the like.
Articles
Not every topic will have (or will need) an introduction but will probably have at least one article. A topic like Tarot cards will have an introductory article as well as articles that describe each deck and articles on the various ways to use and interpret the decks. We're also looking for articles on people who create or use the cards.
Stories
Normally we do not accept donations to the eZine section of Oddhobby, however, we have created a space in the directory, the fiction gallery, where writers can donate their works of fiction.
*we are considering other languages
Whether its a computer game, a film or a book, we understand how difficult it is to self-publish. Help us to help you--spread the word and help us find content.
In addition to a Bio Box, in most cases,
we will offer authors a spot in the "Oddhobby Stacks," where readers will be
able to read reviews about your book.
We will also consider selling your book, on consignment, from the Oddhobby
shop.
For more details: Contact Us
Open Directory Policies on Rights
Rights In General
Please Note: Artist's rights are not the same as writer's rights... artists retain the ownership to their "donated" works. That's because the topic articles become part of the directory, whereas the artwork is an enhancement. In other words when we accept your written definition of "crop circles" that becomes the OOD's official definition of crop circles, you will still be credited for writing the definition, however, it can not be reprinted or used elsewhere without our permission.
Unlike artwork: In most cases the artwork that is displayed with that definition is subject to change, perhaps deemed a better fit for a different topic etc. However, we do retain (non-exclusive) online display rights for donated artwork, in perpetuity.
Finally, rights are always negotiable, however, if you need rights that differ from our posted policy, we must have on file, a signed notarized contract (it's not that big of a deal, it's not too much to ask if the work in question is of significant value).
Writers:
With the exception of stories of fiction, donated works become the property of Oddhobby. Donated works of fiction remain the property of the author, however the author grants Oddhobby irrevocable, non-exclusive rights to publish, illustrate or edit the work, in perpetuity. In any case, your name will always be displayed with your work.
"Works of Fiction" Mini-FAQAre we allowed to donate a story the OOD and then sell or donate the same story to someone else?
Yes.
Do we need your permission?
No.
Artists:
In all cases your work belongs to you. However, you must give us the non-exclusive irrevocable right to:
- Display your work in the encyclopedia or in the fiction gallery.
- Crop your work, or resize your work or modify your work.
- Use your work as backgrounds for menus and other functional features.
...in perpetuity.
I don't want to be included in the OOD, how can I get my site or "my stuff" removed?
We will always honor valid requests to remove links from our site. However, some content is protected under "the fair use act" so, we may not remove certain content that reports information about you, especially if that information is common knowledge or news.
Copyright violations should be reported to the prefects that govern the topics that contain your IP (intellectual property).
If I contribute something, can I keep a copy on my site?
Yes. Even in the case where you donate an introduction, we give you an automatic limited license to display the definition on your site except if your site is a direct competitor to Oddhobby.
Can I use other Oddhobby content on my site?
It depends. Please Contact Us first.
Can I use DPA's work on my site?
Per your registration agreement, you must send your request to us and we will forward the request to your DPA.
New Questions
We love to hear from you, but please be sure to try and find the answer to your question in the FAQ first. If you can't find an answer:
There are many writer's guild sites that define rights... we are in the process of contacting them, and if we get permission we will post their glossary here.
non-exclusive rights, means you can give the same rights to other people at the same time. For example you can give 2 web sites the right to display your work at the same time.
exclusive rights, in this case, it means that we are the only people who
can use your work--it means you can not sell your work to anyone
else.
Please note:
Except for introductions & definitions, we are not, I repeat
are not asking for exclusive rights.
irrevocable, means once you give us permission, you can't take it back.
in perpetuity, means forever as opposed to "for a limited time"