How to Use eHow [Simple Tips for a new user]

When you start using eHow there are some things that you can do to help yourself get started. These are some tips that I hope you find useful. They may help you make more money on your eHow account. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• eHow.com account
• little extra time

1. MAKE YOUR AVATAR UNIQUE. When you sign up eHow gives you a choice of generic avatars. Get a picture, or drawing. This is recommended because if you notice the “Featured Members” on the right side of your profile page, most of them have unique avatars.
   
   ***To make sure your avatar shows properly - you will need a www address on your profile page. You can put any address out there if you don't have a home page, myspace, facebook, blog, etc.***
2. TO ADD WWW LINKS TO YOUR ARTICLES.
   When you write a new article on the 3rd page "Categorize It" click option D - Add Additional Resources.
   
   Click the triangle that says "Add A Resource" and you can type in any www address and a description.
3. MAKE FRIENDS. If you read someone’s article and find that useful, send them an invite. Usually I write a personalized note to introduce myself. Friends are a big help, they can read your articles – more seasoned users can provide tips and help.
4. VIEW THE FORUMS AND ASK QUESTIONS – Click on the “Community” tab, to the left of your profile page. Then click “forums”. From there, you can go to eHow Feedback and Suggestions and eHow Community Chatter. There is a lot of good information out there, and people will help you. There really is a strong sense of community on this site, take advantage of it.
5. WRITING YOUR ARTICLE – I usually type my article in a WORD document and copy and paste the steps. This allows me to do a spell check, revise and edit articles. Also, in case your computer bugs out in the middle of typing a lengthy article, you will have the information saved. Don’t forget to add pictures related to your articles.
   
   At the end of this article in the resource list there is a link to a detailed article on "How to Delete an Article". (Some articles just don't work.)
6. PROMOTE YOUR ARTICLE – Tell your friends about ehow.com by sending a link in an e-mail to your article. Post it on the message board under DAILY ARTICLES, you will also read articles from the other participants. Learn about Digg and other ways. The message board is full of tips. *** Do not post your article to review on Yahoo answers. You can quote it as a source to an answer. They don’t like that.***
7. PAYMENT – I have not made a huge amount of money on ehow.com, but I do enjoy it and can see more money coming in the more I write. Payment varies by your content, views and many other things - including readers hitting your ads. Be patient, and don’t get discouraged. (Currently the first 3 articles I've written, 2 are at zero, one is at 74 cents - total.)
8. ENJOY EHOW – You will get what you put into this site. There is a lot of knowledge, and friendly users. Make sure you enjoy your time on the site. There is a great community feel to it, and we'll all look forward to reading your contributions.
9. POINTS, WHAT ARE THEY FOR? - You get 100 points per article you write, additional points are given for pictures and videos. As described by Rich, the Community Manager, "It's a good way to showcase how active you are on the site and it also provides some bragging rights on your contribution level."

Tips & Warnings

• To RATE articles - move your mouse over the stars underneath the byline and rate the article in it's usefulness to you. This does help the writers and it's a good practice to get into. It also gives the author feedback.
• There are several links below from other eHow.com users, you may find them useful.
• Be aware of spammers out there.