Thank you for everyone who voted in the poll! It has reached more then 53 votes, so I decided to type out all the answers and post them n_n They will be right here at the top until tomorrow, tomorrow I'll be moving them to Post 14. Don't forget to vote for the next poll that should be up shortly :3
Here are some tips to starting a good quest thread:
1. Reserve space:
You want to actually make a quest thread! For this, you must start a topic. In the title, write something like "Do not post! Reserving Posts" so no one would post. Take about 15 minutes (1 minute per post) to post in your topic 15 times. Reserving 15 posts is basically the whole front page (It's always good to have extra room). You can always go back to edit the posts later. You have now reserved space for your quest thread n_n
2. Think up categories:
Categories are simple. Like for me, I have Introduction, Art Quest, yada ya. You want to make sure you address everything. If it is a quest thread, you may want the following sections: Introduction, About Me (Optional, I really have one xD), What I'm Questing, and Donators. If you are a complex person like me, you'll have way more categories xD!
3. Make Banners!:
This is why we have that "Personalized Graphics" section! Make a couple banners for your thread. You want them to catch attention, not attention from your quest, but just enough for it to say, "Hey! Look at me! I'm questing 8D!". I make freebie banners quite often too, so ask and I'll see what I can do :3 They aren't the best banners but their enough I think. Anyways, on these banners, write your categories. Make sure banners are legible, so people know what category they are in,
4. Fill in information:
Now, there are many steps to this. First, we want to know what you're questing xD Go to the Market and get the picture code for the item you are questing. Pictures are worth more then words, even though words are still very important. Forum coding (or CCS coding, the codes you use for these threads) are fairly simple and self explanatory. For many quest threads, you want to show the item you're questing, link that picture to Marketplace price, write what item it is, and how far you are on the quest. If you need help coding, don't hesitate to ask me :3 Make it clear on what you're questing!
5. Done?:
Other then that, you are done with your quest thread! The answers one and two go hand in hand, so read both :3
Tips:
- Have good grammar:
This is very important. Do not type out "hello my name is audrey and i want u 2 don8te 2 me plz?". This is exactly what NOT to do. When you do this, most people who want to donate are going to say, "This person didn't even bother to spell things correctly... maybe this person isn't trying hard on her quest ;.". Instead of saying that, try saying, "Hello! My name is Audrey. This is my quest thread. All donations are much appreciated n_n". Literacy is very important. Some people can get away with not capitalizing things, but adding numbers for letters, using unnecessary abbreviations (Like u or r for the words) and not spelling out your words is the a no-no.
- Pictures!:
Pictures, like I said, are important. You don't want to see all text! Maybe a few captions or something can be added. But item pictures, picture of the avatar you are questing, and banner pictures all help your quest thread. Don't drown your quest thread in pictures though.
- Organization:
This is important too. A quest thread is supposed to inform a person what you are questing for. But if it's not organized, they may not know what you are questing for. Make sure you make things legible and clear.
This is the question that I know a lot of people ask xD Well, I can give you a few tips that I use.
1. Make a nice quest thread:
Use the tips and tricks from the first question. People want to look into your quest thread and know who you are! If you are questing something you really want, make that known!
2. Slightly advertise:
I'm not talking about going all out and posting in every thread you see "LINK TO MY QUEST THREAD! CLICK PLZ!". There are so many things wrong with that. Let's start with that link. First of all, all capitals like that are very obnoxious and irritating. Have good grammar, and instead, say something like, "Demy's Quest Thread! Pay me a visit :3?" Also, signatures are the best form of advertising you'll ever have! Maybe just put a link to your quest thread in your signature.
3. Go to Charities too:
There are charities for a reason. Don't go marching in saying, "DON8TE 2 ME PL0X!". Instead, stick around and chat with a few other people! If you have your quest thread in your signature, chances are, someone is going to click it. So it's a win-win situation.
4. Don't expect a donation:
Just because you do something for so-and-so, don't expect to get a donation from it! When people think you are awesome enough, they donate what they can. But if you go to a charity and say, "wheres my donation?", the owner of the charity may roll their eyes and ignore you.
5. Be grateful for donations!:
No matter how small the donation is, like is someone gave you some starter clothes or just a few ink bottles, thank them! You are the person they chose to donate to and you should be appreciative. Also, record every single donation you get. big or small, record every donation. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, especially if they donated :3
6. No one stops by your quest thread?
True, not a lot of people stop by quest threads. In my experience, bumping your quest thread is sort of a minor thing. Most of the time, I was just chatting with other people in other threads and they looked at my siggy and clicked in. Think of a quest thread like a reference sheet. When you apply to charities for a donation, it's always good to put a link to your quest thread. I have a few friends that stop by my quest thread to chat. It's always nice to have the company.
7. Don't rely on your quest thread:
Relying too much on our quest thread is the worse thing to do, but many people do it. You're questing! You should find a good way to make a little income towards your quest. For me, it's my mini art shop. For some people, it may be zOMG related, there are some bumpers, people who play other Gaia games, people who vent, etc. But you have to quest for what you want. And who knows, there may be some people who'd like to help you on the way.
(If anyone else has anymore tips, please let me know n_n)
I make them myself xD They are done in Photoshop with all those neat tips and tricks. My suggestion, if you want to make good banners, just play around with Photoshop functions! Like look at the blending options, or use the other keys. Self-teach yourself. And if you want to know how to do something, there are always tutorials online that will teach you step by step how to do things in Photoshop.
Other then that, if you feel you cannot figure something out, I will try to figure it out for you xD I'm still a beginner but I know the basics of it. We can learn about Photoshop together :3
But if you really just want people attracting banners, then let me know n_n I do plenty of freebie graphic and thread layouts. If you are nice and stick around, I will gladly make you some xD!
Haha, I see people are still wondering about this xD Actually, I don't know myself! I have a few explanations though. When I draw, I sort of.. sturdily drag my finger to make a line. Being a track pad, it's not as sensitive. It's only used for a laptop mouse and a laptop mouse only. That's why you have to be very sturdy. You have to move your fingers smoothly and quickly! You can't keep your finger there, trying to make a straight line. You just have to make a quick finger movement down the track pad and hope it turns out straight! A key that is very helpful to me is the "Command+Z" key, or for you Window users "Control+Z". This is basically the undo button xD
I've come to realize sketching with your finger is helpful. Remember when you were in Preschool or Kindergarden and did finger painting? Well, drawing on a track pad is sort of like an advanced version of that xD
Even so, anyone who is starting out drawing, I DO NOT recommend drawing on a track pad. It was a last resort thing for me and it's actually VERY bad for your hand xD Always stick to drawing with pencil and paper! Even if you have a tablet, drawing it in pencil, inking it, and scanning it is more work, but it turns out much prettier :3
This is kinda self explanatory xD I was making this poll quick and wanted 6 answer, this one was the last one I could think of xD Well, this is an easy question! Learning about people and making friends :3 It may sound cheesy, but it's true. Talking to different people often shape opinions, you learn more about socialization.
Thank you! It took a lot of work and dedication. Trust me, a lot of work xD And a lot of remodeling actually. The way my first layout looked.. I think I have come a long way :3
