# Publisher & Content Creator Guide - Placebo.mk

## Overview
Placebo.mk is a Macedonian news site with a sarcastic tone. This guide covers content creation, publishing workflows, and best practices for writers and editors.

## Getting Started

### Accessing the CMS
1. Navigate to: `http://your-domain.com/admin`
2. Log in with your credentials
3. Select "Content Manager" from the sidebar

### Your Dashboard
- **Content Manager**: Create and edit articles
- **Media Library**: Upload and manage images/files
- **Profile**: Update your author information

## Content Creation Workflow

### 1. Planning Your Article
Before writing:
- Choose a compelling headline
- Research your topic thoroughly
- Gather supporting images/media
- Plan your article structure

### 2. Creating a New Article

#### Basic Article Setup
1. Click **+ Create new entry** in Content Manager
2. Select **Article** content type
3. Fill in required fields:
   - **Title**: Catchy, SEO-friendly headline
   - **Author**: Your name (auto-populated)
   - **Content**: Main article body

#### Article Fields Explained
- **Title**: Maximum 100 characters, include keywords
- **Content**: Rich text editor with formatting options
- **Media**: Upload images, videos, documents
- **Featured Image**: Main article thumbnail
- **Status**: Draft → Published → Archived

### 3. Writing Best Practices

#### Headline Guidelines
- Use active voice and strong verbs
- Include location if relevant (e.g., "Скопје:")
- Keep under 100 characters
- Ask questions or make bold statements

#### Content Structure
```
1. Lead Paragraph (2-3 sentences)
   - Who, what, where, when, why
   - Most important information first

2. Body Paragraphs (3-5 paragraphs)
   - Supporting details and quotes
   - Background information
   - Analysis and context

3. Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)
   - Summary or call to action
   - Future implications
```

#### Writing Style
- **Tone**: Sarcastic but informative
- **Language**: Macedonian with local context
- **Length**: 300-800 words for news, 800-1500 for features
- **Voice**: Conversational, engaging, slightly cynical

### 4. Media Integration

#### Adding Images
1. Click **Media** field in article editor
2. Click **Add new** or select from library
3. Drag and drop or browse files
4. Add alt text for accessibility
5. Choose image size and alignment

#### Image Guidelines
- **Featured Image**: 1200x630px minimum
- **Inline Images**: 800px width maximum
- **File Size**: Under 2MB per image
- **Formats**: JPG, PNG, WebP

#### Video and Audio
- Upload MP4 videos (under 100MB)
- Embed YouTube/Vimeo links
- Add MP3 audio files for interviews

## Publishing Workflow

### Article Status Management

#### Draft Status
- Initial creation phase
- Auto-saves every 30 seconds
- Only visible to you and editors

#### Review Process
1. Submit for review when ready
2. Editor reviews content and style
3. Request changes or approve
4. Editor may edit directly

#### Published Status
- Live on the website
- Publicly accessible
- Appears in category listings
- Indexed by search engines

#### Archived Status
- No longer public
- Retained for reference
- Can be republished if needed

### Publishing Best Practices

#### Before Publishing
- [ ] Proofread for spelling/grammar
- [ ] Check all facts and sources
- [ ] Test all links
- [ ] Optimize images for web
- [ ] Add relevant tags
- [ ] Set appropriate category

#### Publishing Schedule
- **Breaking News**: Publish immediately
- **Features**: Schedule for peak traffic (10:00-14:00)
- **Analysis**: Publish by 17:00 for evening readers

## Live Blogging

### When to Use Live Blogs
- Ongoing events (protests, sports, conferences)
- Developing news stories
- Election coverage
- Emergency situations

### Creating a Live Blog
1. Navigate to **Live Blogs** in Content Manager
2. Click **+ Create new entry**
3. Fill in basic information:
   - **Title**: Event name + "LIVE"
   - **Description**: Brief event summary
   - **Status**: Set to "Live" when ready

### Live Blog Updates
Each update should include:
- **Timestamp**: Auto-generated
- **Content**: New information (1-3 sentences)
- **Author**: Your attribution
- **Media**: Relevant photos/videos

#### Update Guidelines
- Keep updates concise and factual
- Post major developments immediately
- Use quotes when available
- Add context for new followers
- Pin important updates

## Content Categories

### Available Categories
- **Политика**: Government, elections, policy
- **Економија**: Business, markets, finance
- **Друштво**: Social issues, culture, lifestyle
- **Спорт**: Sports news and events
- **Технологија**: Tech news and innovations
- **Свет**: International news
- **Култура**: Arts, entertainment, events

### Category Selection
- Choose primary category carefully
- Use tags for additional context
- Consider audience interests
- Follow editorial calendar

## SEO and Discoverability

### Title Optimization
- Include primary keywords
- Use location when relevant
- Ask questions or make statements
- Avoid clickbait (maintain credibility)

### Content SEO
- Naturally include keywords
- Use header tags (H2, H3)
- Add internal links to related articles
- Include external sources when relevant

### Meta Information
- **Excerpt**: 150-character summary
- **Featured Image**: Optimized for social sharing
- **Tags**: 3-5 relevant keywords

## Author Profile Management

### Updating Your Profile
1. Click **Profile** in sidebar
2. Update information:
   - **Display Name**: Your byline name
   - **Bio**: 100-word professional summary
   - **Avatar**: Professional headshot
   - **Social Links**: Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.

### Author Best Practices
- Maintain consistent voice across articles
- Build expertise in specific topics
- Engage with reader comments
- Share published articles on social media

## Content Moderation

### Comment Policy
- Comments are enabled on published articles
- Inappropriate content is filtered automatically
- Editors can approve/reject comments manually

### Handling Corrections
1. Mark errors immediately
2. Correct factual mistakes
3. Add correction note at top
4. Notify editor of significant changes

## Analytics and Performance

### Article Metrics
- **Views**: Total page reads
- **Engagement**: Time on page, scroll depth
- **Shares**: Social media interactions
- **Comments**: Reader engagement

### Improving Performance
- Write compelling headlines
- Use relevant, high-quality images
- Publish at optimal times
- Share on social media
- Engage with reader comments

## Tools and Shortcuts

### Editor Shortcuts
- **Ctrl+B**: Bold text
- **Ctrl+I**: Italic text
- **Ctrl+K**: Insert link
- **Ctrl+Z**: Undo
- **Ctrl+Y**: Redo

### Media Management
- Drag and drop uploads
- Bulk image optimization
- Automatic alt text suggestions
- Image cropping and resizing

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

#### Editor Not Saving
- Check internet connection
- Refresh page and try again
- Contact administrator if persistent

#### Image Upload Errors
- Verify file size under 2MB
- Check file format (JPG, PNG, WebP)
- Clear browser cache and retry

#### Publishing Problems
- Ensure all required fields completed
- Check article status permissions
- Contact editor for approval

## Best Practices Summary

### Do's
- Write factually accurate content
- Use engaging, sarcastic tone appropriately
- Include relevant, high-quality media
- Proofread thoroughly before publishing
- Engage with reader feedback
- Follow ethical journalism standards

### Don'ts
- Publish unverified information
- Use excessive clickbait
- Ignore reader comments
- Publish without editor review
- Violate copyright laws
- Share confidential information

## Support and Resources

### Getting Help
- **Editor**: Primary contact for content questions
- **Administrator**: Technical support and system issues
- **Style Guide**: Detailed writing and formatting guidelines

### Training Resources
- CMS video tutorials
- Writing style workshops
- SEO best practices guide
- Social media sharing strategies

### Community
- Regular writer meetings
- Content planning sessions
- Feedback and improvement discussions
- Collaboration opportunities