placebo.mk/PUBLISHER_GUIDE.md

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# 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