8.0 KiB
8.0 KiB
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
- Navigate to:
http://your-domain.com/admin - Log in with your credentials
- 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
- Click + Create new entry in Content Manager
- Select Article content type
- 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
- Click Media field in article editor
- Click Add new or select from library
- Drag and drop or browse files
- Add alt text for accessibility
- 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
- Submit for review when ready
- Editor reviews content and style
- Request changes or approve
- 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
- Navigate to Live Blogs in Content Manager
- Click + Create new entry
- 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
- Click Profile in sidebar
- 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
- Mark errors immediately
- Correct factual mistakes
- Add correction note at top
- 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