Using the WP Dashboard
WordPress is a very versatile application for collaborative efforts. I’ve installed various plugins to help that process along, and I have a policy of constant improvement when it comes to streamlining. This page will help you get the most out of the WordPress Dashboard, aka the user interface you’ll use to post.
The Posting Process: Once you’ve finished writing your post, you click the “Publish” button the in the Publish widget to the right of the post box. That doesn’t post the piece publicly, but puts it in the editorial queue and sends an email to the editor. The piece will be reviewed within a day or two and either posted or have notes added to it.
I really don’t want the whole “editorial” process to sound ominous. If you’re serious about your craft I’m sure whatever you post will be ready for publication, but an extra set of eyes almost always catches something the writer didn’t.
Private Posts: When making a new post, you have the opportunity to post it as “public” or “private.” Only the other contributing authors will be able to see “private” posts. This will allow us to have behind-the-scenes conversations and collaborative feedback that surfers will never be able to see. In the ‘Publish’ widget on the right side of the Dashboard, the “visibility” option will default to “Public.” If you edit that setting to “Private” only editors and contributing authors will be able to see it.
Feel free to post work-in-progress for feedback, or just share thoughts and ask for opinions. This is a great way to post suggestions for the site as well, since it allows us all to discuss ideas. Private posts will never be openly visible, ever, so speak freely.
Post Notes: Also in the Publish widget, there is a box to add a note to a post. This is the perfect place to suggest categories or tags, or really to leave any notes or comments at all about the piece you’re submitting. When the post is being reviewed, the notes will show up and allow the editor to leave their own notes. Currently things are set up to send an email to you and the editor whenever a note is added. This will make it much easier to pass a piece back and forth through the editing process, if required. This is basically a running Sticky Note on top of the draft, and notes can’t be seen in public.
Just Released!
