Description:
What is JewelryLessons.com?
JewelryLessons.com is a site where users can find information on how to make jewelry through lessons, articles, tips and Q&A.
Special users called “Teachers” (Project Designers) can also post their tutorials for sale or for free. All registered users can post other types of content.
What is a tutorial?
A “Tutorial” is a step by step lesson with text and images in PDF format, which can be printed, downloaded or read online.
If your content does not have step by step text and images, then consider writing an article instead. If you have a fun and short tip, then post it in the Tip section.
Who are “Teachers”?
Teachers are advanced or intermediate designers who can post tutorials and patterns for sale here. All other members can share other types of content, such as articles, questions and tips.
How do I become a Teacher?
You must be a registered member (free), have a valid Paypal account (free) and fill an application at the Write page (also free).
The application will contain your information, a little about yourself and sample images of the project you plan to teach.
A moderator will approve your application and change your status to Teacher, usually within 48 hours.
What do I do first, now that I am a Teacher?
Congratulations! Before posting tutorials, read the TERMS OF USE carefully, since these constitute a binding agreement. The main points to remember:
1) Tutorials, once posted and sold, cannot be deleted, only “retired”;
2) We offer a discount and userpoint program which all tutorials participate automatically;
3) Your tutorials cannot be offered for higher price elsewhere.
How do I prepare a lesson?
We accept lessons in three formats:
1) A ready-made secure, printable, 4MB max Adobe Acrobat PDF format;
2) A ready-made Word document for us to convert to PDF;
3) NEW!!! Input your text and images directly into our Exclusive “Tutorial Maker” to produce a properly formatted PDF file.
Ready-made Files:
Make sure your ready-made file is formatted properly.
a) PDF files no larger than 5mb -- send Word Docs larger than 5mb via email;
b) No links directly to webpages, only to your own domain;
c) Our Disclaimer image on the first and last pages.
Use our optional and free Word Doc Template and formatting Guidelines.
How do I post a tutorial?
Submit your tutorials through the Write page. Have the following information ready:
1) Name and description of the Tutorial;
2) One to four display images. Make them more or less square and at least 450pixels wide, for better display. Avoid text and ads on your images;
3) Number of pages and steps of the tutorial;
4) Wholesale base price (final price will be double);
5) Categories and tags, to help students sort and find your tutorials. Avoid excessive categories;
6) The lesson file.
How do I format Ready-Made Word or PDF files?
If you submit a PDF file, then make sure that it is the smallest possible. Not all PDF writers are the same, and tutorial size DOES matter – it affects download time.
We have a wonderful PDF writer, so if you like, submit the Word doc and we will convert it for you.
You can format it anyway you like, as long as you:
a) display our Disclaimer image on the first and last pages;
b) add no specific advertisement of products or of specific links (since these pages could disappear), only your own general website and logo.
We strongly recommend tutorials in vertical portrait format, although it is not a requirement.
What upfront service or posting fees will I pay for posting tutorials?
You pay NO UPFRONT fees for posting. Your tutorial never expires unless you want to retire it. JewelryLessons.com does all the work: 1) Host your tutorial files;
2) Distribute to buyers;
3) Collect sales revenues and deal with ecommerce;
4) Deal with technical issues;
5) Distribute revenues to Teachers.
Does this mean the service is free?
It means there are no upfront costs or investment to you. We believe in you, so we only collect service fees if the tutorial sells. The tutorial sells for twice (2x) your wholesale value.
What happens after submitting a tutorial
Your tutorial will go into PENDING state. A moderator will review your tutorial to see if the file is good and to convert it to PDF if needed.
WE CHECK ONLY FORMATTING PURPOSES – you are responsible and liable for the accuracy of the contents.
If there are any needed changes, you will receive an email with the “Suggested Changes”.
Do NOT SUBMIT your tutorial again, just change your original submission. As soon as you update the tutorial and press Submit again, it will go into Pending until approved, and the cycle continues.
Once approved, you will receive an email stating that your tutorial is approved and is now posted at the tutorial listing.
What can I do to improve the quality of my tutorials?
1) Browse through the Teacher’s Lounge Category. There are many tips and tricks on how to improve.
2) Read the Tutorial guidelines & Word template. This file is updated periodically, so check back often.
3) As Teacher, you also get special emails from JewelryLessons.com Staff, with important announcements and tips.
4) Answer student questions and be a participant in the community: student give you hints of how to improve your lessons.
5) Look at other tutorials and see how teachers have presented their products -- learn from them.
What do I do after posting a tutorial?
All you need to do is tell the world! Post links at your blog, share links with your favorite social networks and tell as many people as possible.
How do I track sales?
As Teacher, you will earn a special page called “My Earnings”, located under My Profile. You can see all your sales right after they happen, in real time.
When do I get my sales payments?
Typically, JewelryLessons.com distributes revenues once a month, around the 15th of every month. Payments correspond to the previous calendar month.
You are not alone!
Most importantly, as a Teacher, you get the entire community to help you to create good tutorials and post a quality product. Post your questions at the Q&A forum!
If you need help just Contact Us!
JewelryLessons.com Admin
as soon as i get my shop and online store in order this next month i will be sending in a tutorial or two for you guys.just can not find the time right now,but i am looking forward to doing so.
Lisa Holley
ofBejeweleds Jewelry
As someone who is not going to be writing any tutorials, I probably should not be making any suggestions, but to any and all who will be doing a tutorial(s), please do not be in a hurry to submit. Have someone read your writing for errors or omissions. What may be clear to you, may not be so to someone else. First drafts are rarely ready for publication. Check your spelling. Call a tool by its correct name, not thingy, or doodad, etc. I know, I'm the pot calling the kettle black as some of my writings contained errors and that's because I ignored my own advice. This site has members whose natural language is not English, and can be excused for not being acquainted with all the various idioms of English.
Excellent suggestions JWM.... Thanks for posting -- there are also Teachers who are not completely familiar with the English language, and we try to let them keep their own "voice", even if sometimes it is a little quirky.
-Eni
www.jewelrylessons.com
Hi Eni,
thanks for another great article - it reads as if you were addressing me personally, especially with your last comment on quirky sounding foreigners ;-)
I promise to do my homework properly, so you will not have to invest too much of your precious time in correcting/tutoring me, when I soon will be trying to submit my very first tutorial. I appreciate soooo much all the efforts you put into JL, and all the detail work you do for getting only high quality content posted on this OOAK-site! Thanks for all the help and encouragement,
Jutta
JWM, I love your advice. It is so concise and right on every time. I always enjoy what you have to say, and read each word and look forward to what is coming in the future.
thank you for all you have written and all you plan to write. Thanks Pam
Got a question... I make chains from wire and have several tutorials (20-30+) that I've written. I'm continually adding more information to them about Aspect Ratios needed, how many jumprings are needed, variations, pictures, etc.
My question is, when writing a tutorials, is it best to say something (how to do that step) in several different ways to reach more people? Or are those wasted words and space, i.e. show a picture of the step (finished) and add text and let it go?
As a retired legal secretary with fast typing skills, I OFTEN add more than is needed to anything typed - haha. I'd just like to know what others think on this 'saying it once and/or add a different way too' - whether needed or unnecessary in your minds. Thanks. Nancy B