Becomming An Editor

I would like o hear advise from those who have made successful applications to become an editor to the ODP.

It is known in this industry that to become an editor requires a special skill & background, I'd like to hear exactly what some ODP editors believe was their number 1 asset in making it to becomming an editor.

I've made Nintendo sites since 1996, so I submited a few Nintendo sites and got accepted, though I've been inactive for a long time. If you can submit three new high quality sites, at a small category, you can get added. Then as you add more sites, you can become an editor of higher up categories. If I ever make myself active again, I'll be listed here.

I'd like to hear this a response to this also. I know lots of people who've tried and were rejected.

-cris

I don't think it requires special skills or certain assets at all. New applicants should:
1) Choose a category that is not very large (less than 100 sites)
2) Read the description of the cat you are applying for, and guidelines. This will help you understand what kind of sites to submit on your application.
3) Make sure you choose sites that fit well in the category, give them good, non-biased descriptions, and check your spelling and grammar.
4) Make sure your application is complete.
5) BE HONEST ABOUT AFFILIATIONS WITH SITES!!

Also remember that many editors were rejected on their first tries. The email will usually let you know why you were rejected. Work on those aspects of the application, and try again.

Jennifer

Yikes! Special skill and background?

That's not me, I'm a grandma who was afraid of computers until 1998, and then took it slowly... and I was accepted on my first try about 2 years ago.

Do everything Jennym said, and don't be lazy about it. Take your time and treat it like a job interview, like you have something to prove, because you do. Also, be willing to spend a couple of days reading all the info ODP offers, and love the catagory you apply in. I've always loved flowers, especially pressed and dried, so that's what I applied in.

If I could do it, anyone can. Keep trying!

Anne

I was rejected on my first attempt, but then accepted when I applied to be an editor of a much narrower category.

Does anyone know what is average dmoz response time to application? I applied on 8th December last year and only thing I got from dmoz was "application received" email.
I applied for a small category, regional, with only few sites in it.

Best regards,
Vladimir

Usually when you recieve the "application received" email, it will ask you to confirm. Did your email say this? Did you confirm? I don't believe there are any applications pending that are that old. You may want to apply again.

Jennifer

Yes, I got both emails...the one I was talking about was second, saying
"Thanks for applying to become an editor! You will receive a reply as soon as your application has been reviewed.".

Guess I will have to apply again.

You could also go to http://www.resource-zone.com/
There is a specific thread there called "Becoming an editor"
You can ask for a status check of your application. You may have been approved and missed the email. Of course you may have been rejected and missed that email as well. If you were rejected, do not give up. Read up on the guidelines, and try again. Many of us were rejected on our first try.

Good luck,
Jennifer

I was rejected on my first and second tries. Then i just kinda gave up... Oh well though. I figure ill try again in a few months. That forum listed above is a GREAT resource! Thanks for posting it.

-Josh

Thank you, I had no idea that there is such thing as a official dmoz form

Best regards,
Vladimir

I basically half-assed the application and got rejected.

Spend more time on filling out the form, and choosing reasonable sites to place in the category (make sure it's not already in ODP).

I agree, I've learned so much on that forum. You also receive answers to questions rather quickly. I've seen a lot of people get some pretty specific responses.

-cris

I've never been rejected as an editor - and here's what I did:

1. Check out Zeal.com and take the Zealot test. The Zeal Directory is, in my opinion, harder to get into than ODP, and they share many of the same guidelines. Here's the test:

http://zeal.com/zeality/member_quiz_start.jhtml

2. Make sure your spelling and grammar are perfect. Afterall, you are applying to become an editor.

3. Start with a small category you know a lot about. This can be ANY category at all, even if it is unrelated to your target category. It should be at least 4 levels deep on the navigational chain. For example, I am an avid video-gamer. I applied to be an editor of a specific online game that I know a lot about. It was located at Video Games>PC Games>RPG Games>Online RPG Games>Multi-player RPG games>etc. etc.... The smaller the category, the easier it is to get in.

4. Choose your 3 links to submit, and write descriptions for them according to the guidelines. NEVER use superlatives. Again, check spelling and grammar. Make sure those links don't already exist in ODP.

5. Check the ODP site in a week or two and try to log in as an editor using your user name and password. IMPORTANT: I never received an email from ODP saying that I was an editor. I was just able to log in one day, and I went to work editing my category. This may happen to you too!

6. Keep up with your category and don't slack. Log in at least once a week.

7. After you maintain your category for a two weeks or so, apply for what you really want, but again.... start small. If you want to be the editor of Shopping>Candy, you are not going to get it! Try Shopping>Candy>Fruit Candy>Jellybeans and then move up.

As far as your affiliations with sites go.... that's a ethical call (or is it moral?). From a hobby standpoint, you can be truthful and get accepted. If you state that you are the webmaster of Ilovejellybeans.com, you are more likely to get accepted. From a business standpoint, if you state that you are the owner of jellybeansforsale.com ....that's another story. Prepare to be rejected.