How to Contribute to Wikipedia
(Page 1 of 4 )
Wikipedia is an extremely popular web site. The very idea of this site is appealing: an online encyclopedia filled with information that anyone can use. Even better, anyone can create an entry, or add something new to an entry which already exists. But how can you, or anyone else, contribute to Wikipedia?
Wikipedia Entries
Wikipedia may be free and open to all, but the topics and entries on this site are very professionally done. The writing is concise and most of the entries are very complete. Because anyone can contribute to Wikipedia, anyone can create an entry about themselves or their business.
Wikipedia is a well-known and respected site which gets a high amount of traffic. Being included in this encyclopedia adds a whole new depth to marketing and visibility. But creating a Wikipedia entry isn’t as easy as visiting the site and writing a few lines. You want to meet Wikipedia’s standards, and you want to create an entry that will fit in with the general theme and tone of the site. If you don’t, your entry certainly won’t stay on the site for very long.
Gaining Approval
Not all Wikipedia entries are approved. In other words, you can create entries all you want, but they may never be an official part of the site. Unapproved entries are unceremoniously deleted after a few days. If your entry is deleted, then all your work goes to waste. There are ways, however, to increase your chances of winning approval. When you know how to write an entry for Wikipedia -- the way the site wants you to write it -- you greatly improve the odds that your entry will stick. Then, you (or your business) will forever be a part of this well-respected body of knowledge.
Signing Up
First, visit the web site (http://wikipedia.org/). You’ll see a round picture in the middle, surrounded by different languages. Choose yours (which will most likely be English), and you’ll be led to the main page of the site (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page). At the top, right-hand corner of the page you’ll see links reading Log in/create account. You must have an account with Wikipedia before you can create an entry. If you already have such an account, simply log in. If not, you’ll have to create one.
Creating a Wikipedia account is very, very easy. After you hit the create account link, you’ll be taken to a screen asking for a username and password (the password must be entered twice). You don’t have to include your email address in your information, though you may do so if you wish. Once you input your user name and password and submit this information, you’re done. You now have an account with Wikipedia, giving you the power to edit and create entries as they strike your fancy.
Next: Creating a Wikipedia Entry >>
More How To Articles
More By KC Morgan
