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Top FAQs

Contents

  1. 1 Sending a Hometowner
    1. 1.1 How does readMedia decide what sample data to show me?
    2. 1.2 Can I attach a photograph or file to my hometowner?
    3. 1.3 Can I see my hometowners before sending them?
    4. 1.4 I’m getting an error saying that there are missing values in my release, what does this mean?
    5. 1.5 Can I send a web-only achievement?
    6. 1.6 I see a circular badge in the "Send Group Hometowner" workflow. What is a badge?
    7. 1.7 Do I need to assign a badge when sending my achievements?
    8. 1.8 I don't see a badge that matches my story. What is the "Achievement" badge?
    9. 1.9 Can I customize these badges with my school's colors/images?
    10. 1.10 What is the difference between colored and custom badges?
    11. 1.11 I have custom branding and don't see a badge that goes with my achievements. What should I do?
    12. 1.12 I have new custom badges that I'd like added to my account. How can I add them?
    13. 1.13 Where does my logo appear?
    14. 1.14 Can I save my hometowner and send it at a later time?
    15. 1.15 How long does it take for my hometowners to go out to the media?
    16. 1.16 I see a red Urgent section on my Hometown News tab. Why?
  2. 2 Afterward
    1. 2.1 I made a mistake in a previously sent hometowner, how can I correct it?
  3. 3 Delivery Reports
    1. 3.1 Can I see a breakdown of every newspaper that my press release went to?
    2. 3.2 Can I resend my story to a newspaper if they missed it the first time?
    3. 3.3 Can I add a newspaper that wasn’t on my list to previously sent hometowner?
  4. 4 Web Stats
    1. 4.1 Why can’t I access the social media section of my Web Stats?
    2. 4.2 What does “direct”, etc. mean in my delivery report/web stats?

Sending a Hometowner

How does readMedia decide what sample data to show me?

As you are assigning your placeholders, readMedia will insert sample data so you can get an idea of how your story will read. The example that is shown will usually be the first row in your spreadsheet that uses all available placeholders in the template.  

You can preview the actual stories at any time by clicking on the newspapers link in the Preview bar.

Can I attach a photograph or file to my hometowner?

Yes, you can attach up to 3 files to your hometowners. However, the files that you attach will accompany the story for each student in your spreadsheet. It's a great way to include a photo about a sports team or school production. It is not a way to include a headshots of students.

Can I see my hometowners before sending them?

Absolutely. In the preview bar above your text box you'll see an option to preview both the stories you're getting ready to send to newspapers and the emails you'll send your students. 


Clicking on the newspaper link will open a new window that list all of the newspapers that you'll be reaching. You can click on any of the links to view the actual news release that that paper will receive.


I’m getting an error saying that there are missing values in my release, what does this mean?

This means that you've accidentally forgotten to assign values to some of the pending boxes in your hometowner. In order to send the stories out to the media all of these boxes need to be given values.

Usually, when you see this message, it means you simply forgotten to click over to the multiple format version of your story and assign the placeholder there.

Can I send a web-only achievement?

Yes, while sending a hometowner you'll see a box at the bottom that will allow you to reach hometown newspapers. This box will be selected by default, but you can deselect it to publish your achievements ONLY on readabout.me.


I see a circular badge in the "Send Group Hometowner" workflow. What is a badge?

A badge is a graphical element that enhances achievements on readabout.me and encourages sharing in social networks. readMedia will provide you with a set of default badges for use with your achievements, but you can upgrade your subscription to include colored or custom badges. Below is a full list of readMedia's default badges.

Do I need to assign a badge when sending my achievements?

Yes, you will need to choose the badge that goes with your achievements. On the final step of sending your achievements you'll see three drop down boxes prompting you select the badge and semester that apply to them. Please be as accurate as possible when choosing these fields.

Note: You can always select your general "Achievement" badge and allow a readMedia editor to assign the appropriate badge in editorial review.

I don't see a badge that matches my story. What is the "Achievement" badge?

You should use the generic "Achievement" badge when your achievements don't match up with any of the badges available to you. It serves as a general topic for stories about Resident Assistants, Research Projects, Orientation Leaders, etc.

Can I customize these badges with my school's colors/images?

Yes, readMedia offers both colored and custom branding options. You can upgrade your account to include them at any time. For more information, please contact us at 800-552-2194 or email us at customerservice@readmedia.com.

What is the difference between colored and custom badges?

If you've signed up for colored badges, readMedia will create them for you. Our team will recolor readMedia's default badges with your school's colors to match your brand identity. Here are a few examples of colored badges:


A custom branding plan allows you and your design team to create completely customized badges to go along with your achievements. These badges can be made up of custom images from your school. Here are a few examples of custom badges:

I have custom branding and don't see a badge that goes with my achievements. What should I do?

If you don't see a custom badge that matches the achievements you're sending it's because one hasn't been uploaded into your account yet. Custom badges will need to be loaded into your account before sending your achievements. Most likely, your design team hasn't created (or sent us) the necessary badge at this time.

I have new custom badges that I'd like added to my account. How can I add them?

Simply email the badges that you'd like added to your account to customerservice@readmedia.com and we'll review them and upload them for you. Please make sure you email them to us a few days before you need to send your achievements out, as this process takes some time.

Where does my logo appear?

Your school's logo will appear alongside the student's achievement when it is posted on www.readabout.me

Can I save my hometowner and send it at a later time?

Certainly. Simply click on the Save as Draft button at the bottom. This will move your hometowner to the Draft Hometowners section of your account. From there you can click Send to start distributing your hometowners. 

How long does it take for my hometowners to go out to the media?

Hometowners will start going out to the media after they have been approved by a readMedia editor who will review the story first to make sure there aren't any noticeable errors. 

I see a red Urgent section on my Hometown News tab. Why?

This means that a readMedia editor spotted an error in one of your hometowners. You should have also received a phone call or email describing the problem.

This urgent message will go away when you resend your story (unless you needed to upload a new spreadsheet). You can delete this message at any time if needed.

Afterward

I made a mistake in a previously sent hometowner, how can I correct it?

You have a couple options. First, you can make an online only correction if needed. To update your story online, simply view your delivery report. There you can look for a person by name and edit the online version of their story.

Alternatively, if you need to alert the media of an error, you can send the story again as either a second group hometowner or an individual hometowner.

Delivery Reports

Can I see a breakdown of every newspaper that my press release went to?

Yes, you can view a summary of all of your transmissions at any time. On your Hometown News tab you'll see a section for Recently Sent Hometowners. There you'll see a list of your most recent activity. Click on a View Delivery Report link to open up a summary of that release.

Here you can look up stories either according to the student who the news was about or the paper that got the story. Use the search box to find the people you're looking for.

Can I resend my story to a newspaper if they missed it the first time?

Yes, while viewing your delivery report you'll see a resend link. This link will send that newspaper a second copy of your original news release. 


Can I add a newspaper that wasn’t on my list to previously sent hometowner?

Yes. On your delivery report you'll see a Missing a Newspaper link. Clicking on this link will open up an interface where you can search for a newspaper by name and add it to a zip code.

A newspaper will then receive an updated news release including the names of all of the people from this new area.

Web Stats

Why can’t I access the social media section of my Web Stats?

In order to access the Online Distribution and Social Media Distribution parts of your Web Stats you need to use email addresses in your spreadsheets. These boxes will be locked unless you've included email addresses in at least 50% of your hometowners over a set period of time.

You can adjust the time period using the dropdown box.


What does “direct”, etc. mean in my delivery report/web stats?

Direct traffic are visitors who viewed your stories directly, without being referred from a search engine or a site that linked to the
story. Visitors who have disabled tracking mechanisms in their browser are also counted as "direct".