FAQ
Why RiverSpeak?
Spokane has a happenin’ art scene, which sometimes gets overlooked simply because people don’t know where to go to find out what’s happening in Spokane, or where to find other local writers, musicians, artists, performers, etc. RiverSpeak encourages local participating in the arts by giving you a birds-eye view of the arts community in Spokane. You can see what local creatives are doing, share your own work, collaborate and discuss people’s work, find opportunities, and expand your artistic community.
Who is RiverSpeak for?
RiverSpeak is for anyone artistic. We welcome amateurs as well as professionals, youth as well as adults, and encourage them to collaborate, mentor, and learn each other. The idea is to encourage everyone to be more creative and connect to your artistic passions in the community.
How do I join RiverSpeak?
Simply click on our membership page to sign up. Know that any information you provide will be made public on our site (free publicity for you and your work), and any blog URL you provide (http://…) will be syndicated to our site, meaning that your blog’s posts that relate to the arts will be duplicated to our website with a link back to yours.
Is there a cost to join?
As RiverSpeak is a non-profit fiscally sponsored by Community-Minded Enterprises, no cost is necessary to join our online arts forum. Your profile will be listed along with other local creatives and your work, if you have a blog where you post your work, can be syndicated to our site. If you don’t have a blog for your work yet, we suggest you get one! Learn how by viewing the question “How can I create a blog for my work…” below.
Why should I join RiverSpeak?
Just in case you didn’t catch that: by signing up and providing your blog address, you, your creative work, and your blog all get free publicity. You can collaborate, dialogue, and share work and ideas with other Spokane creatives. You can comment on their work, while they can comment on yours. Why wouldn’t you sign up?
What are the terms and conditions of joining or using RiverSpeak?
Check out our User Agreement by clicking here. If you sign up for a user account with RiverSpeak, you are agreeing to the terms of this agreement.
Can I put my artistic work on RiverSpeak.net?
Yes. All you need to do is provide us with a blog address where you post your work when you sign up. We syndicate your blog (pull posts from your blog and duplicate it our site) so the RiverSpeak community can see the latest work you’ve posted to your blog. Don’t worry if you don’t have a blog for your work yet–it’s easy to create!
How can I create a blog for my work so I can have it show up on RiverSpeak.net?
There are many free blog services; the easiest ones to use are WordPress or Blogger. Simply set up a blog and begin posting your images, videos, writing, or ideas. It’s super easy. Learn about how quick and easy blogging is by watching a quick video on creating a Wordpress blog or a video on creating blog with Blogger. If you already have an account with RiverSpeak, but have a new blog you’d like us to syndicate, just contact us.
What if I have a local arts opportunity/event/news story I want to share, but don’t have a blog?
You can share your artistic work or a local arts opportunity, event, or news story with RiverSpeak.net readers periodically via our Submit Local Arts News feature. If you are submitting an event for posting, please note that arts events that are not youth inclusive (13+) may not make it onto our website, as our site content is designed to be appropriate for all ages. Also, our website is designed only for LOCAL and NON-PROFIT arts news and events–NOT for free event advertising for businesses. If you are business arts venue and would like to advertise your events, please contact us about becoming a RiverSpeak sponsor.
Instead of an avatar, my profile has a blank silhouette. How do I put my own picture there?
Sounds like you haven’t specified an Avatar yet. Once you log in, go to your profile page (click on the “profile” link at the bottom of the main page after logging in). On your profile page, click on the “profile” tab and then click “Change Avatar” when the link appears. Upload a low resolution photo or image to serve as your profile picture. You can change this as often as you like.
I see things from other local blogs on RiverSpeak. What’s going on?
RiverSpeak.net syndicates local artists’ blogs to our website (meaning we duplicate their content to our site), as well as the blogs of local arts organizations or groups that are non-profit in nature. We do this with the blog author’s permission. If you would like us to syndicate your local arts group’s blog, let us know by contacting us. We reserve the right to syndicate only content we feel is consistent with our mission and standards.
Hold up. My blog is syndicated by RiverSpeak.net, but not all my posts show up on RiverSpeak.net.
RiverSpeak.net editors (yes, we’re behind the scenes, working like little elves at Christmas) approve all syndicated blog content daily. In other words, new posts from syndicated blogs go to a pending status until an editor approves it. We filter posts by tag, applicability to our users, and appropriate content. Not every single post from your blog may make it to our site.
If this is a continual problem, however, and your posts aren’t showing up on RiverSpeak.net or we’re missing out on wide range of posts, drop us a line and we’ll get on it.
I am part of a for-profit arts business/venue. I tried to join RiverSpeak but my account was denied. I also tried to submit local arts news; that didn’t fly either.
RiverSpeak.net is free for LOCAL and NON-PROFIT arts organizations and groups–not for free advertising for businesses. If you are business arts venue and would like us to consider syndicating your blog and/or advertising your events, consider becoming a RiverSpeak sponsor. There are many benefits, and we believe you’ll find it very affordable.
