Posting stories, news, events

Posting is the best way to make your website dynamic and interesting and it automatically creates much more exposure through Flightdec's unique broadcasting.

The posting steps use a form upload to make it easy and simple, even for people contributing directly to the website without training. However, if you are a website manager, always use the form upload but, once you've completed the form and saved it, you have the option to enhance the page with extra images, links, or whatever.

What you need before you post

An image (png, Jpeg or similar) 400 pixels wide or deep, minimum. NOTE, for events, you also need a Page Image 1170 wide by 504 deep (pixels).
Copy prepared in a Word file. NOTE: copy taken directly from some formats, particularly email or other websites, will be loaded with code that can corrupt your page. In these cases, copy it to Notepad (or equivalent) and then onto your edit page Word.
A snappy, strong and meaningful headline with key words included.

Find where to post

Typically, a website will have a 'Posting' page that sets out all your options. A link to this page might typically be a discrete link (likely called 'Private Posting') tucked into a main website page. Some websites might give access through a 'Members' or 'Intranet' page, or it might be found by adding /Posting at the end of your URL.

When accessing the page, and you are not already logged-in, it will ask for a login - note, you must have a login before accessing any admin pages, including to post.

If there is no 'Posting' page available, you can access individual posting pages in the left menu (when logged in) - menu item called Posting Pages.

Posting options

There are a number of page types but they are grouped into only two different form uploads.

Uni-module - Articles, Blog, Media Releases, News Items and Resources

The form upload for these different page types works identically.

The form only has 10 entry panels, so is easy. However, we recommend that on your first visit you fully read the detailed instructions in ‘Before You Start’.

Pay particular attention to:

Take care in selecting up to 8 Categories, including the obvious ones, because that assists wider and more accurate exposure of the post. Category selection is based on what your post is about (e.g. Community Services).
You should ideally select a location and enter a town name (town name only, not other words such as 'city' or a suburb).
Make sure you upload a suitable and attractive Index Image - logos and word graphics are not recommended.

If you are a website manager, you likely won't upload a Page Image since you have the ability to add any number of images to the page, once you've saved the form.

For website managers, once the form is saved, you will then be delivered to the live page. At this point you might elect to finesse the page further, perhaps adding photos, captions and links. If you elect to do this, go to Edit mode (top right peel-out).

Events - Real Events and Virtual Events

The form upload for these two different page types works almost identically, although a 'virtual event' such as a webinar does not require a physical address.

The form has a number of entry panels, although some are optional. We recommend that on your first visit, you fully read the detailed instructions in ‘Before You Start’.

Pay particular attention to:

If your event repeats, it's essential to read 'Repeat Event Tips' on the form page itself.
Take care in selecting up to 8 Categories, including the obvious ones, because that assists wider and more accurate exposure of the post. Category selection is based on what your event is about (e.g. Arts Culture).
For 'real events' it is essential to select a location and enter a venue and town name, (town name only, not other words such as 'city' or a suburb).
Make sure you upload a suitable and attractive Index Image and Page Image (1170 wide x 504 deep pixels) - logos and word graphics are not recommended.

Outside contributors to the website

You might have contributors posting to your website. They'll have a login to submit a post directly to the website but, unless they have a special permission in their login, a website manager needs to check and approve the post before it goes live. In these cases, a nominated manager will receive an email alert each time a contributor post is made. The manager simply clicks onto the email link and approves the post.

Note, if a contributor having made a post, then elects to edit the page, a fresh approval is required from the website manager.

Customising Broadcasting Layouts

Broadcasts can be placed on the page with this placeholder. [-BROADCASTS-]
If the placeholder is not found on the page, it will appear at the end of the page content.

Broadcasting can also be loaded from this page by adding in HTML CODE in the view source feature of the text editor with the required page name or pageID.eg:

Using a page name

<div class="load_broadcasts broadcasts-94961" data-page-name="https://community.flt.nz/About" data-changer="0" data-broadcast-limit="15" >...loading feed...</div>

Using a pageID

<div class="load_broadcasts broadcasts-94961" data-page-id="94961">...loading feed...</div>

Page changer

You may also turn the page changer on or off and limit the number of results by setting the data field.

How to change an existing Index image on a post. See here.