Hello guys
by Terrab1ter4

Ever wondered how those PMC'ers could get their posts featured, get so many diamonds, views, favorites on projects/skins/texture packs/servers/blogs and forum posts? Well I did too. So I started thinking: What's the trick?

So I wrote down a small list of things you too can do to create a popular post.

• This is true for every post but the forum posts: Mostly the biggest and fanciest builds, the most detailed skins, the most interesting texture packs, biggest servers, and the best on topic well written blogs, become featured and stuff. That's just almost a certain thing (Although I saw some pretty massive builds under the project section not getting featured). So yeah, building big, skinning detailed, texturing interesting and well-writing blogs does get you views and diamonds and stuff. But it's not only that;
  

There are more things you can do to get more views for your posts under the 5 main sections

• There are two things that are to attract people to your post when they are scrolling down one of the section pages: The title and the featured picture (when leaving out forum posts).
  
• For the Title: Don't post things using caps only like AWESOME CASTLE AND SERVER SPAWN ETC. For most people, this indicates a, yes I say it, nooby post. Really good posts attract people using a simple and short title. If you build something, simply give the name of your build or contraption. Same for skinning and texture packs. Obviously, you use the name of the server you post as title. For mods, the name of the mod will do fine. And for blogs, you summarise what you wrote, like 'How to: get views&diamonds' which is a short title, and you are reading this right now so you were attracted by it; Meaning it's a good title.
  
• For the featured picture (which is the picture that will be displayed on the scrolling page): First of all, never, I say never, think you do not have to post a picture. Of course you are not forced to, but it's a crucial thing. It's the first proof you can show to people. Because drawing a minecraft building only using paint, is quite hard, so people will see if it's true what your title says. And recognise a fake. People are less eager to click on a title 'Awesome big spleef arena' if there is no picture shown, then when you also include a picture of that 'Awesome spleef arena' of yours. Also: for projects: pictures that really do well are 3D rendered pictures. For a list of 3D renderers, you could check out this wiki page:
  

http://www.minecraftwiki.net/wiki/Programs_and_editors/Mapping

• For skins, it's obvious that you upload your skin, which will be featured at the scroll page, so that's nothing to worry about. For texture packs: Think of the thing your texture pack is for; Is it an full texture pack (all blocks/items/gui/etc) you post a picture of your logo, or for example a picture of a landscape (using your texture pack of course), and a default texture pack setup, which you can see here (I do not claim rights on this picture, just uploaded it for you): http://imgur.com/xJUQjAh If you are only partly texturing something, like the items, use item frames to show them (just scroll down the texture pack page, you'll find a lot of these posts). When texturing mobs, show the mobs obviously :P.
  
• For servers: You will probably just upload your banner, that's the smartest thing to do probably. For mods, it's best to upload a picture showing the new things of your mod. Made a TNT mod? Show an explosion or the new blocks or even better, a banner with both :P! And lastly but not least, blogs: Try to keep on topic. If you are doing art: display your art :D. If you do a tutorial: display the title again (it helps).
  

Other things for the 5 main sections:

• You have the oppertunity to write a main body for every post. Use it! Posts will be much more interesting when you write something about it. Tell about what you uploaded. Why is your texture pack awesome? Is there a story behind your awesome build? And for the blog you of course just write a blog :).
  
• PMC hosts several contests each month. A good way to get people to see your projects - blogs - skins is to enter them! And especially if you win, more people will notice your posts! (Idea from FantasyMaster)
  
  
• When possible, try adding as many Tags/Keywords: The more you add, the faster the search will find your post. For example if I used a keyword like Creeper when posting a Creeper castle, and when I then use the search tool in the top left corner of the screen and search for 'Creeper', your post will be in the list as well. Even though It's not initially a Castle that has anything specific to do with creepers, only the name is used. Remember: only add tags that have something to do with your post. Having built a Parkour map and then adding pumpkin as tag doesn't make any sense.
  
• When there is the option of adding a youtube video, add one. For two reasons: One: when PMC'ers watch your pictures, they might want to have a better view on your build/etc. A video could really help you there. Two: People on youtube who watch your video could also use your link to PMC (which you added, of course :D) to download your project/etc on PMC website; which will give you views and downloads!
  
• You can ask people to give you a diamond, but don't do it in the ways described here: http://www.planetminecraft.com/forums/rules-submissions-t40929.html (scroll down to 'General Submission Rules')
  
• Ask for comments with helpful advice: it's not only good for you, it's also a way to earn xp, keep in touch with other people and give people the oppertunity to help you.
  
• And when this worked, another pull-factor for people: People tend to click on projects/etc that have like 10,000 views, and 1000 downloads etc. Because they think: That must be interesting. And guess what that does for you: get you even more views and diamonds :D!
  

And now another specific part of PMC: the forum. How to get people to view your topic and reply?

• Forums don't have a featured picture. You have to get people to read your topic by having a good and on topic title. But first:
  
• There are 32 forum sections: know where to post your topic. Especially watch posts that are meant to recruit people. There are three different recruitment sections! (Server - general - youtube)
  
• For the title: Don't post caps titles or profanity. People really won't look at your post because you type: 'I NEED HEEEELP PLEAASE SOMEONE HEEELP'. Try to keep your title on topic. Are you recruiting? Add the name of the group you are forming and the words recruiting or looking for. Requesting something? Use the word requesting and the thing you are requesting. Etc.
  
• For the main body: When you ask a question, keep it short; don't keep spamming your topic with 'i don't know what to do' and 'help me help i don't know help', just make it simple. It's like:
  

{Hello guys}


{Problem}


{Can someone help me?}

• Also, people tend to use bumps to get their topic high on the list. Don't do that a lot. The rule formally is: once every 24 hours. But really: a good topic gets itself high on the list. There's no need for you to do that.
  

anyways, just have fun on PMC. You don't have to become a popular PMC'er with 1000000000 xp and stuff. Meet people here, share inventions, builds, ideas, tutorials (:P) and appreciate one anothers work.





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Adding to that: Have anything to add to this list? Then comment that below.





Have fun,


Terrab1ter4