frequently asked questions.

For MEDIA FAQ, please scroll down the page.

For Sources

What is Sourceables?

The purpose of Sourceables is to provide you with a platform to share your expertise, viewpoints, stories, and experiences so that members of the media can search for and connect with the right sources for insight, commentary, and quotes for the stories they are writing, their websites or blogs, or the shows they produce.

Whether you are an established expert or not, Sourceables can help position you as a credible source by demonstrating what you know, why you know it, and how well you can communicate your thoughts and ideas on today's news, topics, and trends.

How do I get started?

If you are a source, you first must register for your free account. You will then create a personal profile which includes your background/bio information along with any links you want to share to your blog, website, Facebook page, videos, or any other location that will give the media or other Sourceables members additional information about who you are and or your area of expertise.

There's also an option to upload a profile picture. Please only use a photo of yourself and not your kids or dog (cute as they may be.) Company logos, book jackets, or other promotional images are not allowed. First and foremost, Sourceables is about you. It is a community meant to connect you with members of the media searching for credible sources as well as with those who share your interests. Therefore, your profile information should be related to who you are.

How do I post and what should I post about?

To start posting, simply log on to your account. Your first post will be sent to the Sourceables team for account approval. Your post, along with your profile, will be reviewed to ensure that you are using the site correctly and that your contributions are likely to be of interest to the Sourceables community. This also reinforces to media members that our source members are both valuable and credible.

Once your account is approved, your posts will then be public and will be fully searchable. Feel free to post as little or as often as you like--either way you will still be found via Search or Browse, though posting more frequently will add keywords and tags that could show up in search queries. Posts are limited to 750 characters and can be as short or long as you feel necessary. Your posts should be related to what's happening in the news, the most current developments or trends in your field, or in some way adding insight into what's happening in the world.

Your post can also include a link to a news item, blog post, or any initiative you are involved with that helps explain your views or is a direct comment on that particular item. For instance, you might want to comment on a New York Times story dealing with the economy or politics. Providing a link to that article in your post helps others better understand your position and how you can add additional insight. You also can add tags to your posts to further highlight the topic(s) you are discussing.

Let's look at some examples of how Sourceables might work for you...

1. You are an author who has just published a new book on alternative forms of energy. Why are you a valuable source to the media? Because you've written a book? No. So have many other people.

Your value lies in the knowledge you have of new energy initiatives; in what you likely know about the oil industry; and in what you can share about the future of energy production. Similarly, an author who has written about politics, finance, education, celebrities, relationships, dieting, medicine, survival techniques, travel, or any other topic can likely offer a wealth of insight into news events or trends that can add an additional dimension to a story beyond their book.

While your posts can certainly refer to your new book, product, or your professional affiliations/services, your profile page is the place where you provide the links to the book, articles, videos, blogs, photos, etc. you'd like to share.

2. You are an aviation expert or you know how to fly a plane. Or you are medical expert specializing in infectious diseases. Or a political expert who keeps a finger on the pulse of Washington, DC. When a plane lands in the Hudson River, a lethal new virus is spreading across the globe, or a prominent politician suddenly switches parties, your insights are needed immediately by a wide range of media. Posting your insights and views on timely and breaking news events can be extremely helpful to media who need sources asap.

3. You don't need to be an established expert. A working mother, a stay-at-home mom, a recently laid off worker, a restaurateur in Boston, a retiree embarking on a second career, a teacher, a sports coach, a musician or filmmaker, someone who heads up a local committee or helps their community, or if you've found interesting ways to save money or recycle products, Sourceables is a place for you to discuss your ideas and experiences and share them with others. With the Follow feature, you can also keep tabs on any other Sourceables member who may work or live in your area or who simply shares your interest in parenting, art, sports, pets, and more. The only thing to keep in mind is that your discussion and your posts should relate to a current event, topic, or trend.

Media are often looking for everyday people to comment on a wide range of current issues. Sourceables is the place where your story, ideas, or suggestions can be brought to a larger audience.

I am a PR pro, publicist, etc. Can I post on behalf of my client?

Yes. But you must abide by the general guidelines: Sourceables is not the place to directly pitch and promote your client's products. You should be posting on your client's experience, viewpoints, insights, and expertise as it relates to news, trends, and current topics.

You can supply links in your client's profile to whatever company, product, or service they represent.

How will anyone find me?

You designate which category you'd like to post to when you create your account. You can also post to the many subcategories available.

Also, each of your posts and your profile is fully searchable--so is your geographic location. For example, if someone wanted to find a "small business owner in San Francisco" you would appear in the search results, provided you have put some or all of those words in any of your posts. Similarly, searches such as "President Obama's trip to Europe," "diet and weight loss," "new Democratic leadership," "summer blockbuster movies," "reducing debt," or "having a baby" will pull up all posts that contain those words.

By tagging your posts, you also increase the chances of people finding your posts when searching for a specific topic or category.

Do I need to post regularly?

No. You can post as much or as little as you want to. Or even not at all after you create your account. You'll still show up in whatever category you choose and your profile will be visible.

However, posting is how media and others will find you. The more posts you write, the more keywords and tags associated with your profile, and the greater the chances someone will find and read your posts.

Can I follow other Sourceables members?

Yes, if you'd like to follow the posts of other Sourceables members or keep tabs on a certain discussion or topic, you can click the "follow" link in any member's profile.

Will my posts be found elsewhere beyond this site?

Yes, your posts can automatically be fed to your Twitter account and will also be part of @sourceables on Twitter. You can select the option to link to your Twitter account when you register and can turn it on or off when you wish.

What should I NOT do on Sourceables?

There are a few simple rules for you to know. Most importantly, Sourceables is NOT a place for you to openly promote, pitch, or attempt to sell your products or services. In fact, those types of posts are strongly discouraged and we will ask members to edit or delete such posts (and reserve the right to delete them ourselves if we feel it's necessary.) Remember, the Sourceables community is built on its members sharing their expertise, not something they want to sell.

Other key rules...should you be contacted by a member of the media, you shall not:

1.) use it as an opportunity to promote or pitch yourself for something other than what you were contacted for. If you're ultimately not a suitable source, please don't try to push something nobody asked for in the first place.

2.) reveal the content or nature of your correspondence in any way, unless you have written permission.

3.) pitch or attempt to promote your products or services to media by sending them press releases, email newsletters, or any other form of promotion or communication without their consent.

Please be sure read the Terms of Use to understand all of the rules. But in general, you should treat your interaction with the media -- or any other member of Sourceables -- professionally and with some basic common sense.

Those who violate the rules of Sourceables in any manner will have their accounts terminated permanently.

Who do I contact for any other questions or information?

Send an email to info@sourceables.com

FOR MEDIA

What are the advantages of Sourceables?

Sourceables is a new way of connecting not only with a wide range of qualified experts but also a diverse community of people discussing the news, hottest topics, and trends of the day.

Think of it as your new bookshelf, contact list, or online database loaded with the sources and experts you need, when you need them.

The key advantages of Sourceables are:

--You can locate a source 24/7/365. Especially for breaking news.

--All source members must pass an approval process, ensuring that only valuable and credible sources join our community.

--You are anonymous. No matter what you search, read, or click on your details are kept private, keeping your story ideas and research safe along with shielding you from unwanted contact. You can even choose to contact a source anonymously and we will handle all correspondence.

--If you choose not to be anonymous, you can create a "Source" account and post your queries, comments, or ideas, which can be an excellent tool for finding the sources you need or alerting the Sourceables community to what you are working on.

--You can search for exactly the sources you need on a wide range of topics and categories without the hype. Sourceables is not about promoting products. It is designed to connect you with credible sources who can comment on current events.

--You can preview sources before contacting them. Read their posts, scan their profile, and click on the links they've provided before you make contact to see if he or she fits your needs.

--In addition to finding single sources, Sourceables can connect you to multiple sources at one time. Any topic you search will include all the posts related to that topic helping you to scan, select, and contact as many qualified sources as you need in the shortest amount of time.

--Follow your favorite sources or the topics and subjects you are most interested in. (***But please note, when you follow a source, your name will show up in their followers list.)

How do I find sources on Sourceables?

In a number of ways. First, you can search under the main category headings on the home page. From there, each category contains many subcategories to help you drill down to your specific topic or issue.

You can also search for sources with keywords from the homepage. Every post is fully searchable, so if you're looking for "small business owners in San Francisco," "latest findings in medical research," "working moms,""relationships," "best deals on credit cards," or anything else you can think of, if someone is an expert on that topic (or is discussing it) you will find them.

How do I contact sources?

You begin by searching for your sources either by category or via the search function. When you wish to contact a source, simply click on their "contact" link and you directly email that person who will then be notified immediately that they are being contacted via Sourceables.

When you first use Sourceables, you will be asked for your name and email address in order to register--which will always be kept private. Members of the media are not required to create personal profiles.

Can I post my query to all sources in the Sourceables community?

Yes. You can send an email to info@sourceables.com and include your name, category, contact email, media outlet, deadline, and your specific query. Also tell us if you require sources within a geographic region, age range, or any other specific requirements. Your query will be sent to Sourceables members by us.

If you choose to post an anonymous query we will provide a designated reply email, collect the responses, and forward them to you.

Your query will be sent to you for your review before it is distributed.

Alternatively, you can choose to create a Source account and post your queries or questions as often as you like. Keep in mind, a Source account requires a personal profile. Just click "Create a New Post" and enter and post your query.

How do I find sources for breaking news?

Check the Breaking News category from the homepage, scan the newest posts (which are updated continuously) on the homepage, type in your search in the search box (e.g. "swine flu outbreak," "plane landing in Hudson River," "Supreme Court nominee announced,") or search for sources posting in real time about international or domestic events as they unfold.

Who can I contact for questions, more information or press inquiries?

For general questions send an email to info@sourceables.com