How to make a professional market thread

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Introduction:

Hello guys! This guide will tell you how to make a professional looking market thread. I originally made this guide for my UE application, but since the guide section has returned, I'll repost this.

Why I made this guide and what the contents of this guide will be about:

The reason I made this guide is because whenever I look at the market section, there are threads that look repulsive. The main reason is to provide an example on what a proper market guide should look like. The contents will tell you what you should have in your thread and other things you will find out as you read.

The guide:

The first thing you need to do is to before you make a thread is to read the stickies in that section. For example, lets take a look in the "Questing & Torso Services" sub-section. Stickies are the threads that will stay at the top, they provide rules you will have to follow and other things.



From looking at the stickies we learned two rules. We learned we can not require a vouch from your buyers and we must have at least one picture of a finished torso. Also, do not just read the title and say "I read the sticky, let's go on with the thread. No! There might be crucial information in the thread, so I suggest you click on the stickies and read the information in there. Below are what are inside the two stickies. As you read, you will realize there is some more information. Also, you should read the announcements. They are used when the staff need to alert the community of something. For example Phishers, like stated in the picture above, or when a trusted members MSN is hacked or compromised.

You MUST post at least 1 completed Torso picture.

http://sythe.org/showthread.php?t=508480.

Vouches should only be given out if the person has done a good service to you. Someone doing the training should not ask for a vouch, but wait for it to be given if it is deserved.

Now, here comes the thread making part of this guide. First thing to do is the name. Most of you would think, who cares? It's just a name? Well, I will provide you the names of two market thread, Tell me which thread's name makes you want to click on it. I do not own those market threads, credit goes to them.



Which one would you rather click? The first one? Or the second one? Odds are, you would rather click the first one. It shows he has 80+ vouches and has done many quests. The second one really is not that attractive, there are tons of ways it could be improved. If you have a bad thread title, I advise you to PM a moderator to change it.

How do you know what moderator to PM? Scroll down at the respected forum and you will see a list of moderators who have permissions that section. Also, global mods have permissions everywhere, remember that. I advise you not to PM admins, they have a lot duties to worry about.



Now after you looked at what moderators have permissions in that forum, click here to access a page which will tell you which moderator is online.

Now we are finished with the name, we can move on to the contents of the guide it self. I like using a banner on threads, for example the one I used for this thread. If you would like to use a banner, continue reading. If not, skip the next step, and you can use a text banner, which works pretty well.

First thing to do is to open up your photoshop. Put the width to 600 and the height to 100. Also, put the background contents to transparent. It should look like the following image below.



Basically for a professional banner, you don't need to have super awesome effects and everything. Simple text will do. Go to Dafont and download a text you like. To add the text to your photoshop, right click on your file and press import. After it finishes importing, it will be added in your photoshop. Play around with the size to your liking and choose the text you downloaded. After that type in what you want your banner to say, and then save and upload it.

Look below for a sample banner I made.



Alright, we are done with the banner. Now we can move on to more of the thread content. Below is a good sample market thread.

Banner - Makes your thread look a little better.

Introduction - A little introduction is good for your market thread.

MSN - You can replace this with any other thing you can use to contact your buyers. Just remember to post your contact information on the thread.

Imposters - Remember to always alert your buyers of imposters. Keep a list of them when they are reported to you or you incounter one.

Current Services - Always list when you are working and taking orders.

Current jobs and waiting list - Provides organization means for your buyers.

Prices - I suggest you put prices on your threads so the buyers are informed on how much they might pay you.

ToS - Terms of Service. List your terms here, for example: Only accept paypal, you go first, we use OMM, etc.

Finished orders - This will alert your buyers on how many orders you finished and might drop some doubts of your trust. Remember to provide links, not just numbers.

Also, using graphics in your thread could be a better way to get members to use your services. Since it could be better than boring text. Here's an example:

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I do not own the image above. It's owned by Mr. Mota, credits go to Kinaesthic for making it.

End:

Than you for reading my thread on how to make a professional market thread. If you have any suggestions or feedback, please post below. If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask, you can either PM me or post it in this thread. Thanks!

 

I've never been around the marketplace a whole lot, so this was really helpful. Thanks for the share!

 

Very useful, sometimes I don't know what to put when I'm making a thread,

 

Very useful, glad this guide section is back because we get to see awesome guides like this

I like how a simple banner can make your thread look a lot better, too.