How do I access my controls?
A fast and easy way to access all of your controls is to click on the "home" link whenever you are logged into your account. The control panel is located below your profile picture and is divided into sections.
How do I edit my profile?
To edit your profile, go to your home page and choose the "profile" link under the "settings" section of the left control panel. This will open a page that will allow you to update your basic information, contact information, personal details, and signature.
How do I upload and set my profile picture?
A profile picture creates a first impression and helps people connect with you. To upload one, click on the "change profile photo" link under the current profile picture on the left of your home page. This will take you to a page where you can upload a new picture.
How do I change my theme?
Click on the "select theme" link under the "settings" section of the control panel on your home page. From there, you'll be able to choose from a variety of designer themes created by our artists at thoughts.com.
How do I create my own theme?
Click on the "select theme" link under the "settings" section on your home page. Then click the "create your own" button. You'll be able to choose from preset color combinations or create your own. And you can upload an image to use as the background of your page.
How do I control my privacy?
To control your privacy settings, go to your home page and choose the "preferences" link under the "settings" section on the left control panel. The preferences page will allow you to choose who can view and comment on your profile, posts, status updates, and media.
How do I know when I have an private mail?
The envelope icon at the top of every page, on the right side, will display the number of new messages you have in your mailbox. If you click on the envelope, it will take you to your mailbox.
How do I know when I've received a comment?
The thought bubble icon at the top of every page, next to the envelope icon, will display the number of new comments you've received. Just click on it to read the comments.
How do I know when I have new friend requests?
The person icon at the top of every page, next to the envelope icon and thought bubble icon, will show the number of friend requests you have waiting. Just click the icon to view your pending friend requests and accept or decline the requests.
How do I change my username?
You aren't able to change your username on thoughts.com, but you can create a new account with a different username.
How do I change my email address?
You may update your email address under the "My settings" page.
What if I forgot my password?
Simply select the "forgot password" link at the bottom of the login box and we will send information to the email you used when registering with thoughts.com.
How do I edit my status?
Update your status to share quick thoughts and updates. On your home page, just click in the "Share your thoughts..." field to write your message, then click the "share" button. Status is limited to 150 characters.
How do I create a blog post?
To create new blog post, go to your thoughts.com home page and choose "write a post" from the control panel. Then follow our simple content creation tool to create your title and content. You can even add a poll or upload photos and video to your blog.
How do I publish my blog post?
When you've finished writing your blog post, you'll see options at the bottom of the post to "save and preview," "save as a draft" or "publish post" the post. Click "publish" to make your post available to readers.
How do I save my blog post in draft form?
When you've finished writing your blog post, you'll see options at the bottom of the post to "save and preview," "save as a draft" or "publish" the post. Click "save as a draft" to save your post for editing later.
How do I edit an existing blog post?
From your home page, select "manage posts" in the "my blog" section of the control panel. This will take you to a list of your posts. Click the edit icon for the post you want to edit. Or, if you click the post's title, you can view it first and then choose the edit link near the top of the page, next to the post title. You'll be able to make changes to the post and republish it.
How do I delete a blog post?
Select "manage posts" from the control panel on your home page. This will take you to a list of your posts. Click the delete icon (an X) for the post you want to delete. Proceed with caution, because once you delete a post, it's gone and can't be recovered or restored.
How can I use tags to help readers find my content?
Tags will help the thoughts.com search tool find your content. Choose words or phrases to describe your content, and use a mix of general and specific terms. Cooking, desserts, cupcakes are examples that would help interested bakers find a post. You can include up to ten tags - just separate each with a comma.
How do I use categories for my content?
You can create categories for broad terms you use to classify your content. If you write about cooking, poetry and family life, these could each be categories. Categories are listed on the side panel of your blog.
How do I create a poll?
When you create a blog post, you can use the "poll" section to ask your readers a question and give them up to ten response choices. You and your readers will be able to see the number of answers for each question but not who gave the answer.
How do I set my blog for adult content?
When you create a blog post, you'll see a section for advanced options at the bottom of the page. In this section, you can click the "this post contains adult content" checkbox to indicate that your content is appropriate for adults only.
How do I publish a blog post in a group?
When you write a blog post, use the "post in group" field under the "promote" section to publish to a group of your choice.
How can I engage my audience?
To help engage your audience, lead off your blog post with the most interesting aspect of the topic you want to discuss and keep your paragraphs short for easy readability. But most importantly, choose a topic that interests you so that you can share that interest with your readers.
How can I promote my blog on other sites?
When you publish a blog post, you can use the tweet, Buzz or Share icons on the right of the post to send a notification to other social networking sites that you might belong to. You can also use these icons to help promote posts from other members.
How can I earn money from a blog?
The most common method for earning money from a blog is through affiliate marketing programs. These programs require you to blog often enough to create an audience who will visit your blog regularly and click on links to visit the sites you market. You are then paid for the traffic you generate to each site. Thoughts will soon be offering additional tips on how to earn money from your blog.
How do I upload photos, video or audio to thoughts.com?
From your home page, choose the "upload media" link from the "media" section of the control panel. That will take you to the upload page. Use the "Add files" button to select files on your computer, then the "Start upload" button to upload those files.
How do I add an image to my post?
When you are creating a new post or editing one you've already created, you can use the "Image" icon to add an image or photo that you've already uploaded to thoughts.com, to upload an image from your computer, or to link out to an image on the web.
How do I create a page?
A page is exactly the same as a post except it will be listed in the side panel on your blog in the "pages" section. To create a new page, go to your thoughts.com home page and choose "create a page" from the left panel. You can edit and manage your pages just as you would your blog posts. There is a checkbox in the "advanced options" section of the post editor page that will allow you to turn any post into a page (or any page into a post).
How do I find blog posts to read on thoughts.com?
Click on "blogs" in the navigation panel at the top of every screen, and you'll be able to browse through post summaries. You can select recent (newest first), buzzworthy (posts that other members have viewed and reacted to with "yes/no" recommendations), random, most commented, and posts from new members.
How do I leave comments on other people's posts?
When you leave comments on other's posts, they are more likely to read your blog. Even a quick comment can help build connections. To leave a comment on someone else's post, type into the comment box at the end of the post and click "add comment."
Why should I vote on content that interests me?
Each time you react to posts with the "yes/no" recommendation buttons, we're able to find more content to recommend to you and help you connect with your fellow members. If you like what you see when you read a blog, click on "yes" to recommend it to other people. If you don't like it, just click "no."
How do I follow people I find interesting?
When you read blogs from people who interest you, you can follow them by clicking the "follow" button on their blog page. After that, any time that person publishes a new post, you'll see a post summary on your home page.
How do I flag inappropriate content?
If you find content on thoughts.com that you feel is a violation of the terms of service, adult or graphic in nature, spam or professional, you can use the flag symbol located in the right corner under the post (next to the "yes/no" recommendation buttons) to alert the thoughts.com support team. The content will then be reviewed and appropriate action taken.
How do I become friends with people?
Becoming friends with other members helps build an audience for your blog. Also, friends have access to content that you choose only to share with them. Clicking "friend" on a member's profile will send them a friend request. They then have the option of accepting or denying that request.
How do I block, ignore or stop a friendship with another member?
When you navigate to a member's profile, you'll see settings to block, ignore or stop a friendship with that member.
How do I view all my friends?
Click "friends" in the top navigation panel on any page to view all your friends on thoughts.com. You'll also be able to see any pending friend requests, members who follow you and members you follow.
How do I find groups that I might be interested in?
Click "groups" in the top navigation panel on any page to view the groups and discussion forums on thoughts.com. Many of our groups are created and managed by members themselves.
How do I join a group?
Many of our groups are open to anyone who wants to participate, and some groups have security or privacy restrictions. If you want to join a group, click on the "join" button on the right side of the group's page.
How do I create a group?
Click "groups" in the top navigation panel on any page to view the groups and discussion forums. If you don't see a group focused on a particular topic that interests you, you can create your own group by selecting "create group." You will then be prompted to create a URL for your group, a display name and a description. You can choose a blog style or forum style for your group and set the group's privacy level.
How do I contribute a post to a group?
When you are on a group's page, you'll find the "write a post" command on the right side. You'll write a group post just as if you were writing a blog post but the post will appear in the group list. You also have the option (in the promote section of the post editor page) of having the post appear on your own blog, in addition to the group.
What if I have more questions or need more help?
For community information, contact Kristen. For support or if you encounter a technical issue, contact Destiny. If you are a new member and want help or advice, contact Jamie. For other types of help, use the contact form - the link to that page is located in the footer of every page, and your request will be routed to the staff member most qualified to provide a response.
One of the best, fastest, ways of getting an answer to your question is to write your question in a post and publish it. Chances are very good that you'll get a response quickly from another member. The thoughts.com community is very willing to provide advice, encouragement, instructions, suggestions, and help.