Newbie's Video Guide to HubPages, Vol. 1

Hello everyone out there in HubPages land--and beyond!

This is an ever evolving guide to help you navigate HubPages, Capsules, Tagging, Forums, and virtually ANY issue you may come upon here at HubPages that I can visually demonstrate effectively.

Please be aware that I am not the end-all-be-all of knowledge; I don't claim to be especially effective, perhaps just well traveled.

I have a different agenda here on HubPages, one that is more long term in harvesting the riches of AdSense and the likes. However, this guide will cover much common ground in regards to general HubPages knowledge.

If I miss anything, chime in and I'll create a video demonstration for you!

Today I will walk you through many of your firsts:

Your first HubPages account, writing your first profile, deciding on your first avatar, and yes, posting your first forum hello.

So, let's begin--shall we?

Signing up onto HubPages is straight forward: simply click here and fill out the application, read the terms of agreement, and click agree.

Choosing a name is personal, and should reflect a sense of taste and self.

Then, it's time to work on three things:

1. Avatar

2. Profile

3. Forum Hello

After you sign up HubPages, the site will begin to tailor it's experience to your interests. You can do this by adding words to a list; things like fashion, technology, health, and more. Click here for a longer list!

At this junction, if you so choose, you'll be able to import your contacts, too.

How about a picture for your new account?

Selecting a profile image is just as important as creating your user name: this icon will appear next to your name through out HubPages, and even become a default picture for hubs who otherwise would not have one.

Profile pictures are again a personal choice--some use themselves, others cartoons, and various random iconography. Keep in mind that avatars can be changed at anytime, so don't feel like you're locking yourself into it.

Just make sure your picture is under eight megabytes and has a total resolution of 200x200 pixels. Don't know what that stuff means? Don't worry! HP has a built in crop tool.

To select an area of the photo, just use your mouse to move the square. To make the square larger, hold shift (for Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, and Chrome) or control (for Safari) and drag the mouse one way or another.

Once it's at maximum size, simply mouse over the square to decide where to crop. Hit crop, and you're done!

How about filling in a profile?

Filling out your profile can be a very easy way to link not only to your hubs, but to other websites and hubbers. However, this is beyond the scope of this tutorial. Today, we just want to write a short and sweet introduction.

Since I am filling out the profile of my non-profit, I'll just describe our goals and click save.

Profiles can be long, brief, and non-existent; HubPages recommends you keep it sweet and short. Having a multitude of accounts and profiles, I've tried it all.

In the end, it's really up to you. Just like your avatar, feel free to change your profile whenever it best fits!

Here are some profiles for your consideration:

• k@ri
• Mentalist acer
• Raven King
• Cris A

Be yourself, be friendly, and be seen!

HubPages has an active set of forums at your disposal; there's forums for advice on Hubs, general help on HubPages, a Hubbers Hangout--as well as a plethora of others.

I don't particular frequent any single one, but interacting in the community does affect your overall Hubber Score. Getting out into the community is a vital part of maximizing your experience; boozing and shmoozing with other writers will open new doorways to a long list of followers, readers, and helpers.

In the video above, I just posted to "The Sandpit," a forum all just for..well, playing games with each other.

I recommend your first post be on Hubbers Hangout, though. So click on it and introduce yourself--don't be shy!

Or at the very least, join in to an on-going conversation.

Posting pictures to the forum, along with messages, is a fun way to liven up any discussion or make your response stand out. Try it sometime!

Just follow the video above to learn how to:

1. Search Google for Images

2. Uploading Images to your Picasa Web Album

3. Determine the picture's share address

4. Copy and paste it , then manually format it: [img]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BRMr2D3unLI/TEs3DIJ6i3I/AAAAAAAAAVs/ktBa7_5-y6w/s800/YouareEternal.jpg[/img]

Well,

that's all for today. If this tutorial was easy enough to follow, you're now a full fledged hubber, who has successfully invaded the forums.

In the next volume we will create your first Hub and begin discussing "capsules."

Meantime,

Keep hubbin'!