Wikipedia manners

If your book is a nonfiction title -- with the exception for memoirs -- one of the tenets of your online promotion is a Wikipedia page. Few other pages get higher SEO bounces than a Wikipedia page. Even if you don't generate your own page, or or wish to not replace a page similar enough to your topic, find other ways to participate in Wikipedia. Comment on a page; add a few lines to fill out a topic; or even send in a correction.

Just know one thing: Wikipedia is a world unto itself, and it is wise to know your Wiki manners. The administration of information on Wikipedia is taken very seriously by its unpaid volunteers. Ms. Obie Joe's toes still wince at some of her missteps, so take heed:

• When you sign up as a member, remember your true status is low. Even though you have access to the same options to generate, edit or dispute copy, in reality, the administrators rule.
• Know your administrators: these are the volunteers who are the creators of the base article. A good one will appreciate your e-mail, and might even engage in a lively discussion on the topic before determining which additions or corrections will go through.
• Be patient. Depending on a whole host of reasons - the administrator's whim, personality, etc. -- your suggested edits may take time to be included. Don't fuss.
• Do not, whether it's because you've lost your patience or manners, hit the Edit button in the upper right-hand corner. "This is considered very bad form, and the article administrators will usually (and arbitrarily) remove your edits the moment they find them," notes E. Keith JB Howick, Jr. of Wind River Publishing Company
• Instead, Howick says the proper form for submitting a correction is to click on the "discussion" tab, and then enter your requested change. "It will be reviewed by the admin and others, and if found worthy (yup, pretty subjective), it will be added or you will be given permission to "edit this page." Don't bother trying to find out who the admin is or how to contact them, it's intentionally and tremendously difficult. It's what the "discussion" page is for," he says.

(and yes, Mr. Obie Joe, that keychain is yet another addition to my wish list!)