Wikipedia.com is currently one of the most influential websites in the world that anyone can use, edit and contribute to. It is primarily looked after by a non-profit organisation known as the Wikimedia Foundation but in reality, it is run by a community of worldwide volunteers, editors and contributors who altogether ensure that only reliable, non-biased and non-promotional articles with verifiable sources are published.
In reality, getting on Wikipedia whether as an individual or organisation has a number of advantages, but I must warn that Wikipedia is a very tough environment and, therefore, it takes a lot of painstaking effort and patience to get on and stay there.
Below are some tips you should note before trying to create an article on Wikipedia:
- Wikipedia is different
Don’t look at Wikipedia as your average everyday website; its primary objective is to provide fairly neutral and accurate information to the general public. Since Wikipedia is a more or less a no-man’s land, you have no control over what is eventually published about you. So, for example, you are free to start off an article about you or anything that interests you, it’ll be allowed to stay as long as it follows the rules but then, one or two other contributors can edit same article without asking for your permission.
- Research is important
Before submitting any article on Wikipedia, you should understand how the community works and that is where adequate research comes into play. This will help to ensure that your article or page will not be removed or challenged after you have posted it for review because no matter how beautifully written an article is, if another administrator raises a red flag and garners enough support, such an article can be deleted.
- Forget it if there are no verifiable and reliable sources
Wikipedia relies on references from verifiable sources when an article is being put up, which simply means that if you do not have enough media mentions, particularly on the websites of reliable media companies such as punchng.com, then there is no need to attempt putting together a page. It will be deleted in no time. So, before you proceed, check out what wikipedia refers to as verifiable and reliable sources.
If your long term goal is to get a Wikipedia profile then your kick-off point will be to start getting newspaper mentions today. Blogs and social media mentions are not accepted.
- Updating content on Wikipedia
Wikipedia discourages individuals or organisations from modifying their articles themselves. Yes, no one will stop you if you decide to do so but just remember that it opens such articles to a lot of scrutiny. — Finish Reading on the Punch Website
