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Writing FAQ

Questions by Topic

Getting Started

I would like to write for San Diego Restaurants.com, how do I get started?
There is a two-step application process for new writers. First, we ask you to complete a brief questionnaire to provide us with information about yourself and to determine if you meet our criteria for writers. Second, once your questionnaire is approved, we ask you to log in to our Writers' Center and to select a assignment to complete, which will serve as a sample of your writing. You will then have one to two weeks to prepare and submit this assignment. Once you submit it, we will evaluate your knowledge of food and wine, your writing ability, and your ability to follow our guidelines. If we approve you as a writer you may immediately begin taking other assignments. If you are interested in writing for us, please visit our write for us page, where you will find our basic criteria and a link to our online questionnaire.
What if I have never published before?
That should not stop you! Being published is not a requirement to write for our website, nor is it necessarily an advantage. We evaluate all potential writers, published and unpublished, on the first assignment they write for our website, not on previously published material.
After I submit my first assignment when can I expect to hear from you?
We try to get back to all potential writers within a week of receiving their first assignment, sometimes sooner. We will either tell you that you are approved as a writer, or that your assignment was not approved. If your assignment is not approved, we will provide you with suggested changes and will allow you to resubmit the assignment for reconsideration.
You accepted my questionnaire, approved my first assignment, and approved me as a writer, now what?
Now you can log in to our online Writers' Center and select your next writing assignment! We will also publish the first assignment you submitted to us.
I was not approved as a writer, will you publish my work?
No, we will not publish the first assignment you submitted if we do not approve you as a writer. You will be given a chance to revise the assignment and if it still does not meet our approval we will allow another writer to accept the assignment.
I was not approved as a writer, can I reapply?
If you were not approved because you did not meet our basic criteria (for example if you are not at least 21 years of age or if you do not have your own transportation), you must wait until you meet that criteria to apply. If you were not approved because your first assignment was not approved, you will have a chance to revise that assignment and resubmit it for evaluation.

Writers' Center

What is the Writers' Center?
The Writers' Center is a section of San Diego Restaurants.com specifically for our writers. It allows potential writers to apply to write for us, and allows approved writers to manage their writer profile and select and submit assignments. Review guidelines and information about assignments are also featured in our Writers' Center
How do I log in to the Writers' Center?
If this is your first time visiting the Writers' Center, you will need to create an account and have it approved before you can log in. Please view our write for us page before applying for an account. If you have already signed up, please log in through our login page, using your email address and the password you selected.
Why can't I see the list of assignments through the Writers' Center?
You can only view our list of available assignments if you are logged in to your account.
What are the different levels of restaurant review assignments?
There are four different types of restaurant assignments on our website:
  • Standard Assignments
    Open to all writers and are generally unpaid
  • Featured Assignments
    Open to all writers who have at least silver level status and generally pay between $10 and $50
  • Premium Assignments
    Open to all writers who have at least gold level status, and generally pay between $50 and $200.
  • Invited Assignments
    May not be selected by a writer; rather writers are contacted by our editors and asked to review a specific restaurant. The fee for invited assignments is negotiated prior to a writer accepting an assignment.
How do I get to write featured, premium, and invited restaurant reviews?
We offer these assignments to writers once they have written a certain number of articles or reviews for our website. To keep track of who can take on which assignments, writers are assigned to one of four levels based on the reviews and articles they have written. There are four different writer levels: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.
  • Bronze
    Criteria: Writers with no published articles or restaurant reviews
    Benefits: May select only from standard restaurant assignments. May only take on one assignment at a time.
  • Silver
    Criteria: Writers with at least one published restaurant review or ten or more published articles
    Benefits: May select from standard or featured restaurant assignments. May take on up to two assignments simultaneously.
  • Gold
    Criteria: Writers with three or more published restaurant reviews, one or more published invited assignments, or 30 or more published articles
    Benefits: May select from standard, featured, or premium restaurant assignments; will be granted priority access to new featured restaurant assignments; may be considered for invited assignments; may take on up to three assignments simultaneously.
  • Platinum
    Criteria: Writers with ten or more published restaurant reviews or 100 or more published articles
    Benefits: May select standard, featured, or premium restaurant assignments; will be granted priority access to new featured restaurant assignments; may be considered for invited assignments; may be considered for editorial responsibilities; no restrictions on number of assignments taken on simultaneously.
What does the "assignment status" mean and why can't I select some assignments?
The assignment status indicates which reviews are being worked on by other writers. Since only one writer may work on an assignment at one time, you are unable to select assignments with a status other than "available." Assignments may be designated as:
  • Available
    This assignment is available for selection
  • Reserved
    A writer or our staff has reserved this assignment for a writer to work on in the future. It is not available to other writers.
  • Assigned
    A writer has selected this assignment to work on. It is not available to other writers.
  • Submitted
    A writer has submitted this assignment for our editor's consideration. If it meets our approval, it will be published. If it does not, the assignment may become available to other writers.
  • Completed
    A writer has completed this assignment, and it has met our approval. This assignment will no longer be available.
  • Incomplete
    A writer has submitted portions of this assignment. The writer will have until his or her deadline to submit the rest of the assignment. If the complete assignment is not submitted by the deadline, the assignment will become available to other writers.
  • Rejected
    A writer has submitted this assignment, however it did not meet our criteria or standards. This assignment will soon become available to other writers.
  • Canceled
    A writer selected this assignment but then cancelled it. It will soon become available to other writers.
  • Published
    A writer has completed this assignment, it has met our approval, and it is posted on our website. This assignment will no longer be available.
What are invited assignments?
Invited assignments arise when our staff requests that a particular writer go on assignment at a particular restaurant. These assignments are not listed among our available assignments; rather, individual writers are contacted when they are selected for an invited assignment.
How do I get to go on invited assignments?
All writers are asked in their writer's profile whether they would like to be considered for invited assignments. Writers who set their preference to yes will be considered along with other writers when our staff or a particular restaurant needs a writer to immediately create a restaurant profile for our website.
What do invited assignments pay?
If you choose to be considered for invited assignments, you will be able to suggest your own fee for completing these assignments. Furthermore, while on an invited assignment you will not have to pay for food or beverage during your visit to the restaurant (you will, however, be asked to tip your server). You may select a fee between $0 and $500.
Who selects the writers for invited assignments?
Both restaurants and our staff may select a writer for an invited assignment. Selection criteria include a writer's profile, their previous reviews, and their stated fee. All levels of writers may be considered for invited assignments, however only the writer profiles and fee information for gold and platinum writers are provided to interested restaurants.
What happens when I am selected for an invited assignment?
If you are invited on an assignment, you will be contacted by our staff, have 48 hours to accept the assignment, and have two weeks to complete it. You will be allowed to accept invited assignments even if you are currently working on another assignment, and you will be granted an extension on your current assignment if needed.
What if I am contacted to do an invited assignment and I can't or don't want to do it?
You will have 48 hours to decline an invited assignment and you will not be penalized. However, we cannot guarantee that another opportunity will arise.
What if I am contacted to do an invited assignment and I don't respond?
If we don't hear from you within 48 hours, we will assume the invitation is declined and we will offer the assignment to another writer. You will not be penalized for not responding; however we can't guarantee that another opportunity for an invited assignment will arise.
Can I change my mind about being available for invited assignments or about my fee?
Yes, you may change these options at any time through your writer's profile. Changes will immediately take effect.
Can I change the information on my profile?
Yes, you may revise the answers to the questions in your profile at any time by visiting the my profile and interview pages once you are logged in.
What is the "display name" in my profile?
The "display name" in your profile is the name that will appear in the byline of your restaurant reviews and articles. If you would like your work attributed to your real name, make sure you type your full name in this field. If you do not wish to display your full name beneath your article, you are welcome to use a nickname; however please try to use full words rather than a combination of letters and numbers. If you would like to use initials, please be sure to separate initials with a period and space.
Good examples of display names are: John Smith; Anne C. Jones; John S.; A. C. Jones
Display names that might look strange in the context of our website: AJ5538; JSmith95; Joneserator2; etc.
Can I change my password?
Yes you may change your password by visiting the my profile page once you are logged in.
What happens if I forget my username or password?
Your username is always the email address you provided. If you forget your password, you may email us and we will reset your password.

Writing a Restaurant Review

What happens when I select a restaurant to review?
We encourage you to choose carefully and research the restaurant before selecting it, because once you select the restaurant you will be committed to writing a review. You will have two weeks to submit all components of the review.
Oops - I accidentally selected a restaurant and didn't mean to. Do I have to write the review?
We provide you with a 48-hour grace period to cancel any writing assignment you did not intend to commit to. However if we find you consistently canceling assignments we may suspend your account.
After I select a restaurant, when should I visit the restaurant?
You should arrange to visit the restaurant at the first available opportunity with the following in mind: Sundays and Mondays are not good days to visit as executive chefs often have these days off. Fridays and Saturdays are not good days to visit, as restaurants are often at or close to peak capacity, and the staff may not be able to provide you with the time and attention you need, especially if you need to interview the chef. It is best to plan your visit for the early evening, ideally between 5 and 5:30 and always before 6:00, so that you can catch the restaurant before it gets too busy.
Do I have to visit the restaurant?
Yes. We require you to visit the restaurant after you accept an assignment, even if you have been to the restaurant before. We ask that while you are there you pay close attention to the atmosphere, mood, service, food, and wine list.
Do I need to make a reservation?
It is strongly recommended that you make a reservation prior to visiting the restaurant.
How many dishes do I need to order?
You will need to describe at least five dishes in your review.
Am I required to drink during my restaurant visit?
No, writers are not required to drink wine or other alcoholic beverages during their visit; however, as the beverage service is part of a typical dining experience, it is required that you describe the beverage options in your review. If you do not sample any drinks during your meal you should make a point in your review to mention the beverage options and to describe the wine list and other drinks that are available.
Do I have to pay for my meal at the restaurant?
Yes, you will visit and pay for your meal just like any other time you dine.
Do I have to tip my server?
Yes. In all cases you should tip your server.
Will I get reimbursed for my meal?
No, you will not get reimbursed for your meal. However, the fees for our featured and premium assignments are determined based on the cost of dining at the restaurant, so for these assignments the fee you receive should cover some of the costs of dining.
Are there any exceptions to this?
Yes, once you have published three or more restaurant reviews, you will be eligible for invited assignments. If you are sent on an invited assignment, all food and beverage will be taken care of and you will not need to pay for your meal. You will, however, still be expected to tip your server.
How much time will it take me to write a review?
That depends on many things, including your knowledge of the restaurant and its cuisine how fast you write, and how many components are included in the review. We believe the two week time frame is more than enough to complete all components of the review, and you may find it takes you far less time.
How many things do I need to submit to you for my review package to be considered complete?
This will depend on the restaurant. You will need to submit at least four components and up to nine. These components are:
  • Short Review - all restaurants
  • Restaurant Review - all restaurants
  • Dinner Menu - all restaurants
  • Restaurant Features - all restaurants
  • Chef Profile - some restaurants
  • Chef Photo - some restaurants
  • Signature Recipe - some restaurants
  • Restaurant Photo - some restaurants
  • Wine List (wines by the glass only) some restaurants
How do I know what is required for the restaurant I am reviewing?
Before you select the restaurant, you will see the components that are required next to the restaurant on the assignments page.
How do I know what to incorporate in each component?
Information on each component of the review can be found on our review guidelines page.
What happens if I don't submit all components of my assignment?
Your assignment will be considered incomplete. You will not be able to review any other restaurants until you upload the missing components. Additionally, your writer profile may be suspended for 30 days.
Will I get paid for writing my review?
The first review you write for our website will be a standard assignment, which will be unpaid. After this review is approved, you will be able to select from both paid and unpaid assignments. The payment for paid assignments can range from $20 to $200.

Submitting an Assignment

What do I do when my assignment is done?
When all components of your assignment are complete, simply log in to the Writer Center and go to our upload page. Here you will be able to follow the directions to upload your article or each component of your restaurant review.
What if I have trouble uploading my assignment?
If there are technical issues with our website that prohibit you from uploading your assignment you may email it to us; however if our website is functioning we expect you to upload all components of your assignment. If everything appears to be working and your article or review still will not upload, check the length - it may be over the maximum character limit.
When will I get paid?
A check for your assignment fee will be mailed within 30 days from the date that your assignment is approved. Please note that you may be asked to edit or revise portions of your assignment before it is approved—you will not be paid until any requested changes have been made.
What if I don't revise my assignment?
If you are asked to revise or edit any portion of your assignment and we do not hear from you within a week of our request, we reserve the right to edit the assignment, publish it as is, or to refuse to publish it. If we refuse to publish your assignment because it does not meet our guidelines, you will not be paid.
Do I need to fill out any tax forms?
You will be required to fill out a 1099 once you are paid $600 or more in a single tax year. We will contact you to fill out this form if we see you are getting close to or have reached this cut off.

Rights & Responsibilities

Can I republish any components of my assignment on another website or in a magazine after I submit it to you?
No, when you take on an assignment you are asked to agree that the copyright and publication rights will be granted to Restaurant Agent, Inc.
Why does Restaurant Agent, Inc. get the copyright to my work?
Each assignment is commissioned by us as a contribution to our network of websites, which is a collective work consisting of restaurant reviews and related content. As such, your assignment is considered a work made for hire, which under copyright law means that the commissioning party, our website, will hold the copyright to the work.
What if I would like to retain the copyright to my reviews or articles?
Then you should not take on an assignment or publish your work through our website.
 
Can I set up multiple accounts?
We only allow one Writers' Center account per person, period. If we find out you have activated more than one account or that you have signed up for an account in someone else's name, we will ban you from our websites.

Contact:

Address
Restaurant Agent, Inc.
835 5th Avenue Suite 308
San Diego CA 92101
Phone:
1-866-368-3773
Fax:
619.239.5071
General Info:
info@restaurantagent.com
Editor:
editor@restaurantagent.com

Writer Account

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