Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Submissions
Almost all of the work that is submitted to us results in a feature on our site. However, we cannot feature every submission made to us, so taking the time to ensure you make a strong submission can ensure that your work sails through the selection process.
How do I make a submission
It's easy to make a submission to Creative Ripple. We've designed a special online form that guides you through the process, and we're always happy to help if you have any questions. Our submission process is not intended to be scary or difficult, and we're not looking for a select group of specific creatives. We're here to support almost all creative New Zealanders working across a variety of fields and in a wide range of mediums.
How do I choose work to submit?
When choosing work to submit, choosing work that has a particular focus is more likely to be selected.
For example, a focus could be on a particular way of working, on work that was created during a particular period, on work associated with a particular event or idea, or on a particular style or subject within the work.
Submissions that include a general selection of unrelated work are the least likely to be selected.
For example, a focus could be on a particular way of working, on work that was created during a particular period, on work associated with a particular event or idea, or on a particular style or subject within the work.
Submissions that include a general selection of unrelated work are the least likely to be selected.
Do you only feature artists/artwork?
It has been the case that the majority of work featured on our site has been from artists. However, this is a reflection only of the work submitted to us, and of our social following. We are very exited about opportunities to share creative work from a wide range of fields including Design, Photography, Textiles, Ceramics, Music, Writing, Crafts, and many others.
Instead of sending you a PDF with images or attached images, can I just give you a link to my website or social media profiles?
We'd love you to include a link to your website and social media profiles with your submission, but choosing not to include images as attachments in your submission creates more work for us and sends your submission to the bottom of the pile.
Selecting at least five relevant images is your opportunity to show us a particular focus or angle from which we can write about your work (see "Choosing work to submit", above).
Some other reasons why we require attachments/uploaded PDFs.
Submissions that do not include at least five relevant images in an attached PDF or as attachments are less likely to be considered.
Selecting at least five relevant images is your opportunity to show us a particular focus or angle from which we can write about your work (see "Choosing work to submit", above).
Some other reasons why we require attachments/uploaded PDFs.
- Submissions (including images) may be printed, and we may not have access to internet when we are working through them;
- PDFs/images that can be emailed are usually of an appropriate size, so do not take a long time to download;
- Being able to look at your submitted information and images quickly, and in one single step streamlines the selection process and helps us to respond to your submission in a timely manner;
- Uploading/attaching images along with your information means that we have everything we need, all in one place.
Submissions that do not include at least five relevant images in an attached PDF or as attachments are less likely to be considered.
Can I send you images via a shared drive (like dropbox)?
No. We will not open links to shared drives. There are several reasons for this:
We will not open links to shared drives, which means submissions that include these will not be accepted.
- It takes us much longer to deal with submissions that include media in shared drives.
- Sending media via a shared drive usually means we're given permission to acccess the files via only one email address that is usually not the address we have associated with that service.
- Sometimes we do not even have an account through which to access the shared drive, or you may have given permission to one user but noone else in our team (meaning only the person you sent it to can access the drive).
- Files in shared drives take much longer to access, and use much greater amounts of unnecessary data, than attachments in an email or an uploaded PDF.
We will not open links to shared drives, which means submissions that include these will not be accepted.
What happens once I've made my submission?
Once you have completed your submission, we will take the time to review it. We'll look at your images/media, visit your website and any social media profiles that you provided to us and read your information carefully. We will then see if there is a place within our publishing schedule to feature your work. We will then respond to your email. This process can sometimes take several weeks.
Please note, not all submissions made to us can be featured (although most submissions that are made to us do result in a feature). We try to reply individually to each submission, but in the event that you don't hear back you should assume that your work has not been selected.
If your work is selected, we will respond to you via email, usually with some more questions pertaining to the particular angle from which we would like to write about your work. Once we've gathered all the information we need (including any more images or related content)
If your work is not selected, we aim to let you know via email. Please do not assume that because your work was not selected at this time that you should not submit work again. Sometimes it's just a matter of timing.
Common reasons for work not being selected:
Please note, not all submissions made to us can be featured (although most submissions that are made to us do result in a feature). We try to reply individually to each submission, but in the event that you don't hear back you should assume that your work has not been selected.
If your work is selected, we will respond to you via email, usually with some more questions pertaining to the particular angle from which we would like to write about your work. Once we've gathered all the information we need (including any more images or related content)
If your work is not selected, we aim to let you know via email. Please do not assume that because your work was not selected at this time that you should not submit work again. Sometimes it's just a matter of timing.
Common reasons for work not being selected:
- You did not provide us with enough information;
- You did not provide us with work that had a particular focus or relevant angle from which we could write;
- We may have had a large number of similar submissions;
- You may not have followed the submission process correctly (e.g. a message via social media asking us to look at your work does not constitute a submission);
- You may not have agreed with our Terms & Conditions and the terms of our Privacy Policy; or
- You may not have been able to provide images that meet our criteria for images.
What if I don't have a website?
A website is not a requirement of the submission process, but as an online magazine we have a unique opportunity to drive traffic to the websites of the creative New Zealander's that we feature.
If you don't have a website, you may consider sending us a link to your social media profile(s).
If you do not have a website, we advise that this is something you should explore in the future. Ripple Design & PR is a creative studio that specialises in working with creatives. Whether you are an individual or a small business, this is a good place to start for a range of website, design and PR services.
If you don't have a website, you may consider sending us a link to your social media profile(s).
If you do not have a website, we advise that this is something you should explore in the future. Ripple Design & PR is a creative studio that specialises in working with creatives. Whether you are an individual or a small business, this is a good place to start for a range of website, design and PR services.
My work is not for sale. Does that mean it can't be featured?
No. All submissions are equally considered, and selection is not dependent on having an upcoming exhibition, show or sale. We are happy to select and feature work that is not for sale.
What type of work is most likely to be featured?
Submissions of any creative, New Zealand work are equally considered. We welcome submissions from any creative New Zealander (including those living overseas) working in any field and medium.
I don't live in New Zealand. Can my work be featured?
Yes. We are interested in featuring New Zealanders who are working in creative fields overseas.
I'm not a New Zealander. Can my work be featured.
Regardless of your nationality, we are excited about featuring work from anyone living and working in New Zealand and contributing to our creative culture.
We will consider any submissions from Non-New Zealanders living overseas if they are relevant to our creative New Zealand target audience. However, our focus is on promoting and supporting New Zealand creatives.
We will consider any submissions from Non-New Zealanders living overseas if they are relevant to our creative New Zealand target audience. However, our focus is on promoting and supporting New Zealand creatives.
Can I submit a feature (already written) to Creative Ripple?
If you are a PR professional or an agent acting on behalf of a NZ creative, we will be happy to work with you. Please contact us to discuss this further.
Usually we do not allow people to submit already written features about themselves. However, if you would like to discuss this further, you may contact us.
We are always happy to consider suggestions made along with your submissions, and will often use quotes from you when writing features.
If you are interested in writing for Creative Ripple, please feel free to contact us. Please be aware that at this stage, all of our writers are volunteers.
Usually we do not allow people to submit already written features about themselves. However, if you would like to discuss this further, you may contact us.
We are always happy to consider suggestions made along with your submissions, and will often use quotes from you when writing features.
If you are interested in writing for Creative Ripple, please feel free to contact us. Please be aware that at this stage, all of our writers are volunteers.
